We started gathering supplies and things we would need. I gathered food and water, while the siblings looked for weapons. When we got all that we needed we started trekking to the edge of the sector.

We got to the tall electric fence and looked at each other. "Ready?" Chase asked. We nodded. We stepped through the hole in the fence and said goodbye to our home in Sector 5. The air in the forest was fresh. The sounds of birds and critters reached our ears, as we walked for a few hours.

"So, Chase, what now?" I asked. He narrowed his eyes. I guess he hadn't thought that far. "Chase?" "Face it." Kyle growled. "He's got no plan. And we're gonna die out here. Chase spun around, raging. "If you think you can survive on your own, be my guest! But if not, then shut up, and keep moving!"

Emma grabbed her brother's arm. "Kyle...stop...please.." Kyle glared hard at Chase, before turning to his little sister. "Fine..." Tyler turned to us. He had climbed a small ledge and was grinning at us. "Guys! Come here! You gotta see this!" We all forgot our quarreling, and hurried to where Tyler stood.

We looked out over a small clearing, with a river and waterfall. We grinned. "Yes! Water!" I grinned. "Clean water at that!" Chase added. We climbed down and filled our bottles with water.

Brooke got into the water. "This is great! You guys gotta get in here!" We grinned at each other. Suddenly Tyler shouted. "Brooke....! Get out of the water!" I looked to where his gaze held.

Behind Brooke were ripples. They grew larger, as if something underwater was speeding toward Brooke. She turned and stood in the water, frozen with fear. "Brooke!" I yelled as she was pulled under.

We all stood frozen. Suddenly Brooke's head broke the surface, and she spluttered for air. The creature pulled her down again. Tyler and Chase pushed down a boulder, onto the thing, which squealed, and released Brooke, who tried to swim for the shore.

Without thinking, I jumped in and began tugging her to shore. "It's coming again!" Tyler shouted. I reached the rocks before the giant river snake could get us both . "You alright?" I asked, breathless. She nodded. "Y-yeah..." The others helped them up, and got Brooke to sit with her back to a boulder.

I pulled up her pant leg to examine the bite in her leg. I rip off a strip of my jacket and wrap her leg. "There. That should hold till it heals." She nods. "Thanks, Mark." I nod. "No problem."

We helped Brooke to stand, and she leaned on Chase for support. "We should keep moving." I said softly. They nodded. We continued on our trek till nightfall. The group stopped and sat down on the green moss.

"We'll take turns looking out for danger." I said, taking off my pack. Hey agreed and I took the first watch. The night was silent except for the chirping of crickets and the howls of the far off Freaks.

Soon I was relieved from my watch by Tyler, and I slipped into sleep.

In the morning, we awoke and started on our journey once more. "It would be great if we knew where we were going, Chase..." Tyler panted.

He sighed. "Yeah..." Kyle stopped and took of his backpack. We stood and watched as he rummaged through it. "What are you doing?" Emma asked, clearly annoyed. Kyle ignored her and finally found what he was digging for.

He pulled out a ratty roll of paper. "What is that...?" I asked. Kyle stood and unrolled it. "It's a map. I found it when we were looking for supplies." Chase exploded. "You mean we were walking blind!? We could have used that when we first left the sector!!"

Kyle just shrugged. "I'm not the leader remember?" We all rolled our eyes, then studied the map. "Ok..." Chase said, picking up a stick. "We are....here..and we should probably head for mount Grite....then continue up,till we get to the Board's compound..."

They all agreed, and we set out with new and higher expectations. We continued to travel. Farther and farther from any possible food. Kyle proved to be a skilful hunter, and we survived on what he killed, but we were getting tired of walking and Brooke's leg reasoned us to stop every once in awhile to allow her to rest.

"I'm tired." Tyler whined. "So are we, so stop complaining." I grunted. "Guys, let's stop." I said looking at Brooke. "Brooke's limping is getting worse." "No it's not Chase. I can go on.." She argued. But she shifted her weight and leaned on me more.

"No. You need rest." I said. My tone told her not to argue. And she didn't. Kyle growled in annoyance. "Why don't we leave her. She's just slowing us down." I looked up. "How can you say that?! She is a part of this team Kyle, she deserves to live."

He glared at me, and turned to his sister. "If you want to go out on your own and risk it. Be my guest." I challenged. He looked over his shoulder. "Maybe we will!" Emma looked up. "Huh? Who is we?! I am staying with them."

Kyle blinked. "No, you my sister, my responsibility. We're going." Emma stood, and folded her arms. "No, Kyle. If you want to go, then go. But I'm not going with." Kyle looked at his sister and I could tell he couldn't argue with her. "Fine....I'm staying."

I grinned and smiled a silent thank you to Emma, who beamed back. Suddenly a branch snapped in the short distance to our left. We all looked up. Chase pulled out his stone knife. Kyle reached for his pistol.

No one moved. "What is it?" Brooke asked. We all looked at each other. Kyle took a step forward. "Show yourself!" He barked. Man that dude was loud. Nothing happened. Then all of a sudden, a weasel shot out from behind a tree and zipped under Kyle's legs, making him yelp in surprise.

We laughed. All except Kyle. "Dude, you were scared of a weasel?!" I teased. " 'Show yourself!' " Tyler mocked. We burst out laughing again. Kyle's face went red. "Shuddup! All of you!" Of course we kept on. But we finally slowed to a chuckle. "That..wasn't funny.." Kyle growled between his teeth,."

"Was too!" Emma poked his side playfully. He rolled his eyes. He couldn't do anything to his sister. We walked on. We reached a stream. "Finally!" Tyler breathed. He ran down the small hill to the water.

"Wait a second...." Chase said, taking the map from Kyle. "There shouldn't be a stream here..." He said, thoughtfully. Kyle pushed past him. Bumping his shoulder in the process. "Well there is." He growled. "And no one cares."

All Chase could do was glare at the older boy's back. I really pity him. If Kyle ever found out that Chase had a crush on his little sister...Well, let's just say it would be good. For Chase, or any of us.

That night, at the fire, I took out a small mechanism from my pocket and fiddled with the wires. "Whatcha got there?" Jackson asked, chewing on his roasted fish. I shrugged. "A radio? I have no idea." He shrugged. "Alright...just make sure it doesn't explode." I chuckled with him.

"Sure, thing man." I answered, patting his shoulder, grinning. I went to my corner under a tree, nothing but the roots as a pillow for my head, I lay down and tried to fall asleep. A lone howl reached my ears, and it strangely helped me to fall asleep.

In the morning we all woke up and took a look at the map. "We will need to continue through the forest..." Chase said softly, and thoughtfully. We all nodded. "We need to go north-east...that way." I said dragging my finger along the paper to indicate where I ment.

We agreed to continue on our way as soon as we ate breakfast. We all split up to find food. I continued fiddling with the wires while walking occasionally walking into a tree head on.

'Are we really going to find the Board?' I thought to myself. 'And when we get there, what next?' I sure hoped Chase had a plan beyond that map. A plan not including us killed in the wilderness by either Freaks, or the wilderness itself.

Suddenly a crack sounded in my ear. The sound of a branch snapping. I froze in my tracks. My face centimeters from a tree. Another snap, as though whatever, or whoever was behind me was getting closer.

I slowly turned, turning my head, and body. The sight I saw made me almost faint. It-it was a girl! She had light brown hair, and the most electric blue eyes.....in one word...she was gorgeous.

She walked up to me, and stooped down. She handed me the thing I had been fiddling with. I must have dropped it when I was gaping at her. "Lost?" She simply asked. Her voice was as smooth as silk.

"Y-yeah...I m-might be..." I stuttered. She giggles softly and pulled my arm. I followed her to a small clearing where the others were standing talking. I grinned, and forgot about the girl. "Hey, guys!" They turned and smiled. "Hey slowpoke!" Emma smirked. "What took ya so long?"

I then remembered the girl. "Guys, I want you to meet...." I turned but the girl was gone. "What is wrong with you, Mark?" Kyle sneered. You want us to meet with your invisible friend?" I felt my ears and cheeks turn as red as that jacket...the girl..was....wearing....Ugh, Why was I thinking about her?!

Maybe it was her longing eyes full of loneliness, or maybe it was the way she smiled. It made my heart melt. She was definitely gorgeous....-"Who was definitely gorgeous?" I blinked and looked up to see them staring at me.

"D-did I say that out loud...?" I muttered. Chase laughed. "You sure did, man." I felt my cheeks burning once again. "So, who is gorgeous?" Brooke repeated the question. I shook my head. "N-no one..."

She smirked. "Whatever you say, einstein. But I will find out..." I smiled a little. I'm sure you will, Brooke." I smiled. Still thinking of the mystery girl. "I'm sure you will....."