Take nothing (-20 Greg)

He looked at the supplies again, his heart aching. They were a lifeline, something that could help them through the coming weeks. But the thought of leaving the family in the picture without food, without the means to survive, made his chest feel tight.

“Noah, come on,” Greg called from the hall. “I’ve found more upstairs. We can’t afford to leave this stuff behind.”

But Noah didn’t move. He stood in the living room, surrounded by the remnants of someone else’s life, the weight of their survival pressing down on him.

“No, Greg,” he finally said, his voice firm. “I can’t take it. If we’re going to survive in this world, we have to find a way to do it that doesn’t leave others to die for our own benefit.”

Greg stared at him, disbelief written across his face. “You can’t be serious. You’d rather let us starve than take what we need from people who can’t defend it?”

“I’m serious, Greg.” Noah stepped forward, his eyes locked on the older man. “We’re not taking these supplies. We’ll find another way to get by, but I’m not going to be the reason someone else suffers. Not when we can find another way.”

Greg scoffed, shaking his head. “You’re a goddamn fool, Noah. A bleeding heart in a world that will rip it right out of your chest.” He shoved his supplies into his backpack, his movements angry and abrupt. “Fine. Have it your way. But don’t come crying to me when Olivia is begging for food, and all you have to give her are your precious morals.”

With that, Greg stormed past Noah and out the front door, leaving him alone in the house. Noah sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. He felt like he had made the right choice, but doubt gnawed at him. Had he just doomed them to a slow, agonizing ****?

[-20 Greg]