(Sorry it took so long to update - I just got a new job and it has been insane! I have not forgotten about this story, so there will be more - I have about 10 chapters worth waiting for me to complete them, so faithful fans don't give up on me:))

LX gave a shout from nearby as they all searched the dead men for supplies of any kind.

"I found a GPS!" Beta straightened from her kneeling position, shoving some ammo clips into a bag and zipped it shut.

"XC, LIV, keep gathering supplies. V, with me." She motioned as she sided up to LX. LX handed V then device, who powered up the screen, which was undamaged by the attack. V's eyes dilated and the device whipped through a dozen settings and screens to access a satellite reading of the area.

"Looks like we are about a 10 miles away from a City called Cordova. Population roughly 2300. Looks like that is our best bet. And there is an airport there. Only problem is that unless we want to take a really long way around, we will have to go through some wild territory. Best bet is to follow the river here, " V pointed and drew her finger upwards, "and follow this highway to the city." Beta nodded grimly. There really weren't many options. They didn't have a lot in terms of provisions - just a few bottles of water and packets of jerky. As dangerous as a city was, it was their best chance at survival. Beta scanned the sky thoughtfully. They weren't prepared to try to survive in the wild.

As Beta, V, and LX looked at the map, XC finished searching the last man and her hand brushed against something around his neck. It was a chain, attached to the end, a small cross. "He was only trying to survive - just like the rest of us." LIV commented. coming up behind XC. XC dropped it and stood, adjusting her rifle shoulder strap. "Mementos like that don't make a difference," XC said grimly. XC had learned quickly that sentiment was dangerous. After all, only a day ago she had lost the only family she had known. They all had.

"We still have each other. And hope is never a dangerous thing." LIV murmured quietly behind her. XC turned and raised and eyebrow at her. LIV smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, can't help it." XC shrugged, unconcerned. She never cared much for talking aloud anyways. As LIV started back towards the others, XC glanced down at the man's body, her eyes lingering on the cross for a moment before turning and following her. Beta was handing the GPS to V and looked up as the two of them.

"Lets go. We can't risk sticking around. I figure we have a few miles in us before it gets dark."

As they started to leave, LIV suddenly stopped and whipped her head back towards the direction of the first Umbrella helicopter still sitting on the beach. Beta paused as she saw her stop.

"LIV?" Is there someone else out there?"

Liv's eyes dilated as she searched the tree line, mentally searching for the whispered thoughts she swore she just heard. But as she searched, she heard nothing but the soft thoughts of her friends. It was like her gut was telling her someone was there, but something was blocking her from finding them telepathically.

"I don't feel anything now." Liv said slowly and turned back towards the other girls. Beta nodded slowly and took the lead with V. LIV took one last look behind her before following the troupe into the forest.

Hidden in the woods, near the Umbrella helicopter she had escaped the desert in, a woman watched as the five girls took off. She has seen everything, but it was flashing from her memory, just like the rest of her thoughts. Her eyes fitfully gazed after them, her dirty red hair hanging in her face. For a moment she wanted to run to them ….as if they looked familiar….but a moment later, her mind retreated and she slowly faded into the forest once more. The red spider like apparatus on her chest pulsed slowly.