Antonio yawned, and opened his eyes. They had slept until early morning, as the sun was now just making its appearance over the damaged terrain. He glanced over to see how his teammates were doing. They were all still asleep- but in a very restless sleep, as Antonio noted by the marks made in the ground from their twisting and turning through the night. He rolled back over, and decided to wait for his companions to wake up, not complaining all for the extra rest time.

Antonio must have fallen asleep again, as the next thing he felt were several light kicks to the shin.

"Hey. Get up. We're leaving."

Antonio sat up and rubbed his eyes, and was faced with the sight of Romano in his usual grumpiness, which Antonio was starting to get used to.

"Did you hear me? Now. Heracles said that Kenosha is about three hours walking from here, and I don't want to waste any more time waiting for your lazy ass to wake up."

"I'm up, I'm up!" Antonio said, climbing to his feet, and stretching.

"Good. Let's go, everyone's tired of waiting."

The walk to Kenosha was actually shorter and less painful than anticipated. After about only two hours of walking, the group found themselves in a small. barren town.

"This place is emptier than I remember… and I was only here a few months ago…" Heracles mumbled, looking over at all the abandoned houses, most which had planks of wood nailed over doors and windows, and were heavily vandalized.

"Are you sure there's anyone here that would be able to help us?" Tino asked.

Heracles nodded. "All we need is a map. I'd be shocked if there wasn't a map laying somewhere around here."

"Excuse me? Can I help you?"

The group looked over and saw a young woman, fiddling with the green ribbon in her wavy, blonde hair.

"My name's Anri. I don't remember seeing any of you here before. Are you visitors?" She said, putting her hands to her hips.

"We're more like passersby" Heracles clarified, "Is there any chance that you have a spare map laying around? We're trying to get to a town near here, but aren't that sure of the direction to go."

"A map? Who needs a map? I've got something far better than that- follow me!"

Anri led them to a small shack like structure, and knocked a few times before entering. "Brother! I have some people who would like a guide!"

A man who was reading an old newspaper at a table glanced over. He had almost impossibly spiked hair, and a pipe sticking out of the side of his mouth. He set the newspaper down and approached the group. "I'll take you almost anywhere if the price is right."

"Aw, Abel! You don't need to be so stingy! Can't you guide them for free?"

"No. It takes time to guide people, and I consider it my occupation in this town. Besides, if something were to happen to me, you'd be able to live off the money at least for a little while."

Anri pressed her lips together, and looked like she was about to say something, but Antonio intervened before she could.

"It's alright, Anri. I understand what he's saying- it's dangerous to be traveling around. And i'm sure Romano won't mind as long as the price isn't too unreasonable."

Romano scowled. "I have to pay by myself?"

"It's your family, isn't it?" Heracles asked. "We don't have business here. You do."

"...I guess I have a little money… Fine, dammit. I want to go to Ridgeton, name your price."

Abel snorted. "I wouldn't take you to that town for a million dollars. Couldn't, actually. Nuclear explosion. Boom." He removed his pipe from his mouth, and a cloud of smoke came with it. "Gone."

Romano shifted anxiously. "But there had to be survivors, right? I can't be the only one!"

"Hm? You're actually from there? I'm amazed you made it out, but I highly doubt anyone else did."

Romano was quiet for a while before he finally opened his mouth. "So it's gone? Gone gone…?"

"Not exactly, but it's best if you think of it that way. From what I heard, that place is completely contaminated. If you step a foot in the place, you're going to get sick. Really sick. So I wouldn't suggest dropping by to pick up any belongings."

"...One last question. If there were any chance at all that there were survivors, where would they be?"

Abel scratched his chin. "That's a good question."

"I think I might have your answer." Anri chimed in. "There's a refugee somewhere West of here, I heard some people talking about it. Sadly, I didn't get any details about the exact location, but it can't be too far- I think the people said a week of walking?"

"That's a start, at least. Everyone good with heading West?"

"Sí!"

"Fine with me."

"M-hm."

"This actually works out well, as I'm seeking something to the West of here also." Kiki said softly.

"Oh, I have something that will be useful for your travels. I'll be right back!" Anri bolted from the room, Moments later, she returned, and held her hand out to Romano. In it was a well aged, gilded compass. "It's old and used, but it works very well. I'll give it to you under one condition- you let me accompany you!"

"...! Anri-"

"Brother, I'll be fine, alright? They seem like good people. Besides, I can't let you do the navigating all the time- it's time to show what I can do!"

Antonio reached over, and took the compass out of Anri's hand, opening it and looking it over. After a bit, he closed it, and tossed it to himself. "We accept your offer- welcome to the team Anri!"

"No. Anri isn't going with you. She's staying here." Abel said firmly.

Anri stuck out her bottom lip. "Please? I'll be careful, I promise!"

"Careful isn't going to cut it.. What if you get lost, or killed?"

"You go out all the time! Just this once, can't I? I'll take them to the camp, and head back here- two weeks tops."

Abel sighed. "Two weeks tops?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Fine. But you'd better keep to your word." Abel turned to Antonio, his eyes narrowing to almost a glare. "I'm keeping you fully responsible. She'd better come home without a hair out of place. She's the only family I have left, keep her safe."

Antonio nodded, determined. "Leave it to me!"

"Well then," Anri said, grabbing a rucksack filled with food and navigation equipment. "Shall we be off?"