The full-moon shining down, the stars of the night twinkled over the woodlands. They were all being lulled to sleep, despite their best efforts. An hour of this and everyone had drifted into a restless slumber. Even Skylar.

However, when a set of footsteps was heard they jolted awake.

"See anyone?" Jade asked from the attic. She shared a look with Forest and Holly. "I don't from up here."

There was a pause.

"No one," Skylar equipped from below.

Another pause.

"Wait," Skylar whispered, "I do." Her tone was grave. "It's... a kid."

Forest's heart dropped as he searched through the windows. They couldn't shoot a child. When he turned up empty, the boy hurried downstairs, gun in hand. "Where?"

The twins were crouched beside Skylar at the front door. It was creaked just enough to see.

Winter waved him over. "Right here."

All too timid, her brother inched closer, then peered outside. Drawing forward, the kid looked to be ten, his light green eyes glancing for witnesses. He had tan skin, his hair a straight brown. "Should we le-"

Before he could finish, Skylar swung the door wide open. "Stay where you are!"

Quivering, the kid showed his hands in surrender. "I-I need help!"

She studied the boy, then gestured for him to come. When he only stared back, the woman scoffed. "Do you have the slightest how easily I could shoot you?"

Instead of being taken aback, he grinned ear-to-ear. "You think you're smart, don't you?"

Skylar cocked her head, resting a finger on the trigger. "I think you're too confident, Little Boy."

His demeanor had changed too suddenly, Forest realized, but it was too late.

The side door barged open, feet trampling into the house. Then, without another word, the boy in front of them took off into the woods. Before it had even registered, he got away. This was their fatal mistake; it was over.

"Turn around." The tone dripped low with authority. "Now."

"You don't get to tell us what to do," Skylar said, barely composed. "Don't think for a secon-"

Forest gave her a hard nudge. "I'd shut your mouth if I were you."

"I'd listen to him," the same person sneered. "He just might be saving your life." Chuckling to himself, the man stopped abruptly. "Turn your sorry-selves around, now."

Hesitant, Forest obeyed, looking to his feet.

There was a long, uneasy pause.

"Look at me, kid," the man barked. "I'd hate... for there to be certain consequences."

Shivering, Forest finally caught with his gaze. All too tall, he was six feet, his dark, blue eyes trained on him. "I..." the boy struggled.

The man studied him, amused, before backing away. "You tryna to say something, kid? Hmm?"

He grew white as bone. There had to be at least ten intruders from within, and no doubt were more outside. "How many of you are there?" The words slipped out before he could stop himself.

"You told Skylar to shut up, but you're not," Winter whispered with a glare.

The boy swallowed hard, staring back at him.

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"I should be asking you the same question," the man said, his tone darker. With that, he inched closer until they were nose-to-nose. "How many of you are there?"

"There's a ladder, Matthew. Should we check upstairs?"

After a moment, Matthew drew back, breaking into a smile. "Yeah, go upstairs."

Just as the thought arose, the first bark came; then another.

"Dogs?" the man questioned, glancing behind him. "I was sure you were joking, Kara."

At the name, another shiver ran down his spine. She was here. "You know, it didn't have to be like this. We could have been allies, just trying to survive the dead together," Forest muttered.

As his people approached the ladder, Matthew remained stoic. "Blame Ryan, Kimberly, and Lane. Those three took our vaccine," he said, arms crossed.

"It should be clear now that it's been poisoned by one of your own," Skylar snapped. "Galant died proving it. Is that not enough?"

"Oh, we know that now," Matthew said, cocking his head. "However, this has nothing to do with the vaccine; not anymore."

"What?" Winter asked, searching his face. "Then what's this about?"

"You killed our people multiple times over. It's time you pay."

"Yeah, and you killed many of ours," Autumn said, holding back tears, "so we're even."

"Your people started it, so that's on you," Matthew sneered. "It's time we get our revenge." His smile returning, the man bit back a laugh.

"There are three up here," Kara called, "and a couple dogs."

"Take their weapons and bring 'em down!" Matthew ordered, eyeing the ladder. "This shouldn't be too difficult."

After a moment, Jade, then Holly, crawled down. They were followed by three armed men, an air of control coming with them. Before long, a fourth appeared, his arms full of puppies. Each barked, tails wagging.

"What should we do with them?" the man carrying them asked.

There was a pause.

Forest made fists, too upset to care. "Don't you dare. If you lay a finger on them, you're-"

Matthew huffed, unimpressed. "You're in no position to make a threat of any kind. We will do with these creatures as we please."

The boy glanced at the twins in a panic. Both were shifting on their feet, barely keeping it together. They could die right here, Forest realized. Maybe their luck had run out.

"You really think we're that stupid?"

Baffled, the boy turned to Winter, but remained silent.

"Yes," the man said, smirking, "I think you're very stupid." Then he gave the others a good look. "All of you."

"Maybe there are more of us hiding in the woods," Winter said, forcing a grin. "Maybe they're waiting... to kill you."

Matthew gave a sharp nod to those at the door. "Join with them, now."

Hesitant, Holly and Jade took to their side, exchanging looks.

"Derek, come forward," the man said finally, "go ahead. Show them."

Derek obeyed, his blue eyes cold. After a long stare-down, he revealed the items in his hands: three unused traps. "We know what you did in the woods," the man muttered. "We're not falling for them."

Forest shivered. Their traps were known; it really was over. "What are you going to do with us?"

"We want your blood," Matthew answered, "but not yet." Still smiling, the man turned to the backyard window, then drew close. "I noticed you buried your dead... but not ours. Jason died on this land, but was he buried here?" He paused for effect. "No."

"He killed Galant," Skylar spoke up, harsh and shrill. "We were only defending ourselves."

"Just remember, your people wronged us first." With that, Matthew placed his hands over the glass. "What did you do with Jason's body?"

Jade swallowed hard. "I don't-"

"Answer me." The man spun around, cocking his head. "Answer me right now. What did you do with his body?"

"I don't think you want to know."

Matthew laughed, hysterical, then stopped all-together. "I'm only gonna ask you one more time." Searching her face, his twisted with rage. "What did you do with Jason's body?"

"We burned it," Winter said. "Set it on fire."

The man eyed the girl, jaw set. Then, without warning, marched to the side door and swung it open. "Let's go. We've got 'em."

"Please, Lord. It can't be over," Forest whispered, closing his eyes. "It can't be." As the others and himself were led outside, the boy continued to pray. "We need you again, Lord!"

One by one, they came to a halt by the opening of the woodlands. Only then could they turn to the captives, and all were left speechless. There had to be over twenty of them, each armed.

"Forest," Winter whispered, sending him a nudge, "wait for me to say when."

Her brother tried to hide his shock. "What?"

"We need to escape. Anywhere's better than here."

Forest studied her for a moment, then lightly scoffed. "Look around. You said our plan before was suicide, but yours is even worse." The boy shook his head. "Do you even care anymore?"

"Do you?" she questioned. "Your plan is to do nothing."

While he mulled over her words, Winter told her twin the same thing. Then, before he could object, she said 'go'.

And off they went.

Despite their efforts to sneak away, each were quickly grabbed by a pair of hands.

"Already?" It was Matthew. "I gotta say, I expected better of you." There was a long, eerie pause. "Inject them."

"Wait," Autumn pleaded, "with what?" She hadn't gone with her siblings. "What do you want to inject them with?!"

"Wouldn't you like to do," he snickered. "Inject them."

All too soon, a set of footsteps came over, but neither could move. Somebody was behind them, each with a handful of their shirt.

"We won't do it again," Forest insisted, holding back tears. "I promise!"

"You're right. You won't."

After another pause, a needle was stabbed into both of their necks. Each were out cold before they hit the ground.

It really was over.