The Hand of God

You wake up from a recurring nightmare, the desert heat and endless thirst lingering even in the cool night air. The unsettling feeling of having taken a life a week ago gnaws at you. Chloe is asleep nearby, her breathing steady now that her fever has broken. The quiet house in Gibson offers temporary safety, but you know you can't stay here much longer. Your destination: John's gun shop outside of New Orleans, a long shot, but your only concrete plan.

You hug your knees to your chest, the weight of the past week pressing down. The image of Riley flashes in your mind, followed by the raw pain in your throat from his attack. Every time you speak, it's a reminder. You look over at Chloe, her small form a source of both comfort and immense responsibility. You need to move, to keep going, for both of your sakes.