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The crucifix that long ago Caine had used to crush a boy naain It now lay on a pile of debris It hurt Astrid to see it there She considered asking for volunteers to lift it again, but this was not the ti of anyone

Edilio came in with Albert, but neither rushed to the front to stand in solidarity with her

"If you guys will all sit down and stop trying to talk at once, we can have a town ," Astrid said

The response was loud and derisive A wave of bitter words washed over her

"Hey, the ht any water doe’re thirsty!"

"Hurt…"

"Sick…"

"Scared…"

And again and again, where is Sas like this happen, Sam should be around Is he dead?

"As far as I know, Sam is fine," Astrid said calht?"

"Yes," Astrid said without conviction "You can trust hter and more insults

So"

"All Astrid does is lie and do nothing," a voice shot back

Astrid knew the voice Howard

"All Astrid can do is talk," Howard said "Blah blah blah Andas Howard stood up slowly, stiffly, and turned to face the kids

"Sit down, Howard," Astrid said Even she could hear the defeat in her tone

"Did you write soht you were all about laws"

Astrid fought the urge to walk out Like Sam had apparently done, just leave town No loss to anyone

"We need to figure out hoe’re going to organize and deal, Howard," Astrid said "People need food"

"Got that right," a voice said

"How are you going to make that happen?" Howard deular job," Astrid said "It will be bad for a couple of days, but we’ll get food and water going again The crops are still in the fields The fish are still in the ocean"

That had a cal effect Astrid could feel it It helped to re had been lost in the fire Yes, maybe she could reach them after all