Derek's voice was soft, carrying a faint rasp.
Suzy looked up at him.
He was gazing at her with open sincerity, amber eyes shimmering faintly in the dim light.
"Why are you being polite with me?" Suzy said with a smile. "Besides, haven't you helped me plenty before?"
In her memories—especially in that other timeline—Derek had indeed looked out for her more than once, both in school and beyond.
She continued rummaging through the now-bulging backpack, pulling out item after item.
A compact foldable solar charging panel, flashlights, candles…
As for food, she didn't need to worry. Between what she had arranged for him and what he had bought himself, Derek had enough to last at least a year—longer, if he rationed carefully.
Suzy kept going.
Lighting equipment, spare batteries… even a few self-defense items—including a dagger she had bought abroad.
She hadn't purchased many at the time, but now she laid everything out in front of him.
