May 17th, 2016- The Day of the Fire

""Smoke! Guys, there's a fire!"

The second floor began to fill with the dense gray smoke. Lisa opened the door, and shrieked. She grabbed Lily. Lynn pointed to the stairs.

"Clear out, clear out!"

She quickly checked all the rooms. "Where's Lucy?!"

Lincoln, passing by her, grabbed Lynn and went downstairs. "She's probably safe. If we don't get outside, we won't be!" The two caught the fire growing in size, starting from their parents' bedroom. "MOM, DAD!"

Lori quickly pulled them outside, as the fire spread their direction. "They're in there!" Lincoln was pulled away easily, but Lynn was kicking and screaming. "LORI, SAVE THEM! LET ME GO!" Lynn's feet lifted off the ground, and Lori quickly took steps back, as the fire was now burning through the curtains. "DAMN IT, WOMAN." Lori let Lynn go.

Lynn's instinct was to jump in, but the fire was stretched to the front door, blocking her path, then covered mostly everything around.

Lynn stepped back, putting her hands on her head, ready to tear her hair off. Lisa handed Lily over to Leni. "My arms are weak..."

Lori rushed to the side of the house.

"Where is she going?" Luna then turned to see Lincoln and Lynn go into a sprint. "Lynn?! Lincoln?!" She screamed. "DON'T-"

Lincoln knew where he wanted to go, where he needed to be. Lynn went on her own way, venturing into a different direction after three blocks.

Lincoln slowed down, once seeing Ronnie Anne's house. He quietly made his way behind her garage, not caring if he was noticed or not. Catching his breath, he fell backward, and broke into tears. Mom, dad, the fire started there. Luan and Lucy were not outside, so maybe they-

He ran, not wanting to know who was what, and why he and the others weren't. It was almost 4 P.M. Lincoln checked his phone. A message from Lori.

Where did you and Lynn go? Get back here RN!

He turned it off, while wiping away the tears that fuzzed his vision. He heard several footsteps aproaching, and he stumbled back, knowing it wasn't Ronnie Anne. Bobby peeked his head slowly, armed with a broom.

"Little Loud? What are you doing here?"

Lincoln stuttered out sentences. "Do I need to tell Lori you're-"

"No, no! Don't! Please..."

Bobby saw the pain in the boy's eyes. "Are you okay, Lincoln? Do... Uh, you need to come inside?"

Ronnie Anne was playing Battlefield 1 on the shared Xbox One console. She paused once Bobby csme in. "Did you scare that damn cat away?" She turned just in time to see Lincoln being led to a seat beside her. "Lam- I mean, Lincoln? What are you doing here?"

She set the controller down, and cuddled him, sensing something wrong in the atmosphere. "Lincoln?" His mind went adrift, back to the fire.

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry. I was just-"

Bobby switched the channels. "Here, Lincoln, have some-"

"-Fire, breaking in this lovely neighborhood in Franklin Avenue. Many witnesses said they've seen ot smelled the smoke, and gathered around, recording the footage of the fire. According to the next door neighbor of the owners of this house, it is believed that this house belongs to a family of thirteen members. We pray-"

Bobby muted the TV, dropping the remote. Both Santiagos were sent in a state of shock. "Dios mio!"

Ronnie Anne buried herself on Lincoln. "Oh my god, Lincoln, I-"

"A-Are you the only one?"

"Most of us escaped. My mom, my dad, they-" His mind warped around, still trying to hold itself down on ground, an impossible thing to do, considering the unacceptable events witnessed earlier.

"I ran, and the others..."

"Ronnie Anne looked to her brother.

"Tenemos que quedar con el, mientras. Llama a Lori..."

"What was that, what about Lori?"

Bobby wondered why the boy ran here if he wasn't the only one to escape. "No... Lincoln, stay with us for awhile. But, we're going to have to tell them you're here. They could be worried about you!"

Ronnie Anne rubbed the side of his head. "I am truly sorry, Linc..."

Lincoln's mind drifted again...

Hours Later

Ms. Santiago returned home. "Ay, que dia pesado... Niños, I'm home!"

She placed her purse down, watching Ronnie Anne's head resting on the couch.

"Ronalda, debes dormir en tu-" She saw Lincoln held in her arms, like he was her Bun-Bun. "Esto que es? Roberto!" Ronnie Anne leaned up, letting Lincoln go. "Mom, hey!"

"Ronalda, its almost midnight. Why is Lincoln here? Esto se ve malo-"

Bobby, still sleepy-eyed, walked from his room. "Permitiste esto? Como-"

"His parents are dead, and he came here. Tiene miedo."

Ms. Santiago's slight anger went away. "Como? Hoy? Lincoln?"

Ronnie Anne's hand was squeezed by both of Lincoln's. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstay."

"What happened, Lincoln?" She walked in front of him, and bent down. "You can tell me anything, mijo."

A loud knock at the door alerted her. Lincoln twitched.

"MARIANA SANTIAGO, WE KNOW YOUR IN THERE!"

The door was breached, followed by big men, in dark blue clothing.

Ms. Santiago was grabbed and pulled away. "What about these two?" The men observed Ronnie Anne and Bobby. "No, these ones are definitely legal. Do a sweep. They have other undocumented relatives."

"Mama, no! No mi mama!" Lincoln backed into the corner, very confused and even more scared at what was happening. Bobby was holding her back. As they took their mother away, she cried out.

"Ronalda! Roberto! Llama a tio Javier, de imediato!"

As fast as the immigration police barged in, they left. "Mama..." Bobby held onto her. 'No llores, princessa. No llores."

"What just happened?"

Bobby went to the phone, making a call.

"My mom, Lincoln. She's an-" Ronnie Anne sniffed through her sobs. Lincoln returned the comfort debt, hugging her. She leaped back with a tighter hug.

"Ronnie Anne, pack up. We're going to live with our relatives in Chigaco."

"Wait, what about him?" Lincoln was shaken mildly.

"We'll have to leave him. Lincoln can't come."

"Come on, Bobby. Take me with you, just for a few days. You can let Lori know I'm here afterwards." Ronnie Anne pulled him closer. Bobby sighed.

"Alright, esta bien. Pack up."

Bobby was relieved the car keys have been dropped and left on the floor. He snatched them and led the two kids outside. "Irs a long drive, so you might want to get some sleep in the car. The three backpacks of luggage was placed in the trunk. Ronnie Anne sat behind Bobby and Lincoln decided to keep her company, taking the other backseat.

It was only halfway through the drive that Bobby noticed the two lovebirds were leaned on each other, hands held with sleeping. After that, Bobby found himself less stressed out by the changing world before him.

May 18th, 2016

Lincoln helped Ronnie Anne with her backpack into the Casagrande apartment.

"Thanks, Linc." The Mexican loli greeted her grandparents, while Bobby took his luggage out. "Hola, abuelo! Hola abuela!"

"Mis nietos, que lindo!" Hector Casagrande looked at Lincoln, visibly disgusted.

"And who might this... gringo be?"

Ronnie Anne was stunned by Hector Casagrande's use of the word. "He's a... friend."

"Entren, vamos." The group of five entered the yellow building, with Bobby being in the back. "So, what brings you here? Nos llamaste, pero sin razon."

Lincoln set down Ronnie Anne's backpack outside the hall, while Bobby was informing Hector what happened. The two grandparents jumped back in surprise. Bobby scratched the back of his head, not knowing what to do

"Okay, kids, go on and watch some television. Food's on the table, and the others are somewhere around here, not hard to miss them."

Ronnie Anne led Lincoln into their living room while Lincoln was still nerved by "others" in the vicinity.

"Hey, I'm sorry about what happened. I'm still not sure what that was."

"My mother is living here, without the proper paperwork."

"Wait, you mean she's-"

Ronnie Anne shook her head, slowly. "She is. She... was."

The two sat on the couch. She had the remote in her grasp, but did not turn on the TV. "Is this real, Lincoln? Is she really gone?" She stared into the screen, ataring at her dark reflection within. Lincoln ran his fingers through her motionless hand, going back and forth.

"What are you doing?" She moved her eyes down.

"My mom used this on me when I would be afraid or sad. For some reason, it succeeded to help me. I guess its because of the feeling in which I knew she was there. Its like a reminder, that you're going to get through whatever it was that got you down or scared."

Lincoln pulled away. "I hope you feel even a bit better."

Ronnie Anne kissed his cheek. "I..."

He touched the spot where she kissed him.

"I love you." Lincoln smiled at her. Ronnie Anne then kissed him, and he returned her opened affection.

"So its agreed then? You two can't stay, hijo. I am sorry, but we are barely surviving like this. Your mother still has that house in Guerrero. She'll find her way there, and when she's there, we'll gather up the money to send you both."

Bobby turned back to the door. "We don't have a choice, do we?"

Both grandparents shook their heads. "Lo siento, hijo."

"What will I tell her?"

"Nada. So, why bring the gringo?"

"Hector, eso es-"

Bobby crossed his arms, defending him. "He's a good kid. Like Ronnie Anne said. There was a fire, and he lost hia parents. If its alright, I'd like him to stay awhile. I'm still searching his relatives. Well... yeah."

"Is he any trouble?"

"No, not at all. He has a heart. From good people. Trust me."

May 24th, 2016

Lincoln was the last to arrive at the table. All the Casagrandes were already munching on tacos and enchiladas. Ronnie Anne had saved him a plate, and pointed him to the sofa. Hector and Carl, the likely gangbanger in the family, watched him with serious looks.

"Don't make a mess, boy, that sofa does not remove stains easily!"

Lincoln was mildly disgusted by whom he thought was Ronnie Anne's uncle. He didn't know what abuelo meant in english, but nonetheless, this attitude for the past few days were hostile, probably even racist c

He had trouble eating the five tacos on his plate, taking a bite of one every few minutes, still gloomy, and missing his sisters, wherever they were, hopefully okay as wel.

After the meal, everyone went to bed. Lincoln was bunked on the couch. Ronnie Anne kept him company, even though she had her own bed.

Carlota, the oldest cousin here, said her goodnight to her. Bobby switched off the lights, and watched the two get conformity once more. He struggled on when to tell her, still waiting for the correct moment.

Lincoln was no longer satisfied living here. Despite the mainly warm hospitality, Hector and Carl Casagrande, in the past couple of days, have been actually secretly treating Lincoln differently. The worn out Loud now believed it was a racial thing now, Carl having let it slip that Hector doesn't like white people at all. Lincoln was debating whether to leave. But where could he go?

Lincoln stood wide awake, while the girl, sleeping happily over him, was unable to let him up, so he pulled his way from below her. She was a heavy sleeper, still in slumber. It reminded him of Lynn. He covered her completely before leaving to the door. He quickly dressed up, and had his second shoe in, when Bobby's feet appeared in front of him.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Lincoln got up from the ground. "I don't feel comfortable here. Not anymore."

Bobby stepped aside. "The minute you leave, I have to tell Lori, and I will."

Lincoln grabbed the doorknob. "Tell her I'm sorry."

"Its not me who's leaving right this minute."

As Bobby picked up the phone, Lincoln quickly stormed from the complex, running as fast as his feet were able to.

Lori had entered the highway, still on the phone with Bobby.

"THEN FOLLOW HIM. GET AFTER LINCOLN. WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER?!"

"He didn't want to go back. He's scared, Lori. Anyone can see that. I know. I know I should have told you. I'll look for him while you get here."

"Good!" Lori hung up, tossing her phone to the passenger seat.

Bobby was already out the door, when Ronnie Anne awoke. "Lincoln?" She looked around, and saw her brother, almost gone. "Bobby, what are you doing?"

"He ran out, we gotta find him."

She jumped to her feet, alarmed. "What, why?"

"I don't know, come on! If I were Lincoln, where would I go?"

May 25th, 2016

Lori got there around two AM, stopping a few times for gas along the way. The signs told her she had just passed Calumet City, nearing her destination. She released the gas, and called Bobby.

"Have you found him?"

Lincoln's voice answered.

"Lori? I'm... I'm fine."

The eldest Loud let off a screech of anger. "HOW COULD YOU AND LYNN DESERT US?! PLEASE TELL ME SHE'S THERE, TOO!"

"No, she ran a different direction."

Lori sped up again. "WHERE ARE YOU?"

"In Washington Park, near this college campus. Go on and find it on the map."

Lincoln hung up.

"TWERP- Hello? Hello?!" Lori groaned. "Washington Park, huh?"

Lincoln handed the phone back to its owner. Bobby sat on the hood of his car, looking around. "Get back inside, its cold out."

Ronnie Anne had become nearly zombified, letting Bobby's revelation about them going to Mexico bury its nails deep into her. Lincoln knew he wasn't able to comfort her, and so, he only watched her suffer further, something he didn't understand, for she was able to see her mother again. It bothered him slightly.

"I'm fine here. So, this is it, isn't it? This is where we all part ways, even if we're, in general, going the same path?"

Bobby held out his hand for the boy to shake. "One hundred percent."

Lincoln shook his, the final time. "I'll miss you two."

"Bobby looked back at his deadened sister. "She'll miss you so much. She..." He lowered his voice. "She talked about you, a lot. And it made her happy, really happy. Glad she had a boyfriend, even if you two weren't official. Her first true love."

Lincoln took a seat next to him. "What about Lori?"

"Look, maybe sometimes, she can act bossy. Trust me, I see it often. But, she knows what's best. She helped me in many things at school, and if it wasn't for her, I might not have gotten accepted at the college back home. But..." He looked up towards the moon. "I have to throw it away, I don't have anyone here who could help us manage a life here. There is no choice, we don't have a say. My kob can't mantain us, and they- the other relatives, its spread too much."

"I understand. I understand why you have to. Besides, you're doing what's best for the both of you. I'd do the same with my sisters. I mean, I'd try."

"Yeah, man."

Vanzilla's headlights came into view. "You planning to tell her?"

He got up from the hood. "I'm going to now."

"Wait, how did you know I'd be here?"

"You like natural, quiet settings. So does Lori. She says it helps her to calm."

Lori shifted into park, and quickly exited in an angry manner. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS?!"

"Come on, Lori, he's just a kid."

She pushed past Bobby, and grabbed him. "We are leaving!"

Ronnie Anne surprised the three, coming out and then leaping onto Lincoln. "NO DON'T TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME, PLEASE!"

Lori let go, confused by this. "Ronnie Anne, I'm just taking him back to-"

Holding Lincoln, she stepped back, once Lori advanced towards them. "

"Lori, there's something I need to tell you..."

Bobby's words gave her goosebumps. She set her attention to him, and was led behind Vanzilla.

Ronnie Anne let go of him, facing away.

"I don't want to say goodbye. Not to you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"Why us? We did nothing to no one. This is wrong..."

She sniffed, setting her head on his shoulder.

Lori let out a painful scream from behind the van. "Oh, she knows."

Ronnie Anne laughed a little. "I can imagine what she's saying, haha."

Ronnie Anne let go of him. "I really will miss you..."

Bobby had finished, and was returning to the car. "Lincoln, take care of her, will you?"

"I will."

Bobby started up the car. "Ronnie Anne, let's go."

As she entered the car, Lincoln quickly acted for his own goodbye; he seized her by the waist, and planted his final, long kiss onto her lips. She placed both hands on the back of his head, returning the kiss. This lasted for over ten seconds.

"I'll never forget you."

"Neither will I." Lincoln watched the car roll off, and Bobby waved goodbye to him while Lori was still crying out. He kept staring, until they were both out of view.

After passing by Battle Creek, the quiet driver finally had the strength to speak again.

"I've been living at Pop-Pop's for these last few days."

"You've all been living there?"

"No, they've-" Lori had enough time to rehearse the lie. "They've been placed in other homes."

"What, all of them? Why? That's not-"

"Lincoln, Pop-Pop is too old to take care of us. Plus, once I reach legal age, I can get them back, and we can try to make it work. In the meantime... Get some sleep. You must be tired. We'll get home by morning."

8 A.M.

Lori shook the snoring Lincoln.

"Whu-"

He noticed they were already outside Pop-Pop's. The brown house before them was still intact. Lincoln scrubbed his eyes, making sure nothing was playing tricks on them. Lori honked the horn.

Pop-Pop came out with a cane, raising it like a bat. "You hooligans better get-"

Lori waved from inside. "Lorelei! You're back!"

He lowered the cane.

"Twerp, best behavior."

"What? Its just Pop-Pop."

She closed the car door behind her.

"Lincoln? Is that you?!" Lori waited for him to get out. Lincoln had grown comfy on his spot, but he got out, after Lori made an angry face. Lincoln was pushed by fear, and gave his grandad a hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay! Come on, let's go inside. I'll make breakfast."

"No, I'll make it." Countered Lori. "Its no trouble at all."

Most of everything in Pop-Pop's living room was mainly antiques and brass trinkets. The carpet, similar like foreign art. Wine glass, upside down in shelfs, just outside the kitchen. His television was an old one, 1970s era brand at most. Above, was a picture of him, his late wife Eleanor, and a child version of Riita. The table, a round one, big enough for four people.

Lori began to make pancakes. Lincoln and Pop-Pop sat at the table. He placed the cane leaning on the wall.

"How are you, son?"

"I'm fine..."

Both of them stared at the framed picture.

"Mom..." Lincoln slammed a fist at the table. "Now, Ronnie Anne..."

The pancakes were nearly done. Lori placed two plates ready, while listening to Lincoln.

"What's been going on while I was gone?"

Lori peeked out. "I've tried to find a job around here. I haven't shown up for school since that damn day."

"Why not stay at that-"

"I was fired, twerp." Lori served both platters, each filled with three pancakes.

"There syrup?"

"No. Make due without."

"So, the plan is for Lori to become 18 and get the others back?"

"That's right." Pop-Pop cut his first pancake. Lori took a seat by Lincoln.

"Its only three months from now. I hope they're alright, wherever they are. Lincoln, aren't you going to eat?"

"Aren't you?"

"No, I had coffee and a biscuit before coming. "

"Wnat? When did you stop?"

"I didnt. It was drive thru. You'll be sleeping in a bigger room now. I took the liberty to actually arrange it in how you like it. Of course, there's no posters or comics in it."

Pop-Pop set the fork and knife down, calmly headed to the TV. He picked up the frame, and stared at it. Lori got her chance to whisper.

"He's grieving this way, has been doing this daily. Its really sad, in all honesty. Lori nudged at the pancakes, as they were getting cold. "Eat up. Please."

Lincoln finally sliced a piece, meeting it with the fork.

Night

His bed was almost twice as big, and the room itself was big for two, like the rooms of his sisters. The bed was in the middle, with drawers on the right upon entering, while the closet was positioned the left. "This was her old room."

Lincoln rummaged through the room, finding everything empty. "Did he really not throw any of this out?"

"No, he didn't want to turn this room into something else. It'll be yours now. I've been sleeping here, but I'll take the floor."

Lori had already set up covers and a pillow on the other side of the bed, invisible to him due to his height.

"Good, I didn't want to be alone." Lori tucked her little brother in. He threw his shirt on the floor.

Before she turned off the lights, he raised his head. "Lori?"

"Yes?"

"Can we make it, without mom and dad? Can we manage?"

She thought about it, but this question wasn't a 'there is no wrong answer' type question.

"Lincoln, I don't know."

Lori flipped the switch, enabling the darkness to take over.

July 15th, 2016

Lincoln found his way inside the basement, the door left barely ajar. He made his way down. The stairs did not make any sound, despite being made of wood. A hanging lightbulb was flickering on and off, but the basement was empty, save for him. Lincoln entered into the light.

A dusty table, which two rows of tools, was directly below the light. He grabbed a flashlight from the table, and scanned around. He had never been here of all the times he had visited Pop-Pop. At first, there seemed to be nothing around.

When he shined the light at the far end of the basement, he found a small arsenal of weapons locked in its own gun cage. Handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles hung in the dark.

"Do you like my private collection? Granted, I wanted your mother to have one, in a world like this."

Lincoln was greeted by an arm on his shoulder.

"This place isn't for kids."

Lincoln was led back up, and Pop-Pop locked the doors once more. "I'm sorry you saw that. That's my personal place."

"Well, it now satisfies my curiosity. And, yes, it was a good display to see. Do you think, maybe one day, you'll teach me to shoot?"

"No. I will not, I'm sorry."

"But-"

The elder left, presumably to get a nap.

Lori herself was in a rut. She had gone to the hospital this week, and Luna, Luan and Lily were gone. Everything was fully crumbled. This lie told to them both, there was no point in that. How could she yell them she lost everyone? Eventually, the time would come when the truth was revealed. And that was the day Lori would be afraid of.

She thought of nothing but the darkness unfolding in everyone's lives. It was nearly 4 P.M., and the sun was steady, with a warm atmosphere being projected from its beautiful sunlight. It bathed her body, while the breeze tugged at her clothes.

The two siblings had gone shopping for new clothes, with some of the remaining money Lori had saved for her college. Lincoln walked out with three new outfits, and socks and underwear. Lori got twice as him, taking a lime green sweater that reminded her of Leni.

She wore it now, over the blue left over of a girdle, a hand-me-down from mommy dearest. She rubbed the sleeve, clearly missing the ditzy blonde.

Lincoln performed a Lucy, scaring Lori completely. "Don't do that!"

"Sorry. I found out what was in the basement. Pop-Pop has a gun stash there."

"Oh? Did you break in?"

"No, I just... It was open, and I wanted to know."

"Well, he's been in the army, all those years ago. It makes sense."

"I uhh, I asked if he could teach me."

Lori broke from the stare towards the green area. "What? You're too..." She didn't want to say it.

"Too what?"

"Look, I can't see you touching or shooting such a thing. Its different with those violent video games you've played. You've always known those were not real. But this isn't a game. I'm not gonna argue, but you'll never even hold one. I'll make sure of it."

"Lori... What if something bad happens to us? More things?"

She brushed the corner of her hair. "I'll make sure it won't be. Or, I'll try, at least. We have to be strong now. Don't say what if, we've gotten this far. We'll live for mom and dad." She pulled him close to her, putting her head over his. "We'll live forever, Lincoln."

"We'll live forever..."

August 12th, 2016

Lincoln entered Pop-Pop's room. "Its breakfast time, Pop-Pop. Lori's making scrambled eggs."

The old fart was on his back, with a hand gripped on his chest. Lincoln walked to his side. "...Pop-Pop?" No movement from the geezer. Lincoln was about to touch him, when Lori screamed.

"DON'T TOUCH HIM!"

Lori pulled him back into the doorway. "Why isn't he waking up?"

She noticed a bottle of pills toppled over on the other side of the bed. "Oh god... Lincoln, come on."She pulled him from the bedroom. "Lori, what's going on?!"

Lincoln was spectating the frantic sister, grabbing a hammer from the toolbox in the corner outside the kitchen. She went on to smash the locked basement door.

"That's not gonna work."

Lori paid no attention to him. She actually managed to break apart the wood, and then kicked in a bigger hole, allowing herself to get inside. "Find a big bag or something."

Lori turned on the lights, but it was too little for her to see. She took the flashlight, and looked at the guns there were.

Lincoln returned with a red duffel bag, and tossed it through the hole. "Its coming down!"

Lori grabbed mainly the rifles, and hand guns. Eight boxes of bullets, and Lori took them all. She quickly went on to put them in the duffel bag, heaving it back up and through again. Lori dialed the police as soon as she and Lincoln exited the house.

"What about him? Where are we going?"

Lori started the ignition. "Away from here."

Later

"Its done." She put the phone back in its place, walking from the phone booth.

"Why not use your phone?"

"They'd track me."

"I don't get it. Why did we leave?

"Lincoln, if we stayed, we'd both be separated. We're no one's problem but child services!"

"What about your age? I thought you said-"

Lori broke, sooner than expected. "I DON'T KNOW WHERE OUR SISTERS ARE!"

He was caught by surprise. "You what?"

Lori slammed on the steering wheel with dreaded guilt.

"I don't know where they are! I lost them, they just... They disappeared. All of them."

"So, you lied? Lori..."

"We have to stay together. Please understand why we left. And, I haven't stopped trying to look."

"Did you lie to him, too?"

Lori gulped in shame. "Yes..."

She pulled out of the parking lot. "So, tell me. Where are we going?"

The two bags of food she had gotten from the store. "You'll see."

September 14th, 2016

Lori linked the sights directly at the deer, who had not noticed her from behind the tree. She took a deep breath, stabilizing the shaking. Lincoln was crouched in the green around them.

Lori pulled the trigger. Thw world, for a second, fell silent, scared to move. Afterwards, came the fear, in the form of the birds flapping, flying in all directions. As for the prey, it fell back.

"I got it!"

Lincoln had his ears covered still, while Lori lowered her rifle.

The bullet penetrated the deer's throat instead of its head. Lori's excitement went away. "Damn it..." She set the rifle down on the ground, and found a rock big enough.

"Lincoln, turn away."

Somehow, he understood what her intention was.

Lori raised the rock to its face. The mouth was open, gasping for the breath of life. Lori met the poor thing's eyes. "I'm sorry." She smashed the rock right above its eyes.

Lincoln shivered, hearing the undeniable sound of death ring out.

Lincoln looked back, seeing his sister on her knees, staring at the dead animal.

"This isn't what I wanted for us! I can't keep doing this anymore!"

Lincoln went on his knees beside her.

"Its not fair! Its not fair to anyone! We didn't earn this- this bullshit! I just- I want to go home!" Her voice grew soft, in realization. "I just want to go home..."

The woods around them quieted down for the two. He placed his hand on her back.

"Lori... I hate seeing you like this."

"I'm sorry, Lincoln. I'll start the fire, and then we can eat."

"Yeah..."

Lori started the fire, tying up parts of the now dismembered animal over it. "Although I'd prefer turkey, I guess this is still okay."

"Lori, I'm tired of being here. Its hard sleeping in Vanzilla."

This new home was a horrible place in his eyes. An alleyway was better than this.

"Vanzilla is nearly outta gas, so we're gonna go back into town. Ugh, I'm running low on cash. I think its time I look for a job."

"I'm sorry you had to-"

"Don't. Just eat up. We have three more water bottles left."

"I never kept count. How much exactly?"

"Around thirty, I'd say."

Lincoln grabbed the fried piece of meat, and took a bite.

"When are we going?"

Lori looked up at the skies. "Tomorrow. Its already dark out, and you need the sleep."

Lincoln walked to Vanzilla, which Lori placed through an opening, away from an isolated road. "I'm going to eat alone."

Lori began to cook her own piece, now being alone with the inanimate fire keeping her company. Lincoln only ate half of his, not feeling too hungry tonight.

The fire underneath the meat cackled.

"Spirit of the deer, eh?"

September 15th, 2016

His eyes opened, and the sight outside was moving faster than he focused. "Lori? Where are we going this time?"

She remained quiet, keeping her eyes on the road. "Hey, answer me."

"Just want to see something."

Lincoln then found the streets familiar. "No, why? Why are we going back?"

"Lincoln, stop with the questions." Lori parked on the side, and on the other side of the street, was the late Pop-Pop's home.

"Its quiet."

Just then, the door opened. "Who the hell?"

A dark skinned man, with a full beard, walked from the house.

"WHAT THE HELL? NO!"

"It had to happen, Lore. It had to be." Lincoln eyed the name on the mailbox; Narvaez.

Lori pushed herseld onto the backseat. "No one shall live in his house!" Lori opened the duffel bag on her side, taking out a rifle. She Ieaned down, pointing the rifle at the man.

"LORI!"

"ITS TOO SOON FOR THIS!"

"DON'T DO IT!"

Two girls, both also dark skinned, walked out after the man. One was a teenager, wearing a purple top and blue jeans. The other, a mere child, had a pink shirt, and red shorts. Lori dropped the gun, trembling.

"He has kids- He has kids. I-I-"

"Let's get out of here..."

Hours Later

Lori finally stopped for gas, taking out a twenty from the glove compartment.

"Are you alright?"

Lori ignored him, getting out of the van and slamming it shut. Lincoln leaned back his seat.

"Twenty for number six." She placed the bill on the counter.

"Okay, thank you." The tall, short-haired female cashier swiped the bill into the register, after a few taps into the computer.

Lori was already done refueling, and placed the nozzle back in its place. A black Dodge Challenger came into view. Two buff men, who looked like they worked at a butcher's, made their way towards a red Nissan Sentra, filled with three teenagers. They each walked to both doors, opening them forcibly.

"Come on out, Freights."

The driver, a teenage boy with a red set of hair, tried to close the car door. The passenger, a redheaded girl, tried to open the compartment, but was blocked by the big guy on her side.

"What's the rush?"

"Chandler, pull away!"

The redhead girl was slapped. "What do you want?!"

The guy at the driver's window took out a switchblade. The brunette in the backseat screamed.

Lori then grabbed a handgun from the bag. Lincoln was invested in the scene, not noticing what Lori was planning.

She cocked the gun back, and walked behind the car, not planning to shoot from where she was. "Hey!" The two meaty guys turned to her. Lori fired upon them, taking five shots. She was hyperventilating, still pointing the gun.

The driver came out, raising both hands out. "Put it down- Put-"

Lori did so.

"That was badass."

Lori seemed surprised. "...What?"

The redhead honked the horn. "Come on Chandler! The skyscraper cashier's on the phone, calling the cops!"

"Hey, follow us. I'd like to thank you." Chandler returned to the car, and pulled away. He stopped, waiting for her to get back in Vanzilla. "Hurry, hurry."

Lori finally drove off, tailing the red car. She then remembered Lincoln was there. His face had the expression that could make people think he had just seen a ghost.

The tailing lasted for about twenty minutes. Lori was lead to what seemed like an abandoned factory. There was a big, moldy red building with multiple floors. Next to it, a white, empty warehouse.

The red car stationed in between the two structures. Lori parked at the corner of the warehouse. "Stay here, Linc."

The three teenagers, with cheery looks, met Lori.

"Hi, I'm Chandler."

He had a white sweater, and gray pants. Lori shook his hand.

"That's Christina-" The readhead waved. "-And Dana." The brunette flashed her eyes wide open.

"I'm Lori. My brother, Lincoln, is still inside the van."

"Why don't you come on up?" Chandler pointed up to the highest floor. "And bring Lincoln, too."

The inside of the building was vacant, but covered in dirt. Several windows were shattered. Glass fragments barely visible. Mold formed on the walls, letting off a deadening odor.

Lori didn't care anymore. She pushed past it, following Chandler upstairs. "We're strays, living here for as long as we can remember." The top floor was filled with a countless amount of mattresses. There were about twenty teens here, ranging from thirteen to eighteen.

"But that's not all we are."

The two Louds noticed a variety of guns scattered across the room.

"We're Freights. Think of us as, like, messengers. What we do is, we cause... Destruction of property. Its our way of returning what we didn't rightfully earn. We're all victims here, of a mad world. Most of us here, we've gone through hell."

Chandler placed his hands on Christina's shoulders. "Take this girl, for example. Car crash claimed her parents. If that isn't enough, she has no relatives alive. She has this as a new home. Dana here, get this. Gas attack by terrorists. She survives, but not the other relatives. This happened on a tour in... Where was it, Dana?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Dana downed on a mattress.

"We're all here for a reason. Do you have a story?"

Lori gave Lincoln a glance. "Yes. Yes we do."

AN: Alright, so this is whole thing is now longer than I figured it'd be, so splitting it in half was easier. Man, I had to go back to the first chapters. I caught an error, which I hoped I fixed, through your eyes. I might have gone overboard with the constant day shifts.

Welcome to Decade One.