The silence that overcame the farmhouse was suffocating, the three graves outside were freshly topped. The shovels sitting beside the porch, their sharp spades caked in dirt.

  Inside the home was tense, and mostly empty. The master bedroom was completely remade, the sheets and comforter stripped and repced, but no one entered the room after it was cleaned. The draft from the window was supposed to lighten the room but it just made it more eerie.

  The main living room had Ralph spread out and lounging on the bed, his boots covered in mud and grass. He was snoring, worn out from digging so much.

  Ralph, Wyatt, Bonnie and occasionally Jeff, took turns digging the three deep holes. Renáta had checked in now and again, swapped out with them a few times, but she kept tired out quickly.

  Iona had disappeared after the burial and her father hadn't left the porch chair.Bonnie had id a bnket over him and brought him water but it remained untouched.

  The side bedroom had a few survivors resting, El-Mae had tired herself out and slept since Wyatt tucked her in. Penelope and Cooper were quietly reading, sat on the floor by the bottom bunk where Dixie slept.

  They were both reading, or trying to. Their focuses was elsewhere, gncing to the window and flinching every time they heard the front door open.

  The bedroom was filled with soft snores and the quiet whisper of those awake, Cooper leaned into Penelope’s side, their shoulders near touching as he kept his voice low to avoid disturbing others “My legs hurt.” he says, before leaning back to his book.

  Penelope looked down at her own legs, sat with them crossed and examined the wrinkles in the fabric of her dirtied leggings. She then gnced at Cooper “Are you leaving?” she asked.

  Cooper shrugs. Looking around the room. “Have you been to the Aryt Drak mountains?”

  “No.” She closes the book, shaking her head causing her short pigtails to ruffle around her plump neck “Have you?”

  “No. Dad wanted to take me there once.” Cooper replied as he pulls his shoes close, sliding them back onto his socked feet. When he turns his head he sees Penelope looking at him expectantly. Waiting for him to go on.

  Cooper cleared his throat, having her big brown eyes on him caused his cheeks to feel warm for some reason. “What about boats?” He continues, stumbling over his words as he focuses on tying his sneakers.“I've been in a boat before. Out to sea, and stuff, it was a fishing boat but we would go every few years with Grandpa. That was down by Fairline, you go fishing there?”

  “I haven't.” she replied pinly.

  “Oh.” He picks at his shoe “It's okay. I like camping better.”

  Cooper felt his heart beat faster under her gaze. He wasn't uncomfortable but he was suddenly aware of every move he made.

  Penelope watched him, Cooper picked at the ces of his shoes, she watched his small hand twirl the curls of his own hair as he adjusted his hat, trying to make himself busy. Penelope was a bit older, a bit taller, she knew that would change one day by how short her mother is and how tall Dominic is but she doesn't want to admit that she kind of likes being bigger than him, she feels like she can look out for him.

  Cooper couldn't take it anymore, he faced her with pink cheeks and excimed “I'm hungry!” Louder than he should have, causing Dixie to groan but remain in bed.

  “Be right back.” He adds as he stands, with a smile Penelope watched him leave. Nodding in reply.

  As he exited the room he saw Asja locking the office door, having just gotten her baby to sleep again. She startled but didn't make a sound when she nearly stepped into Cooper, sighing in relief and smiling when she made eye contact with the young boy.

  She waved back at him and Cooper gestured for her to walk first.

  “Such a gentleman!” She whispers fondly, walking past him as the two approach the main living space.

  Arlene and Nancy were in the kitchen trying to prepare a te lunch. The quiet around them was shaky, an underline buzz of tension in the cramped room.

  Dominic was in the corner, crouched as he took another stock of their supplies. Dominic had plenty on his mind but his expression betrayed nothing. He was focusing on pnning their trip, if their supplies could stretch, which he already knew they wouldn't, and how they'd cross the mountain pines to get to Port York without hitting the unpredictable kes.

  “Mom?” Cooper called, far enough from the sleeping folk to feel okay speaking.

  “Cooper.” Her voice trailed weakly, she wipes her hands on a spare cloth before she moves to hold his shoulders “How are you holding up?” she asks, her eyes trailing his face. Stil he was her cute little guy but his cheeks looked thinner, eyes tired. She hated seeing that look on her little boy's face, it wasn't a look a child should carry.

  He smiled at her and nodded but Nancy still wanted to cheer him up. She didn't know how. Cooper looked over at the countertops and saw they were preparing a stew from a collection of canned soups and whatever they could find to spice it.

  “Hungry?” She asked, standing up straight.

  “Yeah,” Cooper followed her to the counter, he wanted to stay close, then he looked up at Arlene “Hi.” he greeted.

  Arlene was stirring the pot slowly, her gaze out the window, towards the distant treelines. She seemed in her head, too oblivious to notice him.

  Cooper followed her eye line and watched the trees sway. Iona was out there. Deep in the woods. Arlene hoped she'd see her come back, clearly worried she'd gone off for good.

  “She hasn't come back?” Cooper asked, gently leaning into Arlene to draw her attention.

  Arlene jumped, almost unching stew from the pot as she dropped the dle in surprise. “Coops!” she smiled, forcing a chuckle “Hey bud, you hungry?” she said, her lips wavering in an attempt to keep her smile steady.

  “Thank you for cooking.” Cooper said, a smile of his own, however it was forced just as Arlene's was, Cooper just hid it better.

  “Yes, it's going to be nice trying someone else's cooking.” Asks said, trying for a light joke.

  Nancy nodded politely as she passed her.“How is El-Mae?” Nancy asked as she rejoined the two at the counter, cleaning up the few droplets Arlene spilled.

  “She's still sleeping. I haven't seen Wyatt since he put her to bed,” he looked around the room again, Ralph was still passed out on the couch, his crossbow on the floor by his feet. “I thought we were eating together.” he adds aimlessly.

  “Bonnie took him outside not long ago. They're probably together still.” Nancy said, she didn't want to think of the two of them cleaning out the van, no one really wanted to use the vehicle anymore but they couldn't afford to abandon a fueled car with lots of trunk space.

  Cooper nodded, he walked over to a stack of pstic bowls and started to search for anything that could act as trays.

  “Can I help at all?” Asja asks, looking between Dominic and the two cooks, then down to Cooper.

  Cooper turned and handed her a tray, it was already set with utensils and dishware “Oh.” Asja softly excimed. “I'll get these filled.” she replied, turning to Arlene.

  “I'll go get Bonnie and Wyatt.” Cooper says.

  “What?” Dominic finally perked up, tuning into the conversation at the sound of his son's departure “Not alone.” He adds as he begins to stand.

  “It's just outside.” Cooper shrugged, closing his jacket to keep warm.

  “No buts Cooper.” Nancy said before looking at Dominic with a grateful expression, nodding at him to follow their boy.

  “I didn't say but.” Cooper replied, his expression didn't change but he had a slight grin, trying to find a bit of joy in their bleak situation.

  Dominic pat Cooper's shoulder “C’mon.” He said chuffed, walking side by side as they moved to the front door, passing by Ralph who didn't react, too deep in sleep to care.

  The outside was chilly, the sun dimmed, Dominic avoided looking towards the tall tree we're the three graves rested, the caravan was minus one, the van they drove Fronie in was at the back of the house now. Out of sight.

  They saw the door to Bonnie's sedan open, the back door. They could see one figure in the front seat and as Cooper and Dominic got closer they could see Bonnie in the driver's seat.

  She heard their approach and looked up to see them, her expression was tense but she didn't look angry, as the two walked towards the open door she scooted to the passengers side, to the open window.

  “Everything okay?” She asked as the two peaked in the back seat.

  Wyatt was there, ying down on his back asleep. He didn't look very comfortable, like he fell asleep by mistake, his neck uncomfortably bent against the handle of the other door.

  “Everything is fine. Lunch is just about ready.” Dominic said, there was still tension he felt in Bonnie's gaze, he could tell she didn't trust him, probably didn't like him, he kept on “Cooper wanted to see if we all would eat together.” He added, gncing to his side to bring attention to Cooper but he was gone.

  Cooper climbed in the backseat, crawling over Wyatt until he could sit on his chest.

  Wyatt grunted, his deep exhale more of a groan but he didn't wake up immediately.

  “What's our pn?” Bonnie asked Dominic, who seemed torn between wanting to pull Cooper back and pay attention to Bonnie's conversation.

  “Don't know.” Dominic said, taking a step closer to the back door.

  “We're going to the Port right?” Bonnie asked, her voice slightly louder.

  Cooper reached down to poke at the sharp tusk that stuck out of Waytt’s open mouth, causing Wyatt to snort. He sputtered lightly, his hands raising as he began to wake up.

  Cooper chuckles. Watching Wyatt's face scrunch before his eyes opened.

  The confusion quickly turned to a look of fondness as Wyatt focused on Cooper, blinking himself awake “Ow.” He mumbled, cracking his neck as he tried to adjust himself underneath Cooper.“I fell asleep?” Wyatt mumbled before reaching over to push the bill of Cooper's hat down pyfully “Thanks fer gettin’ me up.” He said, then he cooked his head to see the other two, Bonnie in the front and Dominic looking between them.

  Suddenly he looked concerned. Nervous something else had happened “What's going on?” he asked, trying and failing to sit up.

  “Lunch.” Bonnie smiled, patting his arm to calm him down.

  “Oh.” He exhaled in relief, leaning back down. I“Wyatt.” Cooper called reaching up to press at his face again, stretching his cheeks until he forced Wyatt to awkwardly smile “See? He's excited to eat together.” Cooper giggles, smiling in a way that almost made the fear and darkness fade.

  Wyatt couldn't help but ugh with him, a chuckle that quickly turned to a fake cough when Wyatt saw the strain on Dominic's expression.Wyatt was swift as he pushed himself up, Cooper fell down to his p before he gently encouraged Cooper to return to Dominic.

  Which he did with no compints. Standing a step away from his father Cooper briefly looked at him, a smile faltering on his lips, then Cooper looked away, back down to the grass as Wyatt climbed out of the vehicle.

  Bonnie rolled up her window and followed, stretching her muscur form as she stood tall.

  “Wyatt?” Bonnie called as she parted his back, not realizing the pain it caused as he flinched briefly “You look pale.” she said, her voice low and ced with concern.

  “ ‘m okay.” he gingerly shrugged her off but as he moved forward he saw the other two paused. Staring.

  Before Wyatt could react Cooper ran forward and hugged him. Squeezing his middle as tight as his thin arms could.

  Wyatt almost started crying right there. He felt his eyes well but he blinked excessively to clear his vision “Thanks Coops.” his voice cracked, causing him to clear his throat and even out his tone.

  “Cooper.” Dominic called and Wyatt saw the boy roll his eyes.

  He returned to his father but quickly waved for Wyatt and Bonnie to follow them.The four kept on, Bonnie's gaze hardening on Demonic as he led them forward. Right as they got to the porch they looked at Irvin.

  He was sitting on the rocking chair but he was still, his eyes were red but no longer wet. Staring out into the fields with an absent look on his wrinkled face.

  “Mr. Stokes,” Wyatt greeted but Bonnie moved closer first. She waved at the newly widowed man but kept her voice even, but not quiet. “Ready for lunch, sir?” she asked, offering her hand.

  It took a few seconds but Irvin finally looked up at her. Air escaped his nose but he didn't speak, just gave a single nod as Bonnie helped him stand.

  They entered the farmhouse and most of the group had gathered for food, Arlene had woken up Ralph as he was already eating, scarfing down his bowl of stew as Asja pted more trays.

  “Cooper.” Penelope greeted as they entered, quickly went to his side.

  He beamed at her, the two of them marching forward to the kitchen as Cooper again greeted his mother.

  Bonnie led Irvin forward, keeping silent and supportive at his side as she led him to the kitchen, Cooper quickly turned to hand a tray of food towards Mr. Stokes first.

  Wyatt went to walk by Dominic and he could feel the man's eyes on the back of his head. He elected to ignore the gre, not wanting any more drama in the day but he couldn't help gncing back, Dominic's stare was intense when he met his eye but the look wasn't as angry as Wyatt had expected.

  Dominic almost looked curious.

  Wyatt's own hard expression faltered, his eyes darted side to side before he turned away, flustered. Wyatt quickly went towards the kitchen, going to hand out ptes.

  Dominic scoffed out a single chuckle. A slight shake of his head and he moved to join the others in the kitchen.

  “Is Iona joining us?” Nancy asked quietly, so Irivn didn't hear but she was only given an unknowing shrug.

  “Maybe we should send someone to find her?” Arlene suggested, gncing briefly between the group of them “We wouldn't want her to think she's being excluded.” Arlene added lowly.

  “Got it.” Wyatt nodded, assuming the task was for him. However as he turned to walk past Dominic the front door smmed open.

  Iona was in the doorway, her voice was hollow but her expression was as stoic as ever “I have a pn.”