David wandered through the tunnels. It was his form of pacing. Paul was crashed out on the couch asleep, the Playboy on the floor near his outstretched hand. David rolled his eyes. Dwayne was meditating in the cavern with the pools. When he'd decided to take up meditating, David didn't know.

He hiked the passages that wound through the rock, his mind constantly at work. He hated waiting, he hated not being able to do something to prepare. But no one, especially him, knew when it would happen. When they would attack.

A week had passed since he and Ruby had returned from their trip to Oregon. After a final night living apart, David had locked up the house and moved Ruby and himself back into the cave with the Boys. What should have been a happy homecoming, the Lost Boys reunited, was marred by Marko's sullen attitude. He had not accepted that he no longer had a chance with Ruby, no matter how much Dwayne tried to talk with him. It was unneeded tension added to the already heightened awareness that filled the cave.

No more attempts had been made by the Bloods, even though David checked the markers nearly three dozen times a night. They fed in shifts, going in pairs or three at a time. David rarely let Ruby out of his sight; he knew the Bloods were after her just as much as they were looking for him. Dwayne, Paul, and Marko would just be extras for the vicious Bloods.

Taking a right turn, he'd circled back and ended up a small side chamber Ruby had taken as personal space. The tinny speakers and cassette player they'd rigged for her was playing a tape quietly. David stopped outside the rugged rock doorway; she'd been very quiet since they'd returned. Never argued about David's nearly overbearing need to have his eyes on her at all times. He knew it bothered her, but she understood why. David knew she was still upset about Marko's reaction, and hadn't been able to repair any of the tatters of their friendship.

David wanted to leave her in peace, knowing she was fine where she was and didn't need his burdens. But he needed to talk. And right now there was only one person who could understand him.

He slipped in without a sound, approached slowly, hating to disturb Ruby. She was lying on a bare mattress Paul had dragged up from a ruined hotel room deeper back in the cave. Eyes closed, she looked as calm as she possibly could be.

"You need to talk." Ruby spoke before David got a chance. He nodded. "I'll meet you on the bluff." Her eyes had not opened; she made no move yet. David turned without reply and left, heading to the bluff.