The parking lot was just across the disrupted street, however Charlene wasn't paying anything any attention, only that bike. She saw no bodies. No people. No movement.

Her heart pounding in her chest as she was desperately looking for any sign of Creed. Charlene saw, and felt, Ember dash forward and past her, seeing their shared beloved custom chopper again was enough to give Ember that extra boost of energy, passing the crossroads without a look around.

Jake looked back ready to wave the group over when his expression fell, he saw more tears on the girls' faces, saw Armella's, well, he saw the lack of Armella. He swallowed down his emotions and turned to move faster, past Debra and to follow Ember.

Charlene and Monet couldn't help but be in the rear, it was difficult to see through the tears and they kept close, holding one another as if their lives depended on it. They were the last ones to make it to the parking lot, but they made it. Monet felt the asphalt under her boots. They dodged around the abandoned trucks and rushed towards the chopper.

“By Jaktu!” came a voice none of them had heard before. Looking up across the parking lot they saw a small figure waiting by the mouth of the side entrance, the main entrance had a large beautiful staircase that looked like it was built ages ago, the building was historic and unfortunately hadn't been fitted with a proper ramp to match the immaculately crafted stairs, the side entrance however, while only with a slight incline outside, had a accessible ramp on inside, which they could see through the glass doors behind the waving person.

As they got closer they saw the blood. The person had a blue striped button down with smearings of fresh blood across the front. The look of worry on the stranger's paled face was fixated behind them, unassumingly at the horde that would soon be coming.

They weren't thinking, they didn't even know why but Ember and Jake gripped the handles of the bike and ran it with them. Debra and Phil passed them as Phil shouted “Who are you!” at the stranger who startled at his harsh tone.

Sani was the first one to dash to the doors, not a second thought to whoever he passed. The wind he made ruffled the short new comer's wild hair as he ran by, not even listening as a nervous voice shouted “H-Hells, that guy said you'd be coming but I didn't think you'd bring the whole damn city with you!” then the person's words stopped, freezing up as the roaring Woolcat called out to the horde.

Debra just ran past them, all she wanted was to see her kids and suddenly she threw open the double doors. Phil cursed and ran after her.

“Creed?” Charlene choked out, meeting the Elven's person's bright eyes which narrowed in confusion “Where's Creed?” she sobbed, fighting the urge to latch on to the stranger and scream for him.

“C-Creed?” ghosted the bloodied Elf.

Monet just pulled Charlene forward and towards the door, passing by the flustered Elf Monet managed to blubber out a thanks, looking back to Jake and Ember as they dragged the bike right behind them, the Elven person stammered and then quickly ushered everyone inside.

The moment they pushed the back wheel into the museum the doors slammed shut. Quickly dragging the metal chain fence down to block the entrance, sealing it completely.

Then they pulled the shutters down.

The group was panting, they all sucked in air trying to calm down and ease their bodies. Their lungs burned, legs feeling like jelly under them. Monet knocked her knees and leaned heavily against Charlene, who pressed herself against the wall as they all tried to catch their breaths.

“Let's get away from the doors.” said the Elf who frantically waved for them to move, ushering them up the multi tiered ramp, Debra wasted no time and was half way up the ramp before anyone else had a chance to move towards it. Phil quickly pushed past everyone else and moved to follow Debra.

“Steve! Bill!” Phil called, struggling to catch up with her.

Charlene finally felt her body again and shouted “Creed!” pulling away from Monet Charlene tirelessly ran up the ramps, she didn't manage to pass the Day's but when she got to the main room she saw several people, almost all of whom suddenly stared at her.

She stopped at the top of the ramp, holding onto the railing, wide eyes burning but wet at the same time she didn't see Creed, she saw Phil and Debra and plenty of people she didn't recognize.

“Where are my children!” Debra snapped, her voice shrill and shrieking but she didn't mean to speak so harshly to the suddenly surprised looking group.

Then a narrow woman stepped forward, she adjusted her cracked glasses and drew Debra's attention “Your people are in there,” she gestured a bit awkwardly, she remained stiff, thin brow pinched together “They're alive.” she assured, then a man place a hand on her should reassuringly.

A look of relief washed over Debra as she ran, Phil and Charlene following. Behind the new build welcoming desk there was a small office, the door was wide open and the three shoved their ways inside.

Nestled in the corner was Steve, he had his sobbing little brother in his arms. His voice such a hoarse whine, he had cry his throat raw.

“Mom?” Steve's drained voice called, head rising listlessly to meet her eye. Before Steve could finish blinking Phil and Debra threw their arms around them, they hugged them close, tight. Steve was too tired, too drained, he could hardly find the energy to cry as Debra delivered kiss after kiss to the tops of their heads.

Bill was gently pulled away as Phil took him in and held him close, his quiet, hiccupping sobs muffled by his father's shoulder.

His childish voice was drained to a near whisper as Bill's small hands grabbed at Phil “Daddy.” he cried, refusing to let him go. Bill leaned into him.

The Day's didn't notice, or at least they didn't acknowledge Charlene as she ran past them. She fell to her knees as she threw herself into Creed's unmoving form. Creed had what looked like an over coat wrapped around his broken leg but he wasn't speaking, his head was limply resting against the wall as he slumped over, Charlene felt the breath from his nose and pressed into him, relief filling her as her hand pressed into his chest just to feel his heart beat. “Baby.” she called kissing his cheek before she nuzzled her face against his neck.

Opening her eyes she saw Ewell, still lying on his side with his back to them. There was a pillow tucked under his head but he was folded into himself, not enough room for him to stretch his limbs he was curled loosely. Hands limp by his bloodied face.

Charlene looked back to Creed “I'm so proud of you.” she praised despite the fact he was unconscious, she was just happy to find him alive.

“Char?” Monet's nervous whisper finally made it to her ears. When she saw Charlene's smile Monet almost collapsed in relief. She ran to both of them, she placed a hand on Charlene's shoulder and looked happily to Creed “He's okay?” she asked quietly.

“Sleeping.” Charlene nodded. Then she turned to look at Monet, they both shared small smiles as if they were too scared to show their relief. “He got everyone here safe.” she added before returning

her attention to his face. Creed's lips were barely open for his heavy breaths.

There was suddenly a person in the doorway and they felt the judgmental glare on the back of their heard “Just who are you assholes?” came a woman's voice, she wasn't the narrow woman from earlier, she was a stout woman with Orcish ancestry, shown in her thinner but tall tusks. Her pale eyes ran over the lot of them “Hopefully it was worth while, since you've alerted the whole city to where we were hiding.” she remarked, her tone curt and clearly unhappy she crossed her arms over her wide frame and tried to size them up.

“Hey! Hey!” shouted that shorter Elven person from earlier, quickly pushing past her to wave and try and deescalate the situation “C'mon now, we're all people, right? living people? We've got to work together!” but before the monologue of positivity could continue everyone else seemed to pour into the room, all seeking answers. Even Sani and the two bikers walked in.

A man pushed forward, past everyone. He was a wide but thin man, he had rather rounded features aside from his spiky hair that trailed down his neck “Just who are you guys?” he made a vague gesture towards Creed's pliant face “He hardly said a word before he passed out, Blai's doing their best on, uh, that one-” the man then pointed, a quick one towards the blue plaid wearing Elf from earlier and leading the eye towards Ewell “You don't have any idea what's going on, do you?” he asked, his voice a bit strained. Like he was putting on airs, not used to using a commanding tone. His intention didn't exactly portray well, he seemed a bit awkward to be honest.

“Do we look like we have a fuckin' clue what's going on?” Ember scoffed, raising a sharp brow at the new group that seemed to surround them. She shifted, taking a step closer to Jake so she could lean into him, Ember began to size them all up.

The fiver stranger's had varying interests in her group, Ember watched them closely, everyone seemed to be paying Charlene the most attention. Except Blai, who was looking towards the office door, peeking out of it. Or trying to. They were rather short compared to the two standing in front of the door.

A tall woman with glasses, the same that spoke earlier in the lobby, and a muscular woman who wore an untrusting sneer.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, an air of unease washed over them all. Exchanging glances as they attempted to discern the intentions of the newcomers amongst them.

The tiny room felt all the more suffocating, stuffed with too many people all crowding by the door. The table was pressed into the desk, the computer was busted by the large cracks in the screen, most things had been hastily tidied up but it was clear the place was a mess. Cluttered. Tall metal file cabinets, chunky medium wood furniture that didn't fit the room. It all made the narrow office all the more stuffy.

Then a voice broke the silence “Zeke?” came Steve's inquiry, quiet, curious. His wide eyes looked up at Debra, at his mother, searching her flushed face for an answer she refused to give. Her wavering smile and tearful eyes was all Steve needed to put two and two together, a strange, dull, numbness, overtook him. His eyes were suddenly dry and felt like someone had kicked sand into them but he didn't blink, didn't seek relief as the sting settled in. Thinking only of the one person he thought was really his friend. Steve refused it.

Frantically he shook his head repeating “No, no, no!” over and over before he shoved against his mother desperately trying to avoid her comforting hold as he screamed “You left him!' slamming his small hands against her arm “You all left him! Let me go! Let me go!” he demanded, his cracking voice pitching so high he nearly choked himself with his scream, finally he managed to push against her gut enough to free himself, crawling from the room as tears poured down his cheeks Steve screamed Zeke's named in cracking sobs as he tried to find the lost survivor.

Debra had tears of her own flowing down her cheeks as she ran after him, crying out his name through muffled tears, Phil was holding Bill, eyes shifting between the door where the narrow woman had stepped aside and half his family fled to, he wanted to check on his son, comfort his wife, but he didn't want these people making plans without him either.

“What about you? Any idea what's happening to people?” Jake finally found his voice, trying to distract from the scene before them.

“No,” sighed Blai with a shake of their head, they glanced between everyone briefly. Tightening the cross of their arms with a weak whine “I was hoping you would, at least you're not one of those crazy gang members.” they ended with a tough swallow.

Ember watched as Phil took Bill with him and stood up, the boy had his head limply buried in Phil's neck so she couldn't tell if the kid was awake or not. A frown tugged at her face as she dragged her sharp Draconic fangs across her reddish lips.

“You've met them?” Charlene scoffed. Her chipped nails dragging into the fabric of Creed's thick jacket. Her head turned slowly but stopped, refusing to look away from Creed.

“Those bastards are the reason we crashed!” Phil snapped, his voice low but angry, a shouting whisper as he attempted to leave his son undisturbed.

“Shouldn't you check on your wife?” Ember asked. Her voice was curt, cutting. Dry. The low tone and the hollow glare made it seem like he was the least interesting thing in the world to her, then she looked away. Like he wasn't worth the attention.

Phil was about to blow when Charlene suddenly leapt to her feet, finger stabbing towards Sani but never making it to his disheveled suit shirt. “You're the reason we crashed. You're the reason Aremlla isn't here,” her words choked her, she wasn't particularly close to anyone of those lost but Zeke was a good kid, Priscilla, she didn't really know her at all, Armella either. But they were kind, good people. People Charlene missed. Sani only raised his brow in discontent “Did you even notice?” Charlene added in disgust.

“What does that matter?” Sani snapped. Then he turned towards the museum folk, he'd figure he'd have better luck dealing with them.

“A Veriyn life matters!” Charlene screamed. Her face red with fury and cheeks wet with tears.

“That's not what I meant and you know it.” Sani couldn't help but remark, a bite to his tone that demanded silence. He turned to the others, ignoring those he arrived with in favor of who he assumed to be the 'leader' of the group, the young man with a large frame and a hooked nose “Do you have any plans on evacuation?” he asked as Charlene cocked her head.

Rage ran through Charlene, pumping with her very blood which felt like fire in her veins. She watched the back of Sani's head as he turned away fully, he crossed his arms and looked expectantly at the man, who flustered immediately by the attention.

“Wait it out?” he muttered with an awkward shrug, shoving his hands in his baggy jersey pockets.

Sani's already neutral expression fell to further annoyance. His wide nostrils flared, he swallowed dryly before nodded “Okay then.” he said with a single, unwelcoming wave. He turned to move towards the door but saw the gate of people had closed, with those two women standing there again.

Sani paused with a quiet “Oh.” though no one really heard, they did see his mouth move however.

No matter what he said Charlene didn't hear it, her anger clouding her judgment she took a surged step forward planning on socking Sani's smug face, that was until Monet suddenly pulled her back, she held her shirt straining the fabric against her heaving frame. “Char,” Monet chanced at speaking, looking nervously at her, head lowered but her eyes met Charlene's, both just as teary, both just as emotional, “Sit with us?” she asked with a gentle tug, hoping to lure her back to Creed and the safety of the corner she'd shoved him in.

“None of you have any idea what's going on. You're all just pretending to be in control.” Phil snapped, shaking his head he finally shoved past the two women, rather forcefully, enough to cause the woman in heels to stumble, and left the room in a huff. Dramatic as always. Taking a still silent Bill will him.

The silence that retook the room was even worse than the last time, shaking his head Sani followed. Using Phil's abrupt exit to leave the room without confronting the others. Charlene knelt down, leaning her head against Creed's shoulder she held his hand gently. Monet was beside her, curling forward as she wrapped her arms around her folded knees.

“So this was all pointless. Great.” said the Orcish woman with a roll over her eyes. Charlene's gut reaction was to scream at her, but she didn't, instead she just stared at Creed's resting face, reaching up to stroke his cheek as gingerly as she could, her other hand roamed to Monet's shoulder, holding lightly.

Charlene may have lost her beloved hatchback but she didn't lose the two people she loved most, that's all that she was going to think of in the moment, not about the undead she knew must be swarming outside, not about the looks of stranger's she felt boring into her, no, she was going to keep holding the two. Ignoring everything else.

After a few unsure looks and awkward, incomprehensible gestures, that same young man spoke in a hushed tone “Maybe we should give them a minute...” as he shooed the others to the door.

There were a few minor protests but most everyone left the room, even Jake and Ember neared the door, which would then leave only Monet, Charlene, and the injured left in the office.

Jake looked back worriedly at Charlene's trembling lip, she was still stuck somewhere between anger and despair but she kept against Creed, entwining their fingers and waiting for him to wake up.

Jake sadly shook his head, he turned to return to the side lobby, hoping their new 'friends' would have some answers.

Ember's chipped, slightly pointed red painted nails ran along the doorway trim, the building was old, the wood looked and felt original as the slight natural splintering poked at her thick skin though thankfully it was sanded smooth, well, somewhat smooth.

She didn't feel like leaving this way. She wanted to say something, reassuring, comforting. Nothing came to mind. She cleared her dry throat and Ember looked over her shoulder “Hey,” she called out curtly, the two conscious inhabitants, Charlene and Monet, turned to look towards Ember, meeting her scaled face “He, uh,” she gestured limply towards Creed “He did good on the bike.” she spoke, she didn't mean to speak so aggressively, she was hoping for encouraging. “Yeah.” Ember finished before turning quickly and leaving the room before they could even reply. She let the door remain slightly open. An inch and a half of space, barely.

Charlene had a tiny smile on her face as Ember left. She leaned back into Creed.

Ember exited the office, she waited until the door was still before she walked away from it. Her breath felt heavy in her chest but she moved forward, ignoring the burn in her muscles she looked around and saw the circle of people that had formed further down the messy lobby. Clearly the building had been expanded over the years but the new renovations blended in so well with the old original trim that Ember couldn't tell where the authentic building ended and the new one began.

Phil took notice to her approaching, he patted Bill's head as he began to approach the rest of the group, leaving a flustered Debra with an inconsolable Steve, and an inattentive Bill. He turned back.

Ember found Jake's back instantly, she moved to his side and ran her fingers up the seam of his jacket, startling him briefly but he quickly pulled her into his side, he then raised his hand drawing the groups attention “Hey,” he greeted with a halfhearted smile “I'm Jake, this is Ember, my girl friend.” he was speaking with a positive tone even if the joy didn't reach his tired eyes “I heard something about us vs them, and I agree. So if we're going to be teaming up, uh, what can we call you?” he asked before turning to look towards the short elf, they met his eye and quickly mimicked a deer in headlights look “I think you were Rye?” he asked, raising a brow but trying to look welcoming. His eyes were bagged, his smile wavered, but he tried.

“Uh, um no, no.” they shook their head which displaced the upwards curl in their medium length dyed hair, a tealish blue, though most of the color had faded out. “Blai, like b then lie, heh...” they said, an awkward laugh followed, forced, trying to seem casual and hide the nerves Blai clearly felt.

They stumbled forward, offering a hand to shake which Jake took with a smile, easing Blai's nerves.

“I was the assistant manager,” they gestured vaguely to their hair “Dyed it for our new aquatic exhibit, or, it was new... um,” Blai's confidence waned, taking a deeper breath “Wow! It, uh, it feels like an entirely different life now, thinking about it...” their gaze fell, trailing down towards the floor, mumbling something else that didn't catch his ear. Before Jake could speak Blai took a deep breath and stood straight, putting on a grin that was obviously practiced “Bernadina,” Blai called and that narrow woman looked up “Please?” they asked.

She nodded. She stepped forward as Blai stepped back, falling behind Bernadina. Bernadina had naturally tanned olive skin and long hair, cut flat and straight, her bangs were the same, a perfect line across her forehead, matching her square glasses. Or it used to, part of it was cracked now with tape woven around the base, leaving her left eyeglass slightly cocked.

She looked very neat, aside from that. And from the way she kept fidgeting with the frames made it clear she didn't like the asymmetry.

After adjusting her sleek light brown suit jacket she spoke “Dern is my boyfriend,” she said gesturing to the young man from earlier, he waved, “That's Wa-” “Are we in fucking middle school?” snapped the Orcish woman. Interrupting Bernadina with a brusque tone and a cold glare.

“Why does it matter? Do you hear that? The whole city is coming down to rip our guts out because you decided to open the doors,” she said waving a muscular arm towards Ember and Jake, who quickly looked offended, “We're going to die any minute now, once those things break through the doors.” she gruffly spoke, glaring hard with a wild, fearful look “We don't need to exchange names, we're going to die and nothing will matter.” her voice huffed, she ran her hand through her hair with a scoff “I mean am I the only one who realizes this?” she finished, looking up at them with a hollowed expression.

“You can stay and die but I plan to do otherwise.” Sani replied sharply.

“Agreed.” Phil suddenly spoke. As he joined them, seemingly settling his kids well enough. Steve could still be barely heard when the room was silent but their voices quickly drowned out anything else. “What is going on? What are we planning?” he asked looking between them before settling on Sani, raising a brow expectantly.

“Why's he in charge? He's a dick.” Ember said with an amused smirk. Jake nearly choked on the chuckle that suddenly escaped his lips, unable to stop it he then looked ever so slightly apologetic at Sani. The cries of the undead outside continued, hardly audible from the thick, bullet proof glass added to the windows of the fresh build exterior.

“No one is in charge.” Bernadina snapped. She drew the attention back to her and everyone shared low murmurs “The only door we deemed safe is now swarmed with undead.” she stated blandly.

“Thanks to you.” the angry woman added. The conversation rolled over her but she still wanted to make her displeasure known, even if no one responded.

“The other exits we've blocked or were barricaded when the military occupied this place for a day,” she gestured around the room, not at anything in particular but enough to cause everyone to follow her hand and take a good look at the historic building.

“We have some theories on what's happening but no hard proof-” she hardly finished speaking when the young man who kept hovering around her leapt forward, almost blocking view of her.

“It's a curse!” he exclaimed, then he starting moving his hands, his gestures moving almost as much as his mouth.

“Dern.” she huffed, but she wore a warm smile, completely contrasting her previous business like neutrality. Now in the light they could see his features better, he was well toned, his face was brighter than the situation called for. His skin was semi dark, covered in an array of darker freckles, his short crew cut was curly and stark black. Dern had a bit of a cartoonish look, in the way he moved, how he spoke, overly animated and energetic. It didn't seem forced, like it came naturally to him.

“Not this again” Sani snapped.

“What?” Phil asked with a grumble. Crossing his arms as he took a serious pose, his narrowed eyes glaring, sizing up everyone, even those he already knew.

“The Mother Tree is punishing us for deforesting her.” Dern said, nodding, as he turned his head his Elven ears could be seen while he made eye contact with Phil “Bellefeuille gave her everything to keep us alive and what do we do? We cut up her tree to build chairs, we uproot her holy saplings and sever her sprawling roots for more apartments, this is a punishment-” Dern was cut off as that furious woman spoke, silencing him in a feverish rant “Shut the fuck up, no it fucking isn't, religion isn't real, the Gods aren't real, magic isn't fucking real-”

“Anymore.” Blai interjected passively. Though their voice was hardly a whisper compared to the voice that followed.

Very calmly Bernadina turned her head, voice neutral and even she said “If you have nothing of substance to add please refrain from speaking.” she said plainly, as if she was talking about something as simple as the weather.

“Are you always like this?” Ember asked sarcastically, glaring towards the woman.

“Magic is still real, we're in a museum of magic for the Gods' sake.” Bernadina grumbled in agitation.

“We're going to just ignore, frankly, everything that Barbara said,” Bernadina said with a slight point towards the angry woman who obviously found offense in that, flustering but she didn't retort “We're going to work together, like Blai said, it is the living versus the dead.” she finished, looking across the group, trying to look in each and everyone of their eyes, get her point across, her feelings.

“So, everyone, like Barbra suggested lets go back to middle school and go around and introduce ourselves! Then, maybe we can work on getting us all out of the city in one piece?” Dern said with a wobbling grin. Waving between the group which caused everyone to look at each other in mild confusion, and minor amusement.

Phil huffed, rolling his eyes as he stepped forward “I'm Phil,” he then began to point quickly as he listed off names unceremoniously “Debra, my sons Steve and Bill,” Ember was about to speak up but Phil seemed to notice and spoke even louder, pointing towards her “Ember, Jake, Sani,” then towards the office door “The brunette is Monet, Charlene's the red head and the man is Creed.” his voice droned, almost in agitation.

Bernadina nodded as Barbra seethed, she threw her hands up and stormed off with out a word. Moving down the long lobby towards the large main admittance counter, Bernadina paid her absolutely no mind and spoke over the curses Barbra muttered through her grit teeth “That is Barbra, as I said this is Dern, I'm Bernadina, that's Blai,” she moved slightly to the side to reveal the shorter person behind her, Blai startled at their hiding place moving and gave a panicked wave “Then this is Wanda.” she gestured to the final member of the museum survivors.

The previously silent woman mumbled “Hello.” arms still crossed across her chest she gave a tiny gesture of greeting before moving the attention off of her. She pushed the focus towards Blai “Who is the Draconic boy Blai was helping?” she asked, looking towards mister Day “Phil?” she clarified “Didn't mention.” the deep greens of her eyes were slightly teary but her voice didn't waver, she didn't tremble, she appeared completely passive otherwise.

“Who?” Phil rose his brow.

“You're a dick too.” Ember sniggered. Then she shrugged, shifting her weight to her other hip “It's been a whirlwind, kid barely spoke a word. We didn't catch it.” she said, looking up towards Jake.

“His two friends didn't make it, one of them got infected.” as the words left Jake's lips Ember's brow pinched together in shock “He kept to himself and them, how is he?” he asked, expression falling as he spoke.

“Who got infected? I thought it was just the crash.” Ember asked, eyes getting slightly wider “How?” she was searching Jake's expression but he looked hollow, clueless.

“I, I don't know how, it was Priscilla. She, I think she turned and attacked Zeke in the crash.” he replied quietly. Voice low but he wasn't whispering, he was solemn. The adrenaline had drained from him as reality set in, he swallowed dryly.

“Was she bitten?” asked Sani.

“Bitten? What? No.” Jake shook his head, stammering.

“Our manager was,” Bernadina spoke “On the hand, she was in the archives and suddenly she was one of them. It, happened, quickly...” her voice faded before she cleared her throat. Readjusting herself.

Blai bit their lip, blinking excessively to keep the tears at bay “I think I'll go check on them.” they gestured vaguely towards the office before quickly excusing themselves, speed walking towards the ajar door.

Bernadina watched them leave with an apologetic look on her face but she recaptured the others' attention “We have a small amount of water and food left in the cafeteria, catch your breath, we can come up with a plan after everyone calms down.” she said, turning towards the large archway into the desolate museum, now they noticed almost if not all of the displays were empty.

“Blai'll help the kid, don't worry.” Dern assured.

Ember and Jake looked at each other but didn't follow like the others did, they looked worried, concern clear on their faces but they didn't share a word.

They both knew they had to trust this new lot, they were wary, and Ember sure didn't like it.