Hello readers!! I hope you enjoy this update!

              Mark's P.O.V

The sun was barely peaking up over the horizon and we were already up and working. Felix had gained a habit of patrolling the property each day, once at dawn and once at dusk. I usually joined him, but today he insisted on going by himself.

Marzia, on the other hand, washed clothes and even started somewhat of a garden. She did most of the chores and was only thing around here that still reminded me of life and society before everything turned to shit. She did the everyday things, and I'd help her out if Felix didn't need me.

Adam, well he had his own way of helping out. He'd go on runs into town to get supplies, and Felix would go with him time to time. Adam also prided himself with spending hours on end alone in his basement, working on the cure and all his little side experiments.

While helping Marzia hang up our clothes, I caught Adam staring towards the mountains a way off. I walked over to him, and he jumped a bit when he saw me.

"I was thinking of venturing out that way a bit. I haven't really ever been out there. There could be another water source or maybe even another shelter." He explained.

"Absolutely not." I said immediately. "You have no idea what could happen out there."

"That's exactly why I need to go!" He replied. "And last I checked, this isn't your home, and you aren't in charge here. I don't need your permission Mark."

I stiffened and bit the inside of my cheak to keep myself from saying anything in response. What he said made a little sense, but what happens if he's killed out there?

"I think it's a good idea." Felix said, butting in. "But we'd have to go together."

"What about Jack? He'll need someone here to protect him!" I asked. Adam muttered something about me staying behind, but I decided not to ask him to speak up and say it to my face.

"I can stay." Marzia offered. "I can look after the base while you guys are gone."

"Then it's settled." Felix said. "When did you plan on going?"

Adam didn't look so pleased with the outcome of Felix and I coming with him, but he sighed and said, "Tomorrow, probably."

"It's settled then." Felix said. "We leave at dawn."

.o0O0o.

I had fallen asleep by Jack's bed again. Felix had woken me and I brushed jack's fading green bangs out of his eyes before following Felix out. Adam was waiting by the door, clearly still displeased with us coming with him. Marzia was awake making breakfast for Jack and herself. Felix gave her a kiss goodbye before walking to the door. The three of us walked out and stopped at the gate. I took a deep breath and stepped through.

We walked for awhile in the burning sun, and luckily didn't see a soul. None of us found it necessary to say anything and the journey was silent. We found ourselves in front of a cavern, and Adam insisted there'd be a water source inside, that it'd be worth checking out.

We walked through the twists and turns. My sense of direction was starting to become useless from all the turns we had made. Sunlight poured in through the cracks above us that gradually became wider.

"This way." I said. "The opening gets bigger this way, there must be something at the end of this."

Adam didn't show any sign of response, but Felix nodded. "Lead the way."

I countined on until the crack opened completely. We were surrounded and a scraggly tree stood in front of us. In front of the tree, laid a dead Plauger with a missing arm. From the tree, hung another Plauger, clawing and growling at us as we approached.

"It's the girls." Adam whispered. "The ones I turned away."

He was right. 'Amber' must have turned, and 'Annie' had to so the unspeakable. She had to shoot her.

"She was probably mad with guilt. Killing someone she cared about, she probably couldn't live with it." Felix murmured.

The fealing of dread filled the pit of my stomach. What would I do if Jack turned at it was too late? Would I have to make the same choice? I shook my head. 'Don't think about that.'

"We should bury them." I said, both Adam and Felix looked at me in surprise. "They deserve that at least."

"And her? What do we do about her?" Felix asked, pointing up at the Plauger handing from the branch.

"Cut her down. We can't just leave her hanging there." I replied.

Felix aimed, and I looked away. I found myself unable to watch the scene that was unfolding in front of me. I flinched at the sound of the gunshot and the smell that followed made me gag. The growling stopped and the branch snapped. I heard Felix drag her beside her friend. I took a deep breath and turned to help Felix and Adam. As much as I wanted to run out of there and forget the whole thing happened, I owed them this much.

.o0O0o.

Jack's P.O.V

I blinked my eyes open and realized I was alone. The silence calmed me, and little light shone through the windows. The chair Mark had been sitting in was empty, and I suspected it had been for a few hours. Someone had left breakfast on the side table next to me, and a note that said, 'call me when you're hungry'.

It was Marzia's handwriting, and I smiled at how much it reflected her. The cursive was neat and flowing, and all the y's had curly tails. My stomach growled, but I ignored it. I didn't want to eat. My hunger had proved to be dangerous, and I didn't want to hurt anyone. Besides, I couldn't even sit up to eat properly.

There was a soft knock on the door that snapped me out of my thoughts. The door opened and Mark stepped through, a tired smile on his face. He was back, and something told me that it didn't go well.

"Hey Jack." He said. He looked over at my plate. "You didn't eat?"

"I wasn't hungry." I lied.

He chuckled. "Who are you and what have you done with Jack? You're always hungry."

I grinned and tried to ignore the pulling feeling in the pit of my stomach. He walked over to the window and looked out, with a distant look on his face.

"So, did you find anything?"

He stiffened and took a deep breath. He turned and sent me a smile.

"No." He replied. "We didn't find anything."

I frowned. He was keeping something from me. What was he keeping from me? What did they find out there?

"Why are you lying to me Mark?"