Suki and Kimi had quickly became friends and were now chatting it up and laughing. But a question still lingered in Suki's head about her new friend.

"Kimi, why do you wear that mask across your face?"

Kimi looked at her for a few seconds, not saying a word. Clearly, something was on her mind.

But she just shrugged. "You'll see when we get there."

Suki began to feel anxious. "Okay..."

The bus came to a stop. Suki looked outside. The passing vegetation was gone, which was replaced with a small farm like town.

"We're here!" Kimi said with enthusiasm.

Kimi picked up her bike and Suki grabbed her luggage. They walked to the door, but Kimi stopped.

She let out a defeated sigh. She knew Suki would be exposed and probably infected, but then again everybody in town was infected, so what would be the harm?

But this felt like lying. She should have just told her the truth.

Kimi turned her head to the bus driver and slightly nodded a signal. The bus driver nodded back and opened the door.

The second they stepped off the bus, Suki was hit hard by a strong wave of sickness, causing her to fall forwards.

Thankfully, Kimi was there to catch her.

"You okay?" She asked in a gulity voice.

"Yes, I just...felt a little weird...that's all."

Kimi nodded solemnly and proped her up on her feet.

Suki dusted herself off and looked around. The town was pitch black but she could see how small and quaint it was. Markets surrounded the streets instead of malls and over crowded streets, but this was just all she could see for now.

"So calm and peaceful..." She whispered.

"You should see it in the morning. Everybody's busy, busy, busy!" Kimi said cheerfully.

Suki smiled.

I don't deserve that smile...

"So, where ya heading to?" Kimi asked.

"Oh! I'm not really sure..huh...probably should have thought of that before hand..."

"Do you at least know who you're meeting? Or possibly coming to pick you up?"

"My father."

Kimi looked at Suki, confused.

Had her father come beforehand? Or was she someone in the town's daughter and she had just never met her before?

No, she had gotten to know everyone in a matter of days and she would know her if she was apart of the town.

So who was she? Who was this Suki Ichika?

"Your father...?"

"Surprised?" Another voice asked.

The girls turned their heads to the street corner. There, parked next to a lamppost was a tall man with greying brown hair, green eyes, and slight stubble.

Suki knew immediately who he was.

"That's him. That's my father..."

Kimi's eyes widened at the realization.

That man was All Kimi knew about him was that he was single and worked in a small tax building a few blocks down from their neighborhood. He never mentioned a wife or a daughter.

"Hey Akiniko...didn't know Suki was-"

"My daughter? It's no problem, Kim. I actually came down here to look for you two. Your mom's been looking for ya."

At first, Suki thought he was talking about her mom. But her was dead. And he didn't know her. Or at least, she didn't think so.

Kimi was utterly terrified.

"Oh crap! Is it that late?! I gotta get going! I'll see ya tomorrow Suk!"

Kimi got on her broken bike and pedaled away.

Suki turned her head to her father, who smiled at her.

It was strange. She didn't feel resentment. She didn't feel anger. She didn't feel anything towards him. She didn't know what to feel. At all.

So, she just smiled back.

"It's good to finally see you again..Man, you look just like you're moth-"

Akiniko stopped.

"It's okay," Suki said, "I..I don't mind at all..."

That was lie, but Suki didn't want him to feel bad for bringing it up.

Akiniko nodded. "Here. Lemme take your bags."

Suki nodded and stepped into the passenger seat as Akiniko threw her bass in the trunk when Suki noticed something.

He was wearing a mask too. And come to think of it, the bus driver did in fact place one on when they began entering the town.

Maybe I should as about it later...

Akiniko got back in the car and they were off.

Suki stayed silent for a few minutes until they came to stop light.

"Something wrong? You seem awfully quiet..."

"It's just....why does everyone wear that mask? What's going on?"

Akiniko was silent for a second. Then he spoke in a serious voice.

"Can't trust these people, can ya? Well, I guess you had to find out sooner or later...."

He pulled to the side and stopped the car. A tense atmosphere formed between the two as a pit formed in Suki's stomach.

Akiniko sat back in his chair.

"For along time, there's been this That's been here for as long as anyone could remember. Everybody's got it and nothings changed, just some minor things here and there.."

He then reached over and started fishing for something in the glove box and pulled out a white surgical mask and handed it to Suki.

"Just as a precaution, you're gonna have to wear this at all times outside. No exceptions."

Suki took the mask and place it on.

"Am I going to die..?"

"N-no! Uh, no. You'll be fine..."

I hope...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They arrived to the small house at the end of the neighborhood. It wasn't the best looking house; the grass seemed unkempt for years, cracks in every window. But she paid rare attention to its flaws.

Suki walked inside and was met with an almost bare living room/kitchen.

"Your room is down on the right. The rest of your stuff should be there."

Suki nodded and was just about to make her way over to her new room when Akiniko stopped her.

"Look, Suki...I...I know you don't think I know what you're going through, but I do. I loved Misaki as much as you do...but I shouldn't be talking..I mean...I did just up and leave...look, all I'm sayin is that you don't have to like me. Hell, you can even hate me with everything you've got. But just know...I'm here for you..."

Suki smiled. She wasn't exactly putting all of her trust in him, but she could at least have faith.

"Thank you..." She said.

Akiniko nodded as Suki left to her room.

Boxes filled with her belongings surrounded the room. She opened a specific box that contained her most important possession: the last picture of her and her mother.

She held it close to her heart and almost cried, but held it back.

I love you mom...I promise to try and love him...for you...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y