*Edited January 16, 2018. (First published September 26, 2015)

I watched the people around me, each of them shivering from the cold rain that fell upon them while we hid within the tightly clustered trees. All of us were watching as the humans within the town began firing shots at the undead when they came close to the looters while searching for our tracks. The one good thing the rain brought us, was that it made it harder for us to be seen or scented by the enemies around us, forcing them to have expanded their search range and bring them within sight of the town.

As soon as the undead had their attention on the looters within, we began quietly but quickly moving away from the soon-to-be war-zone, careful not to gain any unwanted attention. Making as little noise as possible, I trailed behind the rest of the group, my head bowed as I pondered yet again upon what had happened in the other town after leaving the basement.

Had that trap really been aimed at me? Or was there someone or something else they were trying to catch and I just happened to be an extra find? Were they honestly set on killing me back there or had they been planning to capture me and take me someplace else? What did they know about me? And was there some way I could find out what they knew?

My mind swam with all of these questions and more, yet not one answer to calm it down. I couldn't help but jump in shock when I felt a hand on my shoulder, looking over to see the worried grey eyes of Daniel. Sighing in near silent relief, I placed my cold hand on top of his and smiled at him.

"I'll be okay, Daniel. Just too many questions and not enough answers." I released his hand again when he nodded to me, his worried look vanishing as it was replaced with one of thoughtfulness.

During the next few hours as we made our way through the thick forest and up into the hills that stood between us and our complete escape from the enemies behind us, I could almost feel his eyes peer at me from time to time before he would look ahead of us again. I couldn't help but wonder if he knew something that I didn't and that wondering brought me a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could get at least a few questions answered when we got back home again.

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Looking back down the sloping trail, I checked to make sure our tracks were swept away by the pine branch I was dragging behind us, spreading some of the half rotten leaves I would gather from time to time to try and help make it look even a bit more natural. Or at least as natural as I could, since it wasn't easy to hide the tracks of so many people while still trying to quickly escape from the area.

Besides, it was only until Lucas, the wilderness tracker Michael had brought with us, was able to come back and finish the job of clearing our trail. I just had the job of making it harder to find if some random creature, undead or otherwise, happened to come through the area after we passed through. Sweeping the pungent smelling branch I held across the trail again, I threw another handful of slimy, wet leaves to the ground.

Even my nose wrinkled at the smell of the rotting leaves.