Gesturing for them to come inside, Holly held the door open with a grin.

Forest nodded and offered a weak smile as he stepped into the farmhouse.

The room small, its kitchen, dining room, and living room were all in the same area. Near the entryway was the kitchen, a counter with two stools just before it. On the opposite end of the room were three cushioned chairs, each the same shade blue. In between the chairs and the kitchen, however, was a table. Six wooden chairs sat around it. In great contrast to the filth of outside, this room was clean and spotless.

Taking in the sight, Forest jumped when he met the eyes of a woman standing beside the table.

Her honey-blonde hair tucked behind her ears, its long strains were naturally straight. Blue eyes wide, they conveyed innocence and stood out against her delicate features. While her white t-shirt hung loosely from her thin frame, she wore well-fitted pants; both free of dirt. The woman was on-edge until she saw Holly.

"Mind telling me who these people are?"

Holly gave a dismissive wave as she lowered herself onto one of the cushioned chairs. "Ah, Skylar, meet Autumn, Winter, and Forest. Kids, meet Skylar."

Jett sneaked passed the siblings standing near the doorway. With a soft sigh, he set his rifle and backpack down on the table. "They're not a threat. Trust me."

Skylar, arms crossed, managed a half-hearted smile. "I haven't seen a stranger in over a year. Not to mention three. I'll ask questions, but I'm first gonna try to be decent. I'll get you three water and then we'll talk."

Holly frowned. "Hey, give them water, but it's too early for questions. They'll be staying a while anyway, so you'll have plenty of time to know them."

Skylar didn't say anything and left the farmhouse.

"We have a well. That's where she's going," Jett said, taking a seat next to Holly. "She'll be back."

"Oh," Autumn returned, eyeing the room. "Where are the others? Holly, you said your group had six other members besides you and Jett."

"Well, when I left, Lane, Kimberly, and Ryan weren't here. I'll have to ask if they came back yet, and you've already met Skylar. The other two - they're around somewhere." Holly leaned back and closed her eyes.

"You don't seem at all worried," Winter observed, stepping further into the room.

"You don't know them as I do. They'll come back. You'll see. Those three can survive anything."

Yeah, I thought my dad could too. Forest took an uneasy breath as he stole a glance at his sisters. "So, how long have you been living here?"

"At least five years," Jett said, tapping his foot. "It's been a long time, but we don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Zombies can be seen from a great distance before they reach us. Not just that, but we can grow our own food."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Then why were you hunting squirrel?"

"We have to. The crops aren't ready yet, remember? Also, we survive on more than fruits and vegetables," came Holly's simple reply.

Before Forest could say anything else, Skylar stalked into the room carrying three bottles, each uniquely designed. "Here."

Upon receiving one, Forest chugged its contents down. The cool liquid felt great on his dry throat. After finishing, he realized that Skylar was staring at him and the twins.

"You really were thirsty," she said, sharing a look with Holly. "Want more?"

The kids nodded.

---------------------------------------------

They embraced the uncomfortable silence. Seated with his sisters at the table, Forest watched his uncle from the corner of his eye. He was skinning a squirrel on the counter, his back to them. Holly and Skylar had left the scene hours ago, and the other five had yet to make an appearance. It was just the siblings and their uncle.

Forest tapped lightly against the table. "Jett, why'd you go?"

The man paused and set the squirrel on the counter. "I had my reasons."

"You know, for a long time, I didn't even know my dad had a brother. I was seven when I found out."

Autumn threw her brother a hard look. "It's okay. We're just glad you're here now."

"No." Shaking his head, Jett turned to face them. "It's not okay. I... I had missed so much. When I left, I didn't realize I was never going to see my brother again."

"Exactly, you didn't know," Autumn said, giving him a weak smile. "You don't have to blame yourself."

"No, I do. I wronged my brother, but also you three. I had no idea he had children." The man gave a heavy sigh. "Too much time has passed."

"I'm angry too, but now you're gonna make up for it," Winter said. "You left but not again."

"Yeah." Jett glanced at her before turning back to the squirrel. "Hey, would any of you like some?"

"Starving," Winter mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Well, it'll be done soon. After dinner, we have beds for you upstairs. Not that it's much. You kids can check it out if you want."

Agreeing, they found their feet and walked in the direction of the ladder. Forest went first and the twins followed after in a likewise reluctance.

The ceiling had three separate windows at either side, the glint of the moon pressing against its glass. The attic not large by any means, four single beds were caked together.

Forest pushed on the glass and admired the view. Clouds dark and gloomy, the nearby stars lit the sky with hope. And he smiled.

"It's beautiful, huh?" Autumn asked, stepping over to him. "Everything just looks so... perfect. The world's messed up beyond hope, yet the sky - it's innocent and incredible, really."

"Yeah," her brother said. "Sometimes, when life gets hard, I just look up at the sky and know that things are going to be okay. But lately, it hasn't been working."

"You know, I've been thinking about what Holly said. About God."

Forest's smile left. "Come on, don't fall for it. Don't fall into that trap."

"Trap?" she questioned, frowning. "How's Christianity a trap? It's the only thing that keeps Holly positive, and... just maybe, I want that too."

The boy took a breath, considering his next words. "I guess I just find it hard to believe that there's someone behind all this."

When he paused, she dismissed herself. "I'm gonna see if I can help out. Surely there's something I can do." About to climb down the ladder, she paused. "Hear that?"

Glancing at Winter, they quietly managed beside Autumn.

"I don't know," Holly whispered, her tone strangely grave. "What do you think we should do?"

"We need to look for them. It's been a day, but I'm getting worried. Tomorrow morning - that's when. And those kids are coming too." That was Skylar. "Alright, Fox?"

There was a long pause.

"If they don't mind, but if they do, sorry."

"Ever so stubborn. Do you want Kimberly, Lane, and Ryan back or not?" Skylar asked, stern.

Another pause.

"We'll ask them tomorrow."