Markus paced down the long deteriorating hallway of the house that held the entrance to the bunker. A rifle slung from his shoulder, and a handgun gripped tightly in his right hand as he approached the front door in a silent rage.

"Always do things yourself.." The door was slammed open, he came out into a group of Rotters moving through the city street.

Five shots, and they dropped to the ground; his voice a low mumble as he reloaded the gun. He crossed the street, heading to a lot void of anything besides a slanting shack. A plastic tarp swayed in place as a small wind blew; the tarp was ripped and torn from the worst winter this place had ever experienced.

Swiping it aside, Markus continued in to what lay inside. A Jeep stockpiled with almost anything that could be needed in case of disaster. His hand slipped into the pocket of his faded combat pants, retrieving a key that unlocked the drivers door. Within minutes he had started it, and a small trail of destruction marked his path as he took off into the direction of the Shell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hoist him into the back, we've still got one day left to get this all over with." Michael instructed two men while he checked over his plan.

It was rough, but he was ready; find Markus, capture him, and take him back to the original Quarantine zone. From there... things would either work out or not.

A tap on his shoulder caused him to turn away from the flurry of activity that the camp was going through. It was Kyle, one of the previous occupants of the place they called, "The Shell".

"Yes, Kyle?" Micheal managed to avoid any annoyance in his words.

Kyle tugged at the hem of his shirt before he spoke, "Why?"

Micheal waited momentarily for him to continue, but when he did not he implored him to continue, "Why did all this need to happen?"

Kyle was no longer looking directly at Michael, but more of over his shoulder towards the limp form of Ethan laying in the back of a truck, "Yes... especially to him."

"You want to bring this to an end?" Micheal stated bluntly while comfortably placing a hand on his guns handle.

Kyle nodded softly, and then was caught of guard by Micheals sudden display of warmth towards him, "So do I! No, I didn't want him infected, or bound to die, but rather as a bargaining chip."

"What for.." Kyle glanced again towards Ethan who was now attended with a girl who had arrived once the rest of the order had come in.

"He's the son of the person who created this whole thing, and that person believes that if he got someone to kill him he wouldn't have to suffer." Micheal said softly.

"If they want him dead why would you use him to get something they won't do?" Kyle's thought was left standing in the air.

Micheal stared at him, silent, and also surprised that such a flaw had slipped through his plan. A dangerous flaw at that as well.

"Kyle, will you work for me to save your friend then." Micheal's thoughts started to race again as he realized the error he had made from the beginning.

Kyle hesitated slightly before nodding, and Micheal spoke up again, "Gather the rest of your camp, ask them to help save Ethan, not work for us. I... fucked up."

Kyle's eyes widened slightly but he took off at a joke towards the house. Micheal turned around and slammed his fist into the side of the truck, and held back a scream as his fist sent signals of pain to him. He shook it off before picking his shotgun up, and walking towards the gate.

What he didn't expect, however, was for Bree to open the gate and aim her gun directly at him, "Don't move, Micheal."

He tensed, but complied.

"Where's Ethan." He heard the shuffling of more footsteps, and more guns were raised towards him.

He glanced towards the truck, and looked back at her, "Come in, talk inside, or I come out to talk. Only if we keep peace, and guns down."

Bree shook her head, "Not gonna happen. We know your with the order, and we need to find Ethan. Charles... Charles and an old friend of his were killed the other day..."

Micheals face went blank as he turned towards the truck in a slack expression. "That's why..."

Bree didn't let him finish, she shoved him to the ground and disarmed him, the rest of the group filing in. The ones inside caught off guard and still mostly unaware of what happened stood still and made no move as orders were made to keep weapons down.

"Where is Ethan?" Bree's simple request resinated in the air for what seemed like eternity.

Micheal spoke up softly, "Let me stand."

She did, but not without placing a gun in his back, "One move, and your dead. I've dealt with enough heart ache for this week. Where is he?"

"Kyle! Collect the weapons, bring them inside, and please tell everyone to come outside. I want you all compliant until I get this sorted out." Micheal shouted, and then relaxed slightly as a reply came from within.

Micheal tensed up again though once he felt the barrel being placed on his head, "Answer the question."

"Bree, I'm unarmed, and there's no where to run. You can put the gun down." The sound of the cock being drawer back reached his ears, he blurted out, "Back of the truck right there."

As soon as the words left his mouth she was rushing towards it, Micheal now off of her mind as she needed to see Ethan. She pulled the cover off, and turned around, the pistol coming up with her hand.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" She screamed.

Micheal took a step back in fear as she began to cry, all the while keeping the gun raised at him.

••••••••••

Finally another chapter! I have long since awarded you with a chapter of this twisted journey of a book. Do not fear! It will only twist more than before as I continue on with this story.

I'm deeply sorry for such a long wait, but I do hope you enjoy what I have out out so far.

Please feel free to comment.