The woods are quieter than the streets. Most of the people leaving the city are on the road, either locked in their cars and bumper-to-bumper, or else walking to the side. There is greater danger in the crowd, but also cover, after a fashion. The Donors wander in and out among the crowd, their hunger sated, but ready to attack if they feel threatened in any way. Many refugees are armed with whatever they could find: baseball bats, shovels, heavy sticks. Firearms.
There is more than one danger to a crowd of armed and frightened people. First, you never really know, for sure, who you can trust. Some just want to keep themselves and their families safe. Some will help their neighbors if they can. Some will club their neighbors and steal their food. Best to keep the eyes peeled, stay wary of everyone. Keep your distance. Let nobody into your space. The second danger is worse and, now, more likely. If the clones do attack again, the shooting will start. If the shooting starts, innocent people will die. As simple as it is to point a gun and pull a trigger, it is far more complicated to hit what you want to hit.
The children and I are in the woods, and heading away from the road. The darkness here offers its own hazards, but when faced with the threats of the whole of humanity, I’m willing to take my chances.
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