Alana only nodded.

Mark then let go of Martin and strolled into the city, looking up at the imposing towers, smiling with relief. "We're back."

Alana followed silently.

Arland and Martin followed, jogging forward as the gates behind them closed, banging shut with a resounding bang.

Alana kept her hood up.

Martin slipped beside Alana, looking up at the massive structure with awe, gasping. "I've only heard stories about this place..." He said slowly, half-expecting Alana to listen as he continued marvelling the structures.

Alana nodded softly, showing she was listening.

Mark then turned around, "We're going to have to grab somewhere to stay." He said to Alana and Martin - having already spoken to Arland about the situation. "Does anyone have any ideas where we could reside in for a few days?"

Alana thought for a moment. "My parents and I... had an old vacation house in the fancy side of town... we never use it anymore... maybe there?"

"Are you sure there'll be no one in it?" Arland said. They had stopped at the corner of a massive skyscraper, which cast an elongated shadow over them, hiding him from the public.

Alana nodded. "Every Spring we go and clean it but that's the only time anyone's there, it's summer now so we should be fine."

"Good." Mark said before moving his hand forward, gesturing for her to make lead, "Show us the way." He said.

Alana nodded and began leading them with her head down.

Martin, Arland and Mark followed, all looking down at the asphalt as they moved through the jungle of buildings and humans, not one giving them the second glance or coming up with anything suspicious.

After about an hour of walking they made it to a simple but comfortable looking house on the corner of town. "Here we are."

Martin ran up to the house instantly and pressed his face against the window, peering in side with joy. "This place looks awesome." He said as he looked back before instantly going inside through the front door, which had been left unlocked. Mark and Arland followed through, chuckling at Martin's joyous mood.

Alana found herself smiling a little, glad she could make Martin happy after all this. She looked around before slowly walking inside and locking the front door behind her.

Martin flopped on a red couch grinning, "What do you call this?" He asked, as he rolled around on it.

Mark sat on a seat parallel to Martin and Arland stood behind Martin, still chuckling before looking over to Alana who had just entered the room, "Is there any food in here?"

Alana answered Martin first with a small smile on her face. "It's called a couch." She then looked at Mark more seriously. "We haven't been here in a couple years but we have some emergency canned food rations in case of tornadoes and what not. I also think we have some money stored away in my parent's den."

"Aweso-." He then paused as he heard something touching the door, then a key sliding into the lock - turning around slowly. Mark looked at Arland, eyes wide as he challenged to look back at the door.

Alana slowly turned to look at the door before either of them could.

Martin rolled off the lounge and then hid behind it as Mark scuttled forward to the door and waited for it open whilst Arland took out his knife and brandished it in front of him, awaiting. The door then opened and a man with short, curly hair entered, along with a woman which was linking hands with the man - dressed in bright pink.

Alana's eyes widened and she stared at them for a long moment. "M-Mom... Dad..."

Before they could react, Mark grabbed both of them and threw them to the ground whilst Arland shut the door behind them. Martin looked up from the couch and stood, both eyes wide.

Alana stood there, frozen as the couple screamed and fell to the ground, when the woman looked up she saw into Alana's hood and saw her face. "Alana..." She slowly stood up and walked over to her.

"Honey, wait, you need to..." Her husband started but she shushed him.

"This is our daughter Harry." She said as she slowly wrapped her arms around Alana and held her against her. "Baby girl... I've been so worried... where did you go?" She asked.

Alana's eyes widened and slowly filled with tears and she hugged her back. "Mom..."

The woman smiled as she held her but slowly pulled a small pistol out of her dress pocket and lifted it to the back of Alana's hooded head.