Meanwhile, Malaika waited anxiously at the warehouse for Vasiliy to return. She anticipated that at any moment, he would drive through the door, and Mia would be right there beside him. But a part of her was afraid that he would return alone. She remembered all the times that she had wished for Mia to disappear… and she wondered if she had finally gotten her wish… when she no longer wanted it. And perhaps that was her punishment for her wicked thoughts.

Please God… I'll do anything to take it all back. I never wished her any harm… Please… just bring her back safe. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer in her native tongue. Then she kissed the old leather cover of the Bible in her hands, and tucked the tattered book into her pocket.

For the next little while, she distracted herself with various tasks around the workshop. She counted their inventory and made a list of all the items they were running short of… which was almost everything. Then, when she was done with that, she laid out a collection of rifles across the workbench and pulled them apart like some sort of routine maintenance – she had watched Vasiliy do it many times. She examined the pieces like she knew what she was doing, and it made her feel useful somehow… even though all she did was simply put them back together again. As she imagined herself as a formidable warrior who commanded these powerful weapons, she was oblivious to the fact that she had gained an audience in their curious new guest.

The boy had been standing in the doorway behind her, watching her for the past few minutes. He found her rather interesting, as she looked different to the girls he knew from school – her dark skin, short wiry hair, her boyish features and her tough, cool appearance. And even more interestingly, he had never known any girl who knew a thing about guns. After a while, he gave in to his curiosity and approached her.

"You know how to use 'em?" he asked, as he stood beside her looking down at the guns.

"Do you?" Malaika intoned, shooting him a glance from the corner of her eye.

"My dad was a hunter," the boy smiled proudly. "He carries around a Weatherby… the best hunting rifle you can get! He made sure I knew how to use it."

Malaika picked up a rifle from the bench and placed it down in front of him. "Winchester Model 70..." she said impassively. "Much better weapon than a Weatherby."

The boy laughed. "Dad always said it's not about the weapon... it's about the person using it." He picked up the rifle and held it in front of him, looking down the barrel as if he had a target in sight. "I killed one of those things this morning… I shot it – boom... right in the chest!" he smirked.

Malaika despised his boastfulness, yet her own childishness had her wanting to play rivalry. "I've killed 3," she said, snatching the weapon back from him.

The boy looked at her with surprise. "Really? No way!"

"Are you calling me a liar?"

"I didn't say that…"

"But you said there is no way that I killed them."

The boy looked confused for a moment, and then laughed. "Oh… that's just a figure of speech. Like… if something incredible happens, you say… Nooo wayyyy!" he emphasized the words. Then he looked at her curiously, "You're not from around here, are you?"

He stared at her with deep, dark eyes that were as stoic as they were kind… just like his father's. And one day he would grow up to possess the same rugged handsomeness as his father. Although the boy was two years younger than Malaika, at fifteen years old, he already stood much taller than her. She glanced up at him, and when she met his eyes, she turned away irritably. He seemed like the kind of boy she didn't like… although she'd never really known any boys. But either way, his presence made her feel uncomfortable, and for that, she decided she was going to hate him.

Before she could think of some sort of witty remark, the large metal door at the front of the warehouse screeched loudly as it began to roll open on its rusty hinges. Bright headlights shined into the room as a vehicle pulled in, and Malaika squinted as the light hit her eyes. Then, amidst the glare, she made out the shape of the van, and she dropped everything in her hands and ran towards it. At the same time, Noah rushed into the room when he heard the sound of the car. He, too, was anxious to see if Vasiliy had returned with Mia. He stood beside his son with his hand on the boy's shoulder, as they looked anxiously upon the scene.

The engine quietened, and the bright headlights turned off. As the glare faded away, Malaika looked eagerly into van. But when she saw only Vasiliy, her heart sank. In an instant, she felt as if all the blood was suddenly drained from her body. As she stood there, frozen in between panic and doubt, the back door of the van opened… and to her surprise, Quinlan stepped out. As usual, he was silent and not saying a word, with his hood pulled low over his head. Before Malaika could speak, Quinlan turned back to the van and reached out his hand… and that was when she saw Mia. In that instant, there was almost a tiny explosion of happiness inside her, although she reminded herself not to make it too obvious. Malaika stood and watched aloofly, trying her best to contain her smile.

Mia stepped out of the van and into Quinlan's arms as his guiding hands caught her gently around the waist. She looked up towards him and showed a brief smile that was meant only for him… but Malaika managed to catch this small moment just before it disappeared – before they somewhat reluctantly stepped back from each other, noticing the distance they had breached.

"I hope you brought the rest of my things from the apartment," Noah called out from across the room, smiling with relief to see them return.

Mia turned to the sound of his voice, happy to find him safe, because it also meant that the children were safe. "Sorry," she smiled, "we kinda left in a hurry."

"As long as you didn't leave my apartment in a mess," Noah jested.

"Well… I did throw a party. A few rowdy guests might've trashed the place," Mia smirked, thinking that was a hell of a way of putting it.

Noah chuckled as he walked towards her to greet her. But suddenly, his smile faded as he stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the hooded figure beside her. Quinlan had turned his face into the light and pulled back his hood to reveal what lay behind the shadows.

"What the hell is that?!" Noah exclaimed, as he reactively snatched a rifle from the bench and pointed it at the monster before him. His reaction took Mia by surprise and she recoiled back to Quinlan's side. For a moment, she didn't know what had happened… until Vasiliy said, "That… is Quinlan. Don't worry, he ain't gonna hurt anybody."

"Tell me what the hell that thing is…" Noah growled, with his rifle aimed unwaveringly at Quinlan, and his eyes glaring with hostility.

Quinlan locked Noah's eyes with a cold gaze, lacking any expression a human would have shown in such a situation. He stood poised like a statue, grand and formidable, and unmoved by anything around him. Then, after a while, he took a single step towards Noah.

"Don't come any closer!" Noah warned, his grip tightening around the rifle. "Stay back or I'll put a hole right through your head!" He stepped protectively in front of his son and pushed the boy back away from Quinlan. However, the boy did not show the same fear as his father – he was uncertain, perhaps… but not afraid. He stared at Quinlan, transfixed with nervous wonder.

This scene was all too familiar to Malaika; she rolled her eyes and sighed. "That gun's not loaded," she muttered. "Even if it was, Quinlan could tear you apart before you even pull the trigger."

"Woah… okay… no one's tearing anyone apart," Vasiliy intervened, holding his hands up to calm everyone. "Malaika… you're not exactly helping the situation…"

"Noah… please… put the gun down," Mia pleaded as she stepped forward. "He's not dangerous – he's one of us."

"If he's one of you, then I don't wanna know what kind of people y'all are. Daniel, go pack your bags and get your sister… we're leaving… now."

"Save yourselves the hassle…" Quinlan finally spoke, surprising Noah with his sophisticated English. His tone remained as impassive as his expression. "I was just leaving…" He gave Noah an icy stare before turning to walk away… but Mia grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"No one's going anywhere!" she said firmly, her brows furrowed, and her face stern and resolute. "What is this, Noah? I thought we earned your trust."

"Maybe I made a mistake…" Noah muttered.

"When you let us into your apartment, you took a chance on us… and we took a chance on you. Because of that, we're all here now… alive. Otherwise you'd still be trapped in that apartment."

"Yeah, well… we were doing just fine before you guys showed up…"

"Really?" Mia crossed her arms with a look of attitude. "I suppose I should tell you that those creatures got into the apartment..."

"What?" Noah gasped. There was disbelief in his eyes.

Mia held out her hand. "See this cut on my hand? This was enough to bring them flocking to the door… and they broke through within a matter of minutes. If you stayed in there, this could've happened to you and the kids."

"It was always going to happen sooner or later," said Quinlan. "That apartment was a death trap. The only reason you and your children are alive is because fortune favoured you."

Noah looked at Quinlan as he spoke, surprised yet slightly relieved to see that this creature seemed to possess sense and reason. But still, Noah's eyes showed uncertainty. He lowered the gun, remembering that it wasn't loaded anyway, and tossed it somewhat irritably onto the ground. He put his arm around his son and pulled him close. "Either way, we're not staying here…" he muttered, though his tone was less resolute than before.

"Where will you go?" Mia asked.

"There are refuge centres around the city…"

"Do you really want to take your kids to a refuge centre?"

"She's right," Vasiliy agreed. "Those places are full of crime and violence, and people dying every day from disease and starvation. You're better off staying here – we got food… medicine… everything you need."

"Why do you care if I stay?" Noah questioned discerningly. "Generosity doesn't come for free in this world… it's just another reason to be suspicious."

"We won't stop you if you want to go," said Mia. "We're only offering you the same generosity you offered to us."

Noah looked down, his expression strained in conflict. For a long time, he stayed like that, eyes deep in contemplation… and then finally, they showed resignation. "Alright…" he groaned somewhat reluctantly. "We'll stay here until we figure out what to do next." His gaze then shifted back to Quinlan, assessing him for a moment, but then his eyes narrowed into a glare. "Just stay the hell away from my kids."

Quinlan's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. He didn't say a single word, but he stared at Noah with unrelenting dominance – a look that would make any man feel uncomfortable.

"Come on… it's been a shit day for everyone!" Vasiliy sighed as he broke the tension. "Let's go get some food, huh… who's hungry?!" He started walking towards the kitchen, and slapped Noah light-heartedly on the back as he passed. "Don't worry 'bout him. If he was gonna hurt any kids, he would've started with this one," he smirked, nodding towards Malaika, who gave him the finger before walking off. Vasiliy chuckled to himself.

Noah cautiously shifted his gaze from Quinlan and followed Vasiliy out of the room. But Vasiliy stopped in the doorway, and looked back at Mia, who stood unmoving next to Quinlan. She stood close to him… close enough to make Vasiliy feel uncomfortable somehow. And he also remembered their closeness back at the apartment. What the hell is this about?! He wondered to himself. But then he shook away the thought. He decided to call out to her – perhaps it might wake her from whatever state of idiocy this was. "Yo! Mia… you coming?"

"Yeah I'll be there in a minute…" she dismissed somewhat impatiently. He could tell she was waiting for him to leave the room. He sighed to himself, and walked away.


Alone with Quinlan, she turned to him. "I'm sorry," she said, disappointment in her eyes. "I didn't think he would react like that."

"They all react like that," he said indifferently. "I'm rather used to it."

"It's not right…" she frowned, shaking her head, "you shouldn't have to be."

"And you expect people to change?"

"Maybe this whole thing is a chance for us to change…" she shrugged, lacking any real conviction, "to come out different at the end of it… that is, if humanity survives."

"Do you hope for it to survive?" he asked.

Mia looked down. She fell silent, as if the question was somehow difficult to answer, and Quinlan could see the conflict within her. He reached up and gently lifted her chin with his finger… and she looked up and smiled.

"You know, I've always hated this world," she said. "I always thought I'd be happy if it all came to an end. But then… tonight… when those creatures broke through that door… I didn't think I was going to make it. I was so sure that this was it. And suddenly… I just wanted to see the world again… to experience all the things I never got to before. I just wanted to live."

Quinlan smiled. "Live every day as if it were your last – is that how the saying goes?"

"Something like that…"

"And if this was your last day on earth, how would you want it to be?" The deep purr in his voice was especially perceptible when he spoke softly as he did.

"I think I'd want to remember what it's like to be happy," she said, "and not be afraid…"

"Are you always afraid?" he asked, tilting his head and looking at her.

To his surprise, she lifted her hands placed them softly upon his chest. "Not when I'm with you," she smiled, her eyes looking up at him as if they could see him. "If this was your last day… what would you want?"

Quinlan's gaze fell for a moment. "What would I want…" he murmured. He asked himself the question, but he already knew the answer. And when he looked up, he saw something in her eyes that gave him permission. Slowly, he leaned in towards her… his body moving closer to hers. As she felt him draw near, her heart suddenly began to race. She didn't know what he was doing; she thought he would stop… but he pressed closer still. Her hands on his chest could've easily pushed against him if she didn't want him near. But instead, she let her hands give way a little as the weight of his chest pressed against them. Her eyes quivered with uncertainty, as her fingertips trickled softly across his collarbone.

"I want…" Quinlan whispered, tilting his head down towards hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath upon her lips. She closed her eyes. Her heart was beating rapidly now, and her breaths were short and heavy. He looked down at the rise and fall of her chest, and then back up to her face – his eyes absorbed her every feature and every expression. Mia… are you trying to test my resolve? Why do you always let me near? He reached up and brushed his fingers ever so softly across her cheek. Her eyes stayed closed.

Then, just as Quinlan was about to lean in, he suddenly stopped and pulled away. "Malaika…" he uttered in surprise, looking at her standing in the doorway. He didn't know how long she had been watching them, but there was anger in her eyes – he could see it.

"Mia…" Malaika called brusquely.

Mia made a flustered attempt to gather herself from the previous moment. Blushing, she pushed her hair back behind her ears and cleared her throat. "Malaika… what's up?"

"Fet told me… at the apartment… you couldn't go with him because of your blindness. Is that true?" Her tone was stern and her brows were furrowed. "He left you behind… and you almost died…"

"It wasn't his fault," Mia assured. "I told him to leave me. It was my choice… so please don't blame him…"

"I don't," she replied. "I know it wasn't his fault. Do you want to know whose fault it was? It was Quinlan's."

Quinlan's eyes shot wide open. "Malaika…" he growled through grit teeth, fearing what was to come out of her mouth next.

Mia stood with confusion on her face. "What do you mean?" she puzzled.

"Why don't you tell her, Quinlan," Malaika glared at him. "Tell her the secret you've been keeping from her, and how it almost got her killed!"

Quinlan stormed towards her and grabbed the collar of her jacket in his fist, his eyes burning with fury. "[You are out of line! You have no right…]"

"Speak in English so she can hear you!" Malaika yelled, shaking off his hand. "Why don't you tell her the truth?! Go on! Tell her how your blood can fix her eyes!"