genius. His Astrid. Sam stood on Cliff Top Road, just below The Cliff Top Resort. The adults had spread farther into Perdido beach. A mother held her long lost six year old son, tears pouring out of her like a waterfall. Sam laughed silently to himself as he gazed into Astrid's enchanting eyes. Why was he proposing when he didn't even have a ring? But then he quickly remembered why he loved her so much.

"Astrid," He spoke "You never left my side throughout this terrible chaos. Our families have changed over the FAYZ time. Although they still are our own blood. All we children have bonded in a way that no one has ever done before." He paused for a moment; Astrid's eyes were tearing up now. She set her hand on top of her mouth to keep from breaking into a sob. "I love you; I have never felt this feeling before. During all my battles, I always thought of you. I never once doubt you ability, because you're a caring, resourceful women. I never want to leave your side and through all my life and death experiences and you know that's a lot. "Sam winked, and Astrid let out a little laugh. That smile lighting up her whole face. That's what he wanted to wake up to everyday. He loved that smile; it just made his heart melt. He swallowed his dry throat drinking up all the saliva "Astrid Ellison," He let her name roll of his tongue like candy. "Will you marry me?" he breathed. Astrid smiled tears pouring from her eyes, but they only gleamed happiness. Happiness that wasn't viable just a few short minutes ago.

"Yes, yes!" She squealed as she ran to embrace him.

"I don't give my consent to this!" A voice bellowed from behind them. Sam turned and faced Astrid's father. "I don't agree, you both are way too young, plus it's illegal without my consent. God won't let you do this, "her father stated matter of factly. Astrid's eyes narrowed in on her father.

"Dad I've given up on God a long time ago. Where was he when kids were coughing up lungs, killing one another, even when we all were starving while you ate 1000 calories a day, we were reduced to barely a decent amount of calories. 50 tops. We are the kids of the FAYZ not the U.S.A. We have every right to do what we want. We have suffered through plenty." She said firmly. Sam stood there and watched her in brilliant awe. He never knew she would be able to stand up to her own father like that. That made him fall for her all over again. Sam smiled pleased with his soon to be wife. A news reporter approached them cautiously."

"Let's now talk to Sam Temple brother of Caine Soren." The news lady drew near, her hair tied in a tight bun. A mole sat just below her left eye. Her eyes were covered in hazel eye shadow, and her lips painted a bright red.

"Hello Sam-Astrid," The reporter chirped

"How do you know our names?" Astrid asked warily.

"The government has kept track of almost everybody inside the dome, "The reporter explained.

"The government?" Astrid sputtered. Sam could almost hear the gears cranking inside her head trying to make sense of this, the same way he was trying so hard to as well.

"Well of course. I have to admit though Perdido Beach's Dome had the most interesting effects of them all,"

"Others?" It was Sam's turn to speak up now. Other children had suffered through what they did.

"The phenomenal thing is, is that this dome had the most casualties, and it did last much longer than the rest. Mostly because you," the reporter glared at sam "refused to come over to this side," There was an icy tone to her voice which sent chills down his spine. The reporter quickly shook off the glare and went back to her preppy self. "Plus apparently there were also mutations," the reporter chuckled.

"Yeah," mutations. The reporter flashed a fake smile and for a second Sam swore he saw the Gaiaphage in her eyes. He swore he had killed it, along with Little Pete he was sure of it, unless it was coming back. Another flash of the monster appeared again in her eyes. Astrid's grip tightened on him. It was back. Astrid's father came and shooed away the reporter. She looked back at them a grin spread across her face. She wrote something on a pad of paper ripped it out and dropped it on the ground.

"Excuse me for a moment sir," Sam said as he rushed across the road. Eyes focused on the paper. The sound of waves crashing against the hard rock's was back, but Sam was too focused on the note to notice the nostalgic sound had returned. He picked up his pace almost sprinting to the note he was ever so desperate to reach.

"Sam!" Sam turned to see Diana coming towards him. A little round bump jutted out of her stomach. His niece-or nephew. Caine followed closely behind. Same smiled he eyed the note a small breeze blew the note a few feet farther away from him.

"Hold that thought," he said anxiously. And raced towards the paper.

I cannot die under the power of your blood. I will take over. You and your friends WILL die a painful slow death like what you have done to me, including your true love!

-I know you know who I am.

Caine walked up to Sam, who was shaking.

"You ran away from us for a letter?" Caine scoffed.

"It's from the Gaiaphage," Sam looked to his brother. Caine stared at the note, blood rushing from his face leaving it a sickly pale.

"Apparently there were other FAYZ like things happening throughout the entire nation," Sam said.

"There was more?" It was Diana, her eyes wide with fear.

"We need to hold a meeting," Sam said "Get all the kids here."

"No you can't do that. We are no longer in charge. Adults are back, kids have spread out with their families. We hold no more power anymore," Caine said.

"I'm not taking any more orders from them anymore. After all the hell they put us through, why would I? "Sam growled.

"Sam's right. We have to stop the Gaiaphage. We can't let it take over anymore. We have to defeat it once and for all. "A girl said. Lana appeared from behind them. Patrick followed behind; he was skinny ribs poking out of his skin. "We have to kill it."