Augustus faced the youth with disdain in his hidden eyes. [i]I offer to help,[/i] he thought, [i]and you threaten me?[/i] He quickly scanned the others before him. Their guns were all lowered, and it would take them a moment to find a clear shot. From where he had backed himself up to, he wouldn't need that long to enter the trees again.

	"You [i]fools![/i]" Augustus cried out. "Can you not comprehend anything beyond the scope of your petty survival? I have found a [i]cure![/i]" And the nerve of that woman, accusing him of abandoning his duty! "Why would I waste my time on the hopeless infected when I could be saving what little of humanity we have left?"

	He heard a familiar growling. He turned to the little one, fully aware of the husky at her side now baring its fangs, but he was not deterred. "I will find your brother, if only for the reason that a child like you shouldn't be alone in the world." With his last words, Augustus threw himself backward between the trees, quickly breaking line of sight from the group. Even if they dared waste ammunition on him, their shots would find purchase only against the trees.

	Quickly into his dash, he heard the four-legged pursuit of the dog once again, barking at his heels. [i]Damn girl. Call off your dog before I have to put it down.[/i] Nothing had gone right. It reminded him of why he avoided other men to begin with. [i]I have knowledge and resource to offer, yet I am met only with suspicion.[/i] He hazarded a glance back at the dog, closing distance in the woods, and his eyes turned hateful. [i]Very well. Let them all die.[/i]

[@SweetOwlette][@hagroden][@XxLyraxX]