I began to turn, to walk back out toward the desert and go around when I saw a group of people behind the barrier who’d come close enough to see what the yelling and screaming was from outside their protective wall. Well, good for them for being on the other side. I hoped there was enough for everyone there, like at the Swansons’. I hoped they were sharing and that the bad rising from this situation was being balanced by the good. My gaze hooked on a face that looked familiar, and I hesitated, our eyes meeting. A woman holding a baby stood next to him, and in a sudden flash, I realized who he was—the man who’d begged us for help for his baby girl. The one I’d given the two cans of condensed milk.

Our eyes held, both of us seemingly frozen. He’d taken my advice. He’d left the city and found his way to safety and from the looks of it, just in time. He broke eye contact, turning away, the three of them headed up the hill toward the trees, the man glancing back once before pulling his wife and baby closer.

The other people who’d been begging for entrance turned back in the other direction, their quiet cries growing softer as they moved away. I took in a breath and walked around the barricades, taking several minutes to rest and gather my resolve before traveling through the area so desolate and lacking resources, it was open to all. Right now, however, I was the only one on this particular stretch of emptiness.

The sun dipped, clouds clearing, and I swore under my breath. There wouldn’t be rain tonight. Up ahead, I heard a soft smack and paused momentarily before moving forward. I took a few more steps and then halted again when I spotted what looked like a backpack sitting on a rock next to a brambly bush. I turned, looking around for a person who might have left it there. But no one would do that, not in times like these.

I squinted up to the rocky plateau on my left and noticed a man at the top with a gun strapped to his chest. They were guarding the area all along here in case someone decided to attempt a climb. The armed man, however, didn’t even spare me a glance.

I walked over to the abandoned pack, picking it up and then looking around again. The terrain remained desolate. I unzipped the backpack and looked inside. There was a large bottle of water and several food items. I shook my head in wonder. What is this? And why would anyone leave it behind? Something caught my eye, and I pulled it out, my heart clenching as I held it up. It was a label from a can of condensed milk and written over the logo were two words: Thank you.