They didn't know how long they were waiting. The small cramped office was a mess before they arrived and now it was worse, piles of debris and furniture was pushed around defensively, the table on its side shielding the cowering forms of Bernadina and Dern, the chairs lined up so they just had to push it to shut the door.

  The window behind them was blocked by stacked file cabinets, though thin streams of dim light managed to splotch the office floor.

  Dern rested his head against Bernadina’s chest as she gently strokes his shoulder.

  They hadn't heard much, the occasional distant howl of the undead, one thing they noticed was they hadn't heard that hellbeast, the infected Woolcat, in quite awhile. Dern had quieted down, a few shivers but he had stopped crying.

  The anxiety didn't go away however, every clink of gss or sound of the building shifting made him flinch.

  Bernadina whispered soothing comforts but she was too nervous to make much noise, a word now and again, a kiss to the cheek, whatever she could to try and keep them both hidden.

  Then they heard the crunch of gss. Footsteps. Dern searches for his weapon but Bernadina near silently slides the bag of kitchen weapons towards him.

  Then a voice. “Charlene?” It was Creed, followed by more footsteps.

  Dern felt his chest tighten, like he was going to choke, he looked at Bernadina with wide eyes.

  “Hello?” Monet called next. Her voice cracking.

  “In here.” Bernadina replied. She gently releases Dern and moves to stand. Dern scrambles beside her, standing at her side.

  Creed practically ran into the room, Debra lifelessly clung on his side. He saw the two of them and couldn't fight the fall of his expression, eyes frantically searching the office.

  He dropped Debra and she fell to her knees without a word, staring off at the hole poked wall.

  Monet followed after, walking into the room her lips twitched into a relieved smile “You guys made it!” She said happily, then her head turned, looking around the office for Charlene.

  “Where's Char?” she asked, still looking. Walking deeper into the room.

  Creed dropped the baton onto the floor. He didn't otherwise move.

  “I'm so sorry!” Dern excimed, tears immediately welling in his reddened eyes.

  Monet scoffed out a chuckle, her breath coming faster “Why?” She huffed still looking “Where, where-” “She didn't make it. I'm sorry.” Bernadina interrupted, unable to watch the way Monet’s face fought sorrow, forcing herself into denial.

  “What? No,” she shook her head “I mean you're joking right?” She asked, shaking.

  “I'm sorry.” Bernadina shook her head.

  Monet heaved in breathes, gasping, it felt like someone knocked the wind out of her. Her legs felt like jelly but she couldn't even colpse.“Charlene?” She ghosted.

  “Fuck!” Creed let out a strained shout, his throat so tight the words were strangled, he fell to his knees and his entire body tensed into a tight ball of rage, “Fuck!” He snapped through grit teeth.

  “Creed?” Monet finally began to focus again, blinking, her entire being suddenly felt numb. Like she was just floating right above the ground.

  “I should have been there!” Creed cried lowly, his voice growling to not betray the stutters of grief.

  “It's not your fault!” Dern excimed, he went to step forward but Bernadina stopped him, pulling him back behind the flipped table.

  Her expression was empathetic but stern, keeping him close to her side with a gentle shush.

  “If I wasn't stuck dragging you around I could have helped her!” Creed turned his head, but his expression wasn't angry despite his harsh tone, his face contorted into utter sorrow. He pointed towards Debra, bming anyone he could, “I should have followed her instead!” His voice cracked, and suddenly he began sobbing.

  “You should have!” Debra rose from her distraught crumble, sitting up, her face drained and pale, the red flush of tears having long left leaving her skin sensitive and raw “I didn't ask you to save me! I should have died with my babies!” Then she fell forward as well, gripping her face as she screamed into the floor boards. “My boys!” She screeched. Her fingers digging into her sides as she held her middle tightly to avoid ripping at her hair.

  Monet lunged forward and threw herself into Creed's chest, hugging him as tightly as she could as she cried hard, sobbing Charlene's name into his shirt.

  Creed hugged her back so tight he thought she might break, but Monet just met his strength, clutching him tightly as if she was afraid he'd disappear.

  Dern felt tears on his own cheek. He felt such guilt. Such regret. He wanted to help desperately but kept at Bernadina's side.

  Bernadina gently stepped around them, closing the door to the office to further muffle their voices. She leaned against it, looking back at the group before her.

  Her eyes drifted from Dern's concerned look to the others, Creed had gone mostly quiet, he would be limp, motionless, if it wasn't for the comforting pat he gave to Monet's back.

  Debra had leaned against the wall, utterly lifeless. Her face was gaunt, sullen, expression red but the rest of her skin paled.

  Encouraging Dern to stay put Bernadina stepped forward, walking over the office debris and to Debra, she let her hand pat Creed briefly as she walked by.

  Creed flinched, his eyes darting to her form like he was expecting an undead, causing him to clutch Monet tighter, her whimper so quiet Bernadina didn't hear it.

  Creed so desperately wanted to be angry. He wanted to scream and bme someone, his every being ached with a dull numbness. So he just lowered his head and held Monet tighter.

  Bernadina knelt down beside Debra and immediately she tensed, her body clenching, muscles straining as she closed further into herself. Bernadina didn't say a word and gently reached closer, persisting even after Debra flinched away, she let her hand run along the back of her shoulders until reaching her far side, leaning closer against her.

  Debra’s tense, near frozen, posture slowly began to fade as she leaned into the comfort of a living person. Though the warmth of Bernadina's gesture didn't change the cold dullness she felt.

  Bernadina knew that they had to keep moving but she couldn't bring herself to speak yet. She gently rubbed up and down Debra's far shoulder until her trembling began to slow.

  Dern slowly sat down a bit behind Bernadina, giving the two a few feet of space.

  The quiet in the office felt so much colder.

  She didn't know how long it was but finally Bernadina leaned away, standing very slowly, her grip firm but not painful as she encouraged Debra to follow, which she did, her shaking legs barely held her up and Debra found herself leaning against Bernadina's tall frame for support.

  “I'm sorry.” Bernadina said softly “I don't want to ignore your grief but we need to leave.” She ended with her voice louder, stronger. Dern practically jumped to his feet, offering to assist Creed or Monet up.

  “The biker couple and the Draconic boy, do we know where they are?” Bernadina asked.

  “East?” Creed's voice was low, hollow, it sounded like he screamed his voice away despite being so quiet “Towards the edge of the city.” He then shook his head, letting Dern help Monet to her feet.

  “Ember, Jake, and Ewell. That's their names.” Monet spoke but her voice was dull.

  “Okay.” Bernadina nodded lightly at her “We were going to find a car and go look for them, right?” She asked, looking between Monet and Creed who remained standing close together.

  “Yes.” Debra replies.

  Bernadina nodded in agreement, giving her a weak smile that tried to bring confidence.

  Dern stepped forward, entering the space between Debra and Bernadina, and Creed and Monet. “I bet they're fine.” He smiles. Jerking his head towards the office door.