[IC] Struggle to Survive

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie was very surprised by how fast she had gone to sleep and how long she stayed asleep. She figured he would be a pretty bad driver at the start, but even if had been, she had been too exhausted to wake and take notice of it. It was only when she got a shake at her shoulder that she sat up, blinking sleepily. It had been about two hours since she fell asleep and they had gone pretty far. Only now, they were out of gas and had to get more to keep going, or else they would be stranded. She silently cursed herself for not thinking of filling it up when she had been driving. She should have known with hi not really riding in cars much most likely that he wouldn't think to have it filled up when the meter was running low.

She nodded, allowing him to grab his crowbar from below her seat and when he went to walk off, she spoke quickly, "Be careful. Please." Even though she had just met him, it was really nice to have the company of another human being. So much better than being by herself at least. And if he died, then she would be by herself again, something she didn't want happening. She watched him walk off and when he was a good bit away, she rolled up the windows and locked the doors before sitting back in her seat, staring up at the ceiling of the car, deep in her thoughts. Would this plan of their really work? Would going up north where it was colder really set off the aliens and zombies from coming after them? Maybe. It was better than any idea she sure had. As much as she disliked trusting people she had just met, she knew she had to trust him on this one and go with him. He had been good about keeping them both alive thus far and hopefully she could trust him enough to not turn her over to the aliens or zombies when things got rough.

She continued to stare up at the ceiling, before she closed her eyes for just a moment. At least, she thought it had been just a moment, but in reality, it ended up causing her to fall asleep again, but just for ten minutes, because soon she heard banging on the metal outside of the car and gasped, sitting up, looking around the car wide eyed. All around the car was a good fifteen zombies Her first instinct was to grab for her gun, but had second thoughts of shooting through the glass, as that could break the window and cause the zombies to be able to climb in through there. That is, if they didn't break the window themselves.

They all stood on the left side of the car and were all trying their hardest to get in, when suddenly she felt the car lift up every so slightly, causing her to yelp and gather her bearings just in time for the car to tip over on its side. This would give her at least a moment to get out, as she was sure the zombies couldn't climb all the way up to the window. She stood up and after wrapping her hand with her sleeve, punched once or twice at the window before it broke and she was able to climb up, gun in hand and was ready to start shooting at the zombies below, only when she reached the top, hadn't seen one of the zombies that had actually been able to somehow climb up and attempt to get at her.

She turned, but hadn't been able to hit it off before it bit down on her forearm, breaking the skin. Giving a pained scream she kicked it as hard as she could, making it fall, only, she feel with it, struggling to fight it off as the others began to close in.

[Toothless]

Foolish as it may be Rex was hoping for a quick get in- get out sort of situation. Slinking along in broad daylight he felt like a blatant target though knew the zombies would not be drawn to him immediately. Not that this was a problem here anyhow… He didn’t run into a single one. The gas station was as deserted as the deep desert. Only a few loose wrappers and a stiff breeze to keep him company as he circled around the building in a search for tanks. A familiar click and sizzle froze him in his tracks. Around the other side near the pumps was an armored squad of his race, blowing away a zombie that he hadn’t noticed in his own passing. He didn’t need to look he skirted the opposite direction, knocking a discarded soda can in the process and drawing their attention by the sound of their footfalls. They didn’t rush to his location but he still felt his heart hammer in his chest.

Gaze darting from one side to the next he turned toward the building and leapt, with his light weight he managed to grab the eave with ease and kicking off the wall he flipped himself onto the roof. When they came around the corner he crouched low so he wouldn’t be seen from street level. For a moment he wasn’t sure where they had went but in reality they had merely stopped at the back of the building. Skeptically searching and then commenting on earth pests. Rex would have crept away then if the topic hadn’t turned towards him. Demeaning and disrespectful- they would put bile into his mouth with the things they wished to do to this world. He wasn’t surged into outrage but disgusted by their inhumanity (yes, that word. One that didn’t even belong to their kind). How had he never noticed the true nature of him people?

They confirmed what he knew- they were doing a sweep, pinpointing life forms and wiping them out. Most zombies included. Their radar was simplified though and couldn’t verify infected from healthy humans. They’d come this way to wait in ambush.

Rex moved away from them across the rooftop, dropping down near the front once more and grabbing a gas tank he had earlier overlooked. Given the weight it was at least somewhat full. He started back down the exit ramp without being found out and thought he was home free when he heard the distant scream. He ran. The scene he found when he reached the interstate was most alarming- like heart in throat.

Flinging the gas tank he bounced it off Cassie’s attacker and into the approaching pack, scattering gasoline from its open maw. The zombie was temporarily stunned by the hit and he charged in- close lining it with the crowbar and cracking its head sideways. Yanking the crowbar out its softer flesh he caught the first zombie to rush in its absence, connecting with the space between its eyes and staggering it back. He followed through with the swing by hitting a third. The others stumbled back with some self awareness but didn’t seem ready to give up. A second longer and they would have come again. He struck a spark off the asphalt and it greedily bit out at the fuel, consuming quickly, swallowing the zombies in ruthless flames.

Rex had to look away before he was consumed by the sight, looking instead to Cassie. Throat tight and voice tense. “You alright?”

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie was so sure she was done for. This zombie woudl start to have at her and the others would soon follow. The zombie had already bit down on her arm and was about ready to tear off the flesh. But then it suddenly let go, being knocked over by what looked to be a container of fuel. She stumbled back slightly as Rex jumped forward, attacking the zombie with his crowbar and killing it, before he lit up the fuel, killing off the remainder of zombies. All of it happened so fast, and yet to Cassie, it seemed like slow motion. She was so concerned about the bite, her hand resting tightly against her bleeding forearm, eyes wide with fear and worry of what this might mean for her. Sure, she knew the air born disease hadn't affected her. But it hadn't affected her uncle either. Yet, when he had been bitten, he had turned into one of them and had tried to kill her.

Here she was now, in the same position he had been. Surely she would turn. What if she tried hurting someone? What if she lost all her memories? What if she just turned into a mindless monster, going after any living thing she could get her hands on? All of the possibilities scared her. She trembled all over, her green eyes wide with fear and when he spoke to her, she jumped slightly, moving her gaze up to him as he asked her if she was okay. She was still for a moment before shaking her head quickly, moving her hand away to let him see the bite mark, "N...no...I....I'm not......"

She felt panicked at what might come. The unsureness. This fear brought frightened tears to her eyes and for the first time min a long time, she felt so close to breaking own, something that was not good at any tie in this world they lived in, "I'm infected. Who knows what will happen? I don't want to turn into one of them!" She placed her hands to her head, over her ears in a sort of self comforting motion, her breathing shallow, "What's going to happen to me?"

[Toothless]

It may have been the traumatic experience that caused a delay in response. He didn’t miss the way she clutched her arm but had seen humans do this when frightened- grabbing at themselves for comfort. It didn’t seem to be enough though. She was in shock and there was a slight tremble to her form as she curled in on herself. Her fear wasn’t unreasonable and he felt a small twang of worry of his own. Would she turn into one of the infected now? He bat away the thought and lowered his bag to the pavement. From within it he removed cleanly packaged antibacterial wipes, cotton pads and a rolled length of gauze. He put these aside for a moment and took her wrist, removing her hands from her ears. “Hey, look at me. You’re not a zombie yet so let’s not assume the worse. We’re going to clean that up and keep on going.”

He didn’t know if his assurances gave her any comfort but moved on to clean the bite and bandage it neatly, cutting away the excess tape and returning the roll to his bag which he shouldered once more. He looked at her a moment longer and then stood peering towards the exit ramp- wondering if that armored squad had seen the smoke. “When I was getting gas I encountered some of the aliens. They didn’t see me but I overheard them and they are looking for the two of us.” He made to help her up, while he understood she was shaken it was clear that he would be the same if they were found out by anything other than zombies. “We have to keep moving.”

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie looked up at him when he pulled her hands away from her ears and blinked in surprise, unsure what to say, but his words seemed to make her snap back to the here and now. He was right, she wasn't a zombie yet, so she could at least be of some help while she could and try to not think of what fate layed ahead of her in the coming days. Swallowing hard she nodded quickly, allowing him to take care of her arm, letting him clean the wound and wrap it up with gauze, "Okay." She said quietly and when that was done, she stood up with him, trying to shake off the feeling of fear and such she had felt just movements before, "But....where are we going to go? The car is out of gas and we're stuck int he middle of a very visible high way." Was it her, or was she already to thinking straight? Normally, she would be formulating a plan in her head, but right now she couldn't seem to string together any sort of plan of where they should go or what they should do.

She felt so unsure of herself at the moment, and the fact that he had seen aliens at the gas station didn't exactly put her at ease any. All of this commotion, or the fire even, could easily draw them to she and Rex, which meant they would have to get going and fast. She could still feel her hands trembling but ignored that for now and tried to think of something. Anything, but at most all she could give was a rather simple and probably not well thought out plan, "Maybe we can walk on until we reach the exit after that one? Maybe find a town and a different car?"

[Toothless]

“We‘ll walk.” Rex agreed though he hoped to do so in a timely manner so they could give anyone on their tail the slip. He climbed effortlessly onto the side of the car- reaching in and taking hold of her bag. It hit the pavement with the hard thunk of cans and he brought it over to her, urging her to take it before they started their trek.

The miles they traveled by car brought a steady chill to the air they now stood- the first kiss of a colder clement blew in from the north as the last of the fire died down to red embers. The smell of charred flesh was soon behind them and that was a blessing to be counted. Up ahead the earth dipped down from the road and Rex lead Cassie down into that ditch, walking silently for a mile out of sight of the other side. The aliens might be looking but their scanners were not that accurate- with them so close to the wilderness they could be mistaken for predators stalking along for smaller prey. He hoped they would not be too inclined to look into it.

The hours stretched out like the road before them and by the time they reached the next exit Rex worried about the girl’s declining heath- the flushed coloration of her face and the shortness of breath suggesting a fever. Their hike hadn’t been that laborious…

He took her hand and steered her down the ramp, between cars clumped up behind a collision one had taken with the safety railing. He poked his tongue at his chapped lips and scanned the streets for zombies. There was a few- just rousing from the daydreams that compelled them to stand so still. Rex looked ahead to the store fronts and picked up the pace with Cassie in tow. Always keeping something between them and the zombies he lead them across the street and into a small thrift shop. So small that there wasn’t a window visible and the room smelt of nothing but old musty clothes. He took a chair from near the dressing rooms and propped it beneath the handle of the front door pinning it shut.

Assured by their temporary security he came back over to Cassie and popped a can open as he sat down upon the floor. “Can I interest you in some cold green beans? Swimming in their own slimy juices…” He checked the expiration date but it was a basic example of earth food- just gross -not bad.

[AHeartlessNobody]

At first Cassie thought maybe it was just the adrenaline and panic that was causing her to not think straight as they started walking. Perhaps that was the reason she hadn't been able to think of a better plan. But, as they continued to walk frown the long paved road of the interstate, she began to feel hot and somewhat weak. These few hours of walking were really wearing her down, where as normally this would be a breeze for her. Normally she was so full of energy and able to run around as much as she had to. But now she just felt like laying down as soon as she could and falling asleep, aliens and zombies be damned. Maybe she would, once they got somewhere safe, take a quick rest. That sounded really good, but the longer the walked, the longer the road seemed to get. What was just a few hours felt like forever for her, the two of them walking on the edge of the forests.

If it wasn't for him taking her hand, she might have even already fell out by now. But she kept on going, knowing if she didn't he would likely opt to carrying her, which would just slow them down more, and fever or not, the instinct to do what was best for the two of them to stay alive was still in the back of her mind, pushing her to keep going and try to not slow him down.

Finally the two of them were heading down an exit ramp, weaving between cars and such as they went, until they reached the town They kept low and she didn't really even think anymore. No, she was more just mimicking what he was doing, figuring he probably knew better than her right now what to do. Soon she was being lead into some old shop, where Rex had blocked off the door with a chair. Which he did that, Cassie herself had flopped down onto the floor, face feeling heated, a slight sweat picking at her skin and making her feel cold. It was a weird sensation for her, to feel so hot, yet to be shivering. She supposed she hadn't noticed it before because the cool air outside had done well to keep her fever down a little, but now inside it was clear it was getting worse and she was far from thinking straight.

When Rex sat next to her and offered her some green beans, she groaned, turning her head away, the thought of eating anything right now making her stomach churn. Once she was sure she wasn't going to throw up and had forced herself to move away form the can, she shook her head, hand to her mouth as she spoke, "I'm not hungry." Her voice was quiet, shaky even. Taking a deep breath,s he finally moved her hand away from her mouth and slowly made a move to lie down there on the door, "I think I'm just going to lay down for a little while." And there she curled up, wrapping her arms around herself. This was a feeling she didn't like. She felt so helpless and hoped this sickness of hers would be over soon, that is, if this wasn't part of turning that is. In that case, she would take being sick over being a zombie any day.

Letting out a shaky breath, she closed her eyes tightly, unsure even if falling asleep would worsen this or not.

[Toothless]

Rex set the can aside and stepped over the girl to crouch at her other side, touching the back of his hand to her forehead. The skin was hot and clammy and he would hate to be in such skin right now- surely burning up. “You’re sick.” He fished a bottle of water from his pack and dumped a portion of the cool liquid over her head, seeking a reaction before shoving the remainder at her. “You need to stay hydrated. It’ll make you feel better.”

He slurped down a few of the green beans and then stood to his feet- stepping between the dusty racks and slipping on one of the old coats. Then tossed another onto Cassie “and stay warm“. He glanced toward the door wanting to seek more water but given what happened last time he left her by herself he decided then to remain diligent. “Get some rest Cassie. I’ll keep watch.”

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie let out a gasp when she felt cold water splash over her head, leaving her face wet and her hair damp, eyes wide in confusion for a moment before she realized it was Rex who had dumped the cool water on her head in attempt to cool her down. When he put the bottle of water into her hand, telling her she needed to stay hydrated and she knew he was right. With this fever she was surely sweating off whatever water she had in her and getting dehydrated would just make this sickness even worse. So, with shaky hands she un-did the lid to the water, sipping on it a little bit before she layed down again, wrapped the coat the threw at her tightly around her body, relieved that his next order for her was to rest.

She absent minded glanced up at the old clock hooked into the wall. She was honestly surprised it was still running. But than again, some old places could be run on solar power still. This must have been one of those places, just that the digital clock was the only thing on at the moment It read seven. And judging from the sun going down outside, she was fairly sure it was probably right. Maybe she could just rest her eyes for an hour of two...

But to her surprise, more than an hour or two had passed by the time she woke and the clock read around midnight. She still felt sick and her fever heated her face. Slowly sitting up, she looked to him, speaking, "We need to keep moving. Won't the aliens find us if we stay here?"

[Toothless]

While he’d worried about waking her in the car- this fever had her in a heavy sleep and he dared to take a small sample of blood. Injecting it into a narrow glass vile and plugging it up tightly to stash with a few other samples in his pack. He left only a small drop in the syringe to place on a square slide and examine at the end of a short metal tube. The bacteria of the infection was visible but it didn’t cling to the existing cells and was instead bouncing between them like a game of pong. He discarded the syringe and slide before sitting back down and opening up a plain notebook to write down these observations. Looking up at the clock he noted a few hours passed.

The room was draped in darkness aside from the digital clock- night had fallen deep and silent. He determined her fever still held with a touch of his hand and heaved a small sigh. The aliens would probably check each exit down the interstate. Perhaps it was a miracle that they hadn’t found them yet. He slumped forward, pinching his eyes shut and breathing deep with no intention to fall asleep- just rest his muscles a moment. More minutes slunk passed. He sat up straighter, alerted by Cassie’s movement,

“Moving won’t help your condition.” But dying would pretty much make any efforts to get better be in vain. “Okay.” He finally uttered, taking out his second bottle for her. “Drink up and then I’ll carry you.” Having passed over the water he stood up and moved the barricade from the doors to peer out into the night. A few zombies stood as faint outlines in the moonlight. Easing the door back into place he returned to Cassie’s side and condensed their bags into one, helping her put in on before crouching down so she could take a good hold of him and he could carry her on his back. “It might be slow but it’s better than being sitting ducks.”

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie had thought he might be afraid to do such a thing. After all, it didn't take too long for humans to change, and if this fever meant she was going to change, then there was no telling what she might do to him if the change completed while he was carrying her. This made her hesitate a little when he knelt down to let her on his back. She couldn't help but wonder why he was taking such a risk when they had just met a little over a day ago. Why would he risk his own life to save her? He really was a strange boy. Sighing, she finally wrapped her arms around his neck, yelping slightly as he stood up. She was definitely not use to something like this.

"Are you sure I'm not too heavy for you?" She asked, leaning forward to look at him. She of course didn't know it, but her weight was actually quite light compared to that of normal humans. Though, how could she know that when she hadn't been near another human in so long? Situating herself on his back to make this more comfortable for the both of them, she sighed and nervously looked toward the door of the shop. She could only hope this went well.

[Toothless]

“No, not too heavy.” Rex hadn’t much experience carrying humans but he still imagined that she would weigh more than this. Their bone structure was just so much more condensed than his own. Hers should be too. Maybe it was just the adrenaline in his own system… alluding him to the truth.

With one more silent sweep of the shop he headed for the door, nudging it open with one foot while bouncing her a little higher onto his back. He peered out onto the main street once more and seeing that was clear hurried out of the building. The zombies stirred but were sluggish in the nightly chill- taking awhile to respond. Too long to have any hope of catching up.

Rex hurried down narrow alleyways and across long parking lots, covering ground quickly as he looked for a form of transportation. His pace seemed without stop but suddenly he ducked away from the chosen course. Crouching down behind a dumpster and staying still, the only show of movement the white plume of his breath in the cold air and his gaze tracing shadows across the wall. Voices rose distantly and a light bounced across the pavement. Rex backed away slowly but a noise behind them alerted him. He reeled around, cursing at the sight of a zombie within arms length of them.

Voices picked up in volume. He looked back quickly and then swung the zombie against the dumpster with a thud that seemed to scream ’here we are!’- bouncing his crowbar off its face and then running as quick as his feet dared pound the pavement.

Around the corner he continued running and didn’t stop until they had gone for minutes in this manner. He slouched, breaths quick and clipped until he began swallowing down gasps of air instead. Many degrees slower now he slunk towards an abandoned car and slipped his hand through the partially open window, popping the lock and leaning Cassie in. The key wasn’t in the ignition but a bit of searching revealed it to be on the ground near the pedals. He fumbled at fitting it into the slot.

[AHeartlessNobody]

It took every once of restraint in Cassie not to scream when she saw that zombie so close to them. She bit the inside of her cheek, wincing when he suddenly moved, throwing the disgusting thing against the dumpster, the voices of what had to be nearby aliens rising a they got closer,. After whacking the zombie in the head with his crowbar, he made a bolt for it, her holding on tightly as he slid around corner and was moving non-stop. She felt bad that he was having to carry her. He was obviously very worn out by the time he staggered over to a potential get away car. Cassie slid down off his back and into the passenger seat when he opening the car door for her. She fumbled with her seat belt, finally getting it on just as she heard the engine roar to life.

Nodding to herself, she looked around them. There were still a few zombies around, but this cold had slowed them down substantially. Noticing that, she wasn't too worried about the zombies coming after them. No, she was ore worried if the aliens would find their trail and come after them. She held on tightly and leaned back, trying to relax and keep herself calm as to not aggravate her fever any more, a nervous look on her face, "How far north do you think we have to go before they stop coming after us?" She asked, looking over at him, a deep frown on her face.

[Toothless]

He rolled the windows all the way up and adjusted the mirrors while he caught his breath. The run had left him on the side of lightheaded so it took him a moment to pull away from the curb once he got the engine running. As a whole the streets were pretty quiet… he thought he’d probably ran far enough that no one would have heard the car start. He exhaled as his breathing finally returned to normal and glanced at the girl from the corner of his eye. He wasn’t sure they would ever stop following- it was sort of a vain hope from the start. Regardless of their dislike of the cold, he was ready to brave it, they would might do the same. “I’m not so sure.” He admitted.

It would be nice if the radio offered something other than static- he turned the volume all the way down and cranked up the interior heat. “How are you feeling?” She hadn’t yet turned and he wondered if maybe she wouldn’t. Wondered about the resistant cells she seemed to possess… thought that maybe now wasn’t the best time to address all that though.

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie slowly nodded when he said he wasn't sure if they would ever stop following them. How could either of them be sure? For all they knew they would keep coming after them until they slipped up and would kill them. It was hard to think about. Their life essentially was run or be killed. Nothing more, nothing less. She quietly put her hands closer to the heaters of the car and sighed, glancing over at him when he asked how she was doing. She merely gave a shrug, "Still a little woozy. Warm too. My fever might be going down a little, but I don't know for sure." She said quietly, turning her head to stare at the road ahead of them again. She indeed felt a little better, but she wasn't going to push herself until she was sure she really was getting better and this wasn't just some sort of adrenalin making her feel better.

She too couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't turned yet. It had been at least eight or nine hours since she had been bitten. Usually people by now were turned and attacking any living thing they came into contact with, including the ones they loved and cared about. She glanced down at her bandaged arm, dabbed in red from blood that had seeped through before, probably ready to be changed as soon as they stopped, which would be a while. At least until they put enough space between them and those aliens. Leaning back slightly, she looked back to the road, speaking again, "Do you....think me feeling a little better is a sign I'm about to turn?"

[Toothless]

“No. That doesn’t make any sense.” If anything she should become less attentive, shaky, pale- He couldn’t look at her for more than a few seconds though since he was trying to keep an eye on the road. No matter where they went in the city the streets were all dark. The only light was that of the car’s headlights and the moon. While anyone he hit on this lonely stretch would likely be a zombie he still wasn’t partial to the idea of plowing them over. “Now… what if there was a cure to this all? No more running needed.”

He was going to have to touch on his true intentions eventually. “I started studying up in the medical field when this infection broke out. It only seemed smart with no more doctors left and a thousand possible injuries awaiting to befall anyone. And now I’m thinking that it might be reversible.” He paused, wondering if he came off as crazy. “Is that stupid of me?”

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie looked over at him when he started to talk about him studying up on medicine and such when this whole apocalypse started. Honestly that didn't seem like such a bad idea and didn't surprise her since he was carrying around that first aid kit of his in the bag with him. She thought about what he was saying and asking for a moment before she slowly shook her head, "No....its not stupid. Maybe far-fetched. But never stupid. I'll probably should have been studying up on that instead of the mechanics like my father did." Weaponry. Building. Anything that had to do with machinery. But then again, didn't medicine and machinery go together? Maybe, depending on who you asked.

"If there is a cure, maybe we can find it. Once we get far enough north and find a place." I the aliens weren't following them still that is, "I can help. If anything I can help you....I don't know....build things? Set up a lab? I'll even attempt to assist you with anything else you need from me." She said, glancing at the road before looking back at him, the idea fo helping him find thi cure, if this was one, suddenly very appealing to her, "If you want me to help that is."

[Toothless]

As she spoke, she never said IF and he was pretty sure that said something about her character. Willpower alone was not enough to overcome a disease but this strength would see her to the end. “Of course I want you’re help.” It took people like them to make it through stuff like this. For now though- they shouldn’t think too far ahead when each day was proving to be a challenge. Focus on surviving and THEN consider tomorrow. “Get some more rest Cassie.”

The further they went the colder the weather became. Moisture began to fog the windows and then rain came down in a great thundering mass. Throwing itself against the windshield and regardless of how fast the wipers slapped it away it never seemed to falter. Visibility was cut down to only a smidgen and Rex considered pulling over when he noticed two lights in the distance- squinting his eyes over the dash.

These lights wavered in the rain, rapidly growing larger in size and smaller lights appeared in straight lines branching out from the first. Rex turned off their own headlights and steered them off the road. Tree roots bounced them as he pulled the car into shelter between some trees. Suddenly the storm seemed quieter- muffled against the high canopy. He turned off the engine and listened.

There was a faint purr from the highway, nearly lost to the sound of rain. Rex leaned towards the window as light danced across the slick pavement- reflecting off a thousand drops of water. Suddenly the vessel was nearly upon them. Its center was oval like an egg and thin ’wings’ stretched out from its sides lined with tiny lights (it had no wheels). The moment it drew close enough to see Rex had ducked though, hidden from the view of searching lights.

[AHeartlessNobody]

Cassie nodded and smiled slightly when he said he wanted her help. Maybe they could do this. And if not at least trying to cure this disease was better than trying nothing at all and sitting around waiting to die. She nodded when he told her to get some rest and stretched slightly, "Okay." Maybe she could sleep this off. Who knew, maybe this virus couldn't affect her, just like she couldn't catch it air born. She could feel a little bit of hope blossoming in her as she leaned back and curled up, ready to go to sleep for a little bit. But she found she couldn't. She supposed all the rest she had gotten already was keeping her awake. But, at least she could just close her eyes and enjoy the peace and quiet of the ride.

But, that peace disappeared when she heard the rain outside. At first it didn't worry her because it had started out in a light sprinkle. But, not even five minutes in it was suddenly pouring down in heavy sheet, obscuring their view of the road. She sat up, frowning a the sight and hoping that Rex had a good hand on how to drive in the rain. Or at least, not make them crash in the rain. She glanced over at him to see him concentrating on the road and when she looked back forward, she could tell it wasn't only the road he was concentrating on.

Sitting up straight, she leaned forward, trying to look as well, seeing two bright lights ahead of them, moving straight toward them. She blinked in suprise, a worried look coming to her face as Rex turned off the headlight and pulled over to the side of the road. Once the car was off, Cassie leaned toward the window as well, gasping when she saw had to have been one of the alien's vehicles. She ducked down as well, a nervous look on her face as she looked back to him.

"How are they always so close to us? It always seems like they're getting one step ahead of us every time we think we could be close to being free of them."

[Toothless]

The aliens were tracking their heat signatures but here in the trees they could come across as two animals hiding from the unknown. Because there was no way for him to explain this without giving something away he dodged the correct answer. “There must just be a lot of them.” It felt like a pathetic response but he had nothing better. Whispering those words he felt like such a cheat.

The light faded in the distance and he exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, sitting up straighter again. Though feeling relieved his grip was tense on the steering wheel as he took it once more. “Maybe we can gain some ground if we keep going… Soon we might reach snow. Hopefully that will slow them down.”

He started the engine again and turned on the headlights to pull away from the trees. The rain had let up some so he was more confident that they wouldn’t crash than before. Back on the interstate they picked up speed and kept going. Several hours more slipped by. The rain had stopped and a light snow powdered the earth and asphalt. Once they had skid over a mile on dark ice so now he was driving much slower- wary.

It went on for awhile like this until he began to shiver. Even with the heat on the cold was like a phantom touching at his skin. He stopped the car on the road side and resisted the urge to rub at his arms and shudder openly. “I don’t think I can drive anymore right now. Are you feeling better?” He looked to the exit ramp ahead of them then back to her. “Can you drive awhile?”