Forest Shepherd sat upright in bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. After a sideways glance at the windows, he found it to be morning; the sun high in the sky.

Today was the day.

Stifling a yawn, the boy looked at the beds on either side of him and found both to be empty. He wasn't surprised at all, however; they were morning people. Forest wasn't.

He crawled out of bed, still tired, and went for the ladder when he tripped. Moaning in pain, he sat there for a moment, his knee on fire. It was then that Forest realized what he had stumbled over.

The handgun. The same one that was plagued with dark memories.

His heart dropped, but the boy gathered himself and stood up. His sisters were finally home, so what was the point in remembering? Not only that, but Skylar had saved his uncle and Jade. The blood of the weapon wasn't theirs, but his own.

My leg.

Before climbing downstairs, he wondered if the twins even noticed his slight limp. Neither had mentioned it or given him looks, so Forest could only assume that they didn't. The less they knew of that day, the better.

After using the ladder, Forest was greeted by the puppies, each elated to see him. When they began to bark, however, the boy kneeled down and gave them attention. He couldn't help but chuckle, and that was when someone shushed him.

"Quiet." It was Skylar. "Jett, Jade, and Galant aren't awake yet."

Forest rose and peeked at those from the couch and two chairs. They were out cold.

"Sorry."

Her face softened. "It's okay. Just don't know what to do about him yet."

"Yeah," Forest said, crossing his arms, "I don't either."

"We were talking about names," Autumn said after a long pause. When her brother jumped, she laughed. "We want to name one of them Lucky."

"Lucky?" The boy studied her, rubbing his chin. "I kinda like that, actually. What do the others think?"

"Everyone agrees. Even Jett," Winter replied, drumming the counter. "We think that's what the boy should be named, and we want the girl to be Beverly."

"Hmm, what does our uncle think?"

"He's the one that suggested it," Skylar said, glancing at the man. Strolling over to a stool, she sat down and smiled. "I knew a Beverly once."

"Really?" Forest asked, stepping forward. He ignored the dogs at his feet, still barking. "A girl, right?"

"Yep," came her simple response, but then she frowned. "She was a golden dwarf hamster."

"Hamster? I've heard of those!" the boy said, eyes widening. "Aren't they like... really long, or something? And covered in scales?"

"No, not at all." Skylar watched him, irritated. "Sounds like you're describing a snake."

"A snake?" He rubbed his chin some more, thinking. "Yeah, I... guess I thought hamsters looked kind of like those."

"No, they're sweet little things. People used to get them as pets," she said after a moment before facing the twins. "You two ever see a hamster?" They shook their heads, and Skylar sighed. "Well, they're certainly not covered in scales, but fur."

"Like rats, maybe?" Autumn asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, exactly! Except smaller. Kind of like gerbils and mice, too."

"So they have tails?" She grinned when Skylar shook her head. "Interesting."

Forest's face broke into a smile. "Lucky and Beverly." He shook his head. "I'll have to get used to those names."

"Yeah," Skylar said nonchalantly, leaning back. She looked the puppies as they attacked one another. "They sure are playful at this age."

The boy only nodded. About to head upstairs, he stopped and resisted a gasp.

"What time is it?" Galant repeated.

Slowly, Forest turned around and looked at the man. "The sun rose about an hour ago."

"An hour?" Galant stared into space, still tired. "We should leave soon."

Autumn shifted on her feet, watching Jett and Jade. "Should we wake them up?" As if on cue, they stirred and gradually came to be. "Morning, guys." She offered them each a smile.

"Morning." Jett gazed around the room, suddenly serious. "Well, it's time to get Holly back. Let's leave, bright and early."

"Guys," Jade said, her tone grave, "I don't want any more casualties. I know this will be dangerous, but Holly was my best friend. If it gets bad, let me be the one to risk my life."

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"This is... random," Winter said, flashing her twin a look.

"Yeah, I know, but I mean it." Jade gave a heavy sigh. "Couldn't have slept more than an hour. I just can't stop thinking about what they're doing to her."

"We live a good twelve hours away on foot. We better get going," Galant mumbled, nodding slowly. "The sooner we leave, the better, because it's bound to get dark and we best be-"

"You're rambling again," Skylar said, irritated, but she held up a hand. "Never mind. Let's... just get ready."

"I know we just got the deer, but we can save it for later. Grab a banana or something, and eat along the way." Jett already had his bag and was searching for items. "The sooner, the better."

Without sparing him a glance, Forest obeyed. He was right. Twelve hours was a long time, and for all they knew, any moment could be her last.

Everyone moved swiftly. It would be a few minutes before they were packed and another before they were outside. Even the dogs were coming. The sun showing no mercy, they hasted their way to the shade of the woodlands.

All the while, the boy trailed behind the others, yet he certainly wasn't slow. Though he knew night was inevitable, Forest wished not to waste the daylight. And it was clear Galant was the same way. Only, he didn't have a choice. Skylar made sure he was leading the way, the man having yet to gain her trust.

One step at a time. These were the words he kept reciting to himself as he toned everyone out. It was something he had grown quite good at. Only when a walker came into view would his attention be earned. One step at a time.

Before long, Forest was thinking of the days when going outdoors was no big event. Every week he'd leave with his family to get medicine. Not anymore. Just how long it had been since he last traveled, the boy couldn't remember. But peering around, it was suddenly clear that it had been too long. He couldn't fully appreciate nature's beauty without being outside.

It's stunnin-

Someone nudged him in the arm, snapping his back to reality. Startled, he turned and met Autumn's concerned gaze.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, why?" he asked, searching her eyes.

"I was talking to you." She studied him, her frown deepening. "Do you miss Holly?"

"Of course I do!" he exclaimed but quickly recovered. "She always seemed to know what to do. And I don't remember a time when she got mad. That just wasn't her. I hate admitting it, but I really do miss her."

"Same, brother. Same."

"And right after Dad... died, she took us in. Holly saved us that day." His pain was leaking through, but the boy could care less. "I... I really miss them."

"Who?" Immediately after, however, she gave a knowing nod. "Dad and Holly."

"Yeah," he muttered, holding back tears. "It's been a long time since Dad was mentioned, and I thought I was over it. Just maybe. But now I'm not sure I ever will be."

"Me neither, Forest. Me neither."

"And then I... I thought I lost you guys." He wiped at his face, struggling to find his words. "And now here you are!"

Offering him a smile, it didn't reach her eyes. "It's okay, brother. Winter and I aren't going anywhere. I promise." She wrapped an arm over him, sniffling. "I promise."

"You promised that before and then you both... disappeared, so you can't say that," the boy said, shaking his head roughly. He almost broke free from her, but stopped himself. "One day someone's not coming home for good, and I'm not sure I can bear it."

"Forest-"

"Dad's already not coming back-"

"Stop."

Suddenly trapped in her critical gaze, he shut his mouth.

"You're right, okay? Just don't give up. You've no idea how many close-calls Win and I have had over these last weeks," she said, pausing. "But what matters is we made it. Don't live your life knowing death is coming, or you'll never be happy. Please, Forest, be thankful we are here. All of us. Okay?"

He averted his eyes. "Okay."

Satisfied, Autumn pat him on the back and removed her arm from his shoulder. "Good."

Hope this isn't a suicide mission. As soon as the idea came, however, the boy shrugged it off. His sister was right; he should be more positive.

They'd continue in silence for the next few hours, no one daring to speak. Not that anything needed to be said, anyhow. All were lost in their thoughts. Eyes on the ground ahead, they looked nowhere else.

But then someone spoke.

"Galant?"

Surprised, Forest snapped his head up. It was Skylar.

The man glanced over his shoulder, also uncertain. "Yeah? What are-"

"You came here all by yourself?" Her words were hard. "I don't believe that."

"Well, believe it," he scoffed, throwing her another look. "I go places all the time by myself."

"Right," she muttered, coming to a halt. "Stop walking." When he obeyed, she took out her gun and pointed it at his chest. The puppies barked behind her, but she paid them no mind. "I need more answers."

Galant slowly raised his hands, suddenly white as bone. "W... what more do you want to know?"

"You're really sketchy. Tell me what they're doing to her." Skylar searched his face, more irritated by the second. "How do we know we're not walking into a trap?"

He eyed her, considering his next words. "You're just going to have to trust me."

It was her turn to scoff. "All I know is this is a long trip and it better be worth it. So listen here, and I'll only say this once: the moment we know you tricked us, you're dead. I'll get you myself."

No longer was he uneasy, but mad. "You won't have to," he spat, glaring at her with equal fire. "You know, I didn't have to come here."

"What are-"

"-but I did. I know that place in and out, so I thought I'd help. Now I know I shouldn't have come. Let's just go back to where we came from." Disappointment flickered across his face. "Hope I never see you, people, again."

"Just answer-"

"No, I will not answer any more questions!"

There was a long, uneasy pause. "You know," Autumn spoke up, stepping forward, "I know Skylar, and I also know she's got a gun. I'd stop talking." She stiffened under his gaze. "Please."

"Sky," Jade said, eyes screwed shut. "Don't ruin it. Put down the weapon and let's go."

"I'm not done yet-"

"Of course you aren't."

"Galant," Skylar said, redirecting her focus, "Holly won't give in. I know that. What will they do to her?"

"She came back a few days ago, but she'll give in, trust me. If not already. Things might get... physical, though."

"Why do they even want the farm so bad?" she demanded, gaze locking with his. "Tell me."

"There's something you don't know."

"What is i-"

"Remember Lane, Kimberly, and Ryan?" When she stepped back, clearly shocked, he gave a nod. "They were our people first, but then they stole from us, and what was ours is on your land. Buried somewhere."

"Wait, that doesn't make sense!" Jett said roughly, arms crossed. "They didn't know you!"

"Then how do I know their names?!" Galant paused, regaining his composure. "They were gone a lot, right? Well, they went to the prison often. And... they decided to steal. That was their fatal mistake."

"They died from a cougar attack," Winter said, her eyes boring into his.

The man let out a humorless chuckle. "My people staged it."

"No."

"Yes," he insisted harshly. "We have many, many cougars, and they released some. It was done to get the men that betrayed us, but also you guys. Not only that, but we have zombies stored in some cells to free as well. We've done it before, and it's bound to happen again. Like I told you, they're monsters."

"Wait," Forest pressed, frozen in place. "They... released zombies before?" When he nodded, the boy's gaze became hard as stone. "My dad died from a mob of walkers, and we've never seen so many together." He hurled himself forward until he was nose-to-nose. "Was that your people?"

"Yes."