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voice said from the back.
    Everyone turned around. Rob looked up, surprised to see her standing there. “That’s nice of you, but we could be gone for days.” 
    “I need to talk to you and Elliot. It’s important,” Mila said.
    Rob nodded and looked at the group. “Do we have anyone else?”
    “Hell, I’ll go,” Carlos said.
    After a pause, Brad reluctantly raised his hand. “Me too. I’m dying to see what’s out there anyway.”
    Rob looked at Peter. “We could sure use another hand.” He’d gladly have accepted help from any of the women, but they were already conducting homeschool for the children.
    Peter looked around nervously, battling what a lot of the group faced: fear of the unknown. They had acclimated. They felt safe in the camp, and even comfortable with the isolation. Rob was asking them to switch back, just like that.
    “Don’t you think that’s too many people as it is?” Peter asked. “I mean, you don’t want to bring too much attention to yourselves. After that prison break, there’s lots of bad people on the street.” He looked at his wife as she rubbed his arm, realizing that he was rambling.
    “Listen,” Rob said. “I don’t want to force anyone to go, but we need all the hands we can get.”
    “You’re walking?” Peter asked.
    “Only about halfway,” Rob responded. “We have to conserve every ounce of fuel we have left.”
    Peter looked around. All eyes were on him. “Well, that’s, like, ten miles into town.”
    As he struggled with his decision, Mila approached Rob, eager to tell him her plan. Low chatter spread among the seated residents. 
    Mila signaled Elliot over as she stood next to Rob.
    “I don’t want you going,” Rob said quietly.
    “Listen to me. Reba’s sick. I examined her, took her temperature and everything. She’s running a high fever.”
    “What?” Elliot said, coming closer.
    Mila turned to him. “How could you not tell me about this earlier? Your wife is suffering. All signs point to a dysentery infection. Has she eaten any spoiled food? Drunk unfiltered water?”
    Elliot seemed baffled. “I-I don’t know. It happened so fast.”
    “She’s very sick, and this is not something that’s just going to go away.”
    “I’m sorry!” Elliot said with his voice rising. “I didn’t want to spook you guys. Create a panic.”
    Their conversation soon gained the attention of everyone else.
    “What’s going on?” Brad asked. “Who’s sick?”
    Rob stepped aside and gave Mila the floor.
    “We need more medical supplies,” she said, turning to the group. “Reba’s life depends on it.”
    The group clamored in near panic.
    “Don’t worry. As long as she stays in the room and away from others, no one will be in harm’s way. Peter included,” Mila said. “She’s suffering from an internal inflammation, and if we don’t get her the right medication, things could go from bad to worse.”
    “What are you suggesting?” Peter said. Everyone went quiet, awaiting her answer.
    “As you know, I’m a registered nurse at the Nyack Hospital. At least, I used to be. I know the type of antibiotics Reba needs. If the building hasn’t been pillaged yet, we can get that and more. There’s five floors to navigate through, and I can show you exactly where everything is.”
    Rob saw the conviction in her eyes. She was not backing down. She was right; she had to go.
    Peter then raised his hand. “Fine, I’ll go. Count me in. Is that enough people?”
    Everyone looked at Rob. “That’ll do just fine,” he said. “Let’s meet back here in twenty minutes. We want to get there before sundown.”
    “Whose vehicles are we going to take?” Brad asked.
    Rob looked around. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Any volunteers?”
    “You can use my truck,” Elliot said. “It’s light, gets decent gas mileage, and it’s the least I can do.”
    He had an old 1972 Ford Ranger with a diesel engine that could certainly be an asset for supply runs.