10

Rose stood stoically as she watched her big sister and brother board the train, her eyes shifting to the twins who stood back by Tish with matching looks of sorrow. She didn't know why they were so sad, they preferred to sleep in the mess of children's limbs and dogs in Hope's Kiddie Cave. She however, did like to sneak into the bed early in the morning for a cuddle with Daddy, Pip usually with Tadda already.

Now they were going, taking the older two with them and she knew it would be forever until she was old enough for an adventure too, left behind with the babies. A little hand clutched at hers and she turned to find Pip there, looking up at her with a calm frown, squeezing her hand to give reassurance and she released he could hear her thoughts, her sorrow and annoyance. "Sorry Pppy. It's not that I have to stay with you .. it's that I have to stay"

He nodded, watching as Ianto emerged from the shadows in Wolfling form, his clothing bot needed as he now knew how to form that with his fur. He looked larger and more imposing than ever before, no doubt because he hadn't transformed in a while for everyone and more than one exclaimed softly with alarm, then laughed as they knew Ianto found it all amusing with his chuffs.

"Damn lover!" Jack called out "You can chase me anytime!"

The laughter was light as everyone let out their breath and Ianto shook, his fur giving off golden sparks that now had the children enamoured and by that evening several pictures would be drawn of a wolf in a gold halo.

Marley walked over to pick Pip up, placing him on her hip as she pulled Rose close "Glad you didn't go too. I will really miss them and need a friend I can trust with my secrets."

Rose felt powerful as she leaned against her sister-in-law. Although Marley was a different kettle of fish she did have a bond connection through Tadda's past. Although Rose was too little to understand the things Ianto's father had done to create the two beings that had come from his lab, she was old enough to know that Marley was special like her Tadda and therefore family. The tickle in the bond was nice too, even if Marley didn't know how to use it like a Wolfling can. It was a one-way radio and Rose was a bit sad for Marley as it is a wonderful thing to feel the love of your pack.

Rose felt better. Marley was right, it was good that she was here to watch over the twins and Pippy who was now reaching out to yank her ponytail in a baby-brain moment then look aghast at himself when she yelped. She kissed his face and whispered that it was OK, she had done the same thing to Hope a few times. Long hair is SOOOO pullable after all.

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As the train pulled out of the station Kev turned to those inside with him and reached for his grab bag. "Come on, drill time! you will need to check your grab bag before making your way to the nearest safe zone marked on your map. Your panic bag should contain the following items: Hand guns, rifles, crossbows, harpoons. Pretty much any lethal weapon relying on long range firing is what is required. Avoid close contact weapons. Rubber gloves, face masks, goggles to limit the amount of exposed skin. Night vision goggles. Zs have exceptional smell and you will be wise to enhance your vision skills. As well, their core body temperature has only the sun so at night the thermal glasses will not help you! They are dead people … no body heat. You may not see them until it is too late. Bottles of drinking water will keep you hydrated and flush out any airborne toxins which might be lingering on decaying corpses. Crackers, nuts, dried fruit, energy bars. Rope, batteries, torches, whatever you can use to travel at night. Sometimes the simple techniques are still the most effective. Rope and tin cans can be an effective perimeter warning. Pantry foods such as tinned food, pasta, flour, sugar, and rice. Fire lighting tools for cooking and heating. If we are seperated you need a couple of days for us to find you. We will find you."

Everyone took the time to check their bags even though they had all done so the night before, tipping them out so Kev and Jack could walk along checking. Even then, some things were added that had been missed and some extras were commented on.

"Well done!" Kev smiled happily as Owen nodded and motioned for them to put everything away, watching the order of placement to make sure their weapons and first aid kits were on the top.

They were ready for this, had been all winter really, the later part for definite when they started to prep after learning this would be a go. Everyone set, excited and slightly nervous, one poor kid almost throwing up.

But they were a go.

Owen couldn't wait.