“We need those resources,” said Church, “and we need fighters. We need any of you who are willing to fight with us rather than against us.”

Van Sloane gave a loud, derisive snort. “You have to be out of your mind if you think any of us would lift a finger to help you and—”

“I’ll do it,” said a young woman of about twenty. She was slim and fit, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

“Be quiet, Bree,” snapped Van Sloane. “Nobody asked you.”

“Me, too,” said a tall teenager. Maybe seventeen, with broad shoulders and a receding chin.

“Yeah,” said another young man, and then two twenty-something women nodded and stepped forward. Several of the older townies cried out in protest, and one caught the wrist of Bree, the first girl who’d spoken up.

“What are you doing?” demanded the woman.

Bree looked at her and then jerked her wrist away. “I guess I’m doing what you won’t, Mom.”

Others stepped forward, and it was clear that the ones who volunteered were all young, from twelve up to maybe twenty-four or -five. None older.

“We have some guns in the basement,” said the broad-shouldered teen.

“Thomas,” said an older man, “no.”

Thomas turned to the man, who was clearly his father. “I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a long time, Dad,” he said. “So . . . tell me, what the fuck is wrong with you?” He looked around at Van Sloane and the other adults. “What the fuck is wrong with all of you?”

Bree shook her head. “What’s wrong with us?”

Church held up a hand. “Much as I would love to moderate an existential debate, we have a war to fight. Anyone who wants to help save the whole town, come with me.”

All the young people moved forward and a few of the adults made to follow. Church stepped into their path.

“Be very careful with what you decide,” he said. “If anyone comes out of this cage with anything but a desire to help everyone, I will kill them. Look into my eyes and ask yourself if I’m joking.”

Two of the men glanced at each other and then stepped back. They cut looks at Van Sloane, but she said nothing. The other adults nodded to Church and followed the younger residents out. Church went last and lingered for a moment in the doorway.

“You’re choosing to remain in a cage rather than fight alongside your own children. You’re staying here rather than fight for your own lives.” He shook his head. “I’ve seen a lot of flavors of human cowardice and aggressive stupidity, but quite frankly, you amaze me. And you disappoint me.”

With that he turned and left, and the cage was locked behind him.

***