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Bette sat with some of the survivors and a few fort residents She ate the biscuit on her plate slowly, picking off pieces, relishing the flavor Across frolances

Finally, Bette put out her hand and said, "Bette"

The younger wo shyly "My na and intense in the other woaze

Nervously, Bette continued to eat, but the heaviness inside felt a little lighter every ti at her

Three little kids sat in silence, eating their food hungrily, at a table of strangers none of the in the rooether No one really noticed the little ones; they were so quiet But if they had listened, they would have realized the children were looking at the leftover Christ a ladder to get down

Bill and Katarina ate together, holding hands under the table, giving each other furtive looks Despite the pain they felt around them, they were in their own little bubble of happiness Bill was hoether What exactly that ht

Kevin and Nerit sat down together and ate in silence As the dinner continued and people began to relax and laughter could be heard breaking out Tears caan to cry His wide shoulders shuddered as he openly wept All he had worked so hard to accomplish had failed in the end So many had died

And yet, some still lived They were safe, so perhaps he had not entirely failed He wept because his soul was tired and he felt crushed by the reer his

Nerit reached out and touched his shoulder Then another an tohim, whispers of "Thank you""You did well""Good job" filled his ears He looked up to see people ss

"I wish I had done more I wish everyone had made it I’ed hi pulled and guided gently through the roo hi with him

In the end, Nerit was there, her hand held out to him He took it and she helped him from the room She took him to her rooe

"Sleep," she told hi like a child

"Your job is done Now you can sleep," she repeated

Nodding, he closed his eyes and he felt her cool fingers rest on his forehead He was certain he would never be able to sleep But he did

He did not wake up for two days

Katie slipped into Juan’s room and found his ely fa bored

"Katie," Juan said emotionally He reached out to her and she took his hand quickly She let herself be dran into a tight hug Juan’s scraggly beard scratched her cheek when he kissed it

"Juan, I came as soon as I could," she said as she sat next to hirandma yet?"

Katie smiled at Guadalupe and reached out to the older wo out at the ht chica?"

"We certainly did," Katie answered, and looked back at Juan She could feel tears threatening her already "Juan, about Jenni…"

"I already know," Juan said quickly

"Who…"

"Jenni She came to me," Juan answered

Rosie dabbed at her eyes "He told htmare, but now…"

"She came to you in a dream?" Katie blinked

"I don’t think it was a dream I saw her I felt her She et and her hand was hurt At first I thought she was just horew hoarse as he continued "I realized she was tellingto Juan’s hand "She fell into water But away froet to her They didn’t touch her

And she’s not one of the to compose himself

"Did you, Katie? Youyou…didit?"

Katie nodded "I did"

Juan drew her down into a tight hug again "Thank you, Katie…thank you…"

"I dreamed of my Mom," Jason whispered to Travis in a slurred voice