Morning came slowly.
The compound stirred in uneven waves of activity as people emerged from houses, RVs, and makeshift sleeping spaces. No one had truly slept well.
Some survivors yawned as they walked. Others stretched aching muscles.
A few had already started looking for something useful to do, unable to sit still now that they had a place that felt almost safe.
The events of the previous day still hung over everyone like a weight that hadn't fully settled.
Lucas climbed onto the hood of a nearby vehicle and looked across the compound. "Everyone," he called. "Gather here. Call the others."
Heads turned. Conversations died down. People began moving toward him, calling for anyone still inside the houses. One by one, the sirens and survivors gathered in front of the vehicle until a loose crowd had formed.
Lucas waited until most of them were present. Then he spoke. "We got a lot on our plate." His gaze moved across the crowd. "But we also got a lot of hands."
A few people exchanged glances.
Lucas continued. "I'll have Taylor, Elena, and Joan interview each and every one of you."
He pointed toward different parts of the compound.
"Taylor will be at the RV."
"Joan will use that table over there."
"Elena will be inside that house."
The three women nodded in acknowledgment.
"We need your names, backgrounds, and a few other important details. Skills. Experience. Anything useful."
Lucas folded his arms. "Right now, every piece of information matters."
His attention shifted toward the sirens. "As for you, head to the house over there. Dr. Jenkins will be conducting interviews separately."
Several sirens glanced toward Jenkins.
The doctor adjusted his glasses and gave a small nod.
"We need to know what resources we have, what knowledge we have, and what we're missing."
Lucas stepped down from the hood. "So line up and be patient. We'll get through everyone."
The crowd broke into murmurs almost immediately. Some looked relieved to finally have direction. Others looked nervous. But nobody argued.
People began splitting into groups, moving toward the RV, the table, and the designated house, while the sirens started making their way toward Jenkins.
Lucas started looking for Yve. He found her near the edge of the gathering.
Or rather—
he found her staring at Dylan.
Dylan was across the compound helping move supplies, carrying a crate alongside Ethan.
Yve's attention never left him.
"Yve."
No response.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Yve."
Still nothing.
By the time he reached her side, she still hadn't noticed him. "Yve."
That finally got her attention.
She blinked and finally turned. "Yeah?"
Lucas followed the direction of her gaze. His eyes landed on Dylan. Then back to her. A slow grin appeared. "You two fight?"
Yve frowned immediately. "No."
"Then what's with the look?"
She opened her mouth.
Lucas beat her to it. "You look like you wanna devour him."
Yve sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of her nose before finally forcing her attention away from Dylan. "What's up?"
Lucas's expression softened. The teasing vanished. "Well..." He folded his arms. "I didn't get to thank you for bringing Jenkins back to us."
Yve smiled faintly. "You don't have to thank me."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"We're family." The words lingered for a moment.
Lucas looked away briefly. Then something in his expression shifted. The hesitation returned.
Yve noticed immediately. "What?"
Lucas exhaled. "But something's off with him."
The smile faded from Yve's face. "What do you mean?"
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know." He glanced toward the house where Jenkins was conducting interviews. "I can't explain it."
Yve remained silent.
Lucas continued. "He doesn't seem right."
A pause.
"He feels like a different person." Another pause. "Like he's just..." His brow furrowed. "...pretending."
The word hit harder than it should have.
Pretending.
For a second, it echoed in her head. Yve's eyes drifted unconsciously across the compound. The people fussing over small things, Joan at the table talking to an old woman, to Dylan.
The sounds around her dulled. The movement of people became distant.
Lucas kept talking, unaware. "What did you even do?" he asked. "How'd you save him?" His curiosity finally overtook his concern. "Did you guys find a cure?"
Yve blinked. The world rushing back in.
Lucas was still looking at her expectantly.
She cleared her throat. "Uh... no." Then she stepped closer. Lowering her voice. "I just turned him into a siren."
Lucas stared at her.
A beat passed.
Then another.
"...You what?" he whispered.
Yve leaned closer, making sure nobody else could overhear. "You heard me right," she said quietly. "So don't push him. Don't bombard him with questions."
Lucas remained silent.
Yve's expression hardened slightly. "That man has almost died more times than I can count. And the aftermath wasn't easy either." Her eyes briefly drifted toward the house where Jenkins was conducting interviews. "He's still recovering."
Lucas followed her gaze.
Then Yve looked back at him. "And I'd like you to keep this a secret."
Lucas blinked. "Secret?"
"Yes." She lowered her voice further. "Don't tell anyone."
A pause.
"Not even Taylor."
That earned a longer look from him.
Then Lucas slowly nodded. "Oh." His eyes drifted back toward the house. "Uh... alright."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "No wonder he feels off."
A brief pause.
"Because he's different."
Different.
The word lingered. It stretched longer than it should have.
Different.
For a moment, the sounds of the compound seemed to dull around her. Her heartbeat thudded once against her ribs.
Then again.
She swallowed.
And forced the thought away before it could settle into something larger.
Yve shook her head lightly. "I gotta go look for my sister."
Lucas glanced back at her. The strange moment passed before he could notice it. "Yeah, alright." Then his expression softened slightly. "If you need anything, just tell me."
Yve gave a small nod. "I know." Then she turned and walked away, disappearing into the growing movement of the compound
~~~
Yve passed by one of the houses and slowed when she saw Duncan kneeling near the entrance, tools scattered across the ground beside him. She walked over. "Hey, Dunk."
Duncan looked up. "Hey…"
She crouched beside him. "What are you doing?"
Duncan gestured toward the house. "Me and David are turning this place into a workshop. We're gonna tear down that wall, expand the space."
Yve glanced around. "Seems like you're enjoying your time here."
Duncan let out a short breath. "Not really. I just… wish I could've been there when Reefville got attacked."
Yve's reply came immediately. "I'm glad you weren't."
Duncan paused and looked at her. "Really? Why?"
"Wouldn't want you getting killed." She shrugged slightly. "I still owe you that Traveler's Key, remember?"
That earned a faint, tired smile from him. "Well… you do." His expression dipped again. "I just… do you think my father and sister made it out?"
Yve didn't hesitate. "I'm sure they did. Your father wouldn't let anything happen to her."
A beat.
"Once we're done here," she added, "I'll help you find them."
Duncan nodded slowly. "Thank you."
They both stood.
Yve adjusted her stance. "Have you seen my sister?"
Duncan wiped his hands on his pants. "Think I saw her and Raine head out earlier. Something about checking out the river."
"Alright."
Then, as she turned to leave—
"Hey," Duncan called.
She glanced back.
"If you see David," he said, "tell him to get his ass over here. I need help finishing this."
Yve nodded. "I haven't seen him."
Duncan tilted his head. "Maybe he's still asleep in the military truck. You're heading out anyway, yeah? Mind checking?"
"Sure," Yve said. "I'll check on him."
She walked off.
Few moments later, Yve made her way toward the parked convoy.
Lucas dropped down from the side of a military truck just as she approached.
"Hey," she called. "David in there?"
Lucas shook his head. "No. I'm actually looking for him too. Didn't see him during the announcement."
Yve's expression barely shifted. "Well, if you see him, tell him Duncan's looking for him."
"Sure," Lucas said, though his attention had already started drifting elsewhere. "Sure."
Yve turned away without waiting for anything else. She walked toward one of the tidecrafts and opened the door.
The suspended water shifted as she approached it. She reached in, and the water gathered at her hand, condensing and reshaping into a sword. The blade formed cleanly, fluid locking into structure.
She tested its weight once. No announcement. No hesitation. She moved through the compound gates and into the forest.
Meanwhile, back at the compound, Ava was carrying a set of tools across the yard, while Dylan followed behind her, dragging lengths of plywood and scrap wood.
Lucas passed by them mid-step. "Dyl," he called.
Dylan turned.
"Seen David?"
A beat lingered a little too long. "No," Dylan said.
Lucas nodded once. "If you see him, tell him to go help Duncan. Then come find me."
Dylan gave a small nod and continued on, heading toward the towering trees beside the gates.
Ava dropped her tools underneath the tree. "Alright, I think I'm good now. Set it there."
Dylan placed the wood down and stared at her.
Ava noticed. "What?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"…What?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes.
Dylan just kept looking at her.
Ava exhaled sharply and rolled her eyes. "I'm putting up a sign. Happy now? Go. Shoo. Make yourself scarce."
Dylan didn't respond right away. Instead, he asked, quieter this time. "You trust us?"
Ava frowned slightly. "Maybe? I don't know." Her gaze dropped for a second. "I mean how would I even know when I don't even trust myself?"
A beat.
"But I hope to God he keeps my sister alive until we find her. Because I don't know what I'd do if something happens to her too."
Dylan watched her carefully. "So you trust God?" he asked.
Ava let out a short breath. "I don't know." She glanced away. "But I've got to hold onto something… so yeah. I guess."
Silence.
Ava pointed toward the yard without looking at him. "Now go away."
Dylan nodded once, and turned away.
Ava muttered under her breath as she picked up the wood again. "…Weirdo."
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, Yve reached the river.
The current ran fast—cold water cutting through stone, loud enough to drown out anything careless.
Across the water, movement broke through the trees.
Ysa and Raine. Returning from their exploration.
Ysa's hand tightened around her sword. "What are you doing here?"
Yve looked up. "Cross over. I need to tell you something."
Raine tilted her head slightly. "We jump together?"
Ysa gave a short nod.
They stepped back in sync, checking distance.
Ysa lowered her sword. The blade dissolved into water, sinking into the soil like it was never solid at all.
Raine exhaled. "On three."
They set their stance.
"Two…"
Muscles tensed.
"Three."
They ran. Both hit the riverbank at speed and launched forward at the same time.
Ysa landed clean—knees first, hands steady.
Raine didn't. She slipped on impact and hit the ground hard on her side. A sharp sound of pain cut through her breath. "Ah—!"
Ysa immediately laughed.
Yve rushed forward. "How do you even miss that? It's an easy jump."
Ysa knelt beside Raine without stopping her laughter, already placing a hand over her side. Energy began threading through the fracture.
Raine hissed. "I lost footing. Don't judge me."
Ysa kept laughing under her breath as she worked. "I'm not judging. I'm coping."
Yve frowned slightly. "Why are you laughing like that?"
Raine exhaled sharply, wincing as Ysa stabilized the bone. "She's distracting herself. She told me if she keeps thinking about Emily, she'll lose it. Even asked me for a duel."
That quieted the air for a second.
Yve's expression softened. "Oh… right." She helped Raine sit upright as the healing finished.
Ysa straightened slowly, exhaling once as she withdrew her hand. Then she looked at Yve. "So. What did you need to tell me?"
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Yve didn't answer right away. Her face went still. Focused. Serious.
Then—
Yve's voice was quieter than usual when she finally spoke. "I saw something last night…"
Ysa looked up, brows knitting. "Saw what?"
Yve hesitated. Her gaze stayed fixed deeper in the forest, like the memory didn't sit well being pulled back out. "A Skindrifter."
Ysa frowned. "A what?"
"I thought I was wrong at first," Yve continued. "That my mind was filling in gaps between the darkness and the trees. But it was there. Just watching us. Completely still." Her voice tightened slightly. "It almost killed Dylan, Ysa."
Ysa's expression hardened. "What's a skindrifter, Yve? You spent most your free time reading books—so explain it. What does a skindrifter do?"
Raine shifted behind them, suddenly too aware of the space between the trees.
Yve exhaled once, controlled—but tense. "It's a land variation of a Zorveth."
The reaction was immediate. Raine's fingers twitched. Ysa stepped back half a pace before she even noticed she had moved, eyes scanning the forest edges. Silence sharpened.
Ysa forced the question out again, quieter now. "A variation? What does it do?"
Yve lowered her voice. "It feeds on trust."
Meanwhile, across the veteran community, Dylan moved through the compound like normal.
People passed him, greeting him as they went—routine nods, familiar exchanges. He returned them without pause.
"It's a vicious monster. And its power grows the more lives it takes."
Dylan saw Lily. He stopped in front of her. "Where's your mother?"
Lily said, pointing at a house at a distance, with people lining outside. "Inside. Still doing interviews."
Then she left.
Dylan watched her go, then continued forward.
"It copies you."
Dylan crossed the streets and opened the door to a house. Stepping inside.
"Your face."
When the door opened again, David stepped out. He lifted a hand against the sun, adjusting to the light.
"Your voice."
Then David passed by a few more houses before finally stopping in front of a yard. He called out. "Duncan."
Duncan turned around and smiled. "Thought you doze off again somewhere. Forgetting you got a task to finish."
"Your memories."
David just chuckled. "That happened like one time. Move on, geez."
Yve continued, "It will take over your identity. It gains the trust of the people you love. And it kills for two reasons only—either to satiate its hunger, or to keep you alive long enough to access your live blood. Once it has no further use for you… it will kill you."
The silence that followed wasn't immediate. It arrived slowly, like the forest itself had leaned in to listen.
Ysa's hands trembled slightly. "And you think—"
"I know what I saw," Yve cut in, firm. "I know what I read. We have to make sure no one—no one—goes into the forest alone. Ever."
Her gaze shifted briefly toward the treeline, sharp and unblinking. "It only needs five seconds," she added, voice lower now. "Five seconds of isolation. That's all it takes."
No one spoke after that.
Even the river beside them sounded quieter than before.
~~~
Somewhere where light doesn't reach, and the smell of mud, wet concrete, and moss filled the air.
Dylan stirred awake, blood dripping from the side of his head, tracing a warm, erratic path up his temple and into his hairline.
It took him a while before his consciousness became fully aware. He looked around, his head heavy, a dead weight pulling against his neck.
And then, he finally realized it—he was hanging upside down, bound tight with vines that bit into his wrists, body, and ankles.
He grunted, trying to break free, mouth gagged with a coarse, wet cloth that tasted of earth and decay.
He kept grunting, and grunting, his struggles sending him in a slow, sickening swing. But only darkness and echoes answered.