The fire had burned low, casting dim light across the small room as the conversation continued. The warmth of the fire, the quiet hum of voices—it all felt strangely comforting to Alex, who was used to the cold, harsh world outside. But as the evening wore on, his mind drifted back to the reality they all faced. The Rust Quarter was growing more dangerous by the day. Food and supplies were scarce, and winter had tightened its grip on the city, making survival harder for everyone.
Serena's story had stirred something in Alex—a desire to help, not just by saving Nia from a few street thugs but in a more meaningful way. He knew the risks of scavenging, but he also knew that the more people they had working together, the better their chances of survival. Serena and Nia had been holding on, just the two of them, for years. But Alex could see the strain in Serena's eyes, the fear that every day could bring another loss. He had an idea, but it wasn't something to take lightly.
As the fire crackled softly, Alex glanced at Nia and Serena, who were sitting side by side. There was a quiet bond between them—one built on survival and love—but it was fragile, just like everything in the Rust Quarter.
After a moment of hesitation, Alex cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"Serena," he began cautiously, glancing between her and Nia. "I've been thinking… about how tough things have been getting. I don't know how long you've been scavenging on your own, but I know how dangerous it is out there. And it's only getting worse."
Serena looked at him, her expression unreadable. She knew as well as anyone how dangerous the streets had become. Alex could see it in the way her shoulders tensed slightly, as if she was always bracing herself for the next threat.
"I've been scavenging with my sister, Elara," Alex continued. "She's strong, resourceful, and we've managed to survive pretty well together. But I've been thinking—maybe it's time we started looking out for each other. If we worked together—me, you, Nia, and Elara—it could give us all a better chance."
Serena raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but cautious. "You want us to join you? Scavenge together?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah. Elara and I have been managing okay, but it's getting harder to find anything worthwhile. The more hands we have, the better our chances. We can split what we find. And… if it works out, maybe you and Nia could move in with us. We've got space, and it would be safer to stick together than to keep surviving on our own."
Serena's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—surprise, skepticism, and maybe even a little hope. Alex could see her mind working through the offer, weighing the risks and benefits. She glanced at Nia, who had been quiet up until now, but whose eyes widened slightly at the thought of living with Alex and Elara.
Nia spoke up, her voice small but filled with a hint of excitement. "Mom, maybe it's a good idea. I mean… it's getting really bad out there. We could help each other, right?"
Serena hesitated, her gaze shifting between Alex and Nia. The protective instinct of a mother was clear in her expression, but there was also something else—a realization that, despite her strength and resourcefulness, the odds were stacked against them. No one survived alone for long in the Rust Quarter.
Alex leaned forward slightly. "I know it's a lot to ask, but… I think we'd be stronger together. We've all lost people. We all know what it's like. But maybe this is a way we don't have to keep losing."
Serena was quiet for a long moment, her eyes fixed on the fire as she considered the offer. Alex could see the struggle in her expression, the weight of the decision. She had spent years protecting Nia, keeping her safe, but the cracks were starting to show. The Rust Quarter wasn't forgiving, and it was only a matter of time before they ran out of options.
Finally, Serena sighed, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "It's true," she said softly. "I've been afraid for a while now… afraid that one day I wouldn't be able to protect Nia anymore. That something would happen, and I'd have nothing left to give."
Nia looked at her mother, concern flashing in her eyes. "Mom…"
Serena smiled weakly and reached over to squeeze Nia's hand. "I'm okay, Nia. I just… I know things can't keep going the way they have."
She turned her gaze back to Alex, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and caution. "If we do this, it's got to be all of us working together. You, Elara, me, and Nia. We look out for each other, no matter what. That's the only way we survive."
Alex nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "That's the plan. We'll look out for each other."
Serena glanced at Nia again, as if searching for any hesitation in her daughter's face. But Nia's eyes were filled with a sense of hope, something Alex hadn't seen in her before. She wanted this—wanted the chance to be part of something bigger, to feel safer, even if just by a little.
"Alright," Serena said finally. "We'll do it. We'll join you and Elara."
Alex couldn't help but smile. It wasn't just about scavenging—it was about survival, about finding a way to live in a world that had done its best to tear them all apart. Together, they'd be stronger, and maybe—just maybe—they could carve out a place for themselves in the ruins of the Rust Quarter.
"Good," Alex said. "I'll talk to Elara. We can start tomorrow. It'll be safer to scavenge in a group, and we can figure out living arrangements from there."
Serena nodded, though Alex could still see the tension in her shoulders. The decision hadn't been easy, but she had made it—for Nia, for herself. The weight of survival didn't lessen just because they were working together, but now, at least, they wouldn't be doing it alone.
Nia's face lit up with a mixture of relief and excitement. "Thank you, Alex. I… I didn't know what we were going to do before. This… this will help us."
Alex gave her a small smile, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. This was a new chapter, a step toward something bigger—but it also meant more risks, more people to protect. And the Rust Quarter wasn't going to let them have an easy time of it.
But for now, they had a plan. And in a place like this, that was something worth holding onto.