<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family: 'arial'">Dex listened in silence much like he always did. She had the habit of reading those journals aloud, ever since she had discovered them all those years ago. While they both could read and write, Dex preferred to relax under the soothing tone her words often took. She carefully explored the larger words with practiced ease and he felt his lips quirk into a small smile despite their vulnerable position. Silence overcame her and he could practically feel the frustration rolling off her small body in waves. Her question brought a snort from the otherwise silent giant, knowing full well his companion was not stupid.</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 15px">He tuned out her musings in favor of surveying their location, not liking being out in the open for so long. It was dangerous, being so exposed, like sitting ducks in a pond full of predators. Humans, plants, and animals all were threats to them and they just so happened to be in prime real estate for being taken off guard. The smell of algae was overwhelming but there was little they could do since the other side of the highway was open water. Not the sea, he didn't think, but definitely a large lake of some sort. What predators lay beneath the murky depths was anyone's guess.</span><br/><br/>Still, he turned his back to the possible danger, relying on Fia to spot anything from her higher perch he had placed her on. He himself leaned against the pole, her soft hair twirling around his finger while his eyes searched every inch of the the street before him. Broken windows, long since raided stores, run down cars already covered in thick vines. While the forest he hunted was closer to home, this area was still well known to him and just as deadly.<br/><br/>Movement from his peripheral caught his attention and he cocked his head to the side, his blue eyes taking in her delicate features as she spoke reassuring words to him. It was laughable, cute even, that she would try to play her own insecurities off by trying to comfort him. She wasn't wrong, even if he didn't like it. This trek would be dangerous and while he knew he would die before harm came to her, the unknown left him on edge. His fingers tugged lightly on her hair in response.<br/><br/>He had been going over their journey since she first announced she had volunteered for the trek, giving him the option to follow her or stay home. He hadn't hesitated, nothing would take her from his side. And with that thought in mind he promptly signed himself up too. The countless nights they discussed their strategies should danger occur, leaving everyone behind and saving their own lives....that was what helped keep his feet firmly in place. He sighed, finding the words to appease her and assure her of the decision they had both made.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)">"It is our only option. We can't afford not to take the risk at this point."</span>Dex responded to her question, reflecting on all of the arguments for and against their decision to leave their home. He knew that it was ultimately the only decision that they could make given their current situation, but he still didn't like the risk of everything that went along with it. He trusted Fia's plan and despite knowing the risks involved if anything were to go wrong, he would be there to protect her with no second thought.<br/><br/>'<i>Do you think we'll make it</i>" Her fear laced her whispered words and that emotion tugged at his heart. Dex tugged firmly on her hair, forcing her body off balance so she fell into his waiting arm. His blue eyes met her dark brown and his lips thinned, trying to offer her his strength.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)"> "We will make it, I promise." </span>His voice confident, leaving no room for doubt even if he felt it.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(44, 130, 201)">"You have to remember your promise. If something happens...if things get bad, we leave. It doesn't matter who travels with us, they aren't important. Do you understand?" </span>He was dead serious. Neither had looked at the names on the list, preferring to spend their last night together wrapped in each other's embrace. Hopefully those picked were at least somewhat beneficial to the group.