Tensions seemed to rise from the time of the announcement until mere moments before we leave. Because of their differing ideas on what we were doing, Kari and Ian, as well as Hadley and Harris, clearly weren't getting along. It was as if I was watching high school couple drama again. Ian was trying to explain himself to Kari all night; she wasn't going to forgive him that easily. Hadley and Harris were both too stubborn to even talk to each other.
All this coupled with each of our individual fears made for a very silent morning. I have a million questions to ask, but none of them are spoken for the fear of being yelled at by someone- mainly Hadley. For this reason, when Wes arrives at the door of the mall I feel unprepared.
    Wes' smile fades as we all stare at him in silence. He knows something is wrong with us, but thankfully Roman takes charge and steps forward. It's as if no one would get anything done without his leadership.
    "I guess I should do introductions so we can get going." He clears his throat and points to each of us, giving our names as he does. "And everyone who doesn't know, this is Wes."
     "I'll try to remember everyone's name, but I may not see some of you often once we split."
     "Excuse me?" Kari pipes up. "Split?"
     "Yeah, our group- with you all now- is about one hundred and fifty people. Men, women, and a few children. We can't all walk together because clearly that would draw way too much unwanted attention to us." Wes says in less of an explanation and more of a matter-of-fact-clearly-you-should-know-this way. I look to Roman hoping he'll say something to make us feel better, but he stays silent. A thought flashes in my mind but I push it away hoping I'm wrong.
     "So what exactly is the plan?" The question we all want to ask is voiced by Camden.
     "We walk to the airport. It's completely empty and we will sort there. Every group will have about twenty or so people. We need decent medics and cooks, along with someone who can be a leader in each. This process will only take about two hours- maybe three. Then we leave on intervals. After the first group, the others will leave every two hours. Half today and the rest tomorrow. We should all be in Denver in five days I'd think."
     "Or dead," Maia adds.
     Ignoring her comment, Wes continues. "Some may choose to stay there and we will regroup, split, and then leave in the same fashion for Boston."
     "Let's get to the airport then," Tristan says. Wes nods and we follow him out the door.

I switch my duffle bag from my left shoulder to my right as we walk through the semi guarded airport gate. Roman slows down, and even though he walked at the front the entire way, he is soon beside me at the back.
"You okay?" I ask quietly and stop walking when he comes to a halt. "Roman, are you alright?" I repeat, placing my hand on his arm.
"Hmm? Yeah," he says looking at me. "I'm just wondering if we really should be here."
"We have to get out; that's obvious," I tell him. "This will be the easiest way." I don't mention my fear of Rhett and now Wes though. Roman had enough on his mind. He didn't need to worry about my petty (and probably wrong) judgements.
"You're right, I just don't want us to have to split up. But I don't think I'll have much say anymore."
He starts walking again and we hurry to catch up with the group who are almost in the main hangar already. I hadn't noticed, but the four gate guards had passed us and we're ahead with Wes. My uneasiness grows but I try to shake it.
This is for the best.
     We all freeze when we walk into the hangar and see all one hundred and fifty people staring at us. Searching for something to not let my fears send me running, I instinctively grab Roman's hand. He was here. He wouldn't let anything happen to us. This may be Wes' territory, but Roman was still our leader.
    "Sadie here is my sister," Wes announces to us. "She will ask each of you a few questions so we can assess where you fit into the group. The quicker this happens the quicker we can start leaving."
    A short, but pretty, brunette walks up to Camden first. Immediately she begins firing questions and writing in her notebook. She continues talking to each of us, and when she asked what my specialty is I'm at a loss for words. I wasn't expecting something like this.
     "She survived on her own for two months. She's good at everything," Roman tells her. I thank him with a smile as she writes, expecting another question.
     Although, without acknowledging my presence again she begins asking Roman about himself. After giving a brief detailing of himself he lowers his voice. "If you can keep all of us together, I would be so great full."
     "I'll do whatever is best for everyone," she says almost as a warning.
My fear is strengthened and that thought crosses my mind again. Roman may have been top dog in our group, but he was a nobody here. I clutch his hand tighter as Sadie walks away, and it seems as though I may be the one comforting him, and not vise-versa.

     The tensions of our group seem to subside as we wait for the split. There still isn't much talk, but we stay close in a small circle. The threat of being separated scares me even though I had just met them a few days ago. I was becoming familiar with them and I didn't want to lose that. Nothing is guaranteed and I realized this could be the last day I had with everyone together.
     Dallas passes bottle of water to me and I take a drink before handing it to Roman. The rationing something we  would have to become familiar with.
     "No more meals from Maia," Tristan mumbles giving the bottle to Mac.
     "It would have happened one day anyway," Hadley whispers. For the first time she meets eyes with me and almost smiles. "If they put us all in separate groups I will miss you guys." Mac puts his arm around her and Kari gasps.
     "She has a heart!"
     "Shut up loser," Hadley laughs. "You guys put up with my shitty attitude and I've taken it for granted because I know no one else will. I guess this kind of was a family."
    "A dysfunctional one," Ian says and we all laugh. "But this isn't the end."
    "It might be," Roman says solemnly. "I'm sorry guys. If this is our last day together, I know it's my fault."
     "Shut up," Hadley says again.
"Yeah man, we took a vote and decided to do this," Harris tells him.
Dallas claps Roman on the shoulder, forcing him to look at him and listen. "I know what this is about, and I promise you're wrong. You saved all of us. You are the one we trust. Wes just has a plan- one his mom created. Nothing will come between us and when we get to Denver we will all decide what's next. For us."
    "We will always trust you, even if you have a weird haircut," Adrian jokes.
    "You guys are something," Roman chuckles. "But thanks."
    "Oh my god guys, this may be our last chance to sit around talking about feelings and painting our nails, and we need to decide who the cutest boy is," Tristan says in a valley-girl voice. "My vote is for Ian."
    "Shut the hell up," Ian laughs. "It's clearly Mac."
    "That's what the girls said in high school," Mac smirks. We laugh once more before Wes' voice silences everyone.
"If I say your name you are in the first group and will leave immediately. I am the leader of group one." No surprise. "If you are not called you will check with Rhett to see when you leave." He reads off nineteen names, Hadley and Mac included.
    My heart sinks as we all realize we won't be with them. I stand with the others and hugs are exchanged. When Mac holds me tight I whisper for him to stay safe; he says the same. It feels like my heart is breaking is the to go to join their split. Mac holds Hadley's hand in his left, and his bat in his right.
"We should see where the rest of us are," Roman suggests. We follow him towards Rhett, and even with the large amount of people ahead of us, we are soon checking for our names.
"Looks like you're with me girly," Rhett says when I find my name. Last group.
"Oh nice," Roman says with a smile. "I'm with you too, boy."
Roman takes my hand and thankfully leads me away from the creep. My first instincts were looking more correct now. I glance back to see if the others are done yet, but I see Rhett and Sadie kissing. My stomach turns and I vow to stay as far away from Rhett as possible, and be at Roman's side every second of the next five days.

Four hours later I hug Maia, Tristan, Dallas, and Adrian goodbye. Adrian kisses my cheek and tells me "Stay safe, and keep Roman in line." I promise to try before the old lady- Gail- orders for her group to leave. I could tell where Wes and Sadie got their bossy attitudes. Dallas puts his arm around Maia as she lets go of Camden, trying to control her emotions. She forces a smile and then they are gone.
I wonder how many couples and families were being split today. Roman was no longer with his brothers. Maia and Camden separated. Were the five children with their families?
"We'll see them in few days. It'll be okay," I say quietly. No one responds, but I know it's only what we are all hoping.