At End's Gate

PREPARATION

Conner came downstairs. "Morning bro," Blake greeted him.

"Hie," he smiled.

"Someone is unbelievably perky today," James commented as Conner took his seat.

Paige stared at him and took a sip of her juice." Yeah Conner you're in a good mood which is surprising considering the fact that today we're going to face possible horror," Alexis added.

"I'm not frightened. I'm maintaining a positive attitude to keep myself calm. It also helps keep you alert," Conner explained.

Paige took another sip, remembering her conversation with the girls she fixed her gaze on Conner and smiled." That's good. We should all have an optimistic mindset."

"Yeah," Conner responded.

The tension was clearly visible between the two of them but Paige now acting normal relieved it. They ate quickly to make most of their time during the day.

"Conner please explain how we're gonna move to the east."

"Okay Lisa. We'll move through the streets for a while. We'll also use the underground tunnels when we reach the east since there are more people there."

"Cool."

They finished eating and began packing. They stacked all the essentials in a bag. Conner opened the weapons bag and began to hand over the guns to the boys first. He also gave them daggers as well." You hide those. You use them for the element of surprise when fighting a person one on one."

"Cool." They took their weapons.

Conner then handed Lisa a bow and arrow." You have the best aim. This is your ideal weapon." He gave her a gun as well and a small dagger.

"Thanks."

Alexis stood next to him as he looked in the bag. He took out a small gun. "Don't worry. It might seem small but it's the most powerful gun. You can aim a person a few yards away and not miss." He gave her another gun of the same type and two daggers.

"Thanks Conner," she smiled.

Conner looked at Paige." You look determined," he laughed," choose what you think suites you."

"Why aren't you just giving me a weapon based on our training experience?"

"You're a big girl. You can choose for yourself can't you?"

Paige didn't respond to that. She just looked into the bag. She analyzed all the weapons." I'm terrible at aiming so definitely not an archer." She looked at the guns. She saw a black piston that seemed to be the only one in the bag. She placed her finger on it, held it up. A connection to her father, she felt apparently because the piston was the only one of it's kind. She also took a small gun, a long dagger and two smaller daggers." I think I'm good with these."

"Cool," he said with a smile.

Paige was now feeling uncomfortable again but she kept cool. She smiled back showing off her white well shaped teeth." I think we're set."

"Check if you haven't left anything important. We don't want another suicidal rescue mission."

The comment felt blunt but he maintained his smile. Paige didn't want to feel overpowered and end up looking sad. She smiled." Okay. I'll make sure." Paige left him and went upstairs to the bathroom to check if she could have forgotten something there. She looked around. Afterwards she looked all over the house. There wasn't anything forgotten. She folded the letter with a location and placed it in the black jacket she was wearing. She wore the necklace she was given by her mother whilst she was still alive. Wearing it made her feel her presence although she wasn't with her anymore. She went back to the living room where the others were.

"We should pray before we leave," Blake suggested.

"Good idea," Conner said zipping the weapons bag.

"Let's hold hands as we pray," Alexis suggested as well.

"Okay," Conner said stretching out his hand to the people next to him. Unfortunately one of them was Paige. Paige took his hand. They closed their eyes and prayed for travel mercies.