The next few days passed slowly for Alex and Sun. She was feeling constantly irritated about Alex's obnoxious antics, but she still found his company enjoyable. They had left the last town filed in the back of their minds. Neither of them really wanted to think about what happened there with Jordyn.

She could see the next city off in the distance a ways. It was larger than the last two towns they visited. Sun grimaced at the thought of the amount of Blights and scavengers that must be there. She considered turning back to Alex and telling them they should go around the city limits. Before she could do that though, Alex took off, a big grin on his face.

"I know this city! There's a trading center towards the center! If we go there, we could look at the things they have!" he exclaimed excitedly, not bothering to glance back at the dumbfounded Sun.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Sun hollered after him, trying to sprint with the weight she had. Maybe I should give him a rifle. She thought to herself. We've been together for over half a week and he hasn't attempted to kill me yet. We are also going into a possibly dangerous territory... He stopped running, spinning around to see her jog up to him. After a few hesitant moments, she grabbed the rifle she looted off the lookout. She stared at the gun that rested in her grip for a few seconds before holding it out to him.

"I don't need you dying on me," she said in explanation. He looked at the outstretched gun quizzically, before bring his gaze back to her's.

"Are you sure?" he asked skeptically. She shot him a look, and she all but thrusted the weapon into his arms.

"Just don't make me regret it," she warned him. A large smile spread across his features. He saluted her.

"I won't let you down, captain!" She rolled her eyes before adjusting the position of her backpack strap.

"All right, let's go to this trade center of your's." Alex beamed, and he started forward again.

As time passed, the city grew larger and larger with their advancement. Rubble from the buildings laid waste on the roads. Deep cracks led from the fallen pieces, breaking up streets and sidewalks. Glass was smashed and trash blew in the streets. It was a rather surreal, haunting sight to see such a large city completely empty. Sun's guard rose with the eerie atmosphere.

They picked their way through the ruined roads. She kept her eyes one her surroundings and was surprised to see Alex do the same. As they turned down a new street, they found a rag-clad form hunched over in the streets. Sun readied her gun, approaching the being slowly. The figure looked up suddenly, and revealed a mud covered woman.

"Oh thank god!" she breathed out in relief. She stood up on shaky legs before darting towards Sun. Sun stiffened, but she refrained from moving. Alex approached her side, his jaw ticking.

"You need to help me!" the woman bawled. She grabbed Sun's shoulders. She lowered her head. "My child, he got trapped in a building that collapsed suddenly! You have to help me get him out!" she wailed, looking between them wildly.

"We'll help you, but what's your name?" Alex said softly. Sun wrapped her free arm around the woman's back. Despite her hysterics, the woman back away from Sun, taking in a shaky breath.

"My name is Emma. My son's name is Patrick, and we need to go help him!" Alex nodded his head.

"Show us the way." The woman jumped out, releasing a relieved sigh before rushing off down a street. Sun and Alex jogged after her. They took a left and passed a few blocks before the woman spoke again.

"He's just down this way!" she spoke, gesturing for them to follow her down an alleyway before taking off down it. She looked back at Alex, seeing him turning the corner of the street she was on. He had fallen back a bit when they squeezed under a semi that had blocked the road. Sun stopped short at the entrance, gazing down the passage warily.

"Isn't there another way around?" she asked.

"No," a masculine voice added from behind. She spun around, finding herself surrounded by rough looking men. She turned back to start down the alley when she found another burly guy smacking a bat into the palm of his hand. The woman followed behind him; her attitude flipped as she strutted behind him.

"You set us up." It dawned on Sun. "You don't even have a kid," she snarled. Hands grabbed her from behind, yanking the gun from her grasp. She fought against the men as they pulled her backpack from her body.

She tried looking over their shoulders to find Alex and plead for help. He was no where to be found. That filthy mutt ran off at the first sign of me being taken. I should have never trusted him. She paused at that thought. I actually trusted him. She found herself growing disgusted at her own actions. She had down so well to build up a front. Yet, behind all the armor, he still managed to get her to trust him. She sagged against her capturers, the fight leaving. Her eyes stared sullenly at the ground. He left me...

The men holding her chuckled darkly as they dragged her down the alley. They spoke of doing unpleasant things, and she shivered in disturbance. They took a left before coming to an archway in the alley. On the other side of the arch, was a camp setup. A large fire crackled at the center and various sleeping bags and mattresses were scattered among the blocked off square.

Sun lifted her head, seeing above was fire escape fashioned into a watch tower. Near the fire escape was a door that led to a set of staircases. They dragged her towards the fire, setting her uncomfortably close to the open flames. She could feel the heat seize her skin in a painful grip, instantly claiming her skin in splotches of irritated red.

"Thompson! Get me some duct tape!" a man behind her yelled. She squirmed in their grip, only to receive a harsh kick to her side. She wheezed in a breath, falling to her side. She couldn't help but think how she had been in a similar experience before. She also couldn't help but think how she wouldn't had been in either if it hadn't been for Alex.