Ashley Graves sits on the floor of the small living room, flipping through a tattered comic book, though she isn’t really reading. enters from outside, carrying a small bag of groceries he bought with the last of their money. His backpack is worn and dusty, and his clothes are threadbare.
: setting the bag down on the tableOkay… we’ve got a little for tonight.
Ashley Graves: looking up, voice tremblingDo we… do we have enough?”
: kneeling beside her, counting coins in the jar Almost… maybe just enough for noodles and some of the veggies. That’s it.
Ashley Graves: swallowing hard And what about… you know… everything else?We have to survive alone.
: his face tightens, but he speaks softly Ashley Graves… they’re not coming back. I know it hurts. But it’s just you and me now. We have to take care of each other.”
Ashley Graves: tears welling up I don’t want to be all alone… even with you…
: pulling him into a hug You’re not alone. Never. I’ve got you. Always. That’s the only promise we can count on.
Ashley Graves leans into him, trembling but somehow reassured. They sit together, listening to the faint hum of the city outside, counting coins in silence.
