Suddenly Iona was shaken awake, blinking frantically panic overtook her before she saw her father's smiling face. She quickly looked around, she was still in the main bedroom but the bed was empty, her mother gone, the sun had barely risen and she felt a chill run over her arms.

  She pulled her jacket on as she finally began to process Irvin's voice. “It's working!” he excimed, rushing her to get ready with quick gestures “Come on! Come on!” he waved as he stumbled towards the door.

  “What's going on?” she asked sleepily. Still rubbing her eyes.

  “Your mother's still listening.” he replied, as if that answered her question.

  She bnked, stammering awkwardly as he dragged her forward towards the front door. Rushing forward she hardly had time to even look around, she wasn't wearing her shoes, she was still a bit chilly and certainly not fully awake yet. She couldn't even tell who was still asleep in the living room, there were a few lumps lingering under the bnkets tucked away on the couches, but she didn't see faces, at least not quickly enough.It was like she blinked and she was on the porch, Ruth was sat on one of the rocking chairs, the table between the chairs held Irvin's massive radio, it was straining the pstic furniture it was sitting on and Iona was worried a moment before she heard the message.

  It was repeating. A short broadcast that overtook every channel they swapped to.

  “Attention” it started with a robotic screech before the voice of a middle aged man began to speak “Fellow survivors, we are what remains of the Aryt Drak navy, we are stationed at Port Yorc, we, u-us,” a cough attempted to cover the stammer in his words “and the Free Isles military are mass evacuating survivors to a quarantine point on the outer shores, we will ferry any non infected Veriyn to the isnd. To safety. We make trips every two days and highly encourage anyone able to make your way to Port Yorc. Again. We are mass evacuating from Port Yorc every two days. Repeat, every two days." There was static and a second voice, a woman's but she couldn't be made out “Was that good?” was the final thing they could understand before the message repeated.

  Iona swore she listened to it loop three times before she finally realized what it meant.

  “There's somepce safe out there.” she said, almost in awe.

  “And we're going to make it there.” Irvin replied, a smile on his face.

  “Should we wake the others?” Bonnie asked, which startled Iona as she somehow didn't notice the tall women leaned against the railings.

  “It's hardly morning,” Ruth remarked. “Let the poor things sleep in, they said the boat comes every two days. I'm sure an hour or two won't make a big difference.” she added, smiling. Then she reached over to hold Iona's hand.

  While Iona weakly smiled back Irvin was fussing over the radio, checking every angle of it and praising it like a sailor would a beloved boat.

  “How are'ya doin'?” Bonnie asked, tilting just enough to meet Iona's eye.

  “Well,” Iona looked to the radio again “Um, okay.” Iona bnked.

  Bonnie nodded at her, opening her mouth as she was about to speak up again when a sudden, loud, piercing sound suddenly overtook their conversation. A baby's cry could be heard, even outside of the home.

  Without a thought both Bonnie and Iona dashed inside, sprinting past stirring survivors being woken in the living room, a few shouts and excmations of concern came from the spare bedroom, but it was all ignored as they moved to the office.Jeff was standing in the doorway being berated by Asja as she attempted to calm down the baby fussing in the drawer.

  It hardly took any time for most of the group to stumble over, still rubbing the sleep from their eyes as they tried to figure out what was going on. Nancy yawned, arms still crossed over her chest trying to keep the cold away, she had left Cooper to try to get back into some sort of restful state, watched by Dixie along side Penelope, she had Arlene behind her practically dragging her along, Arlene's eyes still shut but her tired whines let them know she wasn't sleep walking.

  “What's going on?” Dominic asked, aside from the two women he was one of the first to arrive.

  “I meant to go to the bathroom!” Jake excimed. “I wanted a fucking second in a room alone, sorry I walked into the wrong one when I haven't slept all night because fifteen fucking people make a lot of noise and I'm a light sleeper!” Jeff shouted, waving his arms as he spoke, face scrunched and angry but his bloodshot eyes were heavily bagged, which gave his cim a bit of credit.

  “That's no excuse to throw a tantrum.” Asja scolded, rubbing the back of Zerina's head as her cries began to settle.

  “Just shut the fucking thing up.” Jeff snapped and as he spun around to storm out of the house he was chastised by half the group for insulting the child, he blew them all off and smmed the front door so loudly anyone who managed to sleep through the crying was certainly awake now.

  “Is everyone okay?” asked El-Mae, sleepily. A few others trailed after her, approaching the bedroom door leading out into the hallway to try and see what the ruckus was about.

  “Was that the baby?” Ford muttered behind her.

  “It's fine, sorry for the scare everyone.” Asja added, gently rocking back and forth to soothe her baby “I'm going to put her back to bed, everything is okay.” she assured, nodding at them all.

  Most of the group were quick to break away, hoping to catch a few more hours of sleep. Nancy had her hand over her heart as she sighed in relief, Arlene murmured something along the lines of 'I'm gd everything is okay' but she was so mumbled and tired Nancy could barely understand her before Arlene shuffled back towards the couch she cimed st night.

  Nancy gnced around the room as she and Dominic entered the living room again, Renáta decided to return to bed but El-Mae seemed to be awake now, walking into the living room behind the two adults but careful not to get too close, she didn't want them to think she was following them, Ford wanted to go back to sleep but forced himself to trail behind El-Mae.

  “Good morning,” Nancy exhaled her words, tired, not annoyed. She watched as Bonnie and Iona moved back to talk to one another and decided to butt in “Are we discussing our pn?” she asked, she wasn't exactly awake enough to start moving again but she wasn't going to sit around all day either, her anxiety was high, even worse now, she held her arm to prevent it from shaking.

  “Huh?” Bonnie blinked at her. Then she looked to Iona, stammering. Looking for guidance.

  “You're the pnner, right?” Dominic asked as he joined the conversation, looking towards Iona as well.

  “I was, yes, I thought that was your role now.” Iona replied curtly.

  Dominic huffed, lowering his head briefly to sigh out his frustrations “I didn't mean for you to get dragged here,” he said quickly “I stepped on your toes, I get it, I just want to help, I'm sorry.” he said a bit slower, he sounded genuine but he wasn't wanting to dwell on the talk either.

  Lucky for Dominic neither did Iona. She nodded at him, accepting his apology. Iona rubbed her forehead and easily moved on. “Well, the pn has changed-” “Why?” Nancy interrupted, eyes wide with nervousness. “Just, new information came in and-” “What!” Ford excimed, pushing past El-Mae to intervene.

  “What? You heard something? What's going on?” he asked, getting a little too close for comfort.

  “Where's Wyatt?” Iona asked. Leaning back and towards the wall, gncing down briefly at Ford before looking at the adults “We should have our two suppliers here while we discuss a route.” she added.

  “He went to sleep in his truck.” Bonnie said sadly.

  “Don't ignore me!” Ford shouted, stomping his foot.

  “Ford!” El-Mae excimed and quickly stepped forward, her face held an apologetic smile as she quickly began to pull him away “I'm sorry, please forgive him,” she practically threw up the words with how fast and frantic she spoke them “Let's check on Fronie?” she said, turning to smile at Ford.

  Ford's wide eyes looked at El-Mae's hands wrapped around his arm. He felt his face turning red as he allowed himself to be pulled forward. As El-Mae led him outside the few awake watched them leave.

  “What information?” Dominic asked as El-Mae very gently closed the door.

  The chilled air hit the two teens as they stepped out into the morning sun, the wood porch was cold under her feet as El-Mae led him forward, she heard the buzz of the radio but she wasn't listening to the words.

  “Oh! Oh!” Ruth huffed, waving her hand and drawing their attention, Ford and El-Mae were standing in the grass but walked down the length of the porch “Listen,” Ruth said as El-Mae remained focused on her, Ford however kept looking at the van. “We're saved!” Ruth excimed in excitement.

  El-Mae's eyes widened in surprise, she stepped closer and listened. Irvin stopped fiddling with the radio long enough to let the message repeat a few times, letting it seep in, she blinked in rapid succession as she tried to process it all. She wanted so badly to leap in joy but the dread overtook her instead, Port Yorc was far away, how were they all going to get there? Pass across the kes or go through the woods? The only other paths would be through lost cities and highways, filled to the brim with infected.

  Her chest tightened.

  On the other hand, if they made it to the free isles she'd hopefully never have to deal with the infected ever again. She couldn't bring herself to smile.

  Ford however began hooting, he pumped his fist in joy and shouted out "We're saved!!" with a deep chuckle "We gotta tell Fronie!" he added gleefully.

  El-Mae looked up at the Stokes couple but she couldn't tell how she felt. She was about to open her mouth to speak but Ford shouted first.

  "C'mon!" he excimed, further down the driveway and towards the line of cars down the field. Moving even closer to the van his sister was in.

  "Oh!" El-Mae excimed, she nodded, looking back up at the couple she politely waved as a goodbye before she excused herself. El-Mae stared at her feet as she followed Ford's calls, deep in thought.

  "This is going to be great!" He said, watching her approach. Ford looked back at her, he took in her every detail and he felt his heart fluster from the mere sight of her.

  In the morning sun her wavy blonde hair looked nearly white with how bright it shone, and even when downcast her golden eyes were bright, filled with life and thought, and her pale cream scales tinted yellow from the morning light. Even wearing a thicker winter dress she still looked petite. Ford was enamored.

  He wasn't too far away when he stopped to wait for her, a good fifteen or so feet from the van, his heart beat hard with every step she took closer. Now just a few feet away Ford spoke “You look sad.” he said, blurting it out awkwardly.

  “Huh?” El-Mae met his eye, looking surprised.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I'm just worried.”

  “You don't worry!” Ford stepped closer to her, El-Mae flustered, her eyes scanning his face before looking around in embarrassment, unable to meet his eye her heart beat in her throat.He reached up and held her shoulders, she startled, snapping right back to look at Ford as he spoke “I’ll protect you,” he said before he leaned in closer and kissed her.El-Mae froze up as a pit grew in her stomach. Ford pulled away almost instantly wearing a wavering smile on his blushing face “I love you.” he said without thinking, El-Mae was stunned silent and before she even had the chance to speak or even react Ford was running towards the van calling out to his sister.

  El-Mae's hands trembled. She already had too much to feel and now she was so overwhelmed, with so many different emotions flooding her she couldn't even think them through. Worry, hope, disgust, it was all too much.Instead she just watched Ford pull open the van door.

  She watched as the side door rolled open, she heard Ford shout out Fronie's name, unable to muster a smile as Fronie leapt forwards and into Ford's arms. The two tumbled to the ground and Fronie pressed her face into Ford's neck.

  El-Mae felt a flicker of joy before she heard Ford's scream.

  A horrible shiver went down her spine as the noise filled her ears but she couldn't will her body to move. Ford's bunched fists couldn't fight off the wild attacks Fronie inflicted, Irvin shouted before Ruth's screams joined Ford's cries of pain.

  El-Mae's eyes went wide in horror, unable to really comprehend what she was witnessing.

  Fronie was infected, her face twisted in hunger and now covered in Ford's blood, gnashing teeth tore into his throat and caused his screams to gargle.

  The commotion was even louder than Zerina sobbing earlier, people began pouring out of the farmhouse in concern but most of them just added to the cacophony of shrieks and cries.

  Dixie was quick to drag Penelope back inside, Nancy shielded Cooper's eyes.Renáta froze mid step, staring forward, her entire body trembled but she spun around and grabbed everyone near her, her fingers met Nancy's shoulder and she wasn't even thinking as she forced Nancy, Asja, and Cooper back inside.

  “What's going on!”

  “Fronie! Fuck!”

  “Oh my Gods!”

  “Gods, Fronie!”

  Voices shouted over one another as many of the remaining survivors ran out into the yard.

  El-Mae's eyes were open so wide they hurt, watering as tears poured down her cheeks. Ford's screaming had stopped, his eviscerated body now unmoving. El-Mae couldn't move, couldn't think, she couldn't even force herself to blink. She tunnel visioned on the sight of Fronie's paled face, eyes dull and blown out, there were bloodied leaves pouring out of the elongated wound on her shoulder as the bandages were ripped away.

  She watched Fronie swallow down chunks of gore before easing into disinterest.

  “El-Mae run!”

  Infected Fronie's head snapped up, cocked to the side before focusing on El-Mae. Opening her dripping mouth she growled out a guttural call before she crawled over Ford's body, dragging herself across the grassy field she lunged forward, red drenched fingers grappling for El-Mae.

  Ruth colpsed into her chair, waving her face.

  She couldn't move, a strangled yelp left her lips as she shut her eyes in fear. Arms much too rge to be Fronie's wrapped around her middle and yanked her back towards the farmhouse, then the loud sounds of gunshots erupted around her.

  She buried her face into the shirt of whomever held her and whimpered.

  Dominic slipped the pistol from his holster and shot, he managed to hit the infected teen's chest, hardly fazing the Cress as she now cwed at Wyatt's back. His truck door was open. He yanked El-Mae up and against his shoulder and carried her as fast as he could towards the porch as the rest of the survivors sprinted across the fields, another pull of the trigger and Dominic managed to take down the Cress with a better aimed shot to the head.

  Dominic slowed to a stop, breathing heavily as he stared down at the infected body of Fronie; he didn't know her, but he knew she was infected. Veins greened and signs of pnt life already fighting to split her skin and reach the sun. Dominic cursed lowly. Looking at the grass and shutting his eyes.

  “Why didn't you say she was bitten!” Jeff screamed, standing at the porch and pointing towards Arlene, who flustered.

  “Bitten? S-So?” she replied, hardly able to even think of a reply as she watched the rest.

  Ralph, Bonnie, Iona, Dominic, and Wyatt were out in the yard now. With Wyatt quickly bringing El-Mae to the front door.

  “'Sokay.” was the only thing Wyatt managed to choke out, almost whispering it as he tried to soften his voice.

  El-Mae broke down sobbing, she gripped his shirt so tight he could feel her nails scrap against his skin. She cried desperately into fabric, soaking his colr with her tears.

  “Bring her inside.” Arlene quickly commanded.

  Wyatt gave Arlene a strange look, almost a pained expression but he was clearly confused. He wasn't expecting to be woken by screams. He moved inside and she shut the door behind him, Arlene quickly surged forward aiming to speak with the group.

  Ruth was struggling to even her breath as Irvin fanned her.

  “What just happened!” Arlene shouted, waving her hand down, her eyes watered. She couldn't bear to look at the bodies.

  “You said she was injured, you never said anything about her being bitten!” Dominic excimed. The rush of adrenaline quickly faded and he felt his hands shaking.

  “Why does it matter?” Ralph snapped, he was a jerk sometimes but even he didn't like the sight before him, instead looking around the field pretending he wasn't avoiding looking.

  “That's how the infection spreads! Bites! Bodily fluid! You know? Spit in a fucking wound?” Dominic screamed at him, waving his arms and yelling, his chest felt so tight he almost couldn't breathe.

  “How the hells were we supposed to know!” Ralph snapped back.

  “Shut up!” Iona cut through their argument “Both of you, bickering isn't going to change anything.” marching forward she regretfully examined the two bodies, a single glimpse made it clear there was no saving the two. She swallowed down her grief and commanded “Bury them.” with a low tone.

  “Who made you boss now?” Jeff called, finally leaving the porch to approach them.

  “Shut the fuck up.” Ralph hardly let him finish speaking. He shook his head at Jeff as he walked by him, moving towards his truck aiming to grab the shovels.

  “We need to make sure this never happens again.” Arlene ghosted, she wasn't even certain anyone heard her.

  Bonnie fought through her tears to gather her own shovel. Arlene didn't have the desire to talk anymore and followed after Bonnie.

  Dominic rubbed his face and let out a desperate sigh, he was struggling to keep himself from vomiting. He had one more thing to do, taking a step forward he took out his gun again and shot the head of Ford's corpse, Iona jumped, startled from the noise but she just murmured and tried to settle her racing heart.

  “After, after we put them to rest we're leaving.” Iona stated coldly. Staring at Dominic's back.

  Dominic just ignored her, if he didn't he'd go off, there was no use in making anything any worse and fighting would just waste more of his and everyone else's energy.

  “Iona!” Irvin called, voice cracking from his sudden shout.

  Inside the farm house was filled with crying. Wyatt swiftly carried El-Mae inside, then he stopped, not too far from the door. Where should he put her? His heart pounding against his chest so loud El-Mae could hear it despite her sobbing.

  “Wy.” Nancy waved, drawing his attention.

  He carried El-Mae towards her, beside Nancy was an empty pce on the couch, on the other side of her was Cooper, hugging her so tight it almost hurt. He was sobbing, so was Penelope, Dixie cried lightly but attempted to keep her face straight as she whispered comforts to Penelope.

  Renáta was biting her nails, staring out the window. There was a clear debate going on in her mind, but she didn't say a word.

  They could hear Zerina crying in the other room and with Asja not in the living room it was assumed she was in the office soothing her.

  Wyatt knelt down and went to seat El-Mae but she just pulled further on his shirt, her sob turning to a shriek as she clutched the fabric tighter. Shaking so hard with every deep gasp she couldn't bring herself to let go. She flinched when Nancy gently pced a hand on her head, her other rubbing Cooper's back.

  Wyatt awkwardly knelt beside the couch to allow El-Mae to sit.

  Dixie looked at her with pity.

  “'m so sorry.” Wyatt said quietly. El-Mae didn't react to his words, not even a hiccup in her cries.

  Nancy gently stroked her hair, careful not to disturb her horned part, she didn't know what to say, she didn't know what to do. She, nobody, had any control.

  Then the door burst open, Iona and Irvin ushered Ruth inside, Ruth's face was flushed red and she was sweating profusely, unable to catch her breath she wheezed in air desperately.

  “Iona?” Renáta flustered.

  “Get me water!” she shouted as she helped carry Ruth back to the master bedroom.

  Renáta jumped to it, stammering a brief second before closing her mouth and running to their supply stock in the kitchen, she took the pstic bottles and tossed them into a bowl, snatching a few towels on her way she dashed down the hall while everyone in the living room looked at each other with confusion.

  El-Mae's sniffled.All Wyatt could hear was her heartbreaking sobs and he didn't have a single comforting word come to mind, all he could do was repeat “You're okay.” Wyatt looked up at Nancy again, he didn't feel like he was helping but he didn't want to pry El-Mae away either.

  Nancy tried to soften her expression as she gave a weak nod, to him it was a clear command to stay put. So he did, he held El-Mae and let her cry.

  Outside Ralph and Bonnie began digging, two holes side by side not too far off the property, a semi scenic pce under one of the rger, more flush trees. It was going to take them some time to dig deep enough, they didn't need a full six feet but they didn't want any rainfall to uncover them either, and instead of the bickering and jobs Bonnie and him normally shared the two were silent, hardly a single word shared and if they did speak it was simply to share progress.

  Arlene, Dominic and Jeff returned to the home, stepping inside the room was filled with quiet crying, as Penelope and Cooper seemed to have calmed into a semi stable state, watery eyes and pink cheeks but they were broken down in sobs anymore, El-Mae hadn't moved, now softly hiccuping.

  Nancy had gently hugged her to her side with Wyatt still at her other. Slowly she exhausted herself of tears.

  Dominic looked at Nancy, at the three of them, and he felt all the worse. He felt like a murderer. He felt disgusted with himself despite knowing he did the right thing, unable to keep the frown off his face he sat beside Nancy and pulled Cooper into a hug.

  “Dad?” he called, then quickly hugged him back. Dominic didn't reply; he just kissed the top of Cooper's head and held him.

  Nancy put a hand on his leg in comfort.

  “Does this change your pns?” Jeff blurted out, blinking at the group.

  “What?”

  “Are you still leaving?” Jeff asked.

  “What is wrong with you?” Arlene snapped “Gods, I should have pushed harder against coming here, this was such a fucking mistake.” she added, pointing towards Jeff before throwing her arms down in anger.

  “How was I supposed to know she was infected?” Dominic snapped back.

  “This was no one's fault!” Nancy excimed, then looked up when she saw Renáta return.

  She was paled, eyes watering badly. She shook her head when Nancy met her eye and she settled in the chair across from them.

  “Is everything okay?” Nancy asked in a hushed tone.

  “I-I don't know.” Renáta stammered. Then she looked around at everyone, they all seemed tensed, stressed, Arlene and Jeff in particur. “What are we going to do?” Renáta asked, looking at them all with a lost expression.

  “Are we still going to Port Yorc?” Dixie asked, cradling Penelope.

  “Of course we are.” Arlene replied quickly.

  “We're getting to the Isles, that's the only pce safe anymore.” Nancy added.

  “When?” Jeff interjected.

  “Maybe you should wait outside.” Nancy snapped at him before quickly returning her attention to Wyatt and El-Mae.

  “I was here first-” “Outside, now.” Arlene demanded. Then she quite literally shooed Jeff out of the door. She quickly added “Help Bonnie and Ralph dig!” before smming the door shut.

  “I'm not digging their graves!”

  El-Mae hitched at the mention, and Wyatt shouted “Keep ya damn voices down.” gring hard at him before Arlene smmed the door shut.

  “Maybe we should postpone-” “Maybe the kids should go to the other room?” Dixie interrupted Nancy.

  Nancy looked at her, a bit annoyed but she let it go and nodded. “Wy, take Cooper?” she asked as she turned her head to him.

  “Huh?” he murmured, looking between them as Dominic encouraged Cooper to stand while Dixie and Penelope prepared to leave. He noticed the sour look on Cooper's face. Wyatt's eyes scrambled around the room, unable to tilt his head too far with El-Mae's horns right by his face but he noted the piles of books the two kids had made. “Coops,” Wyatt called and Cooper lifelessly slowed to a stop.

  “Yeah?” he droned back. Voice quiet under the conversations of the adults around him.

  “You 'n Penny wanna pick a book? Maybe we could read somethin' together.” he suggested trying to bring a smile to his face. Cooper bnked, so Wyatt quickly added “Like when yer mom was outta town 'n we raided Gramma Huff's old bookshelves 'n the basement? We could make a fort again too, if ya wanna.” he spoke fondly.

  Cooper's lips twitched in a startings of a smile, genuine or just for Wyatt's benefit he couldn't tell but Cooper nodded in agreement “We can read to El-Mae.” he said softly and Wyatt quickly nodded happily back at him.

  Dixie led Penelope forward as Cooper picked a few novels, he always loved reading but he wasn't feeling the same excitement a new tale normally brought him. Wyatt picked up El-Mae, who was now nearly silent, and followed Dixie, Cooper, and Penelope down the short hall.

  Right as they walked down Asja left the office, carrying a calmed Zerina with her. They nodded at each other.

  Quiet crying was muffled by the closed master bedroom door, a conversation was being held through tears but Wyatt wasn't one to eavesdrop, so he went on, entering the side room alongside the others.

  Nancy sighed deeply, Arlene took the pce El-Mae once was and sat beside her. Looking drained but she tried to comfort Nancy.

  “What are we doing?” Nancy said, point bnk.

  “We're still going to the Isles, we have to.” Renáta replied awkwardly, she didn't want to trample over emotions but this homestead was far from welcoming and she wanted to leave as soon as possible.

  “We should leave as soon as we finish burying them.” Arlene said.

  “Are us and Jeff coming with you?” Asja asked suddenly. Standing off to the side of the room, looking over the group she didn't know. New faces, personalities, people. She cradled Zerina close and the child cooed.

  “Uh,” Renáta looked over everyone else, she herself felt too much of an outsider to make the choice but she looked to Dominic and Nancy with a nervous but optimistic expression, gesturing weakly.

  “Of course.” Nancy replied “If Jeff behaves himself, though to me it seems like he'd rather stay here.” she scoffed a bit, not entirely pleased.

  Ajsa nodded but didn't verbally reply.

  “Port Yorc is a long way away, do you think we even have the supplies to make it? We'll probably have to do a chunk of it on foot if we cut through the woods.” Arlene spoke up. She looked across the room and into the kitchen, a few cardboard boxes or pstic tubs were filled with dry foods, cans, and bottled water, but they have too many people, too many mouths to feed and too rge a group to pass by anywhere unnoticed.

  Without the cars could they even transport what they needed? was trying to do the logistics in her mind, wishing Iona was here to just come with a pn like she normally would but a single gnce to the closed bedroom door made Arlene flush with guilt.

  “Where's the map?” Arlene asked “Maybe there is a path around kes we could drive?” She was about to stand up but paused when another voice quickly shot her down.

  “That'd add days to our trip just driving through the mountain pass.” Asja spoke without even thinking, then shut herself up, looking down at Zerina in her arms she pinched the bnket closer around her. It was already cold, going up further towards the kes would be freezing, she didn't want to risk Zerina's health.

  “It was just an idea.” Arlene said quickly putting her hands up, though her expression was clearly agitated.

  “Don't get defensive.” Nancy scolded as she shook her head, annoyed, agitated, worry filled her gut and made her nauseous.

  “I'm not!”

  Nancy didn't reply, she just scoffed.

  “That's why we should leave as soon as possible.” Arlene kept on, feeling agitated but she didn't want to fight with Nancy, the rare times they do bicker it always leaves Arlene feeling sour and she didn't want to bring her attitude into the discussion, trying to keep her voice cool she continued “The longer we wait the cold and more dangerous it will get, we don't want to get there and the kes be frozen over.” she shivered at the thought of the cold. Winter months were hard in Edgeridge due to the drafts from the Aryt Drak Mountains bordering them; she couldn't even imagine how cold going further into the snowy ndscapes would be.

  “El-Mae isn't ready, and I'm worried for Ruth. She didn't look good.” Renáta piped up, a bit nervous to do so. The people around her haven't led her astray yet, she wanted to help, but still she couldn't find her pce. Losing her verbal footing.

  “Waiting around isn't going to be any better, everything is going north remember? Wyatt said there were, infected, in the woods. More are probably coming.”

  “Not to mention the waste of supplies, we're not gaining anything here, it's not like there are crops outside.” Arlene retorted.

  “Dominic?” Nancy asked, turning to look at her ex husband beside her.

  Dominic flustered, seemingly coming out of his head. Waving dismissively he looked away and grumbled “I apparently fucked up bringing you here, I'm not digging my grave deeper by giving an opinion.” he immediately felt a rush mortification, feeling guilt for poor choice of expressions.

  “Pussy.” Arlene snapped under her breath, unable to hold it in.

  “Say again?” Dominic snapped back, now gring at her scowl.

  “Can we just calm down!” Nancy shouted “Trying to survive doesn't need to be made any harder by you two holding grudges!” she excimed, shaking with frustration she couldn't stand sitting between the two and stood up. “Maybe we should take a break, check on Bonnie. Those two have been out there a while.” Nancy sighed out, rubbing her head.

  “But when they're done are we leaving or not?” Arlene asked lowly, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Asja stepped back, not wanting to make anything worse.

  “I think we should.” Arlene added.

  “We all know what you think.” Dominic scoffed.

  “Stop!” Nancy spped the empty chair beside her and spun around to face them, showing her disappointment in the two clearly “Dominic you and Wyatt switch out with Bonnie and Ralph, Bonnie lived out in the woods I bet she'd know better than all of us.” then she gred at Arlene “Hopefully it'll keep the two of you quiet, too.” she added, just to be blunt.

  Arlene pouts, blubbering briefly when Nancy didn't take her side she instead just pushed herself into the couch and kept her arms tight across her chest.

  Dominic shook his head as he stood up, already mad at himself for being childish, Arlene knew how to push his buttons like no one else and he always falls for it. Grumbling, he rolled up his sleeves and gnced down the hall.

  Suddenly the tense silence in the living room was blown away by a sudden scream of despair, wild sobbing poured from behind the master bedroom door.

  Dominic paused, turning back to the others, all stunned by Iona's pained wails.

  Looking at each other with horror twisting their expressions their minds all went to the worst case scenario, a horrible dread filling them all.

  They would need to dig a third grave.