"When you get there you are going to see things you couldn't imagine. Things that will look like nightmares more than people." The woman told her.

Lara was checking over all her weapons and making sure they were all fully loaded before going. "How will I know where to look for the cure? I don't even know exactly where it is I'm going." Lara said.

"Once the magic is complete you are going to be transported to the mouth of this cave but twenty years from now."

"So it will be 2033?" Lara asked.

"Exactly. And in terms of searching for the cure you must simply look to the fireflies for the answer. There is where you will find not only a vaccine, but hope."

"Fireflies? Wait I don't understand. What does-" Lara was interrupted by chanting from the woman. The woman was speaking so quickly in some foreign tongue that Lara couldn't tell what she was saying. Suddenly all the light from the torch went out, leaving Lara in total darkness. Then the woman's chanting ceased. "Hello?" Lara called out, receiving no response.

"Oh shit."

Then suddenly all the color popped back into her eyes. She was standing at the mouth of the cave, at least the mouth of a cave. Everything looked much different from when she had been there with Sam. Sam Lara's heart still ached for her best friend, but she couldn't dwell on it. She knew she had to push on. Persevere.

Lara examined her surroundings and was overwhelmed by how green everything was. There was fauna flourishing everywhere. "Okay Lara just find a road. Find a road and then we'll start from there."

She held her bow with an arrow notched on the string. She didn't know what she may find, or what may find her and wanted to be as safe as possible. She walked for over an hour before finally finding something that resembled a road. It was torn apart from a lack of maintenance, and grass and weeds grew within the cracks of the pavement. The air around her was tinged with a slight chill. She wished she'd worn more than just her tank top. "I need to make a game plan. Figure out what I'm going to do. But first I need to warm up."
She walked along the road for a while until she came upon a ranch, "Yes. Maybe I can find something warmer to wear in there."

She went down path and entered through the wooden gate. She opened the door and found the house to be mostly empty, there was all the furniture but that was it. Lara went up the stairs and into one of the bedrooms at the end of the hall. It was clearly a girl's room. The colors were all bright and pink, and there was a diary sitting on the dresser. She rummaged through the closet, pleased to discover she was about the same size as the previous occupant of this room. She had found a light blue sweatshirt that zipped up in the front. It was heavy, and a little tight on her, but warmed her up instantly.

Suddenly, Lara heard a noise from downstairs, pressing herself against the wall by the door she listened closely. She could hear the whinny of a horse, and what sounded like footsteps. The front door opened and someone was making their way up the steps. The footsteps were moving closer to the room she was in, she scooched away from the door, still on the wall. The door opened and Lara raised her bow, ready to shoot, until she saw who it was. A girl looking at her with her handgun withdrawn. Lara stood, she lowered her bow, "I thought you might be-"

"A hunter? Well I'm not. Are you?" she asked keeping her gun raised.

Lara could sense the anger in her voice and knew she needed to defuse the situation. "I don't know what a hunter is. Is it like a bandit? Because I am not a bandit. I just came in here looking for clothes."

The girl slowly lowered her gun. She then made her way to the window, and sat on the cushioned bench attached. Lara remained standing, looking at the girl as she looked out the window. "May I ask what your name is?" she said.

The girl turned her gaze from the window to Lara, "Ellie. And yours?"

"Lara."

They were silent for a moment, Ellie looking out the window, Lara moving to the bed to sit. "Ellie, what are you doing here alone? Isn't it dangerous out there?"

"I can take care of myself ok! I don't need anyone to watch out for me."

"I just... it's safer... not being alone."

Noises came from downstairs again. Lara tensed up, pulling her bow to the ready. "Relax." Ellie said. "It's just Joel and his brother. They must've tracked me here. I figured they would."

Lara heard someone coming up the steps again, then the door opened and a man in his 40's was standing in the doorway. "Who the hell is this?" he asked Ellie, staring at Lara.

"Her name is Lara. She's fine she was just getting a jacket when I came in here."

Joel held the door open and got out of the doorway. "Would you please give us the room for a minute?" he said gruffly.

"Of course." Lara said, walking out.

She remained in the hallway while Joel and Ellie spoke. She could only hear small bits of it, but could tell they were arguing. Another man ran up the stairs and bounded to the bedroom. "Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm-"

"It don't matter right now." He pushed open the door. "Joel there's hunters inside."

Joel let out a sigh. He pulled his revolver from the holster, "Alright y'all stay in here, I'll take care of this." Joel said.

"I can take care of myself." Lara said.

"Lady I don't know who you think you are but these guys are for real."

"Good." Lara said, notching an arrow on her bow, "So am I."