Seeran stood watch at the east wall, watching as a lone figure approached in the distance. Taking out his binoculars, he peered at the approaching figure. The man was walking quickly, his eyes scanning his surroundings as he rushed toward the dome. He wasn't running, just walking at a fast pace. He looked exhausted, like he had been traveling for a long period of time. Sweat drenched his hair, plastering it to his forehead.

"Sir?" a voice asked from behind him.

Seeran glanced behind him quickly to see who called him, his binoculars still held up. It was one of the medical assistants. His face visibly paled before speaking. "Is she okay?" he asked, his binoculars lowering, his mind fearing the worst.

His mate, Hope, had been under the care of the med clinic while he was doing his duty at the gate. Because of the militia that had popped up, everyone had to work. No one, not even him, could stay at home caring for their mate.

"Your mate is well," the medic assistant stated quickly, seeing the concern on the officer's face. "It's Rai. She sent you a message. I'm only here to deliver it."

Seeran sighed. "Why would Rai feel the need to send me a message?" he asked the wide-eyed medic assistant. Seeran was high-ranking. The medic assistant didn't normally converse with officers of such a high rank. He was young and appeared timid. He spoke in a slight stutter that he could control if he didn't have to say too much. His timidness toward higher-ranked officers was something that was common among the younger generations. His stutter was not, however.

"I'm sorry, sir; I was just told to bring you the message. She didn't tell me what it was about," he said as his voice shook, trying desperately not to stutter. He quickly handed Seeran a message device and then scampered off as if desperate to get away from his superior.

Seeran opened the message and read: I don't know what to do. The human man who was brought in after the battle is my mate.

Rai signed it, but nothing more. He sighed. Yeah, that would figure. Sasha is Van's mate, and the human man is Rai's. Every human seems to find a mate right away. Speaking of mates, he would much rather be home caring for his own mate.

Pulling up the binoculars, he watched the lone figure as he approached. Several more quickly appeared from the side. They were zombies, beginning to attack the lone figure.

Even if he could get a vehicle, there was no way he could get to the lone man in time. All he could do was watch.

The figure pulled out a second machete and was hacking away at them as they attempted to attack and bite him. His technique was expert, slicing limbs from bodies with practiced ease. Not long after the fight began, the zombies' heads went flying, one by one. It was impressive.

Seeran watched as the man scanned himself for injuries before wiping the blades on the zombies' clothing, then continued on his trek to the dome.

Getting out his comm link, Seeran called Vorik. "Council Leader Vorik, Sir? We have a lone human male approaching the dome, sir. He is armed, but I believe it is to fight zombies."

Council Leader Vorik's voice came back. "Where are you?"

"The east gate, sir," Seeran stated.

"I'm on my way. Don't let him inside the dome until I speak to him first," Vorik ordered before the comm link went silent.

A moment later, Vorik showed up, the Walker sisters in tow. Both girls had sleek black body armor and concealed weapons. Each of them had a bladed staff, not yet extended in one hand. They were prepared to fight.

Seeran made the gesture of respect before handing Council Leader Vorik his binoculars to see the man approaching the dome.

Vorik lifted the binoculars and peered at the man. He was studying him as he approached the dome. "He was in the battle. Something about him was different. I don't think he's here to attack. Take his weapons, have him stripped, and put him in clean clothes to ensure he doesn't have hidden weapons somewhere else."

"Yes, Sir," Seeran intoned as Vorik continued to watch the man approach. His pace was slowing as he got closer. He kept scanning the area, but there was nothing.

Niki smiled. "I think Aleigha and I should go out to meet him."

"No," Vorik stated flatly, not looking away from the lone man.

Seeran snickered. "You two cause too much trouble. Someone always gets hurt."

Both girls rolled their eyes but said nothing as they all watched the man come closer to the dome.

Once he finally reached the gate, he looked behind him as if he was watching for something. His eyes focused on where the camp was located before relief washed over his features, then he did something that none of them would have expected.

Tossing his machetes in front of him, he dropped his knapsack on the ground beside him and removed hidden weapons, dropping them on the ground in front of him. Once he was satisfied, he stepped away from them, nearly three feet back. He was trying to make a statement.

"I'm not here to fight," he called, scanning his eyes up at the gate's tall tower. "I left Travis's group. I don't want anything to do with them. Last night, he made a stew out of one of your kind's flesh. I can't condone that. I want to help stop him."

Niki and Aleigha both gasped in shock. "That guy, Travis, he's talking about, needs to die." It was Aleigha who spoke, disgusted at what the man had just revealed.

Vorik and Seeran both paled at the man's words. Travis was using their people as food.

"What do you want me to do?" Seeran asked Vorik. He couldn't keep the tremble out of his voice as he spoke. The information was far too disturbing.

Council Leader Vorik turned and looked at the girls. "Back Seeran up. Don't hurt the man unless it's called for," he told the girls, looking between them. Then, turning to Seeran. "Bring him in. Have his belongings gathered. Take him to the clinic under guard and have him checked out. Have him scanned to make sure he didn't eat any of that stew. I'm not sure I can handle having him here if he did."

Seeran nodded, then headed for the gate. Nodding to the gate guard to open the gate, he waited. The gate slid open, and Seeran stepped outside, the Walker sisters flanking him on each side. Their emerald gaze scanned the area for danger before scanning the man waiting to be let into the dome.

Without being asked, the man put his hands up, palms out. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. I'm here to help stop Travis."

Niki studied the guy, her emerald eyes scrutinizing him. "I think he's telling the truth," she spoke to no one in particular. "What's your name?" she asked him.

The man looked at her calmly. "Dan Wilson. I was an EMT before the invasion."

Aleigha spoke up next, nodding in appreciation. "An EMT is going to be helpful."

Seeran, ignoring the sisters, pulled out a set of wrist cuffs. "Hold out your hands; we can't take any chances."

Dan Wilson complied, holding his hands out so that Seeran could bind his hands. He understood. He expected it. Pulling Dan by his upper arm, Seeran escorted him to the clinic. Two guards came in behind to help with the escort. They didn't really need to, not with Aleigha and Niki there as well.

"So, Dan," Niki started. "How do you know this, Travis, ass hat?" she asked.

Dan calmly looked at her, not worried that he was bound. "We grew up together. I used to go to family outings with him and his family as we were growing up. After he lost his family, he turned into a monster." Then he paused. "There were subtle signs...he might have been a monster before, but he only let us see it after."

"You didn't eat any of that shit, did you?" Aleigha cut in. She sounded disgusted, a subtle gag after she asked.

Dan visibly shuddered at the thought. "Absolutely not. I'm not the only one sickened by it. More may show up if they can get through the border sensors without being seen. Travis kills deserters. Most think the sensors are for zombies, but they are primarily for those trying to leave. Zombies are their secondary purpose. I ran while the others distracted Travis because of his dinner surprise."

They walked through the clinic door. Sasha was sitting on one of the exam tables, while the medic was scanning her; The dagger was no longer in her chest.

Dan first looked at her in relief, then looked past her, seeing the person behind her; he gasped in shock. "You're alive!"

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