A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating sooner *sweats* I know this chapter is really short but I'm going to keep writing tonight and see how much more I can get my brain to give.

The two of us moved to search the new stretch of land; while Matt's back was turned I grabbed the nearest thing that I could use as a weapon. I didn't believe the girl's story it was just a fairy tale but…just in case. Matt and I walked past the land and houses we could see as all the other pairs had already taken to searching around them. Obviously they didn't want to go far beyond the cave. We stood in front of what seemed to be the biggest house in the village, Matt's hands clutching a large stick which I hadn't noticed him pick up.

He looked at me sheepishly when he saw me looking. "Just in case."

I held up my own makeshift weapon and he relaxed, he seemed comforted by the fact that I was as just as nervous as he was.

"Should…should we go in?" He asked hesitantly.

Slowly I ran my hand along the door and tested the handle, it was unlocked.

"I guess so…" With that I pushed the door open; it was pitch black inside and Matt held up the torch to shine some light into the room.

There were holes in the old wood floorboards and the walls were covered with dried old stains of substances I couldn't even begin to guess. I put one foot inside and Matt grabbed my arm tight.

"Let me go first, it's dangerous."

I blinked, looking down at his hand on my arm; he wouldn't let me go first because it was dangerous? What was I a princess all the sudden?

"I can handle it thank you very much." I scowled, pulling my arm out of his grip.

"I'm sure you can just…" He went deep red. "Just let me go first damn it."

He wormed his way in front of me and took the first step inside, the wood creaked beneath him but held. Matt made his way to the middle of the room, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"Okay Mello it's safe—"

As soon as the word safe left his mouth the floor broke open and Matt disappeared.

I screamed. "Matt?!"

Quickly and carefully I made my way to the spot where he'd fallen, trying to see down the hole.

"Matt?!"

"Ow." He simply said.

"Thank god…you okay?"

"Besides a bruised ass yeah I'm fine." I heard him moving around in the dark. "I lost the torch though."

"That doesn't matter, you're okay." I leaned down, putting my hand out. "Grab my hand I'll pull you up."

Our hands smacked together a few times, both of us having to lean as far as we could just to get our fingers to touch. Finally we gripped hands and I pulled.

"Christ Matt you're a lot heavier than you look." I grunted in effort.

"Thanks a lot." He groaned, dragging himself up and out with my help. "Damn my ass hurts…"

I spoke before even thinking about my words. "If you want I'll make it feel better later." I could feel a dark red spread along my cheeks immediately.

Matt spluttered and dusted himself off quickly, clearing his throat and pulling me away from the hole. I was thankful that he was nice enough to just drop it and not comment; I honestly wasn't sure where that had come from. He put one foot on the first step of the stairs and pushed down as hard as he could. When it held he did it for each stair with me following close behind. I had to look anywhere else but in front of me because his butt was right in my face. We walked along the landing, the sunlight pouring in from the windows and lighting the rooms. There were a ton of rooms and halls stretching back so far that we would have to walk them all to explore every bit of the house.

"There's a kitchen, a dining room…hey there's fresh fruit in the kitchen!" He rushed to grab it but I grabbed the back of his shirt.

"Do you really think we should just eat things lying around in a dusty old house? We'll find the trees and take from them."

He bit his lip and nodded. "You're right, sorry I guess I'm just too hungry to really think things through."

"We all are Matt, but we're the leaders. We need to keep our heads."

Matt sighed but agreed, leaving the house with me to search for the fruit trees. I sat on his shoulders to reach the small amount of fruit we could find, mainly apples and a few pears.

"These look great Matt, we don't have to eat meat tonight." I climbed down his body, handing him some so I didn't have to hold them all. We started making our way back to the cave, curious to find out what everyone else found. After making our way back through the cave we sat in a circle around the fire and cut up a few apples so everyone could have two slices. The trees were still full even after we picked so we weren't worried about running out so soon, we could splurge for just one night. Matt and I took turns explaining what we found, listening intently to the other's stories. All the other houses had had furniture in it and a fruit in the kitchen like the house we'd searched. Thankfully no one had touched the fruit; they had all found it odd like I had. I moved slightly out of the circle to help the woman with the head injury eat her slices. She looked fine and even politely thanked me for helping her. I was glad; at least we didn't have to worry about losing another person. Eventually we all moved back into the train car and huddled up to sleep, Matt and I pressing close together and sharing our blanket.