49

The sound of the Sno-Cat had them stopping as they reached the cabin and they turned to watch it approach, the man reaching for the woman's hand as they now showed fear. Billy remembered the things his parents had taught him, realised this showed the man was aware of the importance of this arrival which showed they had vehicles and were organised. He now knew they had more.

Owen stepped out onto the skid, followed by Rhys who was the first to touch the ground and walk towards them, his hand outstretched, "My name is Rhys and my nephew tells us you are no threat to our family."

"Ashton" the man replied, accepting the gesture, "My wife Melanie and our son Daryl although we seem to have been calling him Dinky so much he answers to that more. We came from London and have been wandering around out here stopping wherever we find shelter, we stay until we've used up what resources we have and then move on. We've not seen another person for almost two years, we were starting to think we were alone out here."

"No, you're not. We see other people all the time. This is quite a trail" Rhys sighed, "We are well hidden and sometimes we just let them slide past but this storm coming is nasty. We couldn't let you walk in that, plus you left the trail and were moving towards us. We were not sure if you were lost or hostile. We've had hostiles before."

"Lost" Ashton shrugged, "I've gotten better at reading the compass, we hardly ever find our own footprints now."

The soft snort of his wife told them this had happened more than once.

"How did you get out?" Owen finally spoke and the London twang had Melanie smiling at a fellow cockney as she answered.

"We were on a camping trip, a school trip. When it all started I wanted to go to me parents who were in a retirement village so we left the main group who were heading back to the city. Originally we had another family with us but they left us that first winter. We've met people and it just never seemed to stick, ya know? This is a new world and we are like an endangered species or something. We saw less and less until it seemed to stop being live ones all together."

"So you were following the wolves?" Owen asked and they nodded, "Last three nights they've called us. We've followed. It was like they were leading us, seemed to be watching us but I could never see them."

"They live in a cave system near us, probably saw you over a week ago and have been monitoring, they pretty much keep to themselves." Rhys said as Ianto whispered in his ear what to say, "They are pretty protective though. If you had come too close the pack might have challenged you. Not good for any of us. They don't come here though, this is a neutral spot. Please don't hunt in this area, they control it. There is plenty of food and after the storm eases we will come back with some more supplies for you but what is in there now I over a week's worth. Also, we have some fresh stuff with us too."

Owen stepped to one side as Frank bustled past with a bag from the Sno-Cat, like a little boy carrying in the groceries for his mom.

"That's a good boy" Owen crooned, "Thank you son. Just put it on the table love, they can unpack them. Eggs and stuff there that's fresh. Frank, don't forget the bucket of milk sweetie."

Frank muttered a weird sound and Owen snorted, "Oi! Are you sassing me?"

Frank snorted.

"Little shit, you wait until we get home. You will earn yourself a tickle fest if you keep that up!" Owen mock threatened and Frank snorted again, this time carrying the little bucket with a lid on. "Milk in there freshly squeezed. Won't even need to go in the fridge. Sit it on the porch buddy, they will take it in before it freezes. Good boy, go wait for us and Uncle Rhys might let you sit in his lap and help drive home, yeh?"

Frank excitedly crabbed to the vehicle and clambered in, sitting in the seat and hooting impatiently.

"You've done it now, wee bugger wants to drive. Awwwwwww" Rhys said with glee as he walked over to claim his seat.

"If you hear the wolves out here tonight don't open the door. They won't come in, they will just be getting your scent and looking at you. There are no dangers out here tonight, the wildlife are friends and as long as you stay in the cabin you will be safe. No Zs about either." Billy asked.

"Zs" the man repeated, "Walkers? You call them Zs?"

"Z for Zombie, yeah" Billy nodded, "We have lookouts and we monitor closely, sweep any that come too close. Not seen one in a while but that means nothing. As long as there are people, there will be Zs. A by-product of our stupidity."

"I agree with that" Melanie huffed, "We brought this on ourselves. These winters are out fault too. Poor mother earth."

"We believe the same" Owen said, then motioned to Billy, "We will leave you now, just rest and take some time to relax."

Frank hooted loudly out the door of the Cat and Owen answered as they walked towards him, "Alright ya mad monkey. Shit on a stick you are as bossy as your Mama!"

Rhys had sat and the wee man was in his lap jiggling as his claws wrapped around the control sticks for the tracks, his face fill of glee … as much as a weevil can show.

Rhys started the cat up and with his feet he controlled the speed, letting the wee man steer and they gracefully moved across the expanse that lead around the trees and towards home, Frank clever enough not to move in a straight line.

Billy looked back and saw the door closing, pleased they were not following.

His Dad would be back soon, then the Grups would talk and they would decide about these ones.

Billy also knew he would sit at that table.

A Grup now too.