The wind was blowing the tall grass softly around Dylan, brushing against his hands as he leaned back on them. The taste of the salty breeze was stronger in the outer field than in the sanctuary, giving Dylan a chance to clear his head. His long-time friend Noah had joined him today to enjoy the sunlight, having a break from his work today. Since their graduation and job placement, the two rarely got to see each other lest it was during the lunch hall or if they weren't needed. Noah had chosen to lay on his back, staring up into the clouds as they rolled past.

"How far do you think they travel?" Noah asked aloud. Dylan spared a glance at him, raising his shoulders in a shrug. Noah turned to look back at the clouds, hands folding to rest behind his head.

"Wouldn't it be nice to just climb into one and see where it goes?" Noah continued. Once again Dylan shrugged his shoulders, now keeping his eyes towards the other side of the shore. The outer field ended on a cliff edge meeting the sea, the waves so high they crashed and rose above the ground. Far off into the distance was a deteriorating city long abandoned. The only thing connecting this island of a city was a burning red bridge, unusable do to half of it being underwater.

"Are you still thinking about staying as a nurse when you turn of age?" Noah asked, pulling Dylan's gaze away from the city. "Your birthday is almost here."

Dylan moved to sit up straight, stretching his fingers for a moment before turning slightly to Noah. 'Nurse.' He tapped his fingers against his wrist. His friend nodded, gaze turned back to look up.

"I don't want to be stuck here forever," Noah said, voice dropping in tone, "I don't know what I was thinking when choosing maintenance. I know for sure I'm changing it next year when I can."

Dylan studied his friend, seeing the worry and stress from how Noah's eyebrows furrowed and jaw clenched down. Noah had never spoken ill about his job in the six years that he worked it. Then again, Dylan realized Noah never said anything about his job. When they could meet, Noah talked about the sanctuary or how he and Parker got into another pointless spat about something small. Dylan's only knowledge about the job was when he saw maintenance workers come into his section of the ward to transfer more power, or when they were changing lights around the sanctuary.

He reached over, giving Noah's elbow a small tap. Once he had the other's attention he cupped his hands to his chest before rolling them in a downward motion. He paused, thinking before making his hands into fists and gently hitting them together. 'How work?'

"I recognize how," Noah said. He moved so he could sit up, sliding over to be beside Dylan, "But I don't remember the second word. I can only guess you're asking about my job."

Dylan nodded, smiling just a bit. As Noah began to speak a long drawn out tone rang through the air, the source coming from behind them. It was the noon bell, meaning they needed to head back before they're noticed missing. Noah stood up, brushing off some grass that got onto his jeans. Dylan followed suit, reaching into his pocket to pull out a hair tie.

The rules in the hospital he was stationed in were lenient on how a person can look; as long as long hair was tied back and kept out of the way. Dylan had always enjoyed having long hair, it reminded him of his home tribe before the Bombs of Spain were dropped. He never liked to think back on it too long, or he'd relapse back into an unresponsive state. He pulled his hair back with some difficulty due to its curliness, feeling the small shaved underside as he tied it up. It was only long enough to fit into a ponytail, but he was hoping to grow it out long enough to tie into a bun.

He gave a thumbs-up to Noah when he finished, and the two began their trek back to the sanctuary. They hiked through the tall grass until reaching a fence a few meters back. Dylan lifted the bottom of it so Noah could fit under, then he did the same for Dylan on the other side. The grass turned to gravel and soon to concrete as they went along.

Their home consisted of many five-story tall buildings made of concrete, some were painted to give color to the blandness. The streets were always buzzing with people walking around, a mix of guards, adults, students, and kids. The majority were people under 20 since that was the age when a person chose how their lives will play out next. Noah led Dylan through the crowded streets, going down a section of the road that was less populated. The road led to the hospital where Dylan worked, the only building that was pure white. It was also the biggest building, since decades ago it served as the main hospital during the Canadian-American Battles. It stood quiet now, as the war moved away from them, so it was only ever used when someone fell ill within the sanctuary.

"You better head in, Charlotte will worry if you're late," Noah said, smiling. Charlotte was the head nurse of the hospital, just below surgeons. She was assigned to train Dylan since no one else wanted to.

Dylan gave a small wave goodbye, taking a step forward before he caught sight of two others walking down the road. When the strangers spotted them, they waved, heading towards the two of them, making it clear that it was only their friends. Evalon and Danielle. Evalon was carrying her pistol, meaning she was on duty currently. Her black attire contrasted greatly against Danielle's colorful dress.

"Hey short stack," Danielle called playfully, reaching up to try and touch the top of Dylan's head. Danielle stood a head shorter than Dylan. He smiled, nodding to Evalon as she paused in front of the two.

"Evalon," Noah said, crossing his arms.

"Noah," Evalon said curtly.

Danielle elbowed her ribs. "Nice words Eve," she scolded. She was training to become a teacher, working with children under five, and she always forgot to go out of work mode and would try and scold her friends, or treat them like they were kids. The others never let it get to them, mostly because it made them laugh rather than offend them.

"So where are you two going?" Evalon asked, putting her weapon away. She was training to become a guard here at the sanctuary but talked about joining the frontlines for the Army ever since her birthday began approaching fast. Dylan and she were a month apart, and their deadline was in two to three months, respectively.

"Heading back to work. Making sure we're not late," Noah said.

"We just got off. I'm going to lunch and Evalon is going to the field to train," Danielle explained, motioning to herself and her friend. "We just met with Charlotte actually for our yearly check-up."

"Charlotte told us to say hi to Noah. Also Dylan isn't needed until 4," Evalon added on.

Dylan gave a thumbs up, looking past the girls and at the hospital. It meant he had time to run into his room and change into his work clothes. Noah uncrossed his arms, feeling less tense after hearing that. He's told Dylan that he doesn't like Evalon since she's always siding with Parker when the two argue. Dylan respected her for her bravery of wanting to join the war, though he'd rather stay here where it was safe.

Danielle waved her hand to catch Dylan's attention. "We'd better let you two go. I'm stopping by later tonight with a class to show them around, Dyl." Dylan looked at them both, giving two thumbs up this time. Danielle took Evalon's arm, pulling her back towards the busy street. Noah waved to them, watching them disappear into the crowd.

"I better head off. Don't let people bother you," Noah said. He patted Dylan's arm before walking off, going down another street. Dylan watched his friend until he was out of sight, then made his own way to his job. He made it to the building, pulling a keycard from his pocket and placing it on a pad next to the door. It chimed, turned green and unlocked the door. He pushed it open with ease, going into the hall.

He was in the student dorm hallway, just a few doors away from his own. He made his way down the hall, keycard still in hand. He made it to his door and pressed the plastic card against a screen to the right. It also made a chime, unlocking the door as it turned green. Dylan went inside, closing the door with a click. It was a standard room: on one half it was fitted with a bed, a closet and a dresser, while on the other side was a couch, a desk and a tv where some programs were broadcasted. Most of it was news on the war and the occasional happy news of peace being made between two nations.

Dylan set the key card down, going over to the closet and opening the door. Inside were his work clothes. Pressed white shirts and pants to match, every one of them. He pulled out a pair after much consideration, the shirt having his name stitched into it. A person nearing their graduation got these stitched labels no matter what. Even if in the end the person chose another job. It was rare for a nurse to change. So much time and effort are put into the job, Dylan couldn't even dream of doing anything else.

He changed quickly, even knowing that he had four hours to spare. It was not a rare occurrence for Charlotte to call him from a break or lunch. Only when he made it clear he wouldn't have his tablet with him - the only way to reach him - would she leave him alone. Speaking of, Dylan reached for it where it charged on the dresser, picking it up and unlocking it. His home screen was a selfie Noah had taken of the two when Dylan turned 13 and got to choose his job. He smiled, seeing the small differences in the two. Noah had cut his hair back to a shorter length while Dylan had let his grow. Noah had even started to tan since starting his job; his excuse was that a Hungarian never burned.

Hungarian. Noah himself was from Hungary. A country that no longer existed since the bombs of Germany and Austria. They don't speak about it. Ever. Dylan moved on, opening a tab that leads to the reports of the day. He could see people posting live from the hospital, but he would filter it all out to only see into his ward. Nothing, to Dylan's memory, ever happened in his since it was only he and Charlotte manning it. The Moore Ward was the name of the section, and even Dylan didn't know what it meant, but from the disparaging lack of people, he knew it must be a rare condition. He and Charlotte would work in other sections in the meantime of their infinite wait, to help Dylan with his training.

Seeing nothing new Dylan went to the private section of the app, seeing notes to himself that no one else could access. Charlotte set it up for him when he first arrived in the sanctuary, telling him it's to help him speak, to get his thoughts out. Dylan walked around the room, scrolling through some from a few days ago.

August 10, 2231. At Noon I went out to the North Border to help with an accidental fire. A new trainee misfired and hit an officer. I kept calm, I'm always calm.

Dylan let out a breath of air, feeling it rush out of his lungs and scratch at his throat. He rarely breathed through his mouth, it felt weird. He scrolled further up, going back years.

November 23, 2225. I chose to be a nurse today with Noah's help. I wish I could find the courage to speak. But every time I try it just hurts. Noah, you are my best friend. I wish I could talk and tell you this. I have so much to say.

Dylan let out another breath, straightening his back so he could take a deeper breath. It felt unnaturally dry as if his tongue would turn to sand. He looked back down, seeing his old notes get frantic. He doesn't remember writing these.

April 2224. My throat burns and it feels as if I'm on fire. It hurts to talk. Would anyone want to hear me? Why try if no one will.

2222. I can't talk. I can't make a noise. I can't speak. I can't make a sound. I can't voice myself. I have no voice. I couldn't stop it. They died.

Dylan froze from scrolling higher, looking at the words on his screen. He couldn't stop his eyes from looking at the next, and first entry.

December 16, 2221. Mom. Mother. I'm sorry. I couldn't save you. Mom. Please. I need you. I can't do this alone. I can't speak without you. I need you here.

The tablet slipped from his fingers, landing safely on the bed. His hands were shaking, to the point where it traveled up his arms. One hand moved up, thumb quickly resting on his chin with his fingers outstretched. 'Mom.' He pulled his hand back sharply as if it stung, feeling a painful throb in his chest. He moved the tablet to sit down, feeling the world spin around him. He pressed two fingers in his wrist, taking a breath as he counted. His heart was beating rapidly, but the rate began to slow down. Dylan took another breath, reaching over and closing out the program.

A chime rang in his room, from a speaker placed in the middle of the ceiling. "Dylan Lee please report to Head Nurse Charlotte in room M103. She requires your assistance."

Dylan glanced at the clock, jolting out of his daze. It was 2:30, and there wasn't any time to question how time passed so fast. He stood up, grabbing the tablet and key card and headed out the door. Charlotte's office was only a few levels up above the dorms, making Dylan's travel time a little quicker than most students here.

He was able to arrive at her office in a few minutes. The room was smaller than his dorm, only having a desk and a couple of chairs. There was another door behind the desk, and to the left of it old photos and certificates hung on the wall. Charlotte was sitting at the desk, glasses tilted down as she looked at her own tablet in concern. She was the head nurse for a reason: she was the oldest in the sanctuary and had a vast knowledge of the old world.

"There's my favorite student," Charlotte spoke up, looking up to Dylan with a smile. She stood up, fixing her glasses before going over to him. She reached out and fixed the collar of his shirt which was sticking up. "Did you have enough time to rest? How does the city look today?"

Dylan moved to use his tablet, but she put a hand on it, lowering it.

"No cheating today. Use what I've been teaching you, Mr. Lee," Charlotte half scolded, taking the tablet. Dylan gave her a frown, before concentrating on his hands. He made a V-shape with two fingers on his hand, covering it with the other before pulling them outward. He then placed one open hand to his chest, thumb touching. 'Both. Fine.'

Charlotte laughed, giving him back his tablet, "I guess using one word to describe both questions can suffice today."

Ever since the two were placed together, Charlotte had been teaching Dylan an old language that only used hand movement. Even after six years he still hadn't fully learned basic grammar since they only had one book to go off on, but he was still grateful. Even better was that Noah wanted to learn it alongside him in his free time.

"I called you in 'cause we, at last, have a case involving our ward," Charlotte went and grabbed her tablet, sending Dylan a message containing files. "I could have handled it myself, but the patient requested you to be there."

Dylan looked at her confused, before opening the files to read over the patient's info. It was Parker, one of his friends. Why was he in this ward? Charlotte saw his confusion, tapping something into her tablet. "We can go see him now."

She opened the other door, letting them both in. It was a standard hospital room with the bed on one side with various instruments strewn about in a chaotic organized fashion. His friend, Parker, was on the bed, arms crossed as he looked at the two. Noah described Parker as stubborn and hot-headed. Dylan just thought he was grumpy all the time.

"Does Dyl really have to be here?" Parker asked, some defensiveness in his voice. Charlotte moved to her chair, making Parker flinch when she got close. Dylan closed the door behind him, getting his tablet ready for notes. Even with a friend, Dylan took his job seriously.

"Don't feign confusion, Mr. Cline. You asked for my assistant to be here," Charlotte said, "Why don't you summarize why you're here to him."

Parker shifted in his place, arms tightening. Dylan glanced up from his tablet, looking for a physical description for notes but something caught his eye. Parker's hair was changing at the roots. His friend always bragged about his hair being the blackest and smoothest and shiniest out of the friend group. He wasn't wrong, but now there was a color showing through. Dylan made the note, looking back to his friend.

"I was helping with the fall harvest with my team. Alice and Ezekiel were driving the combine while Blake and I walked behind collecting anything left behind. When I looked up for a second I saw Alice fall under the machine." Parker paused, seeming to find his words. "Ezekiel stopped the machine and before I could stop myself I ran over to help." He stopped there, looking over to Charlotte. She gave him a look.

"I... lifted the machine off her while Blake pulled her out," Parked finished, drumming his fingers on his arm, "I'm not hurt, I'm fine. Can I go?"

"You're being kept here because you lifted a machine that weighed near eight tons," Charlotte said. Dylan froze, mistyping a word. He struggled when lifting anything over 50 pounds, and now he's being told Parker lifted something near 16,000 pounds. Parker stayed tensed up, glancing between the two. Charlotte stood up.

"I need to go speak with Director Moore. Dylan, when you finish up your notes you can leave. Parker will be staying with us for a few days." She gave Dylan's shoulder a pat before leaving the room, closing the door behind her. Parker uncrossed his arms, digging his palms into his knees.

"I don't know what happened Dyl," Parker said, voice wavering. "Alice screamed when she saw me. Blake called the guards and they brought me here."

Dylan paused his notes again, seeing worry cross Parker's face, something that he rarely showed. Closing the program out after saving, Dylan pulled a tablet pencil from its compartment and pulled up an app that acted as a whiteboard. He wrote something quickly, going over to Parker and handing it to him: 'You did the right thing.' Parker's eyes darted across the screen, and he chuckled a bit.

"Thanks, but being a hero won't get me out of this," Parker responded, "If Charlotte is talking to Moore about me, that means I'm a dead person walking."

Director Moore, he was the leader of the sanctuary, and never had time to talk to anyone. When he did it was always about the safety of their home, even if it meant executions. Dylan felt a rock hit his stomach. Parker wasn't a criminal; he had a clear record besides anger issues. They wouldn't execute him for saving a teammate, even if the sudden ability of strength was terrifying. Dylan cleared his note, writing something else.

'They wouldn't do that.'

Parker leaned back a bit, using his hands as a rest. "You're always thinking on the bright side, Dyl. But this is the reality of things. They don't keep dangerous people here. It puts the new generation at risk."

Dylan thought a moment, tapping his screen with the pen. He thought back to his and Noah's hideaway. To the city just across the crashing waves. It was deserted, and in passing he heard that the radiation is clearing with the aid of new technology. He scribbled down a sentence again, showing Parker. 'Why not leave? The city is empty.'

Parker was quiet for a few moments, deep in thought. Dylan held the tablet still, afraid to pull it away. Parker pushed it away for him, sitting up straight. "I wouldn't survive. I know farming but I don't know self-defense. I don't know how to build a shelter. I don't have any knowledge of technology and I definitely don't know how to stitch up a wound. Getting a bullet to the head would be a quicker death."

Dylan lowered the tablet, looking worriedly at Parker. His shoulders had sunken down and Parker's usual self-confident demeanor was vanishing each second. Dylan cleared his board, frowning in concentration. He wrote a few words, then erased them, doing it over and over until it was blank. He couldn't think of anything to say. Parker looked at him, sighing.

"You can just leave. I'll be ok." Parker said, voice flat with no emotions. Dylan tapped his pencil again, thinking of something to write.

'I don't want to go just yet. I want to know about your hair.' Dylan showed him the sentence and watched as Parker grabbed at his hair. It was currently pulled back into a bun, but some strands were hanging in front of his face.

"My hair? What's wrong with it," Parker asked with concern. Dylan walked over to a cabinet, pulling out a mirror and handing it to Parker. He snatched it up, feeling his head as he looked.

"It's... red..." Parker spoke slow. "Is it blood? I don't feel any pain."

Dylan went over, looking closer. The roots were a dark red, nearly a maroon color. Blood would be shinier and wouldn't be as visible against his friend's hair color, so he shook his head no. Parker felt around the roots, a look of confusion on his face.

"Weird. Well, I'm not mentioning it to Charlotte unless it gets worse," Parker decided. Dylan took a step back, giving him space. "You should really go now. I might throw a scalpel at you by accident if you stay."

He didn't need to be told twice, he could see Parker beginning to tense up, grabbing at the bed until his knuckles were white. Dylan backed out of the room and closed the door, looking to the deadbolt. Locking the door might lead to Parker breaking down the door, so he decided against it. Charlotte wasn't back, but he was dismissed and didn't need to wait. He left the office and headed down the hall to the elevator, planning to go back to his room. He looked at his tablet, seeing what he last wrote.

How can someone's hair just suddenly change color? Dylan couldn't think of any medical symptoms involving it. He thought about The Marie Antoinette Syndrom when hair turned white from fear. Charlotte liked to joke that it's how her hair changed when the war started. Maroon didn't fit into that category. Dylan came out of thought, blinking and seeing that he was back in his room. He closed the program, opening yet another app. His friend's names were listed, next to them nicknames. He clicked on Noah's name, and a text box opened up.

'We have to meet tonight. Something happened and I don't have a solution.'

Dylan tapped the side of the tablet, typing up another message.

'Invite Eve and Danny.'

He set his tablet on the bed, sitting next to it. There was a small ding not a few seconds later, a notification popping up.

'Outskirts. The moon is almost full so there's enough light.' Noah had sent a reply back. Dylan read it, deciding not to reply back. He had to tell them. It broke regulations but Parker was their friend and he wasn't about to let him die.

--

"So Parker has an illness that changes his hair color and gives him immense strength?" Evalon questioned, lowering Dylan's tablet to raise an eyebrow. The four friends had met just past the fence, sitting down to hide behind the tall grass. No one was allowed out at night, so everyone had to be quiet and hidden.

"Serves him right. He's always bragging about his hair," Noah said, arms crossed. Danielle shot him a glare, taking the tablet and passing it back to Dylan.

"He's safe in your ward now, right Dyl?" Danielle let out a sigh of relief when Dylan nodded, "Good. We have a couple of days to figure this out," Danielle added.

"There are only a few options from what we know," Evalon said, holding up her pointer finger, "one is that we convince Moore that he's harmless."

"Why did you start with the most impossible one?" Noah asked, "The easiest thing to do is let them execute him. He sounds like he accepted it already."

Evalon gave him a look, making him go quiet. She continued, "two. We accept his wishes and let him go. This option is not on the table, no matter how much of a prick he is."

She looked to Noah again, who didn't have anything to add. Dylan pulled the whiteboard app up, writing something with the pen and then handed it to Evalon. 'I told him he can leave, but he's afraid.'

"Leaving is the third option," Evalon spoke after reading what Dylan wrote, "we prepare him just enough to help him survive and then we help him escape."

"Surviving in the wastelands is near impossible Eve. It takes years for military guards to train," Danielle said.

"Parker does have the upper hand since he knows how to farm," Noah said. Dylan looked at him, surprised to even hear him stand up for Parker. "Listen, I may wish him dead but, dumping him into the wastelands is cruel," Noah added on, bringing his knees up to his chest.

Danielle thought for a moment, rubbing the bottom of her chin. She snapped her fingers, expression lighting up. "I know!" The other three leaned in, giving Danielle the spotlight.

"Noah! You don't know what to do when you turn of age. And Eve! You want to explore the world with me!" Danielle said. Evalon quickly looked away, a blush growing on her cheeks. Dylan didn't notice but it was getting colder outside.

"What are you suggesting?" Noah asked.

"We leave with him!" Danielle concluded. Noah's eyes widened, losing balance before straightening his legs again. Evalon looked back, being equally shocked. Dylan felt himself frown, looking down at his tablet. If his friends left, what would he do? He'd become a nurse, train under Charlotte until he becomes a head nurse. Maybe even learn under a surgeon. What if he left with them? He'd lose everything he trained for. Everything he built up for in those six years.

"I'll go," Noah said. Dylan looked to his best friend, feeling his heart grow heavy. Noah looked to him, matching his frown. "You're going. Right?"

Evalon and Danielle looked to Dylan, waiting for an answer. He looked at his three friends, everything that could go wrong ran through his head. At the same time, he knew that they needed him and his medical background. That way they would all have a chance of survival. He flexed his fingers before signing. 'Go.' Noah smiled, leaning over and giving Dylan a hug. Evalon and Danielle shared a confused glance.

"Oh. He can go," Noah said. Danielle seemed surprised that Dylan was joining, but grinned. Evalon even smiled, giving Dylan a thumbs up.

That night, the four decided to leave that night, meeting at the same spot. It made no sense for them to stay longer. Dylan couldn't bring himself to tell Charlotte as soon as he got back to his dorm, so he wrote a letter and planned to leave it in his room. He made his way into an empty section of the hospital, where medical supplies were kept.

Dylan dug through the drawers, picking up anything he might need later on. It felt surreal as he packed his bag. He was really leaving the sanctuary, the place that offered security and safety. It wasn't safe anymore though, not for Parker. As Dylan dug through a cabinet full of medical gauze, he heard footsteps outside the door, making him freeze in place. The footsteps paused, and with a click, the door opened slowly. Charlotte peaked from behind the door, looking confused when seeing Dylan. Her eyes landed on the bag, making her step fully inside.

"Dylan? What are you doing? Why are you up so late?" She asked, moving closer to him. This made Dylan back up, clutching the bag tight. He forced himself to remove one hand, signing what he could, 'I go.' The motion was incomplete without the other hand, but Charlotte knew what he meant.

"You're leaving? To where?" Charlotte pushed. Her eyebrows furrowed, "Is this about Parker?"

Dylan hesitated but soon nodded slowly. His head nurse studied him for a few more seconds before sighing. She walked over to stand in front of him. She gently took hold of his bag but made no move to take it until Dylan willingly let go of it. She set it on the floor, now taking ahold of his hands. He could feel her own shaking slightly as she did so.

"If you really are leaving, I'm sad to see you go," Charlotte said, "But I want to give you something to make sure you're safe out there. It's a dangerous place and you'll become their only nurse."

She let go of his hands, stepping over to a locked cabinet Dylan had tried to open earlier. Charlotte pulled a key from her pocket, unlocking the cabinet and opened it. Inside was a white bag that was a hard case compared to his own soft bag. Charlotte pulled it out, going back over to Dylan. Seeing it up close, he recognized it now as the tool all graduated nurses received.

"Happy early birthday Dylan," Charlotte said, handing over the case. It felt light in Dylan's hands. He knew what was already inside, from seeing Charlotte uses her own around the ward. He looked it over, seeing his own name etched into the bottom. This was made for him months before his birthday. Charlotte knew he wanted this job. Dylan looked to her, feeling a rush of sadness wash over him. 'Thank you,' He signed, smiling as much as he could.

"You deserve it, Dylan," Charlotte smiled back, "Now go. I'll make sure you get out safe."

He reached and picked up his old bag, feeling how heavy it was compared to the new one. He gave Charlotte one last look before leaving the room, breaking into a run as he reached the closest staircase. There was one more thing to grab before they could make their escape. Reaching Charlotte's office, Dylan went in and opened the patient room where Parker was being kept. The door stopped at the halfway mark as Dylan looked to his friend.

Parker was huddled in a corner of a room, the medical instruments now more chaotic than organized, as if they had been thrown around. His friend tensed up when Dylan came in but soon relaxed. His hair was worse, the maroon was crawling down to his chin line.

"Dyl. What are you doing here so late?" Parker asked, but his question was answered when he saw the bags, "You're making me leave, aren't you?"

Dylan pointed to himself, to Parker, then jabbed his thumb back out the door. He had no time to explain. Parker stood up, walking over to Dylan. Without a word, he grabbed the heavier bag. "Is it you and me only?"

Dylan let a breath rush out his nose, impatience rising. He grabbed Parker's arm and dragged him out the door, a little surprised at his friend's little to none resistance. The two went down the hall, choosing to take stairs since the guards rode in the elevator more. Making it out of the hospital was easy, and the streets were eerily quiet. Parker kept frantically glancing around, being the one now to hang onto Dylan's arm as they made their way to the fence. Dylan could see a faint glow of light as they neared the edge of the cliff. Parker stopped, jerking Dylan back.

"Why is he here," Parker sneered, catching sight of Noah. Evalon, who was off to the side, stood between the two.

"We're all here to help," Evalon spoke with a threatening tone as if challenging Parker to question her. He glared for a minute before letting go of Dylan's arm. There was a faint redness to where Parker held his arm; a bruise would most likely form in a few days. Noah went past Evalon to get closer to Parker. There was a tense silence.

"I don't ever agree with your stance on anything," Noah began, "but you're friends with Dylan. And friends help friends. Especially when they go through tough shit."

Parker stared Noah down before scoffing, and walked past him without a second glance, "fine."

Noah tensed up, eyes darting downward before going over to Dylan. He kept his back to Parker, one hand slowly lifting. Noah had his middle finger out but hid it so Parker wouldn't see. Dylan's shoulders shook a bit, a quick breath escaping his nose again as if he was laughing. It got Noah to smile, shushing him.

"Don't ever teach Parker what that means," Noah said.

"Hey, you two! Come over here!" Danielle called. She was by the cliff's edge. Evalon was currently looking down into it. The group of friends looked into the water, well, lack of water. There was none at the bottom and was like this for hundreds of yards. Dylan looked to the bridge, seeing that it was also affected by this change.

"This makes our journey to the city easy," Evalon commented.

"We're going to the city?" Parker didn't sound impressed.

"It's a shelter, and there's probably food," Danielle defended.

Noah took a step forward, leaning over the edge, "I see a way down. Is everyone ready?"

Evalon answered by jumping down, letting out an excited shriek. Danielle gasped and knelt down to take a safer approach. Parker looked to Noah, eyes narrowed but he backed off and jumped down as well. Dylan stayed back, giving the sanctuary one last glance. He could see the hospital lights from here, lights turning off and on as staff cleaned rooms. He could still smell the chemicals they used, how it burned sometimes when it overpowered a room. Charlotte always had a mask on hand. His heart skipped a beat, breath catching at the back of his throat.

"Dylan? Everyone's waiting." Noah broke through his thoughts. Dylan looked down at his new medical kit and slung it over his shoulder. He joined Noah at the cliff, sitting next to him.

"We're gonna be ok. We have you with us," Noah smiled, "Trust me."

Dylan nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out through his mouth. Noah slipped down, disappearing from his sight. He sat in the quiet for a few seconds, hearing Evalon cheer down below. He pushed himself off the edge, wind rushing past him. He landed safely onto the floor below, feeling a hand land on his shoulder. He didn't realize he had closed his eyes until he saw Evalon smiling brightly at him.

Noah had already walked around, looking at the distant city. The ground they stood on was sand, still wet from the water. Dylan lifted a shoe, seeing some stick to the bottom. It was strange how so much water vanished in the span of a few hours. The city looked farther than ever before due to the vast emptiness that laid before them.

"We better start walking, it might take all night to reach the other coastline," Danielle said. Evalon nodded, jogging over to be by her. Dylan stayed where he was, his grip on his bag tightening. He trudged over to join his friends, and felt his racing heartbeat slow down for the first time in hours. A steady pace, to match the pace of their footsteps.