We stay in the corner the whole day. Neither me or Scar can come up with anywhere better to go. I suggest going back to our old flat, but Scar rejects it, knowing that Ren knows we were there before, and could search there again. And if not, it's probably been sold to someone else, or the memories of Mumbo will be too bad. I accept the million reasons against it, and we stay where we are.

At sunset, we break into some of the food. Enough to stop our growing hunger, but still rationing it. We don't know how long we'll be here. 

'I saw Etho when I got out... probably spying... he said he'd ask Bdubs if we could join them.' Scar explains, packing away the food again once we finish.

'Why would they say no?' I frown

'Secrecy? Trust? I don't know.' By this point the sun's almost down. I see Scar stifle a yawn a decide.

'You should sleep. I'll take the first shift.'

'First shift?'

'In case someone tries to rob or kill us.'

'No, no... I'm the reason we're here. I can.' He insists sleepily, then yawns.

'Scar. Sleep. You waited all last night for me to come back. We're not having a kindness war over this.'

To my mild surprise, he accepts, shuffling until he's as comfortable as he can be.

'Wake me when you get too tired, or if something happens.' He requests. I nod.

'I will. Goodnight, Scar.'

A yawn.

'Goodnight.' 

He closes his eyes, falling asleep quickly. I'm left sat there, thinking, and watching. It's not too bad. Jellie's there for company, until she pads over to Scar to see. Another while passes.

Suddenly a figure flashes into view on the rooftop. I look over, grabbing Jimmy's pistol, then relax.

'Hey.' I look up, seeing Etho. He's holding something.

'I'm sorry but... We don't have space.' I can tell he's lying, but don't question. 'But we have supplies. And if you get into trouble... we'll help.' He throws down a blanket. It's heavy, and realise it's been tied up, filled with food and potions.

'What's- going on?' Scar groans awake behind us. 

'Etho's given us more stuff.' I reply simply

'I wish I could do more. I'm sorry.' He fidgets. 'It's tough on the streets. But we're here if you need us.' 

'Thanks.'

A shout. Etho's eyes widen.

'Resistance.' He mutters, climbing up another storey of the building. I marvel for a second at his agility, but don't have time to for much more as resistance guards cover the exit of the alley. I spring to my feet.

We're stuck.

'We're not on your territory!' 

'Impulse changed his mind.' I recognise xB. 'You need to come with us.'

'No. We've left. We're happy here.' Behind me, Scar scrambles to his feet. A click. 

'I don't want to hurt you.'  He's holding the pistol I dropped, eyes full of fear and determination. 'But I will if you don't let us go.' 

Gunshot.

'SCAR!' I scream as he hits the ground, falling down next to him. Blood covers his arm. He's holding his shoulder, panting, hiding the clear agony filling him. A click of another gun behind. I raise my hands.

'We haven't done anything to hurt you,' I insist, 'Let us go free. Please. We mean no harm.'

'Get him.'

'No.' 

Surprised I glance back to see Etho standing between us and the resistance, holding a potion in each hand. The guns aim at him instead, giving me time to find one of the healing potions he and Bdubs gifted us, handing it to Scar in the hopes he can do something useful with it,

'Grian, get help.'

'Where?' I get to my feet. 

'Your old flat. We settled in your old flat... go there. Now. Get help.'

I nod, running at the wall, struggling up it. Etho continues

'You'll have to go up the side. We boarded up the front door.'

I nod again, and run.

Across the rooftops I dash. It's still night, but I navigate easily enough. I get higher, backtracking when I reach roads I can't cross from the air. I'm taking too long. Far too long. I reach the block of flats. The walls are high. Too high. I know I'm going to fall. 

But I can't give up now. 

I squint up at the windows, trying to figure out which one's right. I'll figure out when I get up there. If I get up there. 

I start to climb. Benches and window sills provide a decent path at first, but soon I'm navigating sections of brickwork alone. It's too high to look down. Far too high to survive the fall... I don't know how far I need to go, but count the number of windows I pass. 

I keep going. My arms ache from the effort. Phlegm fills my throat. Tiredness leaves to almost fatal mistakes until I'm left, still 5 or more storeys away from the open window I'm hoping is the right one, clinging to the edge of a window sill with the last of my energy. I try to pull my leg up to it and can't. 

I'm stuck.

I stare up at that open window again, hope no one else will hear me, and yell.

'HELP!'

No answer. 

'HELP PLEASE! PLEASE!'

Another thought comes to me. Last time Etho was away for too long Bdubs went to help him anyway.

What if he's done the same now?

What if there's no one inside that building?

What if I'm stuck here forever.

'HELP! PLEASE! I'M STUCK!' Tears fill my eyes as I scream. 'HELP!' 

'HOLD ON!' A voice. From the right room. Pure relief washes over and moments later a rope ladder appears next to me. My feet hit one of the rungs and I swing onto it, climbing slowly. I barely have enough energy to just reach the window, climbing inside, and collapsing.

Bdubs pulls in the ladder, and disappears from the room. I'm left lying there, panting for breath, unable to push myself into a sitting position. I vaguely realise I'm lying on a bed. Scar's room. 

'You're ok... just have some of this and then explain.' Bdubs returns, helping me sit up. I frown, recognising the voice. But tiredness tells me it's nothing as a plate is placed in my lap, and a glass of water in my hands. I drink it all, starting to eat the cake.

Cake?

I look over at the person crouching next to the bed. Confusion, relief, every emotion fills me as I realise it isn't Bdubs.

'Cub?!'

He's alive :D