'I don't believe it,' Marina said softly, shaking her head. She sat behind the president's desk, Tom and Weaver in the seats in front of her, and Porter standing off to the right. 'We trusted Cochise.'

'I know,' Tom sighed. 'I could hardly believe it when I heard it. But it's true. We have to tell everyone. At least give them the choice to get away before the Volm get here.'

'I agree,' Marina nodded. 'There's a forum tomorrow, conveniently. I'd appreciate it if you made a speech there.'

'Will do,' Tom agreed.

'As for these spiked kids you found, I'd like to meet them,' Marina said.

'Actually, Abby, their leader, said this morning that she wanted to talk to you,' Tom replied. 'She's outside.'

'Well, bring her in,' Marina smiled.

Tom stood and opened the door, allowing a grim-faced Abby and Ben to enter. He noticed a fresh bruise forming on Ben's cheek, but chose not to say anything.

'President Peralta,' Abby said, standing straight in front of Marina's desk. 'I'm Abby Martin. It's nice to meet you.'

'It's nice to meet you too,' Marina smiled warmly. 'Tom said you wanted to talk to me.'

'Yes,' Abby didn't return the smile. 'We've been here for two days, and I've quickly come to realize that it's not safe. My pack and I plan to leave as soon as Dr. Mason clears Summer.'

'Why?' Marina asked, shocked. 'What do you mean, it's not safe?'

'Within minutes of our arrival, my eleven-year-old sister, and Matt Mason, were attacked,' Abby replied. 'Summer ended up with a broken wrist and a severe concussion. Yesterday, Jimmy and Deni were shot at when they came back from patrol. Later, Mariah, Amanda, and Colm were cornered by the other kids at school, who proceeded to throw rocks at them. On our way here, Ben and I were jumped by the same men who attacked Summer and Matt. All of this was completely unprovoked.'

Tom stared at her, openmouthed. He hadn't known about any of the incidents other than the one involving Summer and Matt. He stared at Ben, a sinking feeling growing in his stomach as to why his son had accompanied Abby.

'I can make sure that these people are punished,' Marina said. 'They won't come after you again.'

'You don't understand,' Abby smiled sympathetically. 'Humans just don't trust us. They'll keep coming after us, no matter what you say or do. It just isn't safe. Colm is eight, Mariah is nine, Amanda is ten, and Summer is eleven. They're too young for this.'

'Deni and I are going with them,' Ben said, stepping beside Abby.

'I don't know what to say,' Marina said. 'You're not giving me a choice, I can tell.'

'No, ma'am,' Abby replied. 'I'm sorry to be rude, but I have to look after my pack first and foremost.'

'We'll stay in the woods nearby until the 2nd Mass leaves,' Ben said. 'We won't be far, but we'll stay away from patrols. If you need us, we'll come.'

'Okay,' Marina nodded. 'When Summer is cleared by Anne, I'll make sure you get the supplies you need to get started. I'm sorry.'

'It's not your fault,' Ben shrugged.

'Humans just don't trust what's not like them,' Abby added.

Marina shook her head. 'Charleston is supposed to be a place for people to come to be safe,' she said. 'The fact that you aren't safe here, and don't feel you can be, upsets me, and I'm sorry.'

'Thank you,' Abby smiled.

'Is that all?' Marina asked.

Abby and Ben nodded wordlessly.

'Okay,' Marina nodded. 'You can go. Thank you for coming to me. Tom, I'll see you tonight.'

Tom nodded and followed Ben, Abby, and Weaver out of the president's office. Weaver left, heading for his and Jeanne's room, and Tom, Abby, and Ben continued to the Masons' rooms.

'A word?' Tom said when the trio reached his, Anne, and Lexie's room. Wordlessly, Abby and Ben followed him in. Lexie was playing on the floor with Colm and Mariah, Anne watching from the bed. 'Can you guys go to the other room?' Tom said to the kids. 'Anne and I need to talk to Abby and Ben.'

Noticing the adults' serious expressions, the children complied without complaint. Once they had gone, shutting the door behind them, Tom turned to Abby and Ben. 'Would you like to tell Anne what you just told the president, because I have a feeling she doesn't know any more about these things than I do.'

Abby sighed and turned to Anne. 'The attack on Summer and Matt wasn't the only one. At school yesterday, some kids cornered Colm, Mariah, and Amanda and threw rocks at them. Jimmy and Deni were shot at when they got back from patrol yesterday, and Ben and I got jumped on our way to the president's office.'

Anne gaped at them. 'Why didn't you tell us?' she demanded.

'We didn't tell you about Jimmy and Deni because we were hoping it was an accident,' Ben explained.

'But, when the kids got back from school and told us about what happened, Jimmy and I decided it wasn't safe for them here,' Abby added. 'We decided to leave.'

'And Deni and I are going with them,' Ben pithed in.

'You can't go,' Anne protested.

'We have to,' Abby said. 'I hate to leave, I really do, but it just isn't safe. When the 2nd Mass leaves Charleston, we'll rejoin you.'

'How will you know?' Anne asked tearfully.

'We'll keep an eye on the city,' Ben replied.

'And we'll do our own patrols,' Abby added. 'If we see anything headed for the city, we'll let you know.'

Anne nodded. She wiped her cheeks as her eyes overflowed and wordlessly held out her arms to the teenagers. Abby, also crying, accepted Anne's hug, the two wrapping their arms around each other. Anne held out one arm to Ben, who stepped into the hug and wrapped his arm awkwardly around Anne's back. After several long moments, Anne released them and they stepped back.

'When are you leaving?' Anne asked.

'As soon as you clear Summer,' Abby replied.

'Tomorrow morning, then,' Anne sighed. 'I would have cleared her by then. Assuming nothing happens tonight, that is.'

'People of Charleston!' Tom said into the microphone set up in front of the Liberty Tree. 'Most of you know me, but for those who don't, I'm Tom Mason. I used to be a professor at Boston University, but now I fight the skitters.' He looked around. 'There's a lot of new faces here; that's great. I'm glad Charleston has become such a safe haven. He paused and looked around again. 'Unfortunately, that haven is no longer safe.' He paused as the crowd began to murmur. 'The Volm, our former allies, have decided that all surviving humans are to be sent to Brazil. They have promised that everyone there will be allowed to live out the war in peace.' Tom paused again as the murmurs increased. 'Anyone who wants this, is welcome to stay here. However, there are those of us who want to continue to fight! Anyone who wants to fight is warned to leave Charleston before the Volm get here! My own family will be doing this; we plan to stay here until Volm patrols are sighted, and then we will leave. Anyone who wants to join us in our resistance against the Espheni is welcome to do so, and anyone who does not is free to wait for the Volm to arrive.' He looked around again. 'That's all. Good luck in your choice.'

'So, we're leaving again?' Matt said, looking around the room at his family. The Masons, including Jon and Korinne, had crammed into Tom and Anne's bedroom, along with Maggie, Abby and Jimmy and their pack.

'Eventually,' Tom nodded. 'We're going to stay until we actually see evidence of the Volm getting near Charleston, then we'll leave.'

'Okay,' Matt nodded.

'Will you two come with us?' Anne asked, looking at Jon and Korinne.

'Hell yes,' Jon replied. 'We're not going to Brazil to lay around while some people keep fighting. Anyways,' he added, glancing at Korinne, then around the room, 'we're not leaving our family again.'

'Speaking of family, some of us have an announcement,' Anne said, looking towards Abby, Ben, Jimmy, and Deni.

'Right,' Abby nodded. She looked around the room, sighed, and spoke: 'I just want to say, we love you all, and we're so glad we met you. Or found you. Or you found us, or whatever. But'—

'I knew there was a "but" coming,' Hal sighed.

'But Charleston isn't safe for us,' Abby continued. 'A lot has happened in the two days we've been here, and Jimmy and I have come to the conclusion that we can't stay here for any length of time. Our pack will wait in the woods until the 2nd Mass leaves.'

'And we're going with them,' Deni added, looking at Ben. 'The anti-skitter talk is at an all-time high, so all spike-backs are getting it. Ben and I are just as at risk as the pack, so we've decided to go with them.'

'You're kidding,' Korinne stared open-mouthed at her sister. 'You're leaving?'

'We have to,' Abby sighed. 'We'll be back, don't worry.'

'When are you leaving?' Korinne asked.

'Tomorrow morning,' Ben replied.

'Wow,' Hal sighed.

'Now's when someone gives the "good news",' Matt said sarcastically.

'Actually, I have some good news,' Hal perked up. 'Well, Maggie and I do.'

'Really?' Matt stared at his older brother. 'I swear I was joking.'

'Shut up,' Hal bumped his hand against Matt's head. 'Maggie and I are getting married. We don't know when, but it's going to happen. Soon.'

'Congratulations!' Anne grinned.

'We're happy for you,' Tom added, smiling at his second-oldest son.

'Is there a reason?' Abby hinted, smiling knowingly.

'As a matter of fact, there is,' Maggie retorted. 'Love.'

'Well, that and the fact that Maggie's pregnant,' Hal added.

A/N: So yeah! Yes, that is supposed to be the last line. Stay tuned for the sequel! Assuming I actually write it... (Don't worry, it's already started)