Jayce waited for a moment, but when Sierra didn't respond, he turned to look at her.
"Sierra, what are you thinking about?"
Sierra snapped out of her daze. "I was just thinking... once things at the base stabilize, we should be able to go out, right? I haven't been outside once since the apocalypse started."
Jayce desperately wanted to say that Sierra could stay inside forever.
But the words died on his lips.
He knew Sierra wasn't some canary willing to be kept in a gilded cage.
He'd known that since they were kids.
"There's no rush to go out; we can wait a little longer. Things in the building are probably going to be a mess for the next few days. They'll be moving survivors in," Jayce said.
Sierra nodded. "I know. I'm not planning to go out right away, either. I need to be able to protect myself first. Otherwise, wouldn't I just be serving myself up on a platter?"
This second chance at life was hard-won and incredibly precious. She had to cherish it.
