I put my knife away, beginning to question why I can’t remember a single thing about him. It’s not like my memories are completely gone, so why is he missing from all of them.

“Well, whatever it was—heartbeat or not—it’s gone.” I start walking, but keep my ears on alert. “Do you think it could be Dominic?”

He shrugs, distracted. “Maybe, I don’t know, though. Most, including Dominic won’t go near the city.”

“Because of the vampires? Or because it’s so close to The Colony?”

“Both.”

He remains distracted for the rest of the walk, eyebrows constantly furrowed, as if something perplexes him deeply. The only thing I can tap into is he’s afraid I might die, that’s it, the same fear over and over again.

Behind us, the land is relatively exposed, giving a clear view that no one seems to follow us. When we reach the city border, the dangers of what could be following us is mild. With many places to hide and The Colony resting below it all, the city is a dangerous place.

“Please tell me you have an idea of where Xander is,” I say.

He shakes his head, eyes locked on the wreckage road in front of us. “But I told you I’m an excellent tracker.”

“Okay, excellent tracker,” I eyeball the many differently shaped buildings, “Where do we start?”

His eyes skim the lines of the buildings, the curves of the streets, and he points to our left. “This way.”

Stepping foot onto the city grounds feels like I’m stepping onto Higher grounds. Being a Bellator, I know how things work. If I had been out on a raid, and stumbled across two humans, I know the rule would be to bring them in. I’m not sure if I would have, being a rule questioner and all, but I know other Bellators might have. I think if it came down to it, and we ended up crossing paths with them, I could probably get away. But Aiden, I’m not so sure.

Fires crackle from the barrels, pouring out smoke and ash into the streets and sky. The air is deadly silent, but it will all change once night arrives.

“How can he just live out here?” I whisper. “All by himself. And without anyone knowing?”

“Because he hides,” he says simply. “Just like we all do.”

Asphalt crumbles under my boots. “I wonder how it all came to be.  You know, how everyone ended up down there and the vamps out here? I mean, I know it was a virus, but why didn’t we try to fight or stop it.”

“You want to know my theory?” He asks, squeezing between two cars.

I maneuver between the cars, spotting a shiny ornament hanging from the mirror of the inside. It sparkles, even without light, and I’m mesmerized.