She didn't let her surprise show. Instead, she asked calmly, "How many zombies can you kill in an hour, on average?"
Lucas shifted uncomfortably. "Thirty. Sometimes more. Depends… depends on the situation."
Ivy leaned forward. "Any criminal record?"
"No," Lucas answered quickly. "Never."
She studied him again, noting the way his shoulders slumped, the tired look in his eyes, the way he seemed almost afraid she would reject him.
"What do you want from this base, Lucas?" she asked softly.
He hesitated for a long moment, then finally whispered, "A chance to survive. A place to belong. I don't… I don't want to wander anymore."
"So why not join the military base instead?"
Ivy looked at Lucas without blinking. "So why not join the military base instead?" she asked flatly. Her voice carried no sweetness. She wasn't here to comfort anyone. She only wanted the truth.
Lucas's eyes widened like he didn't expect her to say that. He swallowed hard, then shook his head.
