The room went silent as Iona stepped inside, the door shutting was the only noise aside from her footsteps. Everyone seemed stunned.

  Wyatt approaches her, the first to speak out of the group “You wanna eat first? You been out there a while.” He said, gesturing back towards the kitchen hoping to draw her attention to the food.

  “Eat?” She parroted in disbelief.

  “Uh, yeah, Nance-” Wyatt stopped as she just walked past him, moving towards the kitchen where the bulk of the group was.Wyatt trailed, turning to follow her with his eyes, but still standing in the living room.

  “Hey Iona.” Arlene waved, trying to act normal. Though her smile was awkwardly crooked.

  She walked past Dominic, towards the counter, but then she turned to their supplies. The boxes of cans and bags were few and with

  “We need more food for the trip.” Iona stated as she stood over their few remaining boxes of foodstuffs.

  “Maybe we should talk after you eat?” Nancy gently suggested but Iona didn't acknowledge her, she knelt down by the crates and began picking through the cans and boxes.

  “Iona?” Nancy called again.

  Iona shot up to her feet, her expression near unreadable as she continues on, ignoring the concern in Nancy's voice. “We should empty out the vehicles, dump anything that isn't necessary.” Iona speaks, hand on her chin as she took inventory of their supplies.

  “I'm sorry?” Asja asks.

  “You're not taking everything.” Jeff suddenly interjects, his eyebrows pinching close in anger though he didn't look very intimidating.

  Nancy handed out another tray of stew before she left the task to Arlene and Dixie, walking over to Iona, however Iona stepped away before she got too close “Do you want to sit down?” Nancy asked gently.

  “We need to take this more seriously.” Iona said pinly, refusing to look at Nancy “We should lower the amount of cars we bring, syphon the gas out of the smaller ones. Take the moving van and some of the SUVs, the old wagons won't make it through the country.” Iona said, clearly having her own conversation as she picked at her surroundings.

  “Iona you should really sit.” Nancy tried to soothe her but Iona wasn't having it, her mind racing.

  “We should start packing, we've wasted too much time here.” Iona retorts, turning to face her briefly, she then gnced down at Cooper. He was beside his mother, his rge eyes searching Iona with concern.

  “What?” Iona starts, suddenly taken off guard. Her heart was pounding and Iona felt a cold sweat coming in but she kept her face as neutral as she could. Bonnie saw the tension in her face, the subtle tightness of her expression was shakily controlled.

  Cooper turned to her, looking up at Iona “Will you eat with us?” He asked, and with Penelope just a few inches behind him it was hard for her to ignore their round faces and big eyes.

  “It's been a long day, don't you think we should rest?” but Nancy's voice broke her out of her brief pause.

  “Rest? Do you want to die?” Iona snapped. Looking at Nancy she didn't see how Penelope flinched at her harsh tone.

  “Iona!” Dixie yelled, snatching Penelope closer.

  “What? We should leave now. While we still have light.” Iona added, tone tight.

  “I'm not leaving.” Irvin said, staring down at his mostly untouched pte.

  “Dad?”

  “I'm not leaving her.” his voice ghosted.

  “D-Dad? What? We have to get to Port York.” her tone began to falter, crumbling slightly as her father disagreed

  “I can't.”

  Iona stares at her father in disbelief, the shock fading allowed her to stammer, she started up protest and counter argument but never got past her opening words, restarting over and over as she got more flustered.

  She stepped forward, then back, an awkward stamp as she tried and failed to speak, her thoughts moving faster than her mouth.

  “You should sit, eat.” Asja said, walking up to her side. Her voice was calm and soothing but it only seemed to further agitate Iona.

  “No!” Iona protests.

  Penelope inches closer to her mother, nervously hiding behind her as Iona waved her arms. She dragged her towards the kitchen entrance. “We’ll be in the other room.” She muttered so low she wasn't sure anyone heard her.

  “Calm down.” Dominic suggested harshly, though Cooper kept a strong face, he wanted to understand just as much as the others did.

  “What is going on? Do none of you want to get evacuated?” Iona retorts.

  “We just think you should eat.” Nancy soothed, reaching out to gently grab her trembling shoulders, her big eyes were just like Cooper's, soft and caring and it made Iona pause.

  “I'm not hungry.” she murmured, the fire in her fading.

  “Iona.” Bonnie called,walking to her with a tray in hand “Do you want to get some fresh air? Those porch chairs are surprisingly comfortable.” She gently suggested, now on Iona’s other side.

  Iona huffed, she was baffled. Her eyes scanning every face in the room looking for any sembnce of support. However all she saw were awkward gnces and uncomfortable gazes on the floor.

  Wyatt was the only one who seemed to agree with her, giving a look that wasn't concern or pity, aside from Ralph, who was ignoring them all to eat.

  “I'll join you?” Bonnie smiles, holding the tray with one hand she gingerly reaches out to Iona, Bonnie's hand was huge compared to Iona's as she csped her fingers around Iona's palm, her skin as warm as her smile.

  Iona could suddenly only focus on Bonnie's strong yet gentle hold, the looks of the other survivors that overwhelmed her faded just a bit and when Bonnie pushed the tray into Iona's hands she took it. “Fine.” Her voice is hollow but not as tight as before.

  Bonnie lit up at her agreement and quickly gathered a tray of her own “I don't girl talk often,” she jokes, trying to lighten Iona's mood even just a bit even at her own expense “But I'll listen to anything you have to say.” She offered, turning back with another tray in hand.

  Wyatt scrambled out of their way as the two walked outside, Bonnie's lead had them out the door quick and quietly, the possible explosive scene avoided.

  Nancy exhaled in relief once the door shut. “Poor thing.” Her voice was hardly above a whisper, hand folded by her heart.

  “She's not wrong though.” Arlene adds, finishing the st portion of the stew she set the now empty pot on the sink.

  “Not right now. Please.” Nancy sighs deeply.

  Arlene grunted, turning back to scrub the pot, ignoring her own steaming bowl beside her.

  Cooper carried a tray to Wyatt, Dominic, standing in the doorway watched him walk by curiously.

  “For El-Mae.” Cooper says, ushering the tray into his hands.

  “Oh,” Wyatt quickly pulls his hands from his jean pockets and hastily takes the tray, nearly dropping it before he manages to bance the weight of the bowl against the light pstic utensils. “Good kid, Coops.” Wyatt praised, he would ruffle Cooper's hair but with the tray in his arms and the hat on the boy's head he decided against it, instead he thanked Cooper with a nod and moved to the back bedroom, where El-Mae has refused to leave.

  Dominic felt his jaw tighten, then he got frustrated with himself. He sighed, he knew he had to get rid of this jealousy for the good of the group.

  “Cooper, eat with me and mom?” Dominic asks as Cooper helps pte the st tray.

  “I was going to eat with Penny.” Cooper said pinly, double checking to ensure everyone was fed.

  “With Penny? Penelope?” Dominic asked, his grin faltering. He didn't want to demand Cooper's attention but it stung a bit, he remembers when Cooper would jump at the chance for a family dinner and he felt the dull ache start to return to his chest.

  “Aww,” Nancy smiles, turning to look at Cooper, then up at Dominic “That's so sweet, of course Cooper go eat with your friend.” Nancy said before pcing a soft kiss on his forehead.

  Cooper smiled but flustered back, trying to dodge her pyfully “You can come too,” Cooper invited, looking between his parents before he went to take his tray.

  “Thank you!” Nancy replied, smiling at him. She pushes a tray towards Dominic, her smile more forced, trying to get him to smile back.

  Which he did, he nodded in thanks as he took it from her “That sounds great.” Dominic added.

  Outside on the porch Bonnie settles into the rocking chair beside Iona, a small table between them still holding the radio, the legs of the furniture bulging from the weight of the metal casing but it still held so they left it where it was.

  It was getting close to sunset, a few hours of the day remained but the chill of the night was already creeping in.Iona set the tray on her p staring down at the bowl, the stew looked decent, made with the leftovers of the sheep and whatever they could find from their supplies.

  She took a bite but the fvor was mild, she wasn't paying attention, her gaze, focus, it was distant. She wanted to pretend she was anywhere else.

  Bonnie scarfed down her own stew with a deep hunger, Bonnie was used to eating a lot more than this, she was always moving, always working. Always hungry. Even the simple meal of leftover stew was amazing to her. Her bowl was empty before Iona's was half gone.

  Bonnie didn't mind the silence, it wasn't tense this time. It was almost somber, a peaceful billowing of wind rustled their hair and Iona felt a chill shiver down her spine, pulling her out of her head.

  “Do you want to go in?” Bonnie asked but Iona shook her head no.

  Iona sighed as she lowered the pstic spoon “No,” Bonnie hardly heard her reply with how soft her voice was.

  “Do you want to talk-” “No!” Iona interrupted Bonnie but quickly regretted her hard tone. “No, no, I'm sorry.” She quickly said, but not once did Bonnie look upset, her soft features held nothing but understanding.

  “He doesn't want to live without her.” Iona admits, and it was like she was finally admitting it to herself. She felt helpless. Like she could do nothing to convince her father to push on, to survive.

  Bonnie didn't know what to say, so she tentatively reached out, her wide hand falling on Iona's shoulder and once she found Iona allowing her touch she began to gently rub circles into her back.

  “We’ll get through this together. All of us.” Bonnie assures, and her tone made Iona desperately want to believe her.

  Bonnie managed to get a faint smile on Iona's lips and she added “Do you think you can manage one more night?” she chances, asking softly.

  “I don't think I have much of a choice.” Iona's voice drifted, taking another bite.

  Bonnie's smile didn't falter but it also didn't reach her eyes, not completely.

  She leans back and sets her tray on the porch, settling back to rex as Iona slowly picks at her meal.

  Inside the home was quiet, conversations were had but those who spoke were hushed, tense words exchanged as they ate a meal, pretending like everything was normal.

  Renàta was relieved from the side bedroom so she could eat, Wyatt took over comforting El-Mae for now.Renàta’s eyes were red and puffy but she gave a weak smile to everyone she met eyes with.

  Surprisingly Ralph had cleaned up a few of the spare dishes as he finished eating first but he disappeared before the bulk of the group finished eating.

  Jeff was silent at the side of the room, hovering by the hallway unsure what to do with himself.

  The side bedroom had more people than the living room, El-Mae was pressed against Wyatt's shoulder half asleep with an empty tray at her side, Dixie was on Wyatt's other side. Her legs hanging off the side of the bed as she watched Penelope and Cooper finish their meal.

  The two kids were sitting on the floor, and Nancy sat not far away, her back against the wall. With Dominic a few feet from them.

  Renàta took her meal, slightly cold now, and sat beside Irvin. Trying to give him silent comfort as she ate. She felt depleted but the lukewarm stew quickly helped refill her battery.

  Asja closed the door to the office, spending time with her daughter as the house began to fall into a gentle quiet.