He looked out the window, defeated. The sun high in the sky looked ever-so-innocent, but the boy knew better. He remembered a time when things were so uneventful and he yearned for action. Now he'd give anything to go back and have the life he had once lived. Only, it was too late. What he had once taken for granted was never to return. He could recall a time when he would beg Winter to stop ruffling his hair, but he'd secretly enjoy it; a time when Autumn would tell him of her hope for the future and what there was to look forward to; a time when he would look at his father and know everything would be okay. But those days were gone.

All was quiet as it often was because there was no one to interrupt it. The peaceful atmosphere was so out of place in a world of violence; yet he was embraced by it. No longer would he leave the farmhouse. Not anymore.

How long he sat there just watching, he didn't know. But he did know that he wasn't going to stop anytime soon. As long as Autumn, Winter, and Holly were gone, he just didn't see a point.

Long and depressed, he sighed once more. He had lost count of how many times he had done so that day, but there was no end in sight. Although he had no intention of moving, his stomach growled again with a vengeance. And, finally, he stood.

On his way to the ladder, he stopped walking and took a shaky breath. The object that lay untouched in the corner of the room he had avoided ever since that day. The handgun - it was still stained in red. Subconsciously, he put a hand over his leg before cringing away and climbing downstairs.

Heading for the kitchen, he limped slightly and wondered if it would ever go away. After all these weeks, shouldn't it have been gone by now?

Now, you don't have to, but I'd love to see who would eat the worms. Jade's upbeat voice came into his mind as he stared down at the earthworms on the counter. Without another thought, he snatched one and tossed it into his mouth. Food was too scarce to be picky these days.

Upon searching through the cabinets, he made sure to stay away from the apples because that was what they ate in the bunker. It brought back too many memories. Instead, the boy grabbed a banana from the hand and peeled it slowly. He could remember it all so clearly.

After a moment, he stepped over to a stool in front of the counter and sat down. He caressed its surface before letting out yet another sigh. Skylar was there to save him, his uncle, and Jade, but the others - they were gone. His sisters and Holly had been missing for weeks.

He wiped at an eye and took a bite. And then another. All the while, he fought back the memories of that day. When the boy was finished, he tossed it in the trash and shot a glance at the front door.

Shouldn't they be back by now?

He frowned, but straightened up. There was still plenty of daylight, so the three were probably in no hurry. Besides, they were hunting and it wasn't unusual for them to take this long.

The boy was about to head upstairs when he paused and looked once more at the front door. Was that scratching? He captured a handgun from a nearby couch, listened for a moment, and inched closer. With his finger over the trigger, he reached for the knob. And opened the door.

The sight was anything but expected.

There, looking up at him, were puppies. They barked and wagged their tails, clearly more than happy to see him. While one was dark golden, the other was a color of cream. Both looked to be no more than a few months old and were likely from the same litter. Their friendly eyes immediately softened the boy and he chuckled.

"Where did you guys come from?" He bent down and placed the gun beside him. "Where's your mother? What about your siblings?" When they came forward, each too trusting for their own good, the boy couldn't help but smile. "You know, you really should be careful. Bad things happen out here." Slow and steady, he raised his hand and let them sniff it.

It was then that he noticed just how thin the puppies were. Their bones stuck out in various places and it was more than disturbing. After petting them for a few moments, the boy stood and collected the gun from the ground. He had to get them something to eat.

He held the door open and they watched him expectantly. Only when he pat his leg a few times did they wander inside.

"Alrighty, what have we got?" The boy stepped into the kitchen and searched through the cabinets. "Well, I doubt either of you will eat bananas, or... apples. But does tuna sound good? Dogs eat that stuff, right?" He turned around and laughed when he saw them licking each other clean. "Tuna it is."

After emptying the food onto a large plate, he placed it down in front of them and their attention was earned at once. Quick and elated, the puppies came forward and dug in.

The boy watched, satisfied. He couldn't remember the last time he had smiled this much. Maybe these dogs were just what he needed; they brought joy and meaning into his life. The only problem was convincing the others.

The tuna was gone in under a minute and soon their eyes were on him. The boy shook his head and grinned. "I think that's enough for now. Don't want either of you to throw up." He picked up the plate and set it down onto the counter to be cleaned later. When he looked back, he found the puppies to be playfully wrestling. "At least someone's happy."

On heavy feet, he stepped over to the backyard's window and crossed his arms. "At least someone is." What lay just behind the farmhouse was an unsettling sight; one that he'd often avoid, but not this time. He wanted to remember. He couldn't forget about those they've left behind. The seven gravestones - they showed a glimpse of what happens when you leave the farmhouse. Or the bunker. It was a picture of reality.

"We'll meet again one day. Don't worry." The boy wiped at his eyes and sighed heavily. "One day." He stood there for a few moments and was about to turn his attention back to the puppies when he gasped. It was them. Autumn and Winter.

They were here.