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Zane, oblivious to what Tamantha wanted Leyla to get for her, opened Tamantha's pack and pulled out the books. He wasn't mad at her, at anyone. He felt numb, and empty.
"Here..." Leyla said and passed the pills warrily to Tamantha.
"Leyla, you need these books." He said, passing them to her.
"You're in charge of survival. You're eye has it's own database right? Like a mini cyber brain?"
"Yeah..." Leyla nodded.
"Read those books, store anything you think will be useful. When we scout the ruins of the city for supplies make sure you remember to get an energy cell or two." Zane said. Energy cells were like batteries for cyborgs, they contained pure energy that was absorbed into the body and could last a very long time in the system.
"Divi, have your group salvage any weaponry we can find. Weapons that don't require to be charged every night. Perhaps guns and swords." He then addressed Tamantha.
"We'll need more than a few purifyers for the water. There are atleast a hundred people in this safe zone, and we might be meeting up with others along the way...possibly. Do you have the coordinates of the water treatment facility? If we can get there, I'm sure we could salvage quite a bit of puriyers. And as for hammocks...that won't do us much good if there aren't any trees. Would it be possible to make beds on the ground if we use thick cloths?"

((We need to wait for Oxy.))

"If they're that dangerous then we can't risk everyone's lives by going there!" Leyla said.
"I'd rather try my luck with the beasts! At least I can fight those. Zane, What do you think about this?"
Leyla looked to Zane, who was staring at his bored.
"Answer me!"
"We can't do it." Zane said quietly. "Not at the risk of everyone. I won't allow anyone else to die."
Leyla smiled in relief.

Leyla leaned forward and caught Tamantha, then laid her on her back.

"Well...what do you think?" She asked.
Zane looked to her.
"I don't know..." He said. "If it's dangerous, you should probably go with her."
Leyla nodded. She proffered that anyway. She was, and she knew, the most capable person to act as a body guard.
"Me and Divi can take the others to the second entrance. We can manage that much."
"All right," She replied and stood up. "Everyone, we've got a plan. For now, everyone try to get some rest. Tomorrow, once the barriers go down, we'll be setting off for reconnaissance then we'll be on our way."
Murmmers circled around the group and Leyla watched as people began to relax as much as they could. However that also gave Zane the chance to block everyone out as well.
Leyla observed him sadly. She had never seen anyway grieve so deeply.
He really loved her... She realized as she watched him adjust his board.

"She's right." Leyla said.
"What is there to say?" Zane asked, his eyes still on what he was doing.

Zane lifted his eyes.
"I never knew my father, he ran out on my mother when I was born. But she was always in my life... she was always there for me. I would hear her cry sometimes when she thought she was alone, but she would always smile around me. She was my family...and now she's gone..."
"Zane!" Leyla snapped, and he jumped, looking at her.
"Oh my...god..." She sat next to him, pulling him into a hug.
Zane's blank eyes widened a little as she stroked his hair.
"I get it...I get it. She's gone...yes she's gone...But you aren't alone. You still have a family, Zane. It's an...awkward family, sure...But it's your family, Zane. Me, Tamantha, and Divi and even your team. We're your family...If you'll let us be."
Zane looked away, and a cold stone hit Leyla's chest. Was it not working? What if it was too late?

Zane's hand twitched, and Leyla thought he was going to push Tamantha away, but then his arms raised and he wrapped his arms around her.
Leyla smiled.
"Want to hear you're mother again?" She asked, knowing it was all she could do at the moment.
Zane's eyes looked to her as she leaned his head on her shoulder and rubbed Tamantha's shoulder.
"My child, don't feel so much pain for me. We didn't know this was how it would end. But don't blame yourselves. Every minute we shared was so very special, and nothing was ever wrong when you were with me. That's why I could always smile. My happiest moment...was when I saw you for the first time. I love you so much."
It was Leyla's voice speaking the words, but Zane only heard his mother and saw her face. He closed his eyes and one of his arms looped around her too. His face suddenly felt wet as tears fell from his closed eyes, but his heart felt warm, and a smile crossed his lips.

Most eyes were looking away, busy talking or off in their own minds. That was nice becuase it gave them alittle privacy, but the High Town Heroes were grouped together. Watching, and smiling. Their captain was okay.

"Becuase we're friends." Leyla said.
"And becuase we're a family." Zane finished and Leyla stared at him in suprise and relief. When he met her gaze she saw his old self coming back. There was still sorrow, but it would heal in time.
Leyla then bonked him on the head, ruining the beautiful moment.
"Next time something bad happens talk to us about it okay?" She asked.
"Okay..."
"You promise?"
Zane smiled.
"I promise." He said.

"So what did Jonny say?" Leyla asked Zane. "You asked him right?"
"We're sitting inside a safe zone and you bring up THAT?" Zane replied.
Leyla nodded and he sighed.
"He likes you." He said atlast. Leyla bounced up and down.
"ohmygodohmygodohmygod!" She said happily and waved to Jonny who smiled and waved back.
The other guys on the team seised the opprotunity and started goofing off and poking fun at him and Leyla saw Jonny's cheeks turn red.