"You and Jamie stay here get some sleep, I'm gonna go find some supplies"

She started to protest, not that he was surprised this was Mel here she never did anything without arguing first. He put his finger to her lips.

"You need to look after Jamie"

She had not argument for that he kissed her on the forehead then ruffled Jamie's hair.

"I'll be back soon"

Mel and Jamie curled together on the carpeted floor she hugged him close to her. Mel couldn't stop worrying about Jared she listened for any signs of his return and tried to stay alert but eventually exhaustion took over and she fell into a much needed sleep.

He shook her shoulder desperately

"Melanie wake up!"

He had seen the seekers coming through the main doors and he knew they didn't have much time.

"Mel get up"

She opened her eyes groggily.

"wha… what? Jared?" Her eyes snapped opened suddenly alert. "Jared what is it? What's wrong?

"Seekers Mel, downstairs we have to go"

Jamie was opening his eyes and looking around.

"whats going on?"

"Jamie there are seekers in the hotel, you and Mel are going to get out the back door I'm going to draw them away then meet you outside"

"Oh no you are not! Jared Howe don't you even think I'm going to let that happen"

He grabbed her and pulled her into a firm kiss.
"Mel we don't have time to argue, everything will be fine. I will meet you outside"

"Promise me you'll be careful, promise you'll come back"

"I promise"

She nodded her head he could tell she wasn't happy but this was the closest she would come to agreeing. He could hear the seekers coming up the stairs.

"GO now!"

He watched them run around the corner to the exit and then set off in the opposite direction. He ran down a corridor and was suddenly surrounded by seekers.

"Please calm down"

"Don't hurt yourself"

"We want to help"

"come with us"

"In your dreams!" He smashed his torch into the nearest seekers face and began to run up the stairs. He could hear one of them thundering up the stairs behind him. He turned a corner and realized his mistake to late. The end of the hallway met him and he tried to look for an escape route he backed up against the wall and the seeker approached.

"Parasite! stay away from me!" he spat. She lifted her hand and he felt the mist settle on his face and begin to slump towards the floor.

"Melanie I love you, I'm sorry" He whispered and then everything went black.