3:00 a.m.

Although there were no vehicles that were worth taking; the walk itself wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. The air was crisp and a gentle breeze glided through the trees. Nature itself knew not of the destruction that man prepared for it self.

The trio was somber and each was deeply entrenched in their own thoughts.

Mara lit a cigarette and thought I wonder how we can stop this. Will we ever return to normal? Was this our judgment for being a depraved and sick nation? Did I leave my hair straightener on? Oh wait never mind I'll probably never see that house again or straight hair.

Tom interrupted Mara's thought by patting her on the back. He understood how she felt. He himself had worries of his own. His wife was missing and as good as dead… or worse. But at least he wasn't alone. If it weren't for Mara he would have been dead already; he owed her his life or maybe a good massage that she like so much. Her quick reaction had saved his life once and will probably many times in the future. He glanced over at her and studied her in the bright moon light. Mara was short only about 5 feet, she had dark brown hair with red highlights that hung down to her waist, and bright intelligent green eyes. She was confusing; sometimes a tomboy sometimes a perfect lady, there was no telling with that girl. He admired her courage; he knew she would put her life on the line for any of her family or friends. He truly did love her as a sister. He would do anything for her and her daughter. He always wished that Lael was his own flesh and blood she was such a wonderful person.

Naomi glanced at Tom and noticed him looking at Mara, she felt small pang of jealousy. Naomi had always secretly admired Tom for a while, but his attention was always turned to Mara. Naomi didn't fault them for it, she just got a little jealous and stand-off-ish every once in a while.

I wonder how my friends are doing. She thought, Will I ever be able to use a cell phone again?

Naomi was always glued to her cell phone. It was the new Envy by LG, and it did everything possible that a cell phone could do. Naomi couldn't stand to be away from it for long periods of time. Mara hated the thing because Naomi would ignore the rest of the world for it; she would make her put that 'piece of crap technology' away if they were out together. She didn't bother bringing it in Mara's house anymore due to the fact that Mara had threatened to give it to Lael to flush down the potty. Mara's pet peeve had saved Naomi's life. The girls stirred in the stroller.

"Listen, we need to find a place to rest before the sun comes up. I'm exhausted and I don't want to be out much longer." Naomi said tiredly.

"I agree," Mara replied, "This walking kills me. We'll have to find a house that doesn't have seekers in them. Hopefully one soon, I'm beat."

Tom veered off the sidewalk into a yard, "I'll check this one out; it looks like maybe some elderly people lived in here. They might not have a cell phone thus in turn might not be seekers."

"Tom wait-" Mara said but it was too late he was in the house already.

A few minutes went by and right before Mara was about to go in the house with her gun drawn Tom appeared and exclaimed, "All clear, if the house was owned by an elderly couple they were pretty up to date on technology."

Mara holstered the gun and replied, "Don't do anything stupid like that again."

"OK I won't do anything stupid again, except for this!" He said tossing Mara a cell phone.

Mara caught it, screeched like a girl, and threw it back all in a split second. Unfortunately her aim wasn't all that good when she was startled and the phone managed to clunk Tom squarely on the forehead.

"My God Mara, what are you trying to do kill me?" Tom yelped putting his hand up to his forehead, which now had a very large bump beginning to show through.

"You startled me! I can't help that! You tried to turn me into a seeker with that damn cell phone!" Mara replied rushing over to Tom, "You know I'm a klutz when I get startled."

"Yea, you were just looking for the chance to hit me in the head. It was a damn toy cell phone!"

"I'm sorry Tom! I didn't mean to!" Mara was very well near tears; although tough, Mara was a softie when it came to her friends and family.

"Uh guys, can we please continue this inside?" Naomi said rolling her eyes and placing her hands on her hips, "I'm tired, cranky, and I want to get some sleep."

Arthur woofed in agreement, he was also tired. Although he was a strong dog, his arthritis made it more difficult for him to make long expeditions. But as long as he was with his master and his 'puppy' he was happy.

"It's all clear," Tom said, "Come on inside."

They were all happy to get inside and sit down; their muscles stiff and sore it felt so good not to be walking anymore. The house turned out to have housed a family with small children at one time or another. Naomi and Mara bedded the girls down for their remaining sleep.

"Mara, I'll take first shift on the girls, so I'll go to sleep now. I know you're probably going to be standing watch." Naomi said.

"Yea sounds good to me. I'll have Tom take the second watch in the morning. I think we'll be safe in here as long as nobody knows we are in here." Mara replied, "I'll end up dosing and getting some sleep anyways. All the doors and windows are locked, Tom checked on them before. We should be safe. Plus we have Arthur."

"Alright, I'll wake you when it's your shift for the girls."

"Thanks Naomi I appreciate it."

"What are sisters for, Mara?" Naomi gave Mara a hug as she went upstairs to get some rest beside the babies.

Mara sat and stared out the window deep in thought. This day was just too fucked up. One second life was normal, the next total chaos.

"Here Mara I found this in the freezer. It's still frozen too." Tom said handing Mara a pint of Ben and Jerry's. He placed his on the growing bump on his forehead.

"Thanks Tom I appreciate the thought. How's your head?"

He sat down beside her and placed his arm around her shoulders, "A little better, you sure have a strong arm. You should've been a softball player."

Mara sighed and turned her eyes to the outside again.

"What do you think is going to happen to all of us? Are we going to be able to get back to normal?" Mara asked breaking the silence.

"I really don't know. Honestly Mara, I don't think Sara is alive anywhere. She used her cell phone constantly and I just had a weird feeling about it."

"Tom, don't be so negative, there is still hope."

"No Mara, there isn't. I honestly have a strong gut feeling about that. She's a seeker and I'm just going to have to get used to the fact." A tear rolled down Tom's cheek.

Mara wrapped her arms around Tom and said, "All hope is never lost. I will never give up hope in anything that is good and just."

Tom let go of all his emotions and sobbed into Mara's shoulder. Mara sat there and just let him get all of his frustrations from the day out. When he was done he looked up at her.

"Sorry about that." He said, "It's been hell all day."

"Ya think? Never apologize for your true feelings, Tom."

He sighed then looked into her eyes. Years of hurt had built up inside of them. She was a mystery, never opening up to anyone always the strong one. Tom could almost feel the pain himself.

"Mara, who are you?" He asked.

"What do you mean Tom?" She looked back at him with a questioning look.

"I've known you for years now and I feel I don't know who you really are."

Mara sighed turned her face from him, "Nobody will ever know I don't think. I don't like to get close to people because they end up screwing you over."

"Like Leo?"

"Yes, like Leo."

Leo was Mara's ex husband. They got married when Mara was young, only to have the marriage broken just a year later. He had a wandering eye and other wandering parts. Mara was heartbroken to find this out. He not only was the love of her life but was also the father of her only child. Mara had many hurts in her life and that was number two on the top three list.

"Not all people are like that you know. Some of us are good and trustworthy. Some of people," he paused looking for the right words and finally said, "love you."

Mara reached over for her cigarettes and lit one. "Tom, love is such an overused term that has gotten muddled over the years. I don't think anyone really knows what the true meaning of it is."

"You do. You're a mother; you of all people should know what love is."

Mara nodded and took a puff of her cigarette and replied "It's easy to love something that is a part of you, but loving something that isn't part of you is hard when life isn't so easy."

"I understand." Tom said and then switched the subject, "Is the ice cream good? I don't see how you can eat and smoke at the same time."

Mara put out her cigarette and set the ice cream to the side and smiled obviously relieved at the turn of the conversation and simply stated "Practice makes perfect."

Tom wrapped his arms around her and she allowed herself to be taken in. She was like a sister to him and he loved her like he never thought he could love anyone else besides his own family.

Does she feel the same way towards me? He wondered as he stroked her hair.

He could feel her relax and finally she was asleep; he rested his head on hers and sleep came to him swiftly.

Arthur stood watch right beside them in a crouching position. He looked from the street, to upstairs, to Mara and Tom. His ears never missed a sound.

I love my master and my puppy. I am going to protect them no matter what. Master is so happy with this man. He's also good to my puppy. My puppy loves him too. She's very happy when he's around. I hope he stays around for a while. I like it when he gives me treats and scratches behind my ears. He thought resting his chin on his paws. Sleep eventually came to Arthur also.