[They were moving again, seeking cover or a new target. Miriam followed close, letting go of Barnaby so the dog could range. Scout out a little bit. He'd probably smell the monsters coming before the soldier man did. Barnaby was good for stuff like that. He'd been designed that way. Miriam put her hands into her pockets, watching the buildings just in case. So far they hadn't seen anyone else. This place felt dead in more ways than one.] Maybe you are. Lotsa people try that. Guess some of 'em make it work.

[That was the hope anyway, as Miriam understood it. She didn't understand the point behind anything that the Inferno Corps or the Sons or anyone else did. Mostly they killed people. Some of them wanted peace or said they did, but Miriam had never seen it happen.

Oh well. Not her fight. Never had been.

She nodded, remembering the smell of gasoline and cooking meat.] Uh huh. Used to just be the slavers they'd burn, but now it's everyone. It's a whole big thing. Well, the Sons don't burn people. Drownin's their thing.

[Each group had a thing. Public executions were all the rage these days. Miriam frowned.]

Gilly said that's what they did to my real parents, but I don't remember and he's a liar anyway.