Page 86 of What Remains

Seth looked toward the farmhouse where Josie stood talking to Cara. "I do."

Liz acknowledged this with a slow dip of her head, as if she'd already known. "I can see it."

He shifted his weight, his gaze landing anywhere but on her. "I wasn't planning⁠—"

"None of you were." She smiled sadly. "The world doesn't exactly leave much room for planning anymore."

Silence stretched between them until she turned to face him fully. "I need to ask you something."

"Okay."

"If things get bad out there..." Her voice caught, and she had to steady it before continuing. "...take care of my sister."

Seth didn't answer right away. Instead, he followed her gaze toward Josie, who now knelt beside Layla, fixing the little girl's winter hat before pulling her into a quick hug.

"I will."

Liz shook her head gently. "I don't mean because she's helpless."

"I figured."

"My sister has spent her entire life taking care of everyone else." Her smile held equal parts pride and heartbreak. "Our parents. Mark. Layla. Patients. Strangers. She'll run herself to nothing before she admits she's tired, and I've never once been able to convince her it's okay to stop." Liz looked back at him, her eyes shining.

A hard knot formed in Seth's throat. "I will keep her safe."

"I know." Liz squeezed his arm. "That's all I needed to hear."

They returned to the others just as Jay clapped his hands. "All right. Let's go over this one more time."

Jay traced the route toward Lakewood with one finger. "Shopping district first. Sporting goods, pharmacy, hardware store on Clement. We don't linger. If something feels off, we don't vote on it—we just go."

Cara gave a firm nod, her expression grim. Josie set her jaw. The agreement was silent, but absolute.

"No heroes," Cara added. "No unnecessary risks."

Liz folded her arms. "And if you see another group, you assume they're dangerous until proven otherwise."

“Exactly."

She looked around the circle before her eyes settled on Layla, and her expression softened into a smile. "So... I was hoping I could ask someone very important for a favor."

Layla looked up. "Me?"

"I was wondering if you'd help me take care of the horses while everyone goes shopping."

The little girl's face lit up. "I can?"

"You'd be my assistant."

Layla spun toward her mother. "Please?"

Josie knelt in front of her daughter. "I think that's a pretty important job."

"It is," Liz agreed solemnly.

"I'll feed Daisy?"

"And the goats. And maybe collect eggs, if the chickens cooperate."