This was by far the best way to wake up. Alicia breathed in Elyza's scent, covered in the same soaps as her own skin but smelling differently. She had never been a deeply affectionate person. She was used to casual touches and hugs, but she was selective with who she showed her attentions. With Elyza, those initial reservations did not exist.

She quietly snuggled into the ample bosom and further entwined their legs. How could anyone be so soft? The arm around her was lax, but the fingers twitched and the appendage from around Alicia's waist moved to stifle a yawn.

"Good morning," Elyza smiled and brushed her fingers through Alicia's brown hair.

Alicia closed her eyes in contentment savoring the touch. "Mhm," she murmured in reply.

She felt more than heard the breathy chuckle.

"You should get up, don't you have breakfast with Chris and the rest of them?"

Alicia sighed, feeling the bubble of happiness dissipate. So much for blocking things out and being in the moment. She extracted her limbs from Elyza and sat up at the edge of the bed.

Elyza rolled over and placed a hand on her back. The sheet slipped from her bare shoulders. "Hey, you okay?"

"Fine. I just have a busy day ahead of me, that's all." She tried to ignore the heat from Elyza's hand.

"Are you sure?" The concern in her voice almost made Alicia want to stay in bed a little longer.

"Yeah."

She stood up and turned around kneeling on the bed. She captured Elyza's lips in a loving kiss and traced her jawline with tenderness. Alicia felt the moment when Elyza's mind went elsewhere.

She had a few more stops before she met with Chris. Alicia wanted to make sure that she had a contingency plan if things went south. Or rather, a way to inform someone should the worst happen. Thankfully, Ofelia was working late today. All would be well and as it should. At least she hoped so.

She had breakfast with her brother, Chris and both Madison and Travis. It was almost like they were having a Stepford family breakfast in the apocalypse. She smiled and made pleasant conversation for the next forty-five minutes, before everyone was required elsewhere. Chris and hung back as she pushed the dehydrated eggs around her plate.

He stared at her, waiting. Normally, Alicia was comfortable with silences, but this was different. A sense of dread and unrest settled in her heart. She could back out. Her gut was telling her that this was wrong, but she felt like it was too late and that Chris was too far-gone. It wasn't safe to leave Chris to his own devices.

"Are we going?" she asked, trying to take some kind of control over the situation.

"Think you can handle this?" he challenged, cocking his head.

"I'm ready," she said resolutely. "Why are you doing this anyway?"

"We're family," he said in short order and rose from the table.

They journeyed to the hospital and took the less crowded hallways and stairwells to attract less attention. They walked until they reached a more secluded area that was sectioned off. This area was heavily guarded, but due to Alicia's influence they passed along most of the security measures without problems.

However, the more secluded medical ward was coded. To her surprise, Chris pulled out a key card and inserted it and typed in the code. The door slid open and they entered.

"Where did you get that?" she asked as another inkling of warning entered her gut.

"Just around," he shrugged. Out of any one in their group, he had spent the most time working in the different facilities within Arkadia. She wondered if it was strategy rather than impertinence.

She translated his answer and figured he stole it from one of the medical professionals in the building. There were only a handful of people that could have access, Dr Sahel and Turco among them.

"How did you know it was going to be so quiet?" She commented looking around the empty room. Getting here was too easy.

"Guard duty change," he answered, walking over to a screen door.

She eyed it suspiciously, noting the warning and biohazard signs. The uneasy feeling in her gut worsened. This confirmed her thoughts that Chris was not as incapable as he led others to believe.

"You said you found a way to mimic the bite from the infected safely."

Her eyes narrowed and she watched his every move. Perhaps there was a better way; surely Dr. Turco would come up with something better in the long run. Anything may be better than trusting Chris. She'd been reckless and desperate for her people and to be with Elyza.

"I never said that," he commented with a smirk. His fist entered another code and the screen un-tinted, revealing no less than seven undead. She took a startled step back. They beat upon the screen with silent growls and fists eager to escape.

Ofelia walked into her room finally glad to have a break. She never saw herself in the medical field, but she was good at following directions and helping people. Dr. Sahel was kind and significantly overwhelmed as one of the few doctors for Arkadia. She was currently training to be his lab assistant and she found the work rewarding, and Dr. Sahel pleasing company.

She set her things on the small dresser, anxious for an early dinner. Normally, they worked longer hours and she wouldn't be back until much later. Thus, it was rather coincidence and a great deal of luck that she found the letter when she did.

The envelope was on her pillow with her name written on top. There was a message on the outside for her.

Ofelia,

Please give this to Elyza. I'm sorry.

Alicia

A terrible feeling settled in her gut and she opened the letter, forgoing the two women's privacy. The conversations about discovering ways to regain Reborn memories and all of the time spent with Elyza and the other Reborn made Ofelia question more than one thing. She had a bad feeling that Alicia was about to do something incredibly stupid.

Ofelia began to read with increasing dread, realizing how correct her suspicions were.

Elyza,

I know you must be upset, but I do not intend to give up any form of life with you. Please understand why I had to do this. This is for us and our people. Death is not the end.

Alicia

Ofelia crumpled the letter in her palm and ran out the door intending to find Elyza before it was too late.

Thanks to Sadie for editing. Anyone have a good story from Clexacon? The more reviews the faster I post the next chapter. :) Thank you for the support and reading.