Teru could hardly sleep. He was nervous, excited, and scared at the same time. As soon as he heard a few members shuffling past his family’s cubby holes to head outside, he started doing the same. As silently as he could, he began gathering things that he thought he’d need… and for comfort.

He wrapped the raspberries in an old cloth and put them in his knapsack, which also included clothes and the little wolf plush. Even though the knapsack never left his bed, he felt like he needed Dad with him spiritually. Maybe it would bring good luck. The ring was hidden under his shirt on the chain. The metal was warm against his skin from his body heat.

Teru didn’t bother packing a coat to sleep in. He preferred the chilly night weather. Summer was his least favorite time of the year and he was glad it was mainly over. Ever since he’d hit puberty, his body had gotten heavier and heavier with each summer season, like he wanted to sleep forever.

There were times he couldn’t crawl out of his cubby to go hunting, so his mom had to make an excuse for the hunting leader. He genuinely felt bad whenever it happened. The condition was mysterious, and no one could explain it. The healer couldn’t find anything wrong. His diagnosis was likely fatigue which didn’t make sense. Others worked harder than he did, so how was it he was more tired?

He hated being in the cave. The caves were the worst. But at least the coolness felt nice. Occasionally, Teru would roll up his straw bed and lay on the rocky floor itself.

Is that everything? I think so.

It was officially time to go.

Teru climbed down the ladder, carefully stepping on the spots that he knew wouldn’t squeak. Being a hunter helped him be as silent as a mouse. He instinctually wasn’t a predator like an alpha but the way he maneuvered made him just as deadly. Prey never saw him coming.

At the bottom, he tiptoed past his family’s beds. His mom was snoring. She was surrounded by piles upon piles of books—his father had collected them while scavenging even though no one in the pack could read them. Several had drawings and photographs within their pages, giving a glimpse of The Before. It was fascinating. Dad loved to theorize what those people could’ve been and rambled about foreign concepts—films, museums, electricity, ice cream, factories, etcetera.

But his father was gone. Keeping the novels and magazines there was her way to cope. She never opened them so dust had collected on their covers.

Teru froze. Hina was watching him from her bed. Was she going to alert Mom? Did his journey end before it started? Instead, she pulled her scratchy blanket over her head. She was letting him go.

I never saw you, was what the gesture meant.

He walked past her. Towards the entrance of their space, Teru saw a handwoven basket with jerky, red jelly, and other varieties of fruits. A lot of love had gone into making these snacks. For a second, he hesitated to leave but shook his head.

No. I have to do this. Who knows how long I’ll be free when I return? Nolan would never let me go. He’s the type to do that.

In fact, Nolan likely wouldn’t even let him leave the territory if they became partners. If? Now it was a matter of when. Ugh.

Teru walked past the other cave compartments which housed other families. Most were sleeping. A few were getting ready to go on the trip, too. Once outside, he mentally put on his outer mask before meeting up with Lucas.

“Yo,” Lucas yawned. “Let’s go.”

“Okay, wow, good morning to you, too.” Teru laughed at his buddy’s lack of politeness. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be leaving the safety of our little bubble.”

“Do you really think that? The caves are a safe bubble?”

“No.”

Teru rolled his eyes. They joined the scavengers who sat around some fire pits that were still dimly lit from the evening prior. The operation had twenty members this time with six new volunteers, including them. The other four were three men—an alpha and two betas—and one beta woman. Remaining two—Teru and Lucas.

“Attention! Newbies gather here!” Josy called the newbies over for a meeting. “In a line!”

The six formed one. Their hands were behind their back. The captain walked up and down in the front like this was the military. “Alright, yeh pussywillows. None of you’s have experience with scavenging. For this mission, it will take five days to walk there. If yeh think yeh can’t make it, drop out now. Once we begin, there is no going back alone. It wouldn’t be the first time to cancel an entire mission because one chickened out. Don’t be that person who gets ostracized when returning from a failed trip.”

She waited for anyone to quit. No one did.

“Good. At least yeh have some balls. The order will go like this. The riflemen will be on the flanks in case of a threat, a runner will remain ahead and behind us as our lookouts, and the rest of you’s will be in the center with silver knives. Once we’re there, we will raid each house for anything useful. We can take a few heavy items since there are two carts, so if yeh find a big one that could be useful, find me. Take anything that’s small—cans of food, weapons, tools, materials, etcetera. With winter approachin’, I’m hoping to find thicker clothes or blankets. It doesn’t matter if the moths got to them first. Everything counts as a surviving pack.”

Josy held up her hand. “There will be instances when we need to be quiet. No noises, no talking, nada. These are the signals to communicate.”

She promptly showed different signals for go, stop, follow, all clear, danger, and more. “Is that clear?”

“Yes,” the six said.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Good! Grab your gear and let’s head out. Food will be distributed along the way. If you brought a little of your own, that is fine, too.”

Lucas went over to the knife pile while Teru inspected the guns lying orderly on the ground. Some were pistols, handguns, and revolvers. Hmm. His eyes saw the brown and gold rifle with a silencer at the very end of the pile. It was older than the others. He chose it because it was a Winchester, his favorite brand. Teru liked shooting the old-fashioned way with his own vision, not the black metal rifles with magnifying glass attachments.

As he picked it up, another rifleman saw him and asked, “Are you sure you want that one? Not many can aim well. There are better guns that are easier to aim.”

“Nah, I’m good. I prefer this model.”

“If you say so. Here.” He handed Teru a small but heavy wool sack. “For the bloodsuckers. They’re made for your specific rifle. Be mindful of the stock. There isn’t much.”

“Thanks.”

Teru opened the bag. Silver bullets were inside. Such a rare element to find since vampires got rid of silver long ago. The sculptors had tediously carved them. Mom had probably made some of the long-shaped marbles. If only she had known she’d be making these for him. Would she have had a heart attack? Probably.

Seeing the bullets smacked him hard into reality. Shit. This was really happening. He was leaving the pack’s territory for the first time ever. Even though he and Lucas always talked about wanting to kill a vampire, they had never seen one. If that happened on this trip… Teru was getting scared.

I could die. I could actually die while doing this. Is proving a point to them worth it?

His uncertain thoughts were interrupted when Lucas traced small circles on his arm. “I’m nervous, too.”

“W-who said I was nervous?” Teru stammered. He cleared his throat.

“You’re rubbing your nape.” Lucas pointed out. He grabbed Teru’s hand to make him stop and held it up as proof. “See? You’re nervous. You can do this. We can do this. If you feel tired, I’ll carry you. Nothing bad will happen to you while I’m around!”

His ocean-blue eyes shimmered. The color was much prettier than Nolan’s icy stare.

“You’re right. Nothing ever happens when you’re here,” Teru teased. “No wonder it’s always boring.”

Lucas didn’t like that insult so he licked Teru’s hand from his palm to his fingertips. He added extra saliva for good measure. It dripped over his skin. Teru made a gross face and shuddered because he wasn’t a fan of body juices.

And he knows that! This little—!

Lucas snickered and ran off to join the scavenger group. They were getting into position to leave.

“Ew!” Teru shouted and shook off the spit. “Disgusting! I’m gonna let the bloodsuckers take you first if they come! I swear it!”

Lucas pulled down the skin under his right eye and stuck out his tongue. “Bleh.”

So rude!

Just when everyone began marching, the sky turned purple and other dark shades. Only the moon was out, and it would soon disappear. Sunrise was coming. A new, unknown day had begun.

Josy yelled, “Scavengers, roll out!”

They exited the camp, disappearing into the thick brush.