"Your uncle?"  Karr repeated, startled.  He winced a little when he realized how loud his own voice had been, and carefully craned his neck over the wall at his back to make sure he'd gone unnoticed.  "Your uncle?"  He repeated, quietly this time.  "Well I guess that<span style="font-style: italic">does</span>explain a lot.  Everything will be clear later.  Let's work on staying alive for now, right?"<br/><br/>He didn't wait for the protests he knew were forthcoming, but grabbed her hand firmly and pulled her along with him as they slipped around the edge of the destroyed lot and down a sloping alleyway into a darker part of the city.  The buildings here were in even worse shape, if that were possible, and at some points the roads were impassible for all the rubble and debris that had built up.  Even so, something resembling a winding path had formed, trickling between abandoned cars, alongside crumbling brick walls, and beneath fallen slabs of metal and glass that must have weighed several tons.<br/><br/>The deeper they traveled into the wounded heart of the city--lit now only by the lingering glow of sunset--the quieter it became.  They'd left the sound of their pursuers behind them long ago, and now only their soft breathing and muted footfalls accompanied them on their journey.<br/><br/>Eventually, Karr released Lilith's hand, confident that she wouldn't bolt away or bring danger down upon them both with her questions, justified as they might be, and settled for leading her over the more difficult sections of the rubble as the mounds grew higher and the trek more difficult.<br/><br/>â€œJust a little further.â€  He assured her apologetically as ascended a particularly steep landslide of concrete and metal. He grimaced as Lillith stumbled on a bent piece of rebar, but he couldn't afford to slow their pace just yet.  Straightening in relief as he crested the top, he shaded his eyes to catch the last beam of sunlight as it winked out over the horizon.<br/><br/>â€œHurry,â€  He urged, â€œJust here.â€<br/><br/>Scrambling up the last few feet to a partially intact wall and door, he held it open and followed her inside.  It was pitch black within, but he waited until he'd securely bolted the door behind him before flicking on a single dim battery lantern swinging above the door.  A rickety staircase towered up before them, and he led the way to the top.<br/><br/>The staircase opened into a large, empty room with floor to ceiling windows that lined the entire western wall.  Most of these were cracked, and a few were missing altogether.  In these placed they had been replaced with sheets of heavy plastic and ductape.<br/><br/>â€œThey send out patrols at night, sometimes,â€ he provided by way of explanation as he threw his belt of gear down by his bedroll on the farthest side of the room.  Sighing, he patted the massive, round tanks that loomed near it.  They sent a pleasing echo through the bare room.  â€œThese are still active, somehow.  The little mysteries of the city, I guess.  They cycle hot water day and night.  I figure they can hide my body heat if the cyborgs ever get close to this place.  They don't, generally.  But there's always the exception.â€<br/><br/>Feeling suddenly awkwardâ€”the bags and boxes tucked into every corner; the dusty floor and cracked windows didn't exactly scream comfortâ€”he turned over a crate and motioned for her to sit.  Seeing her lost look, he darted hurriedly around the room, sweeping cans and trash into the corners and stuffing discarded clothing back into his packs.  He finally found a relatively clean, if patched and faded, trench coat he'd thrown over a protruding support beam and dropped it over Lillith's shoulders.  He wasn't sure at first if she would have wanted it, but was glad to see her pull it closer around her shoulders.  Even with the rumbling water tanks, the room couldn't be considered warm.<br/><br/>â€œI know you're probably confused right now...â€  He ran a hand through his hair as he crouched across from her, causing it to stick up in all directions as he laid out a few rations on the box that served as a makeshift table.  â€œHonestly, I am too.  But let's start with getting you warm.  Maybe some food?â€