One moment he was falling for the hard concrete ground, his body having failed him with convulsions; but in the next, the boy found himself to no longer be on the floor, alone. No. Upon opening his heavy eyes, the task challenging, he immediately saw that he wasn't by himself. A figure stood over him, and when he squinted, his sight still blurry, he identified a concerned Autumn. Was she saying something?

Briefly lifting his head, his tired blue eyes ignored her persistent ones as he took in the surroundings. When he determined where he was, it was only then that Forest could breathe. He was still in his room, but this time he wasn't on the ground. Instead, the boy realized that he was on his bed, a large blue blanket covering his weak-self. Finally, he gave her his focus, a knowing expression over his face. She was going to give him pity. But that was the last thing he wanted.

"Are you okay?" she asked, and he only shook his head, a frown over his face. "I'm sorry, Forest. I know your hopes were high that they were gone."

"Why are you sorry? Stop apologizing for stuff that you have no control over," the boy demanded with irritation, but when he saw her take a step back, he sighed. "I guess I'm just upset." Managing to prop himself onto his elbows, he gave her a forced smile. "Everything's fine. I've gotten by with this illness for all these years, so I don't see why I can't continue."

"I just hate knowing that I can't do anything about it."

"I know the feeling," he said, chuckling, and he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "When did you discover me?"

"Maybe half an hour ago. Winter was the one to find you, so who knows when you passed out." Shaking her head, Autumn lowered herself onto the chair that she had brought in.

"I have a question." Earning attentive eyes, he continued. "I'm really confused about Winter. You're all sweet and everything, but she is basically your opposite. When did she get so bad? It's not just with us, either; that one girl also."

"Holly? That Christian woman?" Her brother nodded and she said, "Yeah, I wonder if she got back alright. I've no idea why she was alone. I would call that sketchy, but she actually seemed genuine. I-"

"Autumn, we're talking about your twin. I remember a time when she was just as sweet as you, if not even more so. We lived in that wooden house at the time. When did everything change?"

A long pause interrupted them, an uncomfortable blanket of silence sweeping over the scene when she finally took an uneasy breath.

"Remember Mom?" The new topic catching him -off-guard, Forest gave her a questioning look. Not waiting for a response, the answer already known, she bit her lip, hesitant. "It was on that day. She'd never been the same since. I was out with you, fighting off the infected, and the fence had fallen down in numerous areas."

"Autumn?"

Realizing she had taken yet another pause, she proceeded, her words bitter. "She was the one to report the bad news that day...when Mom was giving birth. Winter saw something she would never forget, and it broke her more than we'll ever know."

"She saw Mom."

"Yeah. She was gone. But she couldn't mourn because we had to run. We left home and never came back. She was the one who saw Mom in that state, Forest, so we don't have to live with that tragic image. That's when she changed."

"Autumn?"

"What?"

"I really want to know what's in her notebook, but I can't bring myself to check. I have every opportunity to each night and, yet, I don't. Would it be wrong if I look at it one of these nights?" Receiving a shrug, he shook his head. "Whatever she wrote in there, it's obviously a big deal to her. You're her twin and she didn't even tell you."

"We all have our secrets."

This statement being an unexpected one, he let surprise flood across his features. "Oh, yeah?" Sitting fully upright, his previous tiredness having left minutes ago, he said, "Tell me one of your secrets."

"No, of course not! If I told you, it'd no longer be a secret. And, Forest, you can't tell me that we know everything about you. Don't act surprised," she said, throwing a light smile in his direction and stood. "Okay, so you seem like yourself. If you hit your head, it wasn't a bad fall. I'm leaving, but first, I have a question of my own."

"What?"

"Your nightmares - what do you dream every night?"

"We all have our secrets."

Her expression holding disappointment, she nodded in acceptance. "Well, you should get some more rest." But, making her way for the door, it suddenly opened and their father was revealed. Autumn tilted her head, confused when she saw the grim look over his face.

"We're leaving, Forest. Your bags are all packed, as are mine. When your sisters are ready, we are going to get your medication." He stepped forward to expose a single pill in his hand and when his son took the item, he said, "Take it."

Without a word, he obeyed his father, before locking eyes with the man. "When?"

"Today. A few hours and we will have started the trip. I know this may not be to your liking but it's necessary. I can't have you not taking your medicine. Looking at you right now, it's obvious."

"Actually, you're wrong. I want to go," Forest stated, setting his jaw. "I'll be ready."

"No," Autumn argued, "looking at him now, he's obviously not ready. He just had a seizure!"

"Which is why it's time," their father said matter-of-factly and there was no question about it. They were leaving. Finding no more objections to be given, he turned for the door, his limp only slightly noticeable. Before rounding the corner, the man took one last look at his son. "I'm glad you're okay now. I'm gonna get you some water."