"Is that clear?" Louie asked.

Teresa nodded, as she scribbled notes down on a clipboard. The Med Wing was silent the only two patients there quietly dozing.

"I already told Chief that you will be the one doing the weekly check ups. So he will be expecting you. I trust him to be in good hands while I'm gone. Any questions?" Louie asked.

Teresa straightened, her chin lifting slightly.

"No, I understand everything. You don't need to worry, I'll keep him healthy and Abby will keep the Med Wing running smoothly until you get back."

The Med Wing flap opened and a small girl stepped inside, guided by her mother. The girl let out a ragged cough that caught both Louie's and Teresa's attention.

"I'll leave you to your patient," Louie said, giving Teresa a rare smile.

Teresa nodded.

"Be safe."

The two of them shared a quiet look before Teresa moved to the girl's side as she let out another cough. Louie slipped out of the Med Wing. The flurry of the Compound swarmed around her as she walked towards Storage, her hands clasped behind her. She halted as Mr. Andrews stepped in front of her path.

"Good afternoon," Louie said.

"Good afternoon," Mr. Andrews  said, his voice low and gravelly. "Louie, I just wanted to say good luck out there."

Louie nodded. "Thank you."

"I know Ryland will do an excellent job taking your position while you're away."

"I think so. He's proven himself to be focused when the situation calls for it."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"If you'll excuse me, I need to go find him."

Mr. Andrews bowed his head and walked past her.

Ryland was talking with Jacob as Louie approached. The two men wore smiles as they chatted. Louie stopped a few feet away, waiting for a break in the conversation. Jacob was the first to notice Louie and he acknowledged her presence with only a glance. Ryland turned, wearing a smug smile.

"Come to get me Lou?"

"Yes, Ryland. We have the rounds to make before the dinner hour."

"I knew that," Ryland said with a wink.

Louie kept her face expressionless as she turned and started heading away. Ryland's footsteps pounded out behind her as he rushed to catch up with her.

"You nervous about leaving tomorrow?" Ryland asked.

"No. The only thing I'm nervous about is what state the Compound will be in when I return."

Ryland barked out a laugh, nudging Louie playfully.

"Don't worry Lou. I won't let the place burn down in your absence. I got things covered, I can handle it."

Louie spun on Ryland, fixing him with a fierce glare.

"Can you Rye? Are you serious about taking care of these people? Helping them solve problems? Looking out for them? Giving Chief the support he needs to run this place smoothly?"

Ryland took a step back, raising his hands.

"Calm down Lou, nothing's going to change when you're gone. It will be fine."

Louie let her shoulders fall, her thoughts going to Chief and the prospect of leaving Ryland in her place weighing heavy on her shoulders.

"Trust me, I'll help take care of the Compound while you're gone."

Louie stared at him for a long moment.

"Alright. Let's make the rounds," Louie said.

She started walking again, Ryland close on her heels.

*****************

Chief looked up and smiled as Louie settled into the chair opposite him. He leaned forward,  looking at Louie with a studying gaze. A weighted silence filled the small space as they looked at each other.

"How are you feeling about tomorrow?" Chief asked.

"Fine."

Chief raised his eyebrows and Louie's lips twitched.

"Alright. More concerned about leaving Ryland in my place than actually facing the outside."

An amused chuckle slipped past Chief's lips as he settled back into his chair.

"Don't worry about Ryland, I'll keep a sharp eye on him. I believe he will do a good job. He wants to lead and Mr. Andrews is a driving force in helping him improve. So I wouldn't worry too much."

"I still wonder if Mr. Andrews should have been the one to take my place instead of Ryland. I feel he still doesn't grasp all that this job takes."

"Mr. Andrews is already too busy with his own position. Ryland could be pulled from his work without much damage made. And time will help Ryland see what it takes to be a leader. You've had so much of it you forget that one time you were innocent to what it meant to lead."

Louie nodded and smiled. "True."

There was a pause on the conversation, as thoughts tumbled around in Louie's head, some of them escaping onto her features, as her focus slipped to the edge of the desk.

"You're doing the right thing," Chief said.

Louie jerked her head up.

"I know.... I just hope that the Compound will see it that way as well, instead the foolish actions of a teenage girl."

"Everything you do, is for them. For their protection. They will see that. Some might doubt it at first but in time they will know the truth."

Chief smiled and Louie returned the look.

"Since it's your last night, lets have dinner together."

"Sounds good."

They both rose. Chief paused at the door, turning to look at Louie.

"I'm so proud of you Elouise. I know that you have to go and so I will not ask you to stay, but every part of me wants you to stay here. To be safe."

"Don't worry. I'll come back to you. I promise."

Chief pulled Louie into his arms and held her tightly.

"I know you will, because you are an amazingly strong young woman."

Louie leaned her head on Chief's shoulder and for a single moment let herself be just a daughter as she rested in his arms and drew strength from his embrace. As he pulled away, Louie straightened her spine and clasped her hands behind her. They shared one more brief smile before Chief pulled the door open and they stepped out.

********************

The Compound was wrapped in sleep, the low lights illuminating Louie's path as she walked wordlessly about.

"You should be asleep," Peyton said.

Louie tensed, her knees bending slightly at the sound of his voice. Peyton smiled.

"Good, your reaction is getting better."

He fell into step beside her, his hands sliding into his pockets.

"Do you ever make any noise when you walk?" Louie asked.

Peyton smirked, a whisper of a laugh escaping.

"I hope not. I've been working the last five years on it. It's something I'll teach you as we travel. It's a necessity for surviving."

Louie nodded, suddenly aware of the sound of her boots on the concrete and the way they rang in the silence. Instinctively she tried to quiet her tread, but managed only to slow her pace. Peyton passed her and looked back, the corner of his mouth curving up.

"It's about knowing exactly where you're stepping. Shifting your weight so your never fully landing, more pivoting off the foot. Watch."

Peyton turned and kept walking, his feet making as much noise as a sigh. Louie followed behind, eyes pinned on his boots, mimicking his movements. He stopped walking and watched her, nodding to himself.

"Close, it takes time and practice, which you will have a lot of opportunities for as we travel."

Louie straightened, folding her hands behind her.

"Right, five days to the last known location of the Crawlers," Louie said.

Peyton nodded and they started walking again. The deep breathing and occasional snores of the Compound's occupants kept them company.

"How long do you suppose it will take?" Louie asked.

"Hard to tell. The Crawlers could have traveled a few miles or hundreds. I'll be able to guess more when we reach the location. We have enough ration packs for a month and we can hunt as we go, so there won't be any problem of food."

There was a long pause.

"Was Marie disappointed to have to say goodbye?"

Peyton's focus stayed forward as he smiled at the memory.

"Yes, but she'll be fine."

They walked in silence for awhile, their thoughts quiet.

"Are you ready?" Peyton asked, looking at Louie.

"Yes."

"Good, though I wasn't expecting anything less."

Louie was about to say something when the sound of heavy treads caught her attention. She took Peyton's forearm, pulling him into the shadows. Louie's back was to the main section as two figures emerged from Storage.

"I don't think its a foolish notion, I just think its a bit ridiculous for her to be going." one figure said, with a deep voice.

"I understand, but this time is a good opportunity to see how the Compound functions without her." A low voice answered. "You know, as well as I, that there are some who think that she could be..."

The voices trailed off and Louie stood frozen, her face remaining blank. Peyton stirred beside her. Blinking, she dropped her hand away from his forearm. Her gaze met his, noticing him studying her. She tightened her shoulders, started walking again, the two figures already gone.

"You can still stay," Peyton said after a long silence.

"No, I can't because that would be taken as weakness."

Peyton said nothing, they both knew that was the truth. They entered the Cage, the low rumbling sounds of sleep greeting them as they moved down their row.

"We should get some sleep," Peyton said.

Turning, Louie found Peyton wearing a look that spoke of understanding and she felt her shoulders relax slightly.

"Goodnight Louie."

Louie unclasped her hands and nodded.

"Goodnight Peyton."

With the sounds of sleep swimming around her, Louie climbed into her bunk, pushing out thoughts of doubt as she fell asleep.

******************

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