By the time I reached Carmen's house, the sun had already disappeared behind the Boardwalk.
The streets were darker now, lit only by scattered lamps, flashlights, and the faint glow coming from the buildings people were still using. The work around the settlement had slowed down, but it had not completely stopped. A few people remained near the barricades. Others carried supplies back toward the Emerald Hotel before the night watch fully took over.
Carmen's house looked different from the last time I had been here.
Not completely repaired.
Not even close.
The Screamer attack had left too much damage behind for that.
The front windows had been broken. Part of the fence around the garden had collapsed. There were deep scratches across the outside walls from when Infected had thrown themselves against the building, and the ground near the entrance still showed marks where people had fought to keep them out.
But it was standing.
That was something.
