I cautiously looked in every shadow, crack and crevice, hoping I was alone.

The bundles in my arms felt heavier with every step, my energy slowly dissipating. I hadnt eaten in thirty-four hours and I was shutting down. But I had to get these bundles to the kids. My footsteps were quick and quiet, not giving anyone a chance of hearing me. Ive had experience of being silent. Id been looking after myself for the last four years but now I had more mouths to feed and keep safe. It was getting harder. A slight scuff of the ground had me spinning, heart pounding in my chest. I stopped breathing; hoping whatever had made the sound didnt hear the beat of my heart. A few seconds later a rat came out from behind the rubbish bin and had me breathing out in relief. Rats had been one of the animals to thrive after the epidemic, just like cockroaches while it was rare to see dogs or cats anymore. Continuing on, I came to a clearing, I would have to run across the road to get to my destination. Though the tricky part was not getting caught. The epidemic in 2019 had taken three-quarters of the human population. There were rumours of terrorist having invented the disease though others believed it was God punishing us for our sins while others considered it to be a government experiment gone badly but in the end it came down to result that millions had died all around the world, with the disease being carried along air currents. Now there was no government, just gangs, cults and anyone who is scary enough to have power, controlling territories in cities. And it was just my luck that I was going through the Battle Zone, where gangs fought out their rivalries. I crouched down behind the bin at the mouth of the alley, and waited not breathing. I controlled my heartbeat put myself in a type of meditation as I considered the best way to get across. Id been doing this for the last seven months, ever since I had found a new house and I found it best to be in a calm state of mind when going through the cross road. My gaze flickered around the area, no one seemed to be here but it was always possible. I stayed where I was for another few minutes and with a deep breath, I sprinted. My feet dodged and jumped over obstacles, flying over the ground. It wasnt as fast as I usually was, but it would have to do. I dived behind another dumpster on the other side of the Battle Zone and let out a relieved breath. When I had my breath and my heart stopped sounding like a train in my chest, I got up on shaky legs. I needed food soon. It was five blocks to safety, my steps quickened but still cautious. When the house came into sight, I started to relax. The house I had converted into a safe house for the kids was three stories, what would have been considered a beautiful mansion before the epidemic. It was large, timber rotting but still solid, the windows in the front had been boarded up by the previous residents of the house, hoping to keep the disease out. I took the front steps two at a time and opened the door. We had made the top story our home, because it was easier to hear if someone was coming up the stairs and in the house which gave us more time to get out down the hidden fire escape. When I reached the top story, I froze. Something wasnt right, placing the bundles on the ground, I snuck to the door leading into our safe place.

I held my breath as I put my ear near the door, not hearing anything. Maybe the kids had gone out to play? But I knew that was wrong, because Id forbidden anyone from going outside when I wasnt with them. I couldnt hear anything. Not a slight movement not even laboured breathing. Maybe they were asleep? This calmed me a little and I opened the door. Chapter 2: The first thing I saw when I opened the door were three kids tied up with a gag around their mouths. The next was there panicked eyes and then I was launching into action, stepping into the middle of the room to give myself a better space to fight in. My hand went into the slit Id made in my pants and pulled out a knife, that was the length of my forearm. It was more like a machete than a knife. What do you want? I demanded, my voice solid and not showing the fear I can feel in my limbs. I was to weak to fight them off but maybe I could bluff. A slight movement to my left had me spinning in the direction. A man stepped out of the shadows. No not a man, he couldnt be any older than me, a few years at best. I could ask you the same thing. The boy said, his voice rich and strong. My knife wavered, it was getting harder to hold. Who are you? I demanded again. The strangers mouth twisted into a smirk, Lets just say that Shadow would like to meet you. Fear shot through me but before I could make my arms into action to protect the kids, something hit the back of my head and the last thing I saw before I blacked out was Eddies face washed in tears. A horrible keening noise echoed and I wanted to tell whoever it was to shut up, but I soon noticed I was making the noise. Snapping my mouth closed, my eyes snapped open. Where was I? What had happened? It all came rushing back. The guy in my house, the kids tied up.. Eddie? Amie? Jorge? my voice came out scratchy and sore. They are safe. A voice to my left said. A familiar rich and deep voice. My head snapped toward the sound and what was next to me had me feeling as if the wind had been knocked out of me. It was gorgeous, with thick eyes lashes girls would die for around midnight eyes, dark shaggy hair artfully messed up with high cheek bones and full lips. My eyes travel down his body, he was tall, at least 6 foot, and was muscle all over, no fat judging by his tight black shirt. My head became dizzy. Disgusted at myself, I demanded, Where am I? Where are the kids? Safe was all he said and unlocked the prison door I noticed for the first time.