After reading the journal. We agree there should be more than enough time to sneak it back into Yoder's home. Before going back to the barn. Planning to have Amos standing guard while I venture in. Along the way we discuss what we've just read.

"If the process is speeding up, then a lot more people should be up and healthy before nightfall. Maybe even just a few hours from now. My whole family could be up and back to normal."

Amos proclaims excitedly.

"Yes, but aren't you worried? What if, like Susanna, they want blood. What if they're willing to get it?"

"Are you saying they will wake up to be blood crazed maniacs? They won't, I know my family. They're normal people. Not a bunch of blood hungry freaks."

"And what? Susanna is!"

I begin to yell.

"Well she sure seemed like it last night! You saw what she was doing. I'd say that's a blood hungry freak if I've ever seen one!"

Amos now yelling too.

"She is not the person she use to be! And when they wake up, your family might not be either!"

"What do you know! Just because your girlfriend is a monster doesn't mean everyone else will be. Return the journal yourself. I'm going to see my family. Goodbye Levi."

And with that Amos storms away. We were near Yoder's home. So returning the journal was no problem. If I had run into Yoder there I can simply explain my presence as searching for him after returning to the barn and not finding him there. I didn't expect to run into him though. And sure enough I didn't. So leaving the journal on his kitchen counter, I make my way back to the barn.

Upon returning, I quickly stop in to respectfully decline Yoder's invitation to the breakfast feast. Telling him I am not hungry, and instead plan to check in on my Parents. And set up food and water for when they wake up. Though in reality I plan to tie them down as a precaution before they wake up. But I don't tell Yoder that part.

A quick glace around the barn reveals it to be mostly vacated. I can guess why, and Yoder confirms my suspicions. Telling me the others have returned to their homes to lay out food and water as well.

I enter the house and find my mother standing over the stove. Stirring a pot of something, though I can't tell what. Her back is turned to me. I'm awash with relief to see shes up and well. And cooking something, not searching for blood. I call out to her.

"Ma! You're okay!"

She doesn't reply. I continue

"Oh, I guess you're still mad at me for the other day."

Still no reply.

"Okay, well I am going to go check on dad then."

At the top of the stairs I knock on my Dad's door. There's no reply. I assume he's still down. I knock again to be polite as I open the door.

The silver Vomit is everywhere. The soft sound of it sloshing about trying to escape chills me to the bone. The door had been sealed tight so it had been building up with no where to go. Thick heaping mounds of it litter the floor. I count six separate piles of it before seeing the ones climbing the walls. It's now that I notice these bugs are the sole source of light in the room. The window completely blacked out by them clamouring all over it. I don't see my dad anywhere. Even his bed seems to be gone. I call out to him.

"Dad!"

Not expecting an answer and receiving exactly that.

I then hear a sound above me. Looking up to find a giant glob directly above my head. Creeping down slowly but with a purpose. Descending like a spider spinning a web. Inching ever closer toward my head.

Slamming the door shut once again I bolt down the stairs calling out.

"Ma! Ma! it's dad. He's gone!"

She still doesn't acknowledge me.

"Ma, I know you're mad at me but this is serious."

I approach her and place my hand on her shoulder. Forcibly turning her towards me. My hand feels wet. I see a gigantic gash along her neck. something no one should have been able to survive. Panic setting in I notice small silver bugs wriggling around in the wound. Looking at my now blood covered hand I see some scurrying about on me. On instinct I dive my hand into the pot Ma is stirring. Trying to wash off the bugs. It's warm but not burning hot. I look into the pot while drawing my hand back out to see its filled with her own blood. I suppress a gag stumbling backward and examining my hand. Luckily I had managed to lose the bugs.

I run. I run like hell.

Unsure of where to go or what to do. I run straight into the woods behind my house. Figuring I'm the least likely to run into anyone else here. Crying, panting, struggling to catch my breath. Trying to process what on earth I had just seen. I realize the only thing for me to do is try and find my dad. Maybe I can talk to him. Find out if he's the one that did that to mom. Find out for good, what's happening.

A breach snaps behind me. Startled, I turn.

"Dad!"

Instead I find Yoder approaching me.

"Levi, what are you doing out here?"

"It... My Dad. He's up, but I do not know where he went. I searched around the house but could not find him anywhere. Ma is not yet well enough to speak though I am sure she does not know either."

"Well I have my doubts you would find him out here. I would not expect to find anyone out here. My own presence is explained by deciding to take a nice nature walk, get a little fresh air. It became evident everyone was too busy with their families to return to the barn for the feast. So I thought, why not give them all some time to visit with their families before making my morning rounds praying over the few that are still sick."

I've completely stopped listening. focusing my energy on maintaining a calm outward appearance. Yoder continues talking.

"I would be glad to help you search for your father if you'd like. Let us head to my office where we can deliberate on where he may have gone."

"No thank you Father, I can continue to look on my own."

Yoder grabs my arm. Hard.

"I insist Levi."

With a shove I knock him down and run.

Running as far as I can. Hoping Yoder will lose sight of me. I spot a as of yet unharvested field of corn. Realizing this gives me a better opportunity to hide than running would. I duck into the field. I know there is a small clearing in the middle with a scarecrow. Where I can sit and work on a plan. Trying to get there is a struggle. The wind is getting fierce. Swaying corn cobs slapping me in the face. Crashing down on my shoulders and nearly knocking me over. I crouch below the corn line and continue on into the middle.

As I enter the clearing, before even getting a chance to straighten myself out. I hear a scream. Jacobi, the owner of the field falls into view. Hitting the ground directly in front of me. He lands hard. I fall backwards onto my ass, holding myself up with my arms extended behind me into the dirt. Jacobi tilts his head towards me and whispers.

"Help me."