The morning came and Rachel wished she could just lay in bed all day and night, not caring about anything. Her argument with Aris still left her angry. How could he feel sympathy to any of them here? 

She exhaled, and swung her legs over her lone canopy. She'd been moved alone to a tree behind the Shed a couple days ago. It made her mad but at least she didn't have to watch their sneers as she tried to sleep. Her bare feet hit the cold ground and she shivered, the sudden change in temperature making her whole body freeze. It was gone in seconds. Rachel decided that she would go to the creek and relax, away from everyone. She needed to calm down about everything. Leaving everybody to fend for themselves while Aris and her escape? She was becoming one of the selfish primadonnas, the survivalists. She was just frightened, that's all. She wouldn't actually leave them behind if she could, would she?

The grass was dry beneath her feet as she walked into the forest of trees and shrubs. The silence was tranquil as she sat down in front of the flowing water, letting it splash against her toes. Though the Sun was gone, there weren't many trees to shed darkness. This was nice. If she ever got out of this wretched place, she'd want to find somewhere like this and just stay in it all day, if there was such a place beyond the walls of the Watchers. She could only hope.

Rachel sat there for what felt like an hour when she heard footsteps coming her way. She jumped and sprang to her feet, defensive. She was still scared of what happened last time with Marie. Oh, Marie...

"It's just me." Aris held up his hands in defense.

She relaxed, sitting down again. He came to join next to her, taking off his shoes as to not soak them. He sighed, taking in the scenery.

"It's beautiful." he said.

"If this is what's beyond the walls, I would love to live here," she paused. "Though I haven't decided if you're coming with me or not."

Aris just sat in silence. She almost felt bad. But, she didn't. She hated it here and will do whatever it takes to get out, with or without him. She still felt this weird connection towards him, though, that she couldn't shake. Even though they had grown close since he'd woken up, there was this strange sense that they had more but she couldn't grasp the thought, the feeling, the memory. Memories...

Aris stood abruptly, scaring Rachem out if her fog.

"We're getting out of here," he proclaimed as he stared at her.

"I know," she raised an eyebrow. "But, how?"

"I don't know yet, but somehow we will." he paced for a bit, then stopped. He splashed her.

"Wha-hey!" she stood as well, getting back a him with a bigger wave of water. They laughed and continued to splash each other. Without warning, Aris tripped her. She crashed to the grown with him inches away.

A rustle.

"Hey, you two."

They stopped and swiftly stood. Their faces bright red. It was Harriet.

"Time to make yourselves useful." She beckoned with her head for them to follow. Aris and Rachel glaced at each other before following.

Sounds like we're in trouble. Aris said to Rachel.

We've been in trouble from the start.

His eyes widened and Rachel stopped temporarily before walking. Did she just do that? No way. This was getting weirder and weirder. She wondered what new thing Harriet needed them for and focused on that thought.