Kat looked up as one of the men came into the room. Jason? Was that his name? He had kind eyes but the movement and stance of a soldier. Marine? Army Reserve? Either way it was no surprise he had survived this long. The strong tended to do that, especially when the weak were left to fend for themselves.
She flinched as his hand came toward her out of reflex, but relaxed when she saw he was offering her food. He apologized for poking around but she only shrugged. [color=7bcdc8]"No law against it,"[/color] she commented as she took the food. She paused a moment before taking it, looking at him as both of their hands were on the packages of food. [color=7bcdc8]"Thanks. Thank you,"[/color] she added, deciding that a simple 'thanks' sounded flippant and rude. [color=7bcdc8]"I... I really appreciate it."[/color]

Gratitude was a strange feeling for her, mostly because not many people had done things for her without wanting something in return. She would probably find out the cost of this favor later, but since she had not eaten anything more than a couple of crackers and a piece of jerky in nearly three days she wasn't about to complain or reject it. Whatever the price was, she would pay it.

She pushed those thoughts from her mind. Turning, she picked up Grace just as one of the women in the group started screaming that the horde was coming.
Grabbing her bag and making sure Jason was behind her, Kat went outside to face the others in the group. Had Ethan even told them he had invited her and Grace to come along with them? Would they have an issue with the two newcomers?
[color=7bcdc8]"Ethan said we could come," [/color]Kat said tensely. She hadn't missed the annoyed look one of the men had given her child, and she wasn't going to let him get by with it either. If he tried anything she would snap his fingers.

Grace, not knowing what was happening but knowing that people were upset and tense, started to whimper worriedly. Kat held Grace close, talking to her gently and stroking her back to calm her. [color=7bcdc8]"It's alright baby girl. Everything is okay."[/color]
She glanced at Ethan, wondering what he was thinking. Did he feel a father's natural instinct to protect his child? Did he regret saying they could come now that Grace was on the verge of crying?
Her eyes also moved to Jason. He didn't seem like a follower type, but Ethan seemed to be the leader of this group. It didn't make sense to her.
[color=7bcdc8]"Where do we go?"[/color] Kat asked, looking at both men to see which would answer.