Everyone watched Sam marching away, but no one followed. Tom put his sunglasses back on, the snarl on his face replaced by a worried frown. The sun had already set behind the canyon wall, so soon enough they couldn't see Sam anymore.

"Do you think we should go get him?" Kyle asked after a few moments of silence, his voice blank.

"I don't know. I'm still pretty pissed off at him," Jimmy answered. He'd never thought Sam could be such a brat.

"You shouldn't," Tom said to everyone's surprise. "He's right. I've been annoyed for absolutely no reason. I was following my own ends. And he was also right about Angie. I'm only good at making her miserable..." His voice cracked and he looked away.

"Don't say that, Tom. You know it's not true," Jimmy snapped. "You did stick up for him and you only did it because you care about him. God knows why." He rolled his eyes and took out his bottle of water. It was stupid, they should save their resources, but he was thirsty all the time.

"Look, I've only known you for a less than a week, but—" Jim's words caught in his throat and his eyes widened as he started at Jimmy who was just raising the water bottle to his mouth.

With a desperate cry, Jim lunged and knocked the bottle of water out of Jimmy's hand, spraying water over both of them.

Sudden darkness came over Jimmy, and for a moment, he couldn't see anything, just black, as if he'd closed his eyes. Only he hadn't. His throat burned and he could hear distant screaming. His body hummed and then it was over, he could see again, and even if still thirsty, it didn't hurt anymore.

"Let go, damn it!"

Tom was pulling on his arm. Jimmy looked from him to his hand, yelped and jumped back. His fingers had been tightened around Jim's throat.

"What...?" He looked at his own hands, unable to believe it. "What's happening to us?"

"The water!" Jim said, coughing, but otherwise seeming unaffected by Jimmy almost strangling him. "Where did you get the water?"

"From the river, of course," Jerry answered, a frown on his face.

"Don't drink water from the river, you complete morons! That's where they dump all the radioactive waste."

"What on earth are you on about?" Billy asked confused.

"You're all acting strange because you drank water from the river. The labs were used for all sort of tests, remember? And they dump the waste in the river. That Herrison bloke mentioned it," Jim answered.

"How do you know they dump the waste in the river?" Tom asked. "The water doesn't actually taste bad."

"I've been here before to study the caves, remember?" Jim rolled his eyes. "Honestly, this radiation is making you stupid as well as nasty. You shouldn't touch anything even mildly contaminated. I actually packed my own water."

"Okay, that would explain a lot of things," Kyle said, his expression lively for the first time in days. "I've been feeling extremely strange since getting on this side of the canyon. Always thirsty, always pissed off. Now Jim, is there any way to get rid of these effects?"

"Stop drinking the water and it will fade over time," Jim answered.

"Just like that?" Jimmy asked. "And what, die of thirst?"

"Then drink as little as possible. The labs surely have a clean water source, and we'll steal from there," Jerry said.

Everyone stared at Jerry who only shrugged. It was beyond weird to hear Jerry suggesting stealing as a solution, even if he was right.

"How about you? You seem awfully normal!" Billy said, pointing an accusatory finger at Ron.

"I am normal." Ron smiled kindly. "I don't believe in radiation effects. It's against my policy."

"Or you actually have your own water. How did you know about this?" Tom asked suspiciously.

"I didn't, but I do have my own water. Never got around to finishing it." Ron shrugged.

Tom glared at him for a few moments as if not buying it, then turned to the others. "Anyway, we should find Sam and tell him about this. It's not his fault he's acting like a douche lord."

*

Sam walked towards the forest, racking his brain, trying to figure out why he now felt guilty and helpless. The anger had disappeared, finally, and a wave of shame engulfed him. He stopped next to a big rock and sat down, leaning his back against it.

He felt like kicking himself for the way he'd acted over the last few days. Tom was completely right. All the marching had been brainless. He had no right to say Tom was making Angie miserable. Their relationship had been difficult enough without him rubbing Tom's mistakes in his face. That was a cheap move.

The sudden rumble of an engine pulled Sam out of his thoughts. He got to his knees and peeked from behind the rock. A sand-colored SUV sped towards him. He ducked back behind the rock again and waited, his heart pounding. The car braked and the sound of the engine was cut off. A few moments later, he could hear doors opening.

Sam chanced another peek, but crouched back almost instantly. Von Crooken and Eye Patch got down from the car and look around.

"Well, this place is as good as any," Von Crooken said, sounding bored. "Take your men and spread out."

Sam waited for a few moments as he heard Eye Patch and an unknown number of men walk away, expecting to be found any second. They seemed to have moved away. After a few more seconds, Sam looked around the boulder again.

Von Crooken was staring around as though to make sure he was alone, then opened to passenger door of the SUV and helped someone get out.

For a second Sam's breath caught in his throat, thinking it was the agent and that Tom had been right and they'd come there to execute her. But to Sam's major surprise, it was actually Snitch Gravel whom Von Crooken was pulling out of the car.

He was pale and shaky as he struggled to climb down. Von Crooken held his arm tightly and led him towards the rock behind which Sam was hiding. Sam pulled back behind his cover at once.

"Easy does it," Von Crooken said kindly.

"Okay, what makes you think I need your help to walk?" Snitch Gravel snapped.

Sam wondered how come Snitch Gravel couldn't hear his heart pounding. It sounded like a drum in his ears.

"What did you want to show me?" Snitch Gravel demanded.

Von Crooken hesitated. "I thought you could use a bit of fresh air," he finally mumbled, barely audible.

"Fresh air?" Snitch Gravel let out a harsh, humorless laugh that had the hairs on Sam's arms on end. "Do you consider me an idiot? You've restarted the experiments. Who gave you permission to reopen the labs?"

Von Crooken stood quiet and Sam couldn't help but appreciate that he wasn't in his shoes right then. Von Crooken mumbled something.

"You feel I'm getting weak?" There was cold fury in Snitch Gravel's voice. "The only reason I'm weak is the dismal effort you put into filtering the water."

There was silence and Sam glanced around the rock again, too curious to care about the risks. Snitch Gravel stood with his back to the boulder, watching Von Crooken with narrowed eyes.

"Or are you actually trying to poison me, Nicholas? Have I given you too much power, too much freedom? Do you believe you should take the lead?" Snitch Gravel's low, snide voice was worse than a scream.

"Of course not, boss, I'm glad you're back," Von Crooken stuttered, stepping back from Snitch Gravel who, Sam noticed for the first time, was a lot taller and better built than Von Crooken. "There was just a slight problem with the filters. We'll get them fixed."

Sam wondered for a moment if Snitch Gravel was going to punch Von Crooken. Instead, Snitch Gravel doubled over, his hand on his chest, as if he were having a heart attack, his breathing heavy and ragged. He heaved a great breath and retched. Von Crooken hurried towards him and Sam ducked back behind the rock to avoid being seen.

As much as he wanted to see what happened next, Sam felt it was getting dangerous to linger, so he slowly pulled away from the rock and shuffled backwards towards a nearby shrub which could provide him with some cover. His eyes never left the boulder, just in case Von Crooken came around it and spotted him. He bumped into something soft.

"Well, hello there," Eye Patch gloated.

Sam made to scramble forward, but two pairs of hands grabbed him and immobilized him. Eye Patch appeared before him, a very satisfied grin on his face. He nodded towards the rock and the two men who had grabbed him started dragging Sam towards the rock.

Sam struggled as hard as he could, but there was no escaping

"Hey, boss," Eye Patch called, a distinct note of pride in his voice. "Look what I found walking backwards through the desert."

They rounded the boulder and Sam was thrown face down at Von Crooken's feet. Snitch Gravel, though still shaking, had straightened , one hand still resting on the rock for support.

"Oh, Christmas has come early this year." Von Crooken rubbed his hands in anticipation.

Snitch Gravel stared at Sam as if he'd never seen him before. "Sam, what the hell are you doing here?"

Sam stared back. Snitch Gravel seemed to have no idea they were there. Hadn't Von Crooken told him that they'd arrived?

Von Crooken turned to Snitch Gravel. "You should be glad he's here."

"I didn't say I'm not," Snitch Gravel snapped, though he seemed sorry he'd spoken at all.

"Tie him up!" Von Crooken ordered.

The words dug into Sam's head, bringing with them pain he'd never felt before. His head seemed to be splitting open. He dropped to his knees, clutching his temple, trying to focus on breathing, but even that was too hard. He had to put all his strength into not screaming out loud.

Somewhere, in a distant parallel world, he could hear voices, screaming, feel pressure on one of his arms. Someone was trying to pull him back to his feet, but he was dying, what was the point of standing?

"Boss, what are you doing?"

Eye Patch's yell broke through the buzzing inside his head. The hand around his forearm was removed and he heard shuffling and groaning.

"Get him out of here! He's bad!" Von Crooken yelled.

Sam expected to be picked him up, but instead, he heard a struggle somewhere next to him. The pain subsided and Sam opened his eyes. Snitch Gravel struggled to throw Eye Patch off him, but his face was screwed up in pain and he was losing the battle.

Sam scrambled to his feet.

"Shoot the brat!" Von Crooken ordered the two remaining men and followed Eye Patch who was dragging Snitch Gravel towards the SUV.

"Stop giving out orders," Snitch Gravel yelled, but Eye Patch managed to get him inside the car, climbed in quickly and drove off.

"What are you waiting for? Kill him!" Von Crooken yelled.

Something hard collided with Sam's forehead, followed by the sound of an unloading gun, and he fell off his feet. But he wasn't dead, he could tell that much. He reached out his hand and touched his forehead. There was a bloody lump there. He sat up, staring at the blood on his hand.

"Why won't you die?" Von Crooken said through gritted teeth.

As Sam raised his eyes, the reason was revealed. His group stood behind Von Crooken and his men. Tom had a slingshot which was once again loaded. The rest of the group pointed guns at the men. Jerry came forward and stuck the barrel of his pistol to the back of Von Crooken's head.

"We'll be taking Sam now," he said matter-of-factly as Jimmy and Kyle were disarming Von Crooken's men.

"You silly brats!" Von Crooken laughed. "Stop playing around. We all know you carry weapons for nothing. You won't shoot us! You couldn't do it in the jungle, and you can't do it now."

Jerry considered Von Crooken for a few seconds. "You're right, I couldn't shoot you." Instead, he drew the gun back and pistol-whipped him across the face.

Von Crooken stumbled back, his hand over his bloody nose.

"Let's see," Billy said. "Two men and you. You're not taking this killing us thing serious, are you?"

"Be careful what you wish for," Von Crooken sneered, his eyes darting from Billy to the rest of the group. His eyes suddenly widened when they fell on Ron. "You!" he yelled, pointing at Ron. "I was out here looking for you. And you were hanging out with the brats. You damn traitor! I knew we shouldn't have trusted you!"

The blood in Sam's veins seemed to freeze. "What?" He turned to Ron who stood pale and quiet.

All eyes fell on Ron who stared back reluctantly. The noise of an engine hummed in the distance. Sam knew he should do something, that Snitch Gravel had probably sent reinforcements, but the shock paralyzed them. The sandy SUV screeched to a halt before them.

Snitch Gravel hopped out, a rifle in his hand. He pointed it at Billy who was closest.

"I believe it's time for this party to end," he said calmly. "Give my men over and I won't shoot your cousin."

Sam tilted his head and watched Snitch Gravel carefully, but nothing indicated he'd just had a break down. He wondered where Eye Patch was. With a sigh, he made a sign towards Jerry. They didn't have a choice. Snitch Gravel knew they couldn't kill anyone. He also had a vague suspicion Snitch Gravel wouldn't care much even if they did.

Jerry frowned, but pushed Von Crooken to the ground at Snitch Gravel's feet. Kyle and Jimmy backed away from the two men who hurried to join their bosses.

For a second it seemed to Sam like Snitch Gravel wanted to laugh at Von Crooken. Instead, he nodded towards the car and the men disappeared inside. Snitch Gravel was with one foot inside too when his eyes fell on Ron. He hesitated for the fraction of a second, but he climbed in and drove off.

Sam's gaze followed the SUV until it disappeared in the forest. When he turned to Ron, everyone else was already staring him down. Ron looked at them with the air of a cornered animal for a few seconds, then that annoying grin spread across his face again.

"Okay, so I might have not been exactly honest when I mentioned how I found you. But I was—"

"You're a traitor," Sam said, cutting him off. "You are a traitor to Snitch Gravel and you are a traitor to us." He signaled to his brothers to head back towards camp.

As they moved out without question, Sam threw Ron one last look and followed them. He heard footsteps behind him and turned around, gun pointing.

"Von Crooken said I can't shoot anyone, and he's right. But I'm aware that can't last forever. I'll eventually have to start shooting. And I might as well start with you, if you follow us."

Ron pulled back at his words, a desperate look on his face. "Listen, you don't know the half of it. I'm an agent, too. I've infiltrated Snitch Gravel's base to gather information about the agent that's been captured," he said quickly.

"Yeah, right," Sam said annoyed, turning away from Ron and walking on.

Hesitant footsteps followed.

Sam stopped, but didn't turn around. "If you follow us, I'll kill you. Traitor."

He heard steps again, but this time, they moved in the opposite direction.

Sam walked on, though unease grabbed on to him. Even after all they've been through in the jungle, he was strangely unprepared for what was happening. He somehow had the apocalyptic feeling their last mission had been a training camp compared to what was coming now.