Sonya stood in disbelief at the news of the plague's return. She had survived the last outbreak three years ago, but was unsure if she would survive this one due to her age. Sonya leaned down and picked up the leather pouch that Carter had tossed to her feet. She felt the heft of it as the coins inside jingled.
The old woman remarked, trying to give back the money, "I-I can't in good conscious accept any more money from you."
"Nonsense," exclaimed Dahlia, "We owe you our lives. You have risked everything to help us. Now stop being so modest," she scolded, "and pocket those coins."
"Thank you, and godspeed to you all." Sonya said softly, placing the pouch inside her apron pocket.
Dahlia and Carter waited till she returned to the eatery and closed herself inside.
"We must get moving," Carter said to Dahlia. "Darkness will be upon us in a few hours."
