Roanna and Shai caught up with the others after reaching the bottom of the hill. They had Lake to thank, for the boys had taken a rest due to his poor condition. Lake was shaking uncontrollably and looked like he would throw up at any moment. He didn't even notice the lack of one person. Mav, however, did. The latter didn't ask, simply exchanging a nod with Shai.

"I think he has a fever," Roanna commented as she felt Lake's forehead.

"We should keep moving," Mav replied.

Shai didn't respond. Instead, he walked over to his shivering friend. He hauled the boy to his feet and pulled his arm around his shoulder. Propping him up, he turned expectantly to the other two.

Mav took the lead once more.

The group stumbled along. Roanna dropped back at some point to help Shai with Lake. They continued on, barely making any stops. Night came, bringing a new wave of bitter cold. A longer break was taken and then the teens were on their way once more. The amount of snow on the ground began to dwindle and they came across not one infected. When the wind blew away some of the white to reveal the frozen ground below, the reason was revealed. Small ravines dotted the area, a few larger.

"Bombed," Roanna commented.

"Don't fall in," Mav added.

And on they went. To the group it became a struggle to put one leg in front of the other, but they kept going. The thought that each step brought them closer was the only thing holding them up. And then, in early hours of dawn, as the moon began to slip away, the smell of the ocean hit their noses. Only moments later they became aware of lights ahead.

They were bright, sweeping back and forth as they searched for anything that dared to approach. Before them, several large fences stretched out, one behind the other. Their barbed ends kept flesh eating intruders at bay long enough for those behind to pick them off. A few buildings and makeshift tents were barely visible behind in the brightening morning sky.

The teens got closer only to see the light turn to a flashing red. There were shouts and figures appeared, running to line up behind the fence. Shai could just make out the weapons in their arms.

"Wait!" Roanna left the boys' side. Half running, half stumbling, she surged forward, hands in the air. "Wait!"

The weapons were raised and the guns trained on the targets.

"We're human!" Roanna shouted desperately. "We're human!"

"Hold it!" a voice boomed.

Roanna froze, hands still in the air. The boys walked up beside her, Shai still supporting Lake, and then they too stopped.

"Put your hands up. All of you!" the voice demanded.

The boys did just that, following Roanna's lead. Even Lake, as out of it as he was, managed to raise them.

There was movement and a gate opened.

Several armed men and woman marched out, guns still aimed. A man brushed past them, eyes on the teens.

"Holy smokes!" He exclaimed as he got closer. "Where did you lot come from?" He raised an arm, causing those behind him to stand down.

"All clear!" a voice called.

"All clear," it echoed.

The flashing red lights turned off.

Several soldiers ran forward to assist the teens.

"Scavenging mission, with Commander Natalie Park." Roanna spoke for the group.

The group was surrounded and herded toward the gate. It opened to them.

"Survivors from crew 40?" the man asked, amazement on his face. "Get these kids some blankets!" he called as he eyed their shivering forms. "How did you make it here?"

"It's a long story," Mav was the one to reply.

The man nodded. "Commander Richard at your service." His eyes wandered of the four teens before gazing into the distance. "Are there any more?"

A moment of silence.

"This is it," Roanna broke it.

Blankets were handed to the shivering teens and they eagerly pulled them around their shoulders.

They reached the gate and Roanna was about to pass though it when the commander threw an arm out to stop her.

"We first have to check," he apologized.

"Check?" Roanna asked.

The teens watched as what looked like a metal door frame was carried over. It was placed right before the gate. A woman brought over a metal briefcase. Unfolding it she revealed the computer within. Several wires from the doorframe were connected to it. She typed something and then lifted a thumb. Solders watched from either side.

"Would you pass through," Richard motioned to it.

Mav and Shai exchanged a glance.

Shrugging, Roanna walked forward. She passed under the doorway. The woman gazed at the screen on the laptop. For a few seconds there was silence before she lifted her thumb.

"Next, please," Richard said.

Mav stepped forward. He walked through and the process that followed was similar to the one before. Shai watched, his heart sinking. He knew what was going on. He knew what would happen. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw his shivering friend, blanket pulled close. His own mind raced as he tried to think of a solution.

"Next."

The sky grew brighter as the sun peered out from behind the great big ocean stretched out behind the buildings. Neither Shai, nor Lake, moved.

Soldiers exchanged glances, straightening.

"Next," Commander Richard said somewhat more sharply.

Shai let the blanket around his shoulders drop somewhat. He then gave Lake a small shove. The other boy listlessly moved forward. He walked up to the doorframe. As he did so, Shai slid closer.

He watched his friend pass through and he counted in his mind. Then, he took another step. The next moment his foot caught on the dragging blanket and he stumbled. He crashed forward and right into Lake. His friend was shoved through with Shai following right behind.

A second was all it took before a sharp wine rose from the computer. All around soldiers raised their guns once more, aiming them right at the two boys.

"We have an infected!" the lady confirmed.

Shai and Lake stood back to back as they found themselves staring down the barrel of several guns.

"Stop!" Roanna was the one to move. She stepped between Shai and the closest gun, hands spread out.

"You brought an infected with you!" The commander accused as his eyes latched on to Shai. Roanna's protective stance was all he needed to find the target he sought.

"It hasn't been seventy two hours since the infection!" Roanna shot back. "We heard there was a vaccine. A cure. Right?" She turned to Mav.

The boy nodded.

"His father is on the force." Roanna jerked a thumb at Lake.

Eyes flew to the boy.

"He heard it. As long as it's within seventy two hours it can be stopped!"

There was silence. The guns remained trained on the two boys.

Commander Richard looked over the teens. Letting out a long sigh he raised a hand. "You've been through a lot," he murmured. All around guns were lowered. He nodded at Roanna and the girl slowly dropped her arms. A glance was exchanged with the woman at the computer. "The vaccine..." Richard looked thoughtful. "Maybe it's worth a shot."

Shai's head snapped up. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly before a look of realization crossed them.

Richard motioned to two soldiers who immediately broke rank and walked over. "We'll take him into quarantine until we can get it here." He shot Roanna a gentle smile. "Leave it to us."

A soldier stood to either side of Shai. Mav looked like he wanted to say something, yet the boy remained silent.

"Unfortunately, we don't have the best medical supplies here." Richard looked over at Lake a smiled. "I think it would be best to send you all on the first copter back to the islands."

Shai glanced between the two men next to him. One of them motioned for him to begin walking. He didn't say a word as he moved, pulling the blanket closer around his shoulders.

"Wait!" Shai heard behind him as Roanna stepped forward.

Shai shot a glance back to see Richard's hand land on the girl's shoulder. "Just a precaution until the vaccine gets here." He turned to another solder. "Make sure these three are on the next flight out of here."

The solider saluted.

"We'll see you later!" Roanna called after Shai as they were lead in the opposite way.

Shai didn't reply.

The teens were separated there.

Shai was taken away. Richard came along, pulling a phone from his pocket. He dialed a number and waited, holding it to his ear while he walked.

"Yes, sir. Reporting." He spoke. "They made it."

Shai didn't even look up as he was lead along between the two soldiers. He was tired, tired of it all. The pain in his chest hadn't left, only dulled ever so slightly.

"One is infected."

A pause.

"They spoke of a vaccine..." he trailed off. "I understand. Yes, sir." With that the phone was hung up. Richard nodded and the men changed direction.

Shai didn't have to guess to figure out where they were going as they passed by the building. A bitter smile tugged at the edge of his lips.

In the opposite direction, three teens were being led to a landing spot for helicopters. In the distance a dot appeared in the morning sky as a craft rushed to pick up the group and whisk them to safety.

Roanna, Mav, and Lake stood side by side, watching it grow closer.

"We really made it," Roanna breathed.

Lake coughed and then nodded.

"We did," Mav agreed.

The shape grew closer.

Mav turned to the other two. "This is where we part ways."

"Huh?" Roanna turned away while Lake continued to stare at the craft. "Where are you going?"

"Staying here." Mav motioned to the area.

"You've got to be kidding," Roanna told him.

Mav shook his head.

"Why?" the girl asked.

Lake was swaying back and forth, as though in a trance. The boy hadn't spoken in a long while.

"I have some unfinished business."

"We've been out trying to survive for the last few days. How can you have any business here?" Roanna pointed out.

"Dot worry about it," came Mav's reply. He nodded. "See you around." With that he turned and slipped away.

"Wow." Roanna shook her head. "What do you think of that?" she addressed Lake.

The boy didn't reply, continuing to sway.

"Man," Roanna muttered, "You really need to see a doctor. Whatever being out there has done to you..." She shrugged.

At the same time Shai was being lead away from the buildings, away from the landing area, further away from other humans except the ones accompanying him. He dropped the blanket from his shoulders on the way. No one bothered to pick it up.

In an open area, someone stood waiting for them. It was a tall man with glasses. A man with piercing eyes. Catching sight of the approaching group he pulled on a pair of leather black gloves and began to walk over to meet them.

His eyes were glued on Shai, yet the boy barely even noticed. A calm had settled on him. He was at ease, knowing what was to come. He regretted nothing.

"Shai." The man spoke as though he knew him. A smile stretched across his face. "I've been wanting to meet you."

Shai barely heard it as he watched the man withdraw a gun. He didn't recognize the weapon.

At the same time, a helicopter descended toward two waiting teens.

A group of soldiers who were also waiting, eagerly surged forward to begin unloading before the rotors even fully stopped.

"Heard four of them made it," the snippet of a conversation reached Roanna's ears as she pulled Lake along to their way home. "Unfortunately, one was infected. A real shame..."

Roanna scowled. "He's going to get the vaccine," she snapped in passing by.

One soldier gave her a funny look while the other chuckled.

"What?" the girl asked as pushed Lake toward the helicopter.

"Nothing," the soldier who had chuckled told her. "It's just that, I didn't think people still believed that one..."

Back in the clearing, Shai had been forced to his knees. The man with glasses lifted the gun-like weapon while the soldiers stepped back. Richard watched, a grim expression on his face.

"What are you trying to say?" Roanna was demanding of the solider at the same time.

The smile disappeared from the soldier's face. "A vaccine? A cure?" His eyes hardened. "Wake up, girl. There's no such thing."

"I'm truly sorry about this," Shai was told at that moment.

The weapon was lifted and placed right on his chest. The boy didn't move.

"But the commander said..." Roanna protested at the same time.

The soldier snorted. "He probably felt sorry. Trust me. Once you're bit there's nothing you can do. We would know. We were the ones who started the rumor in the first place."

"Why?" Roanna whispered as the truth began to sink in.

"So that when soldiers were bit they would come forward instead of trying to hide it and turning on us," came the logical explanation.

"But Shai..."

The second soldier was beginning to look like he felt sorry for her. "The commander most likely took him where they take all those that are infected."

"No." Roanna whirled. "No...they can't." She broke into a run, leaving behind the chopper and a dazed Lake sitting in it.

From where he kneeled, Shai slowly lifted his head to stare at his executioner.

"Those are the eyes I've wanted to see," the man holding his death warrant told him. He leaned forward, putting his mouth beside the boy's ear. "You know. I've been watching you for a long time," he murmured.

Shai didn't have time to think about what that meant.

"This might hurt...a lot." A finger tightened on the trigger.

BANG!

The gunshot echoed throughout the camp.

Roanna jerked to a halt as the sound hit her ears. A hand went to her heart.

"Another one bites the dust," the solider murmured before returning to work.

What remained of her strength left Roanna and she fell to her knees. All the emotions she had been holding in that time rushed out at once. Tipping her head back she let out a strangled cry as the dam burst and tears fell. Tears for those who had fallen, tears for the horror she had faced, tears of guilt for being the one to survive.

In the clearing a body fell as two soldiers, a commander, and the man with the gun watched. It hit the ground with a dull thud.

"It's done," Commander Richard spoke with little emotion in his voice.

The man with the gun turned. "I was given full rights to the body."

Richard nodded. "Do as you will, doctor." With that he motioned to the soldiers. They grabbed hold of the limp body.

The doctor watched. He tipped his head back as the sun rose further. "We're almost there," he murmured. His lips twitched into a smile. "This time I got really lucky." He paused and then opened his mouth once more. "You did well."

A boy stepped out from the shadows and Mav walked forward. He looked far from happy.

"You shot him."

"I had to."

Mav scowled. "Is this one good?"

The doctor nodded. "Perfect."

"Then," Mav shifted. "We're finally even?"

Turning his attention from the sky, the doctor spared a moment to look at the boy. "For now."

Mav's fingers tightened before he relaxed them and gave a curt nod.

"You held up well," the doctor told him.

"It was close...too close," came Mav's reply.

The doctor nodded. Then he walked forward, right past the boy. "Get some rest. I'll be in contact."

Mav didn't reply. Only when the doctor had gone some distance after the soldiers carrying the body of the teen, did Mav turn. He watched the doctor for a moment before letting free a heavy sigh. Then, the boy turned and disappeared among the buildings.