Even if he hadn't studied the maps, Matt wouldn't have had any trouble figuring out where he needed to be. Everyone on the labour line had a jumpsuit that immediately declared they were blue collar, awkward conversations avoided if for some reason a Mexican kid like him landed higher up the employment scale than this. He didn't mind for this mission though; it gave him access to larger areas that bordered to exits since the staff unloading incoming stock worked here.

Matt knew his true job was to take in as much as he could about the process and what they were manufacturing. The physical task required a bit of assembly in a big warehouse that they reached through an underground tunnel. Air shafts crawled along the ceiling and probably led to the surface, though the cameras would catch a person before they could reach them.

"Yo, where we workin' today?" Matt asked the guy with wicked scars who'd been rattling on about a girl, with very little self-respect, at least as far as he'd judged.

The guy, Rob, one of Manny's acquaintances answered, "Same place you always at," and the nod gave him the direction he needed. "Gonna share what you've been smoking, hombre?"

Matt smiled and laughed even though he wanted to smack the stereotype away. "You couldn't handle that shit."

He'd seen Manny's main workstation before but couldn't risk anyone with real authority seeing he didn't know what was going on if there was a switch. Surveillance indicated it could be a possibility. One co-worker thinking he was high was a good compromise. The security footage showed the workers going through the motions, but the team didn't have any information on what really went on down here. Everything was confidential.

Products came down the line and everyone had one repetitive task. They had to pour containers of vinegar into larger ones and reseal them. The new larger glass containers had no labels and were placed on a wheeled cart that other workers eventually came by to collect. Of all the things in the world they could be doing after a country-altering storm, he wondered why vinegar? How could this be helping anyone?

Later in the day, one of the workers wheeled a big container across the warehouse to the other side. From what he had judged earlier, more of the fans and ventilation were in that space. The workers also wore protective gloves and vests. The side of the large blue barrel read NaOCl. It took him a second to connect sodium hypochlorite with what he was working on. It could have been a coincidence as both were common enough products, but together...

His hands trembled enough to spill some of the vinegar onto the table. If the bleach and vinegar were intended to be used together, they could be playing with chlorine gas. In high enough concentrations, it could even be fatal, or at the very least quite damaging to the respiratory system. Whoever was in charge probably didn't expect many of the people here to connect the two dots. If he didn't have an interest in chemistry he wouldn't have either.

Were they preparing for an attack? All he could do was report it to Olivia and hope they weren't here longer than a week. The more distance he could put between himself and this place, the better.

A few days went by without any major incidents according to Olivia's nightly reports. Matt had grown sick of his co-workers but he made dull conversations to keep up appearances. At lunch hour, he spotted Gunnar much further up in the line with Travis' little brunette girlfriend. Everyone lined up for the food like they did at Nouveau Depart, but the jumpsuits like himself were always long after anyone in security. There must have been a completely different section for the higher-ups since Matt had yet to see one of those people.

"Something seems off with Travis lately," Rob commented. The smell of roast beef floated over to tease them. It had been a long time since he'd had any of that. Matt swallowed to wet his dry throat. His gaze had attracted attention to the last person who needed to be found out. Now he had to make sure they didn't suspect Gunnar.

"He hasn't been to see us all week," one of the tattooed guys with a shaved head said.

"Pay him a visit then?" Rob said.

"Heard he's tried out for security. Gotta stay clean for that gig," Matt added.

Rob turned to face him. Scar tissue obscured half of his left eye making his face look like a Halloween mask. "Where'd you hear that?"

"From some guy from fourth floor," Matt recovered.

Rob kept his right eye narrowed for another second before relaxing his face. Either he'd bought it or it just hurt too much to keep up that expression.

A beautiful young girl walked into the room and stopped not far from Gunnar. Her hair glowed white blonde, and she had big blue eyes that took the room at a slow pace. She didn't make much eye contact with the people around her and seemed oblivious to her captivating nature. Her striped fitted sweater and jeans didn't give him much of a clue as to where she fit into this mess.

When Matt could tear his eyes away, he noticed that Gunnar was even more transfixed than he was.

"If it wasn't for this damned fire damage, I bet I could land a chick like Melinda," Rob said.

"Yeah, same here, bro," Matt responded like the others. He remembered to bring his attention back to the immediate conversation. He had to try to keep the focus off Gunnar.

When they did cross paths with Gunnar, he stopped completely and stared at Rob. Granted the guy's face was a bit of a wreck, but he'd never seen Gunnar look so afraid. This brought a smirk to Rob's face.

"Think you're tough shit, prissy father's boy? Too good for this now."

Something wasn't right. Matt had witnessed Gunnar come up with a reply in good time but he just stood there, his act faltering. Gone was the bold hunter who could put Quinton in his place.

Rob took a step forward. Gunnar recoiled, putting a smirk on Rob's face. "You know, now that I get a chance to stare at your ugly mug, you remind me of a guy I used to know. Bet he drowned or starved to death by now though."

"Not everyone got rescued like your lazy asses," Gunnar seethed. His fists were white from clenching his tray of roast beef, potatoes and gravy tight. What the hell was Gunnar doing?

Rob turned to his buddies and they shared a laugh. Matt joined in but it came out really awkward.

"You're one to talk, riding daddy's coattails," Rob added.

Gunnar shuddered.

Matt took advantage of the conversation turning back to Travis instead of his not-so-dead lookalike. He couldn't imagine a situation where Gunnar and Rob's paths would cross, but there wasn't any need to be less cautious than normal. "No need for bad blood, guys. We all got chosen to be here and get food and shelter," Matt interjected.

"Some of us just get more than others," Rob said looking down at Gunnar's try.

"Yeah, and you'll be getting none if you don't move with the line," Matt said.

That managed to get a few laughs and redirect Rob. They let the subject drop for now. Matt only hoped they'd be gone before it came up again.

Melinda took Gunnar by the arm and led him off.

Rob laughed deeply, his expression darkening to match his eerie scars. "Run off, but we'll find you."

Matt shuddered. Rob was the last person he'd ever want chasing after him. He and Gunnar would have to figure out some way to make sure that didn't happen.

Later that night, Quinton's voice came through on the earpiece giving Matt instructions on where to meet Gunnar. It must have been important since Olivia had really cautioned them against meeting up. He went down to find a little electrical room lit up with plenty of panels and lights. Gunnar stepped out of the shadow the quickly back into it.

"That friend of Manny's have a name?" he asked.

"Scarface?" Matt joked.

Gunnar's body went rigid then he let out a breath and relaxed. Matt took that as a 'yes'.

"Rob, Rob Wells."

Gunnar's eyes widened and his shoe tapped loudly on the floor.

"He's bit of a pothead, quick temper and prone to jealousy. Seems fond of Travis' girl," Matt continued since he figured Gunnar should know what he was up against.

"Don't run your mouth to 'im, ya hear?" Gunnar tore a strip of thin metal off one of the panels.

Matt gave him a weak smile. "Not much we can really talk about. It's not like we have much in common."

Gunnar grabbed him by the arm, causing Matt to jump. "I'm serious!"

Matt pulled away. "Of course, you know I wouldn't do that. What's got you so bothered?"

Gunnar kept his eyes on the metal he began to bend. "I know him."

"Yeah, he said his friends would supply Travis."

"Nah, I know 'im from before. He's dangerous and crazy. I can't believe he's here. We thought he was dead." The metal piece grated against another as he sharpened it.

Matt raised him eyebrow. "We?"

"Vita, she knew 'im too but... you can't say nothing about her."

What the hell were those two involved with before this? Were they both connected to this place? They'd both shown up sometime after the storm. But now wasn't the time for questions, especially with Gunnar fashioning some kind of shank.

"Won't say a word. Will he recognize you?" That put them all at risk and he fully intended to go back home, or what was left of home.

"He better not or we're shit out of luck."

Matt's breaths quickened. First chemical weapons, next getting caught. This was a disaster waiting to happen. "If it's that bad then we shouldn't be here. Talk to Olivia and-"

"I'm gunna, but I gotta finish something first." Gunnar stuck the now sharp piece of metal onto a couple of plastic fork handles and wrapped them in tape.

"Need any help?"

Gunnar blinked and looked off and the blinking lights. "Yea, you remember a girl today, thin, blonde,"

"Beautiful," Matt finished with a smile.

Gunnar scowled and inspected his new weapon. Matt sighed. The guy couldn't have every girl he stumbled across. This girl was closer to Matt's age than Gunnar's anyway. He'd be cradle robbing.

"Find out when she got here, who she is, and what she remembers."

"Who do you think she is?"

"My sister," he said with narrowed eyes.

Matt gulped and was glad he'd just shared the one thought with Gunnar. That prison-style shank could easily be intended for him.