"We'll be going in through the back as we originally planned, but April thinks we should change where the main of our attack is." Domnik steps aside, leaving center stage open for me.

"Uh, yeah. There's an underground chamber under the main room. The trapdoor is in the wall and drops down to a cement step just tall enough to reach with your feet. If we want to all be able to get down into the room, we'll have to leave now." I see a few hunters nod in silent aggreeance, and Tarra gives me an energetic thumbs-up.

My eyes stop on Lett, who's staring at me intently and ignoring the advances of another girl hunter. How does he think our relationship's going anywhere after what he did? He's pretty full of himself.

"How are you supposed to lead us? You haven't even trained." Jackson's worried voice comes from the left side of the small crowd, not demeaning of my abilities, but cautious. Plain and simple.

Domnik shoulders around me to stand in front. "I'll lead, as planned. But April will be the...how shall we say...scout? She'll lead me from behind, I guess. Any other questions?" After a few seconds of silence, Domnik caps his hands together once and nods. "Alright then. Let's get going."

The crowd disperses, except for Tarra, Maddix, and Lett. Domnik hooks his arm through mine and slyly steps closer to me, earning himself a hateful glare from Lett.

He stops me a few yards away from the waiting group and leans toward me. "Before this whole situation between you and Lett, he's been my backup for a long time. It's gonna be uncomfortable for all of us, but he's still the only one I trust, besides Maddix. But he only backs Tarra when we fight, so I'm in a corner. Sorry."

"It's ok. We can get through an hour of uncomfortable circumstances." I begin to stand on my tiptoes to kiss Domnik's cheek, but I catch a pained glance from Lett and just give him a hug.

"Smart choice." Domnik mumbles into my hair, returning my hug before reluctantly pulling away.

I try to ignore his words and head toward the small group. "Let's get this sorry excuse for a Saturday night over with." I pull the knives out of my pocket and tie the strings through my jean loops, wearing it as a belt and moving the pouch to my right hip.

"You look sexy all geared up, April. Wish I coulda told you I was a hunter before." Lett casually shifts his weight to his back foot, crossing his arms across his chest.

"You don't get to call me sexy. You have to work for that right. And it wouldn't have changed what happens." I mumble my reply as I fine tune the canvas onto my leg, tying the lower set of strings around my upper thigh.

"Domnik didn't have to work. I should get one freebie, too."

Before I can reply, I hear Domnik's feet crunch gravel as he lunges at Lett. I turn and see him fist the fabric of Lett's tee shirt. "I didn't screw her best friend, either, so the circumstances are a little different, I think." He lets go of the clothing, and returns to me, his expression both fuming and blaringly guilty.

"I'm sorry. But I couldn't listen to that anymore."

I nod and mouth my reply. "Thanks."

He shrugs and pulls a small knife from the back of his Jeep, wiping the blade with his long sleeved shirt pulled over his hand.

Without talking, Maddix and Tarra begin to walk toward an open doorway where the other hunters have gathered. Domnik follows them, and we fall into line, Domnik first, then me, then Lett. I hear the high scratching of a blade being drawn, and see a glint of silver in the dark air.

"Let's get in and out ASAP. And don't be ashamed to ask for backup, or to retreat." Domnik walks into the pitch black hallway, and after a moment, my eyes adjust. He turns on a red flashlight, allowing me to keep my eyes in night vision.

"Tell me when to turn." His voice breaks the tense silenced, startling me.

"Keep going straight, then look for a trapdoor in the left wall in the main room." I peek over his shoulder, and I squeak as a mouse scurries through the red light.

"Relax. I won't let anything happen to you." Lett rests his hand on my shoulder, probably the only kind thing he's done since earlier today.

"Okay. But I'm holding you to that." I go quiet, and the only sounds are the footfalls if other hunters and our breathing. Domnik stops at an entrance to a room blocked by a heavy-looking door.

"What now? There's no way to kick that in." Domnik steps aside to let me inspect the door, and I make quick work of it.

I bend down and my fingers search for a small square of concrete inlaid to the ground. "Ta-da. The night guard was bad with losing keys. So they kept a spare." I lift the small square and pull out the tarnished bronze key.

I slip the key into the slot and slowly turn, the solid clunk of the mechanism reverberating through the room.

"Okay. Be careful in here. We don't know what to expect." Domnik pushes the door with his shoulder, standing straight as it continues to open, dragging on the ground.

My breath catches as the door exposes walkers standing near the doorway, looking groggy. They lift their heads lazily, their growls coming out as weak, raspy groans.

Domnik casually walks forward and cuts down the first row, not waiting for anyone. Lett presses the hilt of a similar blade into my hand and joins me in following Domnik's lead.

After only a few seconds, the bodies are all laying crumpled limply on the ground, my blade dripping with congealed black goop.

The other hunters reach us, taking a double take at the neatly slain zombies littering the ground.

"We don't know what else to expect down here. We need to pay attention and keep our guards up." Domnik pulls out a pistol and chambers a round, the metallic click bouncing through the smallish room. "Cover me."

Without another word, Domnik starts searching the walls for the door. He slips his thumb through a catch hole, and heaves the door open, and even in the dim red light, I see him cringe as the door creaks.

He gracefully shifts his feet in front of himself, then scoots down the hole. He disappears from view, and an instant later, I heard the sick crunch of breaking bone.

I run forward and stick my head through the hole. "Oh my God! Are you okay?!"

I hear him shift and grunt in pain. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just think I fell on poor Jimmy."

I narrow my eyes. "Very funny. You fell on a dead person, and now you're making jokes."

"You're the one who said I should be a comedian." I can hear the smile in his voice, and really wish I could slap it off of his face.

"You're right. Instead, you should be a mime. Then, you can't make jokes in bad taste."

"Will you just get down here? I think the step collapsed. When you come down, I'll help you, okay?"

"Don't drop me." I back out and turn, sticking my feet and legs down the dark hole.

"Just hurry up and get down here." I feel him wrap his arms around my legs to steady me, and he tugs, trying to get me to go faster.

"Okay, okay. Don't have a fit." I lower myself until just my arms are braced against the ledge, then pull them away.

Domnik catches me and sets me on the ground, holding onto my waist just longer than he needs to.

I hear an almost-silent thunk and look back at the wall to see Lett's silhouette, his arms crossed impatiently.

"Let's hurry up and get this crap over with. With all that noise you two made, you probably woke up the walkers." He passes in front of us, and I hear him grumbling to himself as he gets further and further away from us.

I roll my eyes and follow him, trying my best to follow the black outline I'm struggling to keep in my vision.

He raises a fist above his head, and from all the times my dad showed me military signals, I can tell he's telling us to stop.

Domnik almost walks past me, but I hold my arm out to stop him and point to Lett, who's bent down to inspect something.

"Domnik, you should see this."Domnik looks at me quickly before jogging forward to join Lett. I quietly follow him, peeking over his shoulder.

"April, don't-" Lett tries to cover the body, but it's too late.

Mom.

I collapse to my knees, tears starting to drip down my face. I try to talk, but all that comes out is a hurt whimper. Domnik crouches beside me and holds my hand, but I ignore him. Not because I'm being mean, but I'm in shock. I just found my mom underground in a zombie nest. Anyone would be a little rattled after the last few days.

"April, you realize that if she comes back..."

"Yeah. I can do it."

Lett stands and brushes his hands on his pants, and even in the dark, I can see the sympathy in his expression. "I'm gonna go see if...uh, you know who is around here." He leaves, and Domnik starts to follow.

"Wait. Could you...maybe...stay with me?"

He nods silently, then crouches beside me again, wrapping his arms around me and lending warmth to my cold and sad body.

"Are you okay?" I feel his voice more than hear it with my ear pressed to his chest, my tears dampening his shirt.

"I...I don't know anymore. I guess it was just easier for them to be missing than to know they were really gone. It was easier to just pretend like they might come back than to have to face that I'm an orphan now. Hoping against hope, I guess." I sigh as even as I can, but it still ends in a hiccup.

"I was the same way when my sister died. I saw her die, but it was just so surreal. Like I was trapped in some sadistic nightmare that I couldn't get out of." He laughs bitterly. "Well, I tried to get out of it."

He rolls up the sleeve of his jacket and shirt, showing horizontal scars running across his wrist, like sad tally marks of times he was at his lowest.

"Oh my God. I...I never would have guessed. I'm so sorry."

He pulls my head against his chest, and as he talks, I hear his voice crack. "Please don't ever try. If nothing else, remember I love you, and I don't know what I'd do without you. I know how terribly stupid I sound, but no matter what happens between us, know you can talk to me. I only lost one of my parents, but I can still relate to what you're going through."

I begin to cry even harder. I think I have it hard, but he only has his father and mother, without his sister, and they all have to remember what happened. At least I have grandparents and a sister, and a little niece and nephew.

"Why are you crying now?" He tips his head so that our eyes meet, and I can't imagine how horrible I look, even in the dark.

"It's just that I still have almost my entire family. All you have is your father and your mother." I meet his eyes, surprised when he smiles.

"And you." He kisses me on the for head and helps me up. "Were going to have to move on. To make sure she doesn't come back, I'm gonna have to-"

"Let me." I hold out my hand for the gun, my eyes closed, pretending this is all just a movie, or a game, or a nightmare I'll wake up from any second.

I feel the cool textured metal being pressed into my hands and take a deep breath. "Hey, Mom. If you can hear me, wherever you are, I just want you to know I'm doing fine. I finally met a nice guy after Lett. His name's Domnik, and he saved me. Annd now I'm talking to my dead mother's body. I hope you can hear me in your better place. I think I might end up there pretty soon. This hunting thing seems pretty intense. I just...I hope you and Dad are okay wherever you are. Love you lots, and don't worry about me." I chamber a round, aim the gun, and look away, cringing when the gun jumps in my hand.

Domnik gently unwraps my fingers from the gun and holds it next to his leg., his arm completely straight.

"Bye, Mom." I blow a kiss at the body, somehow less sad than before.

I start to walk down the dank hallway, and as I round a corner, I hear Domnik whisper something.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Davis. I'll take good care of your daughter. I promise."