Thomas’s thoughts ventured much further down the path than Tatum’s had.  Or perhaps his mind was willing to follow the train of thought to fruition.  Tatum hadn’t gone much further than the thrill of doing something forbidden, of<i>inviting a man into her house</i>.  She certainly was entertaining the idea that allowing him entrance into the forbidden area would lead to them becoming more friendly.  Kissing and touching, perhaps.  How was she to know that his mind had zoomed ahead to<i>touching</i>?<br/><br/>Tatum was no stranger to the back and forth push and pull of potential romantic interaction.  It was a pastime in which she had taken pleasure.  It was the most simple of dances.  Who would make the first move?  Who would take the lead?  Who would be the one to finally suggest moving somewhere more...private?  Things were different Now.  The loss of what they had known had changed things so drastically that even their interactions with each other were altered.  People were cautious with revealing too much.  Suspicions abounded.  It was easier to snitch on one’s neighbors to move watchful eyes from what you were doing.<br/><br/>Tatum hated it.  She often thought of leaving.  But where would she go?  There was nothing but desolation for miles around this place.  Whispers of horrible creatures that surrounded them in the wilderness spread like wildfire.  To leave would be to risk death.<br/><br/>Her house loomed before them - a squat square shape in the dark.  She clung more tightly to his arm, the simple move pressing her body more tightly against his side. “I suppose we’ll have to leave fires banked when we leave our homes now.”  A deep sigh escaped her lips.  “Which then means more people could lose their homes to fire if they don’t do it properly.”<br/><br/>A quick glance upward to his face revealed his smirk.  She liked it.  After the scolding from Carol earlier in the evening then the gloomy turn their conversation, not to mention her thoughts, had taken on the way home, Tatum was glad to see an expression of happiness on his face.  She answered with one of her own, a genuine smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes.<br/><br/>The pair made their way up the path to the house then up the pair of steps to the small front porch.  Tatum had done her best to make it look welcoming.  A weathered rocking chair that used to be painted a glossy white sat to the left of the front door and there were pots and planters that indicated in nicer weather she tried to grow things.  She paused at the door and finally released Thomas’s poor arm so she could face him.  “I really appreciate you walking me home and your willingness to see that I won’t free--”<br/><br/>A loud bang from across the street interrupted her.  Tatum’s eyes reluctantly left Thomas’s face to see what caused the loud noise.  The night was dark but the figure across the street was wearing something white, a garment that made her look like an angel.  One arm raised to offer a wave.<br/><br/>The ex-lawyer sighed.  “You should go.  Agnes is… well, she’s something.”<br/><br/>The young woman who lived across the street was one of those townspeople who thought the Priest was next to God.  She took great delight in reporting to the Elders any perceived misbehavior in the populace.  When she first returned from her life in the City, Tatum had been excited to learn that someone around her own age was living across the street.  She’d thought they could be friends.  It was her first visit from the Priest that showed Tatum that they were destined to always simply be neighbors.  Only Agnes could have been the one who told him about her secret alcohol stash.<br/><br/>“Perhaps we could take a walk again sometime soon?”  She was grasping at straws, anything that would make it crystal clear that she was interested in his company.