Russ remained on the roof until it got dark. By that time, he decided to go back downstairs and get a bite to eat. The three of them decided it was best if they took shifts to keep an eye on the crowd below. Although they were certain the creatures couldn’t break through the chain link fence and gates without creating enough noise to awaken them, they decided not to take the chance. Stu elected to take the next shift, followed by Russ. Tommy volunteered to bring Stu something to eat before calling it a night himself.

            Russ chowed down on canned sardines and crackers while Tommy made pseudo peanut butter and jelly mini sandwiches with the crackers. When he was done, the kid filled a bowl with more of the PB and J sandwiches, added a snack bag of pretzels, and took the lot up to Stu.

            When he finished, Russ tied up the empty can of sardines in a gallon freezer bag, sealed it, and dropped the whole thing into a small box they’d set aside for incineration. Knowing the infected still had some sense of sight and hearing, Russ and the others decided they couldn’t assume the other senses were null and void. They feared the stench of their garbage might be enough to draw those infected, assuming they still had their sense of smell. But burning the refuse like food remains and used toilet paper wouldn’t, considering how many small fires were already burning throughout the city.

            He left the candle burning in the saucer on the table and kept the bathroom door open so he could see out into the lounge while he made use of the toilet. When he was done, he took a towelette from the pop-up dispenser of disposable wipes to clean away the day’s sweat.

            Grabbing his bottle of water off the table, he paused at the foot of the stairs to give his eyes time to acclimate to the dimness, then made his way up the steps to his room. Russ almost didn’t see the small form huddled in front of his door.

            “Tiva?”

            The young woman jerked when he spoke. Russ bent down and extended a hand. She took it, and he helped her to her feet.

            “Are you okay?”

            “I couldn’t rest,” she weakly explained.

            “Maybe I can go get you a couple more of those down jackets—”

            “No, no. It’s not the bed. It’s…” She took a deep breath.

            Russ reached for the doorknob. “Come inside,” he half-ordered, half-requested. Inside, he released her hand and quickly lit the candle he kept there. Turning to her, he noticed how she clutched her arms. “Are you cold?” Setting down his bottle by the door, he snagged the blanket from his bed and drew it around her shoulders.

            “I couldn’t sleep,” she softly admitted.

            “Would you like something to help you sleep? We have some sleep aids that won’t make you comatose. Or maybe you’d like a couple of aspirin.”

            She looked up at him. “I don’t want to be alone. Could I…can I please stay here with you? At least for tonight?”