He watched the horror before him, his mind spinning. Please, God. The boy slapped himself once, and then twice, only to realize what he already knew. This was real. Dropping to his knees, he screwed his eyes shut. "God, please!"

Commotion came from all directions, but Forest didn't care. Not even an explosion would earn his gaze. The boy's hope - it was gone without a trace. The child of yesterday was no more.

Though his eyes were closed, that picture never left. And it never would. What lay in front of him were three people he had come to know and love: Skylar, Jett, and Winter. No matter how much he cried; no matter how much he pleaded with them, it wasn't enough. They were still dead.

Oh, God. Please!

"Get up," came a harsh voice from behind him. "We don't have time for this."

"God, help them," Forest cried, looking to the sky. "If you do, I'll know you're real. Please!"

"Get up-"

"Lord, please." He folded his hands, desperate. "I'll be yours."

"I said get up!" the man ordered, and roughly pulled him to his feet. "They're dead. It'd take a real miracle." With that, he cackled mockingly. "But don't worry! You'll be with them again very soon. All of you will."

Forest could hear his smirk. As much as he wanted to show his teeth, the boy knew it would only disappoint God. "Please, Lord, help them. Show me You're real."

"Puppies?"

Turning around, the boy's gaze locked with that of a man. Standing tall with dominance, his skin was fair and his eyes were a soft brown. The man had short, straight, dark hair that was combed back, and worn a rippled, revealing shirt. "They're really friendly. P... please don't hurt them."

He only shook his head, a large grin on his face.

"Johnny, those dogs have nothing to do with this." A well-built woman appeared, a wave of control coming with her. "They're innocent, unlike them." Her eyes a deep-set hazel, the woman's short, straight, dark brown hair had a side parting, and her clothes were one word: tacky.

"But Kara-"

"Leave them alone."

Johnny crossed his arms, frowning. "This isn't over."

"Johnny!"

-

Hair pulled back, Forest whimpered in pain, but the image was all he could think about. God, please. Tears continued streaming down his face. Bring them back, Lord, please.

"Of all people," a voice boomed, "I never would have expected this of you, Ant. You are nothing but a low-down traitor." After a long moment, a man, easily 6 feet tall, came forward. Built like a bodybuilder, he gave off a feel of instability. "You have no idea how much I want to beat you right now." He studied him, fire flickering in his cold, hazel eyes. "You know I could too. I beat all who get in my way and win. You're no exception."

"Then, g-" Galant said, only to be cut off.

"No excuses! When we get back, I'll ask for permission and I know Master will allow it."

"Do i-"

"You can't stop me."

"Then do it!" Galant demanded, his words venom. "Don't be a coward. Hit me. I know you want to. You always have, Ashton! Now you finally have a good reason. You-"

"You're rambling. This side of you is sensitive," Ashton muttered, his frown deepening. "And as much as I'd love to, I can't. I need to be patient." With this, he ran a hand through his short, curly, black, unkempt hair. "Alright, let's get going."

Lord, please.

Forest looked around wildly for an escape, but to no avail. After realizing his fate, a woman approached him. "Kara? Please don't put that bag over my head."

"Sorry," she said, smirking. Kara locked eyes with him, enjoying every moment. "You'll be dead by tomorrow."

And then his world went black.

-

One step at a time. These words would always help him, no matter the situation, but not anymore. One step at a time.

"Wait." Wasn't that Aston? "Look."

"Oh, those lucky bastards."

"What is it?" Autumn asked, her voice muffled by a mask. "P-please answer me." Every syllable was marked with grief. "Please!"

There was a long, uneasy pause.

"Give me your medical kit. These... these two are alive."

"How? I was sure they were dead!"

"I-I don't know, but it's clear they're fighters. If they live, we need 'em. We have too many wimps, anyhow."

Alive? That word floated in his head for a good minute. Two were alive? If he wasn't being held by two pairs of hands, Forest would have dropped to his knees. "Thank you, Lord," he whispering, smiling. "Thank you, Lord."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

While feet shuffled in all directions, the boy could only stand there and wait. There was nothing he could do. Every attempt at earning a response failed. But still he smiled. "Thank you, Lord."

"Well," a woman started, interrupted the silence, "these two are stable for now. It's a wonder they survived. Johnny, you shot them in the heart!"

"I thought I did too..."

"No, you did! I don't understand how they're still breathing." There was a long pause. "Well, now for a six-hour walk."

"Like they'll survive that."

Everyone giggled, more than humored. All the while, Forest tried to forget about their existence. The laughter stung, but soon it was over and they were moving forward. No longer was he being led by two people, but one. Escaping was more probable, though he wasn't about to try it. The boy's hands were bound, so he wouldn't be able to remove the mask. And Forest was a constant victim of tripping with someone acting as his eyes. He could only imagine how he'd be alone.

Whether it was an hour later, or two, the boy didn't know. But he did know this: he needed to stop, and soon. His mask held a lingering stench from all the sweat, and no longer could he bear it. Feet slow and weak, Forest gasped for his every breath. Travel was much different with a mask; they were uncomfortable and made breathing difficult.

"Guys?" he started.

"What?" came a low, angry voice.

"Ashton, right?" When there was no answer, Forest lowered his head. "Please, c-can you take this bag off? I can't breath..."

"What?" I can't hear you. You'll have to speak up!" He laughed, cleared amused with himself. "No, no, you can't. Not after what your people did to us."

The boy huffed, struggling to remain composed. "That cure, right? Well, it doesn't work. That stuff's been poisoned."

"You don't know that," Ashton said, his words heavy. "You're lying."

"I'm not."

"Tell me: did you use any of it on an infected person?" he demanded.

Forest shivered at the voice. As much as he wanted to lie, he just couldn't. Not after what God did for him. "No, but Galant told us it was. He said that the last few times it was given, it killed your people! They had seizures and died instantly."

"Did it even occur to you that he wasn't telling the truth?"

"Well, you just confirmed that he was being honest about the cure, so I bet he was about the poison too."

"The best liar tells only half the truth."

He shivered again, considering his next words. "When he was at the farmhouse, why didn't he search for it then, huh?" Despite himself, his voice shook. "I believe him."

"Well, don't. He's known for his lies." There was a sudden calmness to Ashton's tone. "And he's very good at them."

"Yeah, and how do I know you're telling the truth?"

"You don't."

"What about Holly?" a quivery voice spoke up. "I... is she even alive?"

That was Jade, he realized, and she was muffled by a mask as well. Forest screwed his eyes shut when no one said anything. "Is she?"

"I could answer your little question, but what's the point?" Ashton questioned with a chuckle. "I could be lying."

Forest thought for a good moment, only to find that he was right. No matter what the man had to say, he wouldn't believe him. Forest had to see her for himself.

"You know, she's a great, sweet woman," Jade continued, her voice trembling. "If she's no... longer with us, it'd be a real shame!" She sniffled. "She's been my one true friend all these years."

"Ashton?" Forest piped up. "Can you please take this mask off?"

He laughed again, not caring to answer.

"Please?" he begged. "Your people are already carrying two of ours and two dogs. You w-wouldn't want to carry me too, right?" He sucked in another breath. "Right?" He hated the pause, but it was gone as soon as it came.

"Go ahead, Levi."

The light of the day immediately hit him when the bag was lifted. He cringed away, the sun's glare stinging his eyes. It would take a minute to look around, and another before he could do so without squinting. All the while, he searched for those who were shot. Coming up empty every time, he finally glanced over his shoulder. And gasped.

"Hey!" Levi cried, giving him a hard nudge. "Look in front of her. No where else!"

Forest gave no response as he struggled to stay collected. It'd be too satisfying for them. Instead, the boy remembered that God didn't have to save anybody.

"Forest?" Autumn asked, more than uneasy. "Who?"

"Winter and Skylar," he said, and set his jaw. Not Jett.

-

"So, they got names?"

Startled, Forest turned to Kara beside him and blinked. "What?"

She nodded sharply at the puppies in her arms. "They got names?" Her voice was darker. "Who else would I be talking about?"

Maybe your captives. "Beverly and Lucky." The boy swallowed hard. "H-how long have you been holding them?"

"Only the last half an hour."

"Couldn't have been more than ten minutes," Johnney piped up, indifferent to her tone. "Oh, and they don't like you either."

"Right," Kara muttered. She threw him a look over her shoulder. "Like you would know."

"They're clearly uncomfortable with you. Just saying."

The man was right, Forest soon found. Ears back, each were in search of an escape. That was when their desperate eyes met his, and the boy's heart sank.

"Soon, little ones. Soon," he whispered. His weak smile vanished when they whimpered at him. "We're close. Another four hours, I'm guessing."

Kara suddenly sighed, exasperated. "When was the last time these things ate?"

"This morning."

The woman sighed again, held up a hand, and came to a halt. "Everyone stop. Just stop." She shook her head as she put the puppies down. "Just... wait."

"What is it?" Ashton demanded, coming into view. His hazel eyes pulsed with rage, fists at his sides. "We need to get back. Galant - do you not see that man's face? Don't you know how punch-able he is?!" With a long, uneasy breath, he crossed his arms. "The sooner we get back, the sooner he can get what's coming to him."

"I said wait." Kara flashed him a look with equal fire. "We'll continue once these puppies eat."

"Really?" Johnney asked, losing his entire demeanor. "We're stopping over puppies? I should have fired at those... vile creatures the moment I saw them."

"Vile?" she questioned, and gave a humorless chuckle. "Look in the mirror."

"I'm not... that bad," he muttered, clearly not amused.

Kara only set her jaw. Upon shrugging off her backpack, she dug for a good minute before revealing an object: a banana. The fruit had more than a few dark spots, but it was what it was.

"Can you p-please take the masks away?" came a small, hesitant voice.

Autumn.

After a heavy scoff, Ashton neared her, and yanked it from her head. He gave another groan as he did likewise with Jade and, finally, Galant. "Happy?" he asked, just barely composed. Ashton's dark eyes flickered over each of his captives. "Happy?"

They all nodded, but their faces said otherwise.

"That's just peachy," Ashton said, giggling like a maniac. And then, without warning, the man turned critical. "That's just... peachy."

Trapped in his gaze, Forest swallowed hard. "What it is?"

"I don't know," he mumbled, his eyes resembling fire, "you tell me."

The long, uncomfortable pause ended as soon as it came.

"Okay, let's go!" Kara announced, swinging her bag on once more. "Let's get back so that they can get what's coming to them." She shared a chuckle with Ashton.

Forest inwardly sighed. He knew the hours ahead would be awful, to say the least, but the boy dreaded their arrival even more. What horrors awaited them - he had no clue. Instead of showing his panic, however, Forest just reminded himself that God was on their side. He had helped them once, so there was a chance He would do it again.

Just when the boy was at peace, he heard a sound he knew all too well: a gunshot. And it came again. And again.

Horrified, Forest screwed his eyes shut and dropped to the ground. Maybe this was it; maybe his time had finally come.

"Well..."

Was that? Ever-so-slowly, the boy opened his eyes and looked up, only to find that it was. "H..."

"It's me," the woman said with a smile. "I'm back."