Dot found herself waking up suddenly, the darkness immediately telling her it was nowhere near morning. Wakko's snoring was obvious, and she frowned in confusion. That never woke her up anymore, not even when he occasionally yipped in his sleep.

Then she felt the empty space beside her and realized what had woken her… Yakko was gone.

Her heart immediately began pounding in alarm, and she sat bolt upright. But before she could call her oldest brother's name, the quieter sound of tense voices reached her ears, coming from the other side of the curtain. Recognizing one as Yakko's, the other as one of their neighbors, she relaxed just a little, but the anxiety in the conversation kept her on edge. Something was wrong, and when something was wrong in Warnerstock, that just meant already bad times were about to get even worse.

Dot was about to reach over to wake her immediate older brother when the anxious conversation stopped, and the curtain whipped aside as Yakko rushed in. The darkness made it hard to see his face, but there was no mistaking the fact that he was afraid. Seeing that she was awake, he moved for the other side of the bed.

"Dot, get your stuff," he said. "We gotta go."

Despite the confusion those words brought the Warner sister jumped up, the course of action associated with those words having been drilled into her and Wakko several times over the past few years. The sound of Yakko urgently waking the middle sibling seemed to come from a distance as she stuffed some warm clothes into a traveling pack, along with a small doll… the last one her mother had given her. It might not be essential to survival, but she couldn't give it up for anything.

When Dot turned, she saw that her brothers had finished their hurried packing as well. Yakko looked at her, his voice collected and calm despite the fear.

"Ready, sis?"

She nodded, letting her immediate older brother take her hand before they followed him to the entrance of their shelter. Katie, one of their neighbors, was standing right outside with an anxious expression.

"What's going on?" Dot asked, trying not to sound scared.

"Soldiers," Katie said. "Dad heard on the way home, they're in town and say they're looking for some escaped POWs. Trying to keep it quiet, but they mean business."

Dot felt a chill run down her spine that wasn't related to the winter weather. She heard Wakko inhale sharply and pressed closer to him. She felt just a little reassured when his arm wrapped around her, his hand gently running up and down her arm.

"They're starting to search the lower end of town, but luckily, they're coming from the other side. My dad and some other neighbors are gonna do what they can to slow 'em down, so that should give you time."

Katie reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small pouch, handing it to Yakko.

"My mom's been saving up," she said. "Sorry it's not much, but it ought to be some help."

"Katie, we can't…" Yakko started, but she cut him off with a slightly impatient wave of her hand.

"We can keep making more. Who knows when you can? Now get going." She gave all three a smile. "Good luck."

Dot smiled back at her, feeling a slight tightness in her throat. The thought came to her that there were several other people here that they wouldn't be able to say goodbye to, and who knew when, or even if, they would see any of them again. She felt Yakko take her hand, and she looked up to see him looking at her with gentle understanding along with the fear. Taking a deep breath, she gulped down the lump and managed a smile.

"Thanks," her oldest brother said to Katie. Dot softly echoed him, and even though Wakko didn't say anything she knew he was expressing thanks with a smile.

"Okay, sibs," Yakko said, his voice encouraging but still tense. "Let's go. Stay close and don't let go of my hand, understand?"

Dot moved to take his right hand.

"I won't," she said softly.

Wakko didn't say anything as he went to take his brother's left hand but gave a quick nod. Dot saw Yakko give him a reassuring smile before they headed off. The Warner sister glanced back, toward their shelter. It stood dark and empty, and Dot felt a sadness inside. It hadn't been much, no denying that, but it was still home, the only one they had. She wondered when they might find another one, and how long it would be until then.

A slight squeeze on her hand drew her look to her oldest brother, who was giving her the same gentle smile he'd given Wakko.

"It's gonna be okay, sis," he said softly. "We're here."

Dot sniffled, then managed a smile.

"I know."

Yakko kept his voice quiet as they moved toward the dark forest.

"We're gonna have to keep going till morning, but it oughta be far enough. Then it's just another day to Burbank."

Dot nodded; they all knew the plan by heart, Yakko had made sure of that. Burbank was a larger city, which meant more soldiers, but there was an underground resistance branch there. It had been operating under Salazar's radar almost since the takeover and expanded into one of the main bases.

Yakko's explanation had suggested they would be able to get a new place to stay there, but Dot had harbored a growing suspicion over the past year that he might not be telling them the whole story. Despite his characteristic cheerfulness, Dot could tell the state of things was getting to him, and she knew Wakko saw it too.

Well, if he's gonna get involved, so are we.

The younger siblings had discussed this between themselves many times. As much as their brother wanted to keep them all together, Dot knew he wanted to keep her and Wakko safe just as much, if not more. But if he thought that meant they'd be willing to sit back and wait while he went charging off into danger, he had another thing coming. Dot didn't count on it being an easy argument for them to win, though… Yakko was smarter than most people she knew, but that didn't keep him from having an obstinately thick head sometimes.

But if there was one thing her and Wakko were good at, it was cracking thick heads. They'd learned from the best, after all.

By now the siblings had reached the dark forest on the outskirts of the town. Dot felt her heart skip anxiously as the realization came again: they were truly on their own now, without anyone to give them help or support.

It won't be for long, she told herself, drawing in a calming breath. Just a few days, and then we can find a new place. There'll be people in Burbank to help us.

She stepped into the cover of the trees with her brothers, looking around. It was dark, almost ominous looking, but as luck would have it, there was a clear sky and a full moon tonight. Light from that and the stars were enough to see by easily. Still, Yakko kept a firm grip on both hers and Wakko's hands.

"Keep your ears open," he said softly. "Don't want anyone gettin' the drop on us."

"Got it," Dot whispered back, tightening her grip on her bundle. She heard Wakko hum in affirmation, and though he didn't say anything she could hear the nervousness in his voice. But she didn't call him out on it, and neither did Yakko. As much as he liked attention, the middle sibling still had his pride like they all did.

But it was no big deal… they just had to stick together and keep moving till they reached Burbank. Then they could find a new home, and the hardest part would be over.

It'll be fine… we'll be fine.

Reassured by this quiet affirmation, Dot squared her shoulders. Just like her brothers wouldn't let anything happen to her, she wouldn't let anything happen to them.