This is the second time I have done this. I can't say that I like the feeling of running away. The first time I was running from my life, my past, and the death of my mother and how it affected my father. I couldn't bare watch my family rip to pieces, so I ran from it. Avoided the pain.

This time was different. This time I was running from the insanity of human beings. It didn't seem real at all, but I knew it was. It was weird how the world could take such a wild turn so quickly.

I glance over at Forrest, who has the most serious expression I have ever seen my life. His fists were clenched tight onto his backpack straps. His jawline tense, eyes straight forward. Wondering what is on his mind, I rotate towards Oakley.

"What's going on?" He whispers to me, as if it shouldn't be asked.

I realize how confusing it must be for him. I can't even imagine what he must be thinking right now.

"We have to run from bad people." I say, regretting the words as they come out. I hear Forrest silently laugh under his breath.

"Like dad?" Oakley asks next. The question soars a knife into my heart. I bite my lip, and I can feel Forrest's eyes on me.

"No, not like dad." I mutter, swallowing hard at the end. Staying strong is harder than it seems. You say stuff out loud when you're mind is saying the opposite. It's almost like staying strong for others makes yourself weaker.

"I'm not a baby. Just tell me everything. I'm sick of being treated like I'm not ready." I don't know why these words surprised me so much. Maybe Oakley was finally speaking his mind, trying to advise me to do the same.

"Oakley, people are going insane. And we have no idea why or how." I answer, letting go of his sweaty hand and pulling out my ponytail. My long hair releases down onto my back and shoulders.

Oakley looks up at me, frowning. His blue eyes look right through mine, almost as if he can read my mind.

"What?" I ask him.

"We shouldn't be running." Is all he says. Those exact words get me thinking.

Forrest stops suddenly in front of me, causing me to run into his backpack. "Can you walk?" I ask, annoyed. Forrest whips around and places his big, rough hand over my mouth.

I'm immediately disgusted. Who knows where his hand has been.

His eyes are scanning our surroundings fast. What is he doing? His eyes land on something behind me, and they widen with fear. He places his hands on my waist and literally throws me behind him. I land on my side, still processing what just happened. I watch as Forrest takes Oakley's hand, forcing him back with me.

I glance past everyone, realizing what the problem is. A woman and a little girl were walking towards us. Are they insane? I slowly stand up, grabbing Oakley's hand. Forrest turns around fast, "Go! I'll be fine! Just leave!" He shouts, whipping back around to fight them.

I squint my eyes at their right arms, that are both revealing the mark. They're insane.

They're approaching Forrest now, and I can't leave. My mind is telling me to just leave him, but I can't. Oakley squeezes my hand, as I watch the two begin to fight Forrest.

The woman picks him up, slamming him to the ground. I gasp, watching as he struggles to stand up.

My eyes flicker to the little girl, who makes eye contact with me and runs towards me. I let go of Oakley's hand, stepping towards her. It's just a little girl, she can't hurt me. And I'm not going to hurt her. I watch as she reaches into her tiny shorts, and pulls out a knife. My mouth drops. How on earth?

She runs at me with it pointing at my stomach. I get a glimpse of Forrest, who is now standing up, clenching his fists and taking swings at the woman. His eyes waver back to me, and they widen.

I grab the little girl's wrist's, forcing the knife away from me. But man, was this girl strong. She gets out of my grip and the knife jabs into my forearm. I yell out in pain, as red blood gushes out of the wound.

Forrest snatches his backpack off his back and tosses it to me, still in the middle of fighting the middle-aged woman.

I grab the girl and shove her backwards, letting her fall to the ground a few feet away from me. I unzip Forrest's backpack, my blood running all over it. I breath heavily, wondering what he wants me to have. I find a handgun lying on the top, and I gasp.

"Use it, Willow!" He shouts from behind me and I shake my head, shakily grabbing the gun. The little girl is sprinting towards me, knife in hand. She reaches back, about to throw the knife at me. It's now or never.

I close my eyes and fire the gun.