"Hello, David."

The raider sat up and rubbed his face, squinting at my figure leaning against the doorframe of his makeshift prison. They'd done a decent job, David had a sink set up with a 5-gallon jug of water and pump, a toothbrush, a field toilet, two chairs, and an actual twin bed on a frame. I'd expected to see a cot.

"Nice accommodations you have here," I said dryly.

David smiled. "Mr. Aldrin! What an honor to see you again!" He exclaimed. "Call me Dave, please. And yeah, aren't they? If I'd known your guy's hospitality was so thorough, I would have gotten arrested years ago."

I rolled my eyes and looked at the guard behind me, nodding at them. He returned the gesture, and I stepped inside, shutting the thick freezer door behind me. I heard the lock snap in place as the guard locked it.

"Uh oh," Dave said, "Should I be worried?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing like that. Just wanted to get to know you a little better before they decide I should execute you." I walked over to one of the chairs, facing his bed, and sat.

His brow furrowed. "Thought y'all decided against that?"

I waved my hand. "Ah, these people are fickle. I should know, one minute, I'm a weird freak they all avoid, the next, I'm a hero and helping out around the council table."

He glared at me. "That better be a fucking joke."

I leaned back and laughed. "It really isn't. But in your case, no, I don't think that they'll have the stomach to murder you in cold blood now that all the adrenaline has worn off. Either way, though, you're probably still gonna die in here. And not of old age. I mean, let's face it, every community falls, we're all fucked sooner or later."

He scooted forward a little, sitting on the very edge of his bed. "Or you could take me up on that offer, get me outta here, and come join my ranks. You'd be a God among men with us, man."

I tsked. "Tempting offer, but I only really murder people when I've got to, I am pretty sure you guys would get sick of my moral objections within an hour or two."

"Hey man, it ain't like we go out and kill for funsies." He paused. "Well, not all of us, there's a few loose screws in the group, sure. But most of us, we just do what we gotta do. We don't take joy in it."

"Yeah... That's the only reason I decided to let you live."

His eyes narrowed, a gleam behind them. "You, son? I'm pretty sure it was that monster on the battlefield that let me live."

I cursed silently. Echo stirred as well. "That was one hell of a slip, Alec."

"I know, shut up."

Dave sat expectantly, waiting for an answer.

"I meant during the meeting, and you know it," I shot at him, more forcefully than I intended. "Don't be cute."

His eyes gleamed again, but he dropped the topic.

"Mhm. Yeah, well, I appreciate that, I really do. I haven't eaten this well in months. I expected to be getting fed raw assholes, to be honest. Not to mention, sandpaper for my own."

"Ew. Dude. No."

He spread his arms, looking about his cell and said, "Well, what the fuck am I supposed to expect? It is actually kind of nice to find people that respect the rules of engagement. But make no mistake, I'm getting out of here and back to my crew."

I sat silent for a moment. "What made you, you, Dave? You said your daughter died. Tell me the whole story."

He stiffened for a moment, caught off guard by the change in topic. "I'm grateful for my life, son, but I'm not sure I owe you that much."

I waited, staring at him. "I've got all day, buddy. Like really, all week, to be honest."

He scooted back across his bed, pressing his back against the wall, and folded his arms. "Why don't you come on back tomorrow, then?"

I patted my knees and sighed, standing. "Alright, maybe I will."

"Alright Buzz, see you then."