The cold winter air brushes against my bald head as they're cleared to enter. Battered cars and trucks roll in. Crowds cheer from above from barricaded high rises, offices and homes alike. Soldiers pump their fists up as they roll in. Jack's atop an armored car with Jean. Jean puts his fist out the air. Proud of her, boy has been quite the handful. I roll inside the gates that cover 2 blocks, then they pull up to the tallest building left alone by the group. 401 Church Street. The Governor gets out and I hop off the top. He looks at me, then fixes up the suit he nabbed a couple cities back. "Well, let's see what's up." Rook nudges me with his briefcase as he gets past me. I grumble as we walk in with twenty men.

A soldier comes down a set of steps in a full kit, "Major Nelson." I squint, "Major?" He shrugs, "I'd greet you in uniform, but in a disaster like this? No way." The governor smiles, "Of course, thank you for letting us-" The Major speaks over him, "The president has ordered all military personnel to ship up to Winchester, Virginia." The Governor opens his mouth, "Governor, he wants you too." He sighs, then forces a smile, "Of course." He then looks back, "Tell them we're headed out!" The Major crosses his arms, "The tank crews will head out with you as well." The major lifts his fist and I look down as he speaks.

What's wrong here? It's not like the Nazis. I look up and I find myself appalled by Nelson. It's a feeling I can't shake. I shake my head and walk outside. I sigh and rub my eyebrows. Takes me back to that car ride home before- Our army has received more funding as of late, are we preparing for another war? What if that's right? Could they have known this was coming?

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Jon walks up past the gate, somehow they let him in. I smile as he does, "Cigarettes are still king." I chuckle, "What's up?" He winces, then hands me a paper.

I sigh, "You sure? It's a big decision." He inhales, "Yeah, I'm sure." I exhale as we grab each other's forearms, we both nod with a shake of the arm. The Governor steps down with a radio in hand, "We are going to Winchester, Virginia- Spread the word!" I walk Jon out and he goes over to Dave. Mama shouts to me, "Diesel? What'd my boy say to you!?" Ah, shit. "He didn't say anything." Which IS true. The convoy's engines all start up. I climb up, "Diesel?" I exhale as I avoid looking at her face. "Tell me!" The cars start rolling out, over all the tanks loud clacking and engines roaring, she stomps, then gets up, "No!" She quickly walks and lifts a flap on the truck, "Jon!" I look out the flap, there they are, the group that stays. The soldiers and people boo at the soldiers that stay. "Hurry up! Jon!?" He waves with Dave, she turns around and grips my arm with tears rolling down, "What did he tell you!?"

I'm staying. Don't tell Mama. Don't worry. Dave will have my back. I'm more than grown now, mama. I want to spread my wings. I love you Mama.

She sits down and sobs. I sigh as we exit the city.