I can feel the blood drain from my face. Gilbert must have said something to him about it. I’m taking too long to answer, I know it, but I don’t know what to say. If I tell him yes, who knows what he will do with me. If I lie and tell him no, he might count me and Gilbert as liars and throw us out into the street.

My heart beats faster. I can feel sweat drops beading at my brow. Finally, I blurt out, “You mean other than tap dancing?” I ask. I feel so dumb. I’ve never tap danced in my life, but this seems to make Paxton happy. He lets out a snort and picks up the folder from the table as he stands.

“We have room for you and your friends, though we are steadily running out.”

Paxton and Gabe lead me to the next room where Ethan and Gilbert wait for me. Gilbert looks annoyed but Ethan smiles widely.

“You made it through,” he says.

“We made it through,” I answer.

And then he does something that makes my heart flutter, yet sends a wave of terror to my spine. He puts his arm around me and holds me close. It feels…secure.

Gabe leads us through the dark city streets of Crestwood. It looks bleak and empty, but I’m positive it is more lively during the day. He takes us to an apartment building where we must share a room for the night.

“It’s only for the night,” he says. “I’m sure that tomorrow there will be some other living arrangements made, but you have plenty of blankets and room to sleep for now.”

“Thank you so much,” I say. “This is wonderful.”

Gabe looks at me and takes a deep breath. “Yes,” he says. “I’m sure it is.”

Gabe starts to leave the room when Ethan asks him another question. “Do you enjoy it here?”

“It’s safe,” Gabe says. “For some of us, anyway.” He looks away and scratches his head when he says this. “It’s hardly a city. There are only a few things for people to enjoy, but at least you are safe. Do any of you have any more questions?” When none of us say anything else, he gives us another curt smile and walks out of the room.

There is only one bed in the room and a couch. Gilbert claimed the couch the moment he saw it and Ethan gave up the bed for me.

“There’s room for us both,” I say. “You shouldn’t have to sleep on the dirty floor.”

Ethan smiles at me as he looks over at Gilbert, his snores echoing off the empty walls. “This world may have gone to hell, Waverly,” he says as he lays out a blanket on the floor, “but my principles haven’t.”

“Your principles?” I ask.

“That’s right,” he says.