El-Mae was the first one up as a piercing honk abruptly woke up the sleeping farmhouse.

  She scrambled towards the closed curtains, she saw a light blocked from the thick fabric and gently peeled it back.

  “What's going on?” Cooper asked, sitting up causing Nancy's arm, which was once draped over him, to fall to the floor.

  Then Nancy was up like a shot as a second honk, shorter but just as loud, bred in the night.

  Dominic was at the window in a fsh, gingerly pushing El-Mae aside, gun ready in his other hand.He shushes her but not rudely and moves to look outside.

  He saw a car he recognized, one stolen by their previous so called companions.He saw the driver's door open and a man lunged out of it, suddenly tackling Jeff to the ground.

  “God damnit!” Dominic excims “Stay inside!” He shouted before running to the doorway, he would have smmed the door shut but he was stopped.

  Wyatt was holding the handle, his expression stern. Dominic didn't argue and he moved forward, Wyatt shutting the door behind the two of them.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Bonnie's hushed voice called, looking at them as they entered the living room.

  “That Jeff guy's getting his ass kicked.” Ralph chuckled, standing by the front window with his arms crossed.

  “We should go help!” Bonnie jumped up, scrambling forward towards the front entrance.

  “It must be Nathan and Daniel,” Dominic said, stopping her, “They're the ones who left before you got here.” He added peeling her away from the door so he could leave first.

  “Did you say they're back?” Asja asks, trying to soothe the fussing baby in her arms.

  “Stay inside.” Dominic Instructed but not many of the group listened, Wyatt was the first out of the door behind him.

  Bonnie gripped her axe and kept behind him.

  Asja left the door open, trailing after them at a distance.

  The night air was cold, and for some of them the shivers weren't only from nerves. It was incredible, pitch bck yet brightened by star light, the distant pins fading in the bck lines of hooded trees. It was impossible to see anything under the thick bnket of leaves and darkness.

  The headlights of the car were blinding, Dominic immediately noticed only one. They had stolen two.

  Someone was in the passenger's side, their features obscured by the tinted gss, but Dominic recognized the man in front of him.

  He was spindly, patchy hair and a thick beard, he was straddling Jeff, striking down and hitting Jeff's defensively held arms. They were screaming at each other but not much could be understood.

  “Knock that off!” Asja shouted, scoldingly. She hoisted Zerina up, letting her rest against her shoulder easier.

  “Nathan!” Dominic excims as he snatched his shoulder, yanking Nathan back and he immediately noticed bandages covering his dark skin.“What happened?” He asked, eyeing the amount of wounds under his damaged clothes.

  “We got ambushed, fuckers set up a road block,” Nathan panted, then he turned to Jeff, trying to kick at him “Fuck you! Asshole!”

  “Nathan!” Shouted a voice Dominic didn't know, there was a person stepping out of the car and it wasn't Daniel.

  “Where's Dan?” Dominic asked, eyeing the newcomer.

  “Dead. Shot and killed when he refused to give up his car.”

  Dominic watched Wyatt walk by him, dragging Jeff up to his feet. “Stop ya whinin’.” Wyatt murmured, checking his injuries.

  “My arms broken!” Jeff cries out.

  “No it ain't, c'mon.” Wyatt replies, just a touch to his arm and he could tell it wasn't broken, bruising for sure, but not broken. Despite the amount of hits Jeff took it seemed the strikes were weak and didn't break anything, not even his nose.

  Arlene was at Wyatt's side and Dominic wondered why he even bothered telling them to stay put in the first pce.

  “Okay, you’re okay.” Arlene soothed, patting Jeff's back as she began to lead him back to the farmhouse.

  “Who are you?” Dominic asked. Gncing over the person in front of him, he couldn't immediately tell their gender, frizzy bleached hair and tanned skin which was covered in bandages just like Nathan.

  “Who are you?” They snapped back, raising a bushy brow.

  “This is Dash,” Nathan gestures vaguely ”They helped out when Dan was killed.” He expined as he wiped his lip, clearing the bubble of blood that formed from the split.

  “Okay Dash, back off.” Dominic snapped, gesturing for them to get back in the car.

  Dash scoffed, shaking their head back and forth between Dominic and Nathan. The tension was rising between them and Nathan was gring hard.

  “What are you doing here? You can't just show up again after what you did.” Asja shouted, standing a few feet from the porch. Zerina began to fuss lightly in her arms.

  “Shut up bitch!” Nathan shouted back and Dominic quickly shoved him.

  “You should go.” He growled lowly.

  “I'm not going anywhere, Dom.” Nathan replied, adjusting his clothes “What's with all these cars? Is this a fucking hotel now?”

  “Dad?” Iona's voice suddenly called. She was standing on the porch, looking back and forth frantically “Dad where are you?” She yelled.

  “Nathan?” Dash called, awkwardly side stepping by the open door. “You said two people.” They added lowly, anxious.

  Iona ran to Asja, the closest person to the farmhouse. “Have you seen my father?” She asked.

  Asja flustered, trying to divide her attention too many ways, she gently lowers Zerina to try and ease her squirms.

  “I don't know?” She stammered, her eyes darting to Ralph as he sauntered out of the house and passed them.

  Bonnie was behind him, defending the back of the group, and she gave a tense smile “I think he went on a walk.” Bonnie said, before following Ralph.

  Immediately Iona's gaze snapped towards the lone tree covering three graves. Her legs were moving before Asja had a chance to speak again.

  “Who's this fuck ugly prick?” Ralph says, eyes on Nathan, as he strolled forward and stood beside Wyatt.

  “Who the fuck are you?” Nathan spat back.

  Wyatt crossed his arms across his chest, he looked half tired and half annoyed. He was standing between Dominic and Ralph, the wall of them blocking Nathan from getting any closer to the farm house.Wyatt cocked his head, gncing briefly at Dominic as if waiting for direction.

  “I'm the guy that's gonna kick your ass if you don't fuck off right now.” Ralph replied in anger.

  “Ha, Dom?” Nathan said, trying to ignore Ralph “Can't fight your own battles gotta have some hick fat-” but before he could finish Ralph threw a punch, his fist connected with Nathan's cheek with a painful crack.

  Dash startled, jumping in pce before they sped forward, only to be caught by Wyatt who quickly grabbed their arm. Preventing them from joining the fight.

  “Get off!” Dash yelled, jerked back by Wyatt's strong hold.

  “Ain't worth it.” Wyatt shook his head hoping to discourage Dash, shoving them back so they bumped against the hood of the car. He let them go, and crossed his arms, staring. As if commanding Dash to keep put without words.

  Ralph proudly put his hands on his hips, looking down at Nathan with a cruel grin.

  Iona scrambled, tripping over herself as she ran towards the tree, her heart was pounding in her chest and she ignored the way the cool air shed at her skin.

  The grass cut against her palms as she hit the ground, she didn't care, she felt the sharp bdes of foliage and pointed stones against her knees as she crawled to stand, she could see the slumped figure of someone against the heavy trunk.

  “Dad!” She called. However there was no movement.

  She got closer and in the dark she was barely able to make out the features of her father. He wasn't breathing. His eyes were closed, skin pale. But there was a smile on his lips. His hand over the grave marker they left for Ruth.

  “Whatever.” Dash grunted. Gring at Wyatt with narrowed, near orange eyes. Dash shoved past Ralph, setting the gun to the grass; they grabbed Nathan's arm and helped him to his feet. “We should go.” Dash whispered, trying to inch towards their beaten vehicle.

  “Fuck that!” Nathan shouted, enraged. Once on his feet he shoved away from Dash and wiped his bloody lip. “I was here first!”

  “Then you stole almost everything and left!” Dominic excims. Pointing a finger towards him “So get in that car and go!” he adds, gring.

  “Fuck you!” Nathan stomped forward, his shoe kicking against the gun by his and Dash’s shoes. His eyes locked onto the iron and went wide.

  “Nathan.” Dash grumbles. “We should-” but before he could continue Nathan knelt down and snatched the gun from the grass.

  “Nathan?” Dash stammered.

  But he wasn’t listening, he ignored Dash and aimed the gun at Dominic who quickly put his hands up, going still as Nathan demanded “Drop your gun Dom.” With a furrowed brow.

  “Nathan.” Dominic warned but Nathan shook the gun before taking it in both hands to steady his aim.

  “Drop it!” He screamed.

  “Just calm down-” Wyatt started but all it achieved was Nathan aiming his way “Shut up!” Nathan interrupted.

  Ralph eyed him, shifting on his feet at Wyatt's side.

  “Just shut up.” Nathan added, then took a deep and shaky breath, “Stay where you are.” He added, stamping in pce.

  “Natha-” Dominic started but his voice was drowned out by the loud shot of a gun. Nathan fired up into the air to silence him before swiftly pointing the pistol back at him.

  “I said shut up!” Nathan shouted.

  His breath was ragged, eyes bloodshot. Dash was at his side, awkwardly reaching to his shoulder before pulling away without touching him.

  The tension made the air seem colder. The night bristles their skin and makes the hair on their arms stand on end. Dominic felt his throat dry and he wanted to look towards the house. He wanted to see Cooper safe, but he didn't move. He remained fixated on Nathan.

  Wyatt cleared his throat, hands balled into fists at his side as his eyes dashed side to side, seeking anything that might jump out from the dark.

  Bonnie gasped, the only thing moving aside from the two strangers was an approaching figure. Nathan briefly looked at Iona's shadowed form but was more interested in Dominic's twitching hands.

  “I-Iona?” Bonnie called in disbelief, watching as she walked as if nothing was amiss.

  “I'm leaving.” Was the only reply she got before Iona smmed the farmhouse door shut. Leaving the yard in a tense standoff.

  The moment stretched on. Nathan was stammering to himself but no one else risked speaking, Dash looking concerned began to back up towards the car but they hovered close.

  “C’mon…” Dash whimpered.

  “Get in your cars. All of you.” Nathan suddenly said, his eye twitching from stress.

  “What?” Dominic asked, fbbergasted.

  “You leave!” Nathan spat, waving the gun.

  “No, Natha-” “Do it!” He screamed over Dominic.

  Eyes wide Dominic was unable to move, frozen in a mix of concern and confusion. He opened his mouth but nothing came out, then another shot.

  There was a fsh of movement, Dominic didn't have a chance to react before he stumbled, he shouted in shock as he was shoved, his legs giving out from under him as the grass quickly met his back. The air was knocked from his lungs and Dominic gasps as he's suddenly hit with the weight of Wyatt's lean frame bearing down on him.

  Ralph had kicked out Wyatt's knee, knocking him back into Dominic forcing the both of them to the ground.

  “Fuck!” Wyatt yelped, ducking his head down to Dominic's chest as a bullet whizzed above his head.

  Then there was a scream.

  Ralph snatched Nathan's wrist causing a misfire, Ralph quickly followed it up with another punch and the gun hit the dirt beside the car tire.

  “My baby!” Asja cries out, her voice splintered with pain.

  Ralph began striking at Nathan, causing Dash to join the fight. A scuffle began but Bonnie rushed to Asja’s side.

  Arlene wasn't far behind as the two quickly fell to Asja's side, she was on her back, clutching Zerina.

  “My baby!” Was the only thing she could repeat as Bonnie swiftly scooped Zerina up.

  The baby was crying, sobbing hard and thrashing in her swaddle. “She's okay! She's okay!” Bonnie excimed desperately trying to calm Asja, who seemed completely ignorant to the hole in her shoulder.

  Zerina was unmarked aside from a stained bnket.

  Asja however was shot, Arlene could almost see straight through. At least it was a clean shot. Arlene could only try and look on whatever bright side she could.

  Arlene called out “Wy!” But she didn't even need to as Wyatt was already dashing towards her.

  An engine roared as Dominic scrambled to stand. Dash managed to separate the two, kicking Ralph in the gut before throwing a punch to further stagger him, Dash grabbed Nathan and threw him into the open car door, hardly giving anyone a chance to react, let alone shut the doors, as the tires squealed, unching tarnished grass and stones from the swift reverse.

  The beaten car rocked briefly before it spun around, the doors smming shut from the force of the movement, kicking up a trail of dust as Dash drove away as fast as the old bucket could carry them.

  “Asja!” Dominic called, blinking back into himself. He spun around, snatching his own gun in the same move.

  Wyatt and Bonnie lifted Asja with a piercing scream of anguish.

  Bonnie attempted to gently soothe her with a soft smile and comforting words “You're gonna be okay!” She insisted “It's not that bad!” She added, helping her stand as Arlene held Zerina.

  Arlene rocked her arms trying to calm the cries.

  “Is she okay?” Asja sobbed, staring at Zerina even as Bonnie and Wyatt began to guide her to the porch.

  “She's okay!” Arlene assured, nodding fervently.

  A mix of relief and pain washed over Asja's face, whimpering now as she allowed the help.

  Nancy was at the doorway the second Nathan’s car was out of sight, holding it open and waving Asja in.

  “Dad!” Cooper screamed. Running past Nancy and out into the yard.

  Before Dominic made it to Asja Cooper kept into his arms, he stopped, hugging his son so tightly Cooper almost couldn't breathe. He eased up, gently setting Cooper back down “Go back inside.” Dominic commanded, his voice stern but soft. Not hard or angry. Concern was written all over his paled face and even Dominic couldn't fight off the cold sweat that came with the fear of having a gun aimed at him. Even now, when it was sitting on the grass.

  Ralph wiped his face and grabbed the abandoned gun.

  “Get her inside!” Dominic excimed, and everyone quickly began to file back to the farmhouse.

  The second they all were inside he saw Renáta trying to reason with Iona, she was holding a box of a few items, foodstuffs, a roll of waste paper, and a few miscelneous supplies.

  Bonnie and Wyatt gently pced Asja on the couch, her body rocking slightly as moaned in pain, trying to keep herself quiet, staring at Zerina in Arlene’s arms.

  “Gosh!” El-Mae excimed, standing in the hallway, they saw Dixie and Penelope for a second before Dixie dragged her daughter back into the side bedroom and disappeared before most of them even noticed her.

  She rushed to help and Arlene didn’t know what to do other than to hand over the baby, El-Mae flustered but accepted, when she saw the soiled cloth El-Mae quickly moved to the kitchen.

  Dominic tore the fabric of Asja’s shirt, just enough to prevent any fabric from brushing against the injury and giving them better access to patch it, Arlene moved to help, and with the first aid kit delivered by Bonnie they managed to kick start the repairs.Whatever scraps of medical supplies they had left were used, sthering the wound with antibacterials and wrapping her up with thick gauze.

  “What’s going on?” Nancy asked, looking out the window “Who were they?” her voice was fast, the panic slowly leaving her tone but her face was red with stress.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Dominic growled. Trying to focus on the injury with three people fussing over Asja was difficult, and with Nancy’s questions and Renáta badgering Iona he was having trouble thinking.

  “Iona please think about this!” Renáta pleaded, following Iona as she shoved a single pstic bowl and cup into the box, “You can’t leave in the middle of the night!” she added, but Iona didn’t once even look at her.

  “You’re leaving?” Bonnie asked, suddenly looking up from Asja. Bonnie’s eyes searched the room briefly “What about your pa?”

  Iona suddenly stopped. The only acknowledgment she’s made since she walked inside. Her shoulders tensed, and a shiver ran through her body before she replied, her teeth grit “He’s not coming.” before she smmed the box down.

  “Iona?” Nancy looked up, following Bonnie’s lead “What do mean?”

  “I’m leaving. Come or not. I don’t care.” Iona said, moving the box aside as she moved to the back room, snagging her spare clothes.

  El-Mae gently unwrapped Zerina, tossing away the bloodied bnket. She gingerly washed her cheek and swiftly got another bnket to repce the soiled, keeping the small child warm in the cold north.

  Asja cried out as they finished wrapping her shoulder, tying it off in a tight bow. Her legs kicked and her body cringed into herself but she managed not to strike anyone, curling against the pillows as the three slowly stepped back.

  “I won’t be going back to bed.” Arlene said, trying to ease the tension.

  “Maybe,” Bonnie crossed her arms, head down but gncing at everyone around her “Maybe Iona’s right. We should leave now.”

  “She’s right,” Asja gasps, propping herself up, putting on a strong face but her expression wrinkled with pain “What if Nathan comes back?” she muttered in a hollowed tone.

  “We just drive off? At night with no pn?” Renáta sputtered, stepping towards El-Mae to try and help. She followed the blonde girl back out into the living room. El-Mae sat beside her, Asja stroked Zerina’s head but didn’t have the strength in her arm to hold her.

  “Weren’t we gonna go to Port York anyhow?” Bonnie asked, brow upturned nervously, she watched Iona walk back in, maybe two sets of clothes in her arms, which she quickly added to the meager supplies she decided was her cut “That’s where you pn on goin’, ain’t it, Iona?” Bonnie asked. Iona’s deadpan expression met hers for a mere second, just long enough for her to nod ‘yes’ and continue packing.

  “Fuck all that! I’m not going anywhere.” Jeff snapped, his head popping out from the bathroom door frame.

  “Then we wish you luck!” Nancy snapped back.

  Bonnie ignored him, instead going to Iona and sternly taking the box from her shaking hands. Iona tried to protest but Bonnie managed to still her.

  Iona growled lowly but she stopped fighting, Iona tried to keep herself looking stern, strong. But Bonnie being near half a foot taller than her forced her to look up to make eye contact, and it only made Iona feel smaller.

  “I know we made you wait long ‘nough but can ya wait another hour or so? Let us get the cars ready?” Bonnie asked, slowly letting go of her biceps “Then we all can go together?” Bonnie looked so hopeful, her big brown eyes wide and sparkly with unshed tears.

  Iona felt her face twitch and she fought off the snarl she wanted to give, she knew Bonnie didn’t deserve her anger, and Iona swallowed the ball of emotions in her throat and choked out “Fine.” before pulling away.

  Cheeks flushed Iona stormed to the front door, she was going to enact her pn, syphon the gas and dump anything they didn’t need.

  “Wyatt, bring your fshlight.” her voice came more evenly this time but there was a strained whine in her tone she couldn’t erase entirely.

  Wyatt nodded, leaving the couch where he was assisting Asja. he moved to his beaten up bag and grabbed it out, without a word Renáta moved to join him, dumping out a box of linens and a light source of her own she quickly joined them.

  “You rest,” Dominic said, smiling softly at Asja “We’ll get everything packed and ready, we’ll try and make the drive as comfortable as possible for you and Zerina.”

  Asja gave a weak smile back, trying to force a chuckle. “It’s been years since I’ve been on a road trip.”