"The others are still alive." Mostly. They needed food and water more than Max needed even without her body's natural ability to survive without either longer than a normal human.

Max looked at Sandy for a long moment. There wasn't much to say now that she knew her friend was alive. "We should meet regularly. If this place changes back again, you'll be vulnerable. Some of the buildings still have food tins. Old, but filling enough should Sponsors not send anything. You-you could join us in our building." The others might not like a newcomer, but for Sandy, a child, they would certainly make an exception. "Joly talks a lot, but it's not so bad."