“I'll admit I'm a shoot first, ask questions later sort of person. I'd come up behind all of you. You didn't know where the farm was as far as I could tell, but behind the fence when someone comes knockin' at my door I don't usually welcome them with open arms.” Let him glean his own meaning from that.<br/><br/>“The exact number is between God and myself.” Forest sighed. “You say the city has been picked clean. Means more people are likely to have the same idea. You'll learn how to shoot here. Me and my father used to clean up shells that could be reused at the shooting ranges. He was always a resourceful man.” And it had been a hell of a lot cheaper than buying ammo. Before it had been about saving a bit of money. It was a blessing now.<br/><br/>“Won't ask anyone to point an unloaded weapon and hope for the best.” Wallis had gotten lucky.<br/><br/>In the moonlight, Forest could see the bruises on Lex's skin, reminiscent of his own. Looked the same to him despite the claim that he was healthy. Maybe that was deliberate. He was too polite to ask. Lex was tall and too thin as far as he was concerned. The other two were more filled out. Forest's eyes were assessing but didn't linger too long. He didn't want to make the other nervous, like he was sizing him up.<br/><br/>“Not gonna be all bad here though. Plenty to eat, so the hard work is worth it. And if everyone's willin' to put in some extra, a little pleasure to be had as well.” Forest was talking about the beer. “Fresh bread too, maybe. Never got it right but we should be able to grind a flour down. Yeast in the basement.” He shrugged. He didn't really know how to bake. Even less over the fire, though he could get the stove going if he found a little propane. They walked along the fence line, enjoying the cooler nighttime air before the sun had a chance to envelope everything in it's blanket of warmth. Forest was methodical in his route, not cutting in until he'd checked all the main perimeter points. Even if Lex was tired and ready to turn in he doubted he wanted to walk back to the farm on his own. He'd calmed down a great deal. Human conversation helped, giving his mind something else to do besides fret.<br/><br/>When they returned he assumed Mason was sleeping. The bedroom downstairs was shut and the pair walked up the stairs quietly, going their separate ways. Forest caught a few more hours of sleep but was up with the sun, as usual. He was courteous and didn't make an attempt to wake anyone. He'd let them rest since likely they were weary. Wallis woke not long after him, which made sense considering he wasn't up as late as the others. Forest put a finger to his lips, indicating the need for quiet and took him outside to the barn. After feeding the animals he gathered eggs from the kitchen, setting them in the basket on the counter. He opened several into a pot over the fire to scramble.<br/><br/>“You sleep okay?” Forest asked when Mason got up. He looked a bit irritable but said that he was fine; had never slept better.