Nobody objected. They were exhausted, injured, terrified, and barely holding themselves together. Even if they wanted to help everyone, most of them no longer had the strength to do so.
Soon afterward, the plan was decided. Eugene, Robert, Eric, Victor, and four other physically capable men would act as bait while the remaining survivors escaped toward the nearest intact building.
Those too injured to run would be carried by the stronger survivors so nobody capable of surviving would be abandoned.
Some wives cried and begged their husbands not to go, but in the end, all they could do was say goodbye.
Just like Nelly. She tightly held both Eugene and Robert in her trembling arms as if trying to memorize their warmth before letting them walk toward death.
"I know both of you will survive," she whispered despite tears streaming endlessly down her face. "You two are strong. We'll become a family again."
