"I didn't remember it being so long last time."

"Trent and Issac helped carry you for a bit if I remember the stories." Mathea reminded.

"Will you carry me?"

"No, you are too big for me, Mary wouldn't have let you run this important errand if she didn't think you could manage the walk." Mathea encouraged and Trinity nodded and walked on. As they rounded a bend in the tunnel a young boy, not much older than Trinity jumped out form one of the alcoves. He was dirty, and obviously had found his way from above into the outer tunnels. He looked wild, his hair was a mess and his clothes filthy. Trinity screamed when he rushed them suddenly. Mathea quickly stepped in front of her to protect her.

"Give me your money." He demanded and Mathea quickly dug through her bag to find the money that she had. She handed him the money and stepped back as he whipped a knife around the air with sudden movements. "Food…"

"We don't have any food, but we could help you get some though." Mathea responded calmly.

"No…" He lunged forward striking the knife at Mathea who instinctively held out her hands and arms out infront of her to protect her and Trinity. The knife dug into Mathea's palm and wrist making Mathea gasped out with fear and pain as she felt the blood start down her arm. The boy realizing what he had done, grabbed the money and ran away.

"Are you okay?" Mathea asked as she tried to ascertain the situation. Trinity nodded.

"Mathea you're really bleeding though." Trinity pointed to her and Mathea realized that the knife had cut her deeply; dark blood was seeping through her sweater. Pulling the scarf she wore around her neck off she quickly applied pressure and wrapped it around her arm.

"We need to keep walking Trinity, let's go." Mathea suggested strongly, her adrenaline urging her onward. Trinity took the basket that Mathea handed her. It wasn't much further that Mathea started to feel light headed and paused, resting her hand against the wall.

"Mathea, are you okay?"

"I don't think so actually." Mathea admitted, her hand was throbbing, and she noticed that blood had actually started to seep through the scarf. "Trinity, I don't think I'm going to manage it much further without some help. I need you to be strong and go and get some for me."

"I can't go on my own!" Trinity gasped realizing what Mathea was asking.

"Yes you can, you know the way." Mathea told her. "I'm going to keep walking at a slower pace..." That was an understatement, she could feel the blood rushing through her ears, she was going to pass out and she didn't want to do it around Trinity.

"Mathea."

"Go…" Mathea ordered the girl trying to make it not sound like begging. The little girl took the lantern and Mathea watched her go with the light. With a hand on the wall, Mathea continued to walk slowly. She wasn't sure if her legs were trembling or she was shaking because of the dampness in the tunnel. She was almost relieved to see the light of another lantern coming quickly down the tunnel towards her. "Thank God!" She whispered to herself as she saw Vincent and Father coming towards her.

"Mathea!" Father called out as she felt her legs start to give out from under her.

"Mathea, Trinity said…" Father's voice was calm, although Mathea could hear the urgency in his voice at the same time once he noted the bloody arm and clothing. He had a serious look to him, and Mathea tried to explain but her head was too fuzzy, her body shaking she did not have the energy to do anything else at this point. Mathea let Vincent gather her up in his arms and, rested her head on Vincent's chest. "We need to get you back." Father insisted as he did a look over of Mathea's condition.

"I'm cold…" Mathea admitted as she was placed down so Father could come closer to her.

"You're in shock, from the loss of blood." Father told her outright. Mary had followed close behind and started to cover Mathea with some quilts, the shaking didn't slow. Father took hold of Mathea's arm and she whimpered softly as her started to undress the scarf from her. She could feel perspiration, even though she was shaking with cold. "This is going to hurt…" Father started and as he came closer to the injury Mathea passed out.