Five Survive

Everyone wonders who’s coming, and Oliver asks Reyna to turn on the headlights so they can see. A white truck stops in front of their RV, and Red sees that it’s an older couple in their 60s or 70s. The sniper asks them to get rid of the newcomers; otherwise, he will kill them. Oliver says that since the couple is not with the sniper, they can ask them for help, and Arthur protests that the sniper will kill them.

The man gets out and says hello, and the woman follows. She looks at Red and waves at her, and Red waves back when the sniper chimes in: “Get rid of them or they die. Open the door and tell them you’re fine” (183). Arthur and Reyna insist they need to send the couple away for their safety, and Oliver asks Simon to act like everything is fine since he is an actor.

Arthur steps down and talks to the couple, explaining that everything is fine; they just have some punctured tires. The man introduces them as Don and Joyce, husband and wife. Arthur exchanges pleasantries with them, and Oliver, deciding it is safe to step out, joins the conversation.