Laney was surprised at Jennifer’s harsh response regarding the water, and her eyebrows rose. If there had not been a meaty man behind her, she might have stepped back. Her mouth dropped open in surprised, her full lips suspended in a soft O shape. It never even occurred to her that water might be an issue. In her naiveté she trusted that since it was a public shelter, water and food and shelter would not be an issue.<br/><br/>She brought her lips together in a soft self-deprecating smile when Jennifer relented. She used more than a drop, deciding this one bottle of water would not mean life or death for either of them, but it could make the difference in infection of not. She cradled Jennifer’s hand in hers as she carefully directed the stream of water over the cuts. Her instinct was to use a lot of sanitzer, but stopped when Jennifer directed her to. Laney had an urge to gently rub it into Jennifer’s fingers, although she didn’t really understand why. There wasn’t time to contemplate it before it was their turn to be ushered inside.<br/><br/>Laney was careful to keep an eye on their bags and make sure neither one of them forgot one before they took off for the blast door. Her hand automatically sought out Jennifer’s, just as Jennifer’s sought out hers. It just seemed natural, and the second their palms and fingers wrapped around each other, Laney felt a little of the fear push back. She had no idea what to expect beyond the door. The stories of the chaos in the stadium in New Orleans during Katrina swam in her head, but she quickly pushed them away. Those were just stories, urban legend. Surely it would nothing like that, here.<br/>