Once again, Sandy led them on a straight path through the forest, avoiding the hiking path until just before they reached the footbridge that led across the river into town.  There were a few gasps as they emerged from the trees and viewed the town.  Most of them had been too busy running from the titan to get a good look at the extent of destruction the thing had caused.  Not one building remained whole.  They could still see the church steeple, but the rest of that structure was caved in.  The water tower, strangely enough, was intact.  Though one of its iron support legs was bent.

Chloe whimpered into her mother’s shoulder.  “Momma, it’s all gone. Our house.”

Nancy patted her back and hugged her close.  “I know, baby.  But we’re going to find a new home.  A nice safe one.”

Sean and Robert Edward moved forward first, crossing the bridge and securing the other side.  When they signaled it was clear, the others followed as quickly as they could.  They gathered in the shadow of a brick wall - a remainder of what had been the elementary school.

Sam spoke just loudly enough for the others to hear over the sound of the river rushing by.  “Alright.  We make for City Hall. It’s only three blocks.  Keep low, and pay attention.  There might be… what did you call them, Allistor? Mobs?”  Allistor nodded once.  “Mobs.  Bad things.  Call out if you see something.  Try not to fire a weapon unless we have to.  I don’t want to attract every damn mob in town.”

He and Allistor took the lead.  Sam wielded a machete, while Allistor held his rebar spear.  The others waited a few seconds, then followed along single file.  Sean brought up the rear.

They skirted around the side of the elementary school, picking their way through the rubble past what had been a convenience store.  Meg hissed at her husband and pointed toward the store.  There were several cans of soda and plastic drink bottles scattered about.  Sam nodded in understanding, and the group fanned out. They searched the rubble as best they could, grabbing anything intact that could be of use.  Drinks, food, even some band-aids, air fresheners, a single cheap plastic flashlight and some batteries, and a couple of fake fire logs.

Chloe found quite a bit of candy and sweets, which her mother let her gather up, with a very quiet lecture on sharing with the others.  They found a bunch of plastic bags to help carry their supplies and distributed the weight among the group.