11

As they had expected, it was long laborious work with their first major blockage found by noon. They stopped for lunch as several men got out and walked around the tree, long since downed and rotting on the tracks. Soon chainsaws screamed as they cut away the dead wood and Ianto ran a large perimeter to ensure there were no Zs in the area, Hope with him to learn how to scan.

By one thirty they were moving again, this time Owen was holding the floor as he talked again about possible contagions, the Bigs nodding as they drank in everything and revelled in their first real adventure. Billy and Liam watched over the Bigs with silent alarm, seeing themselves in the grins of their younger counterparts and they knew they would have to make sure no one went rogue. At least they knew the tricks I guess.

Stephen looked over at his cousins and knew what they were likely thinking, grinning to himself. Yeah, they had been a bloody chore and a half for him and he was glad it was their turn now. He hoped they worried themselves to premature grey hair!

Andrew poked Stephen and nodded at Eric who still looked slightly green but was now paying attention. They would have to watch that one. He was not confident and maybe should not have come. Trey sat next to his sister Millie, proud that she had stepped forward to come and he had a protective arm around her as he whispered that she should stick close. Mama would kill him if anything went wrong and she snorted as she agreed Mama was scarier than a Z. After all … Brandy had a reputation for her hot head.

Samuel was with Owen going over their lists, a doctor and a dentist are not your usual team but they did know what was needed if they could pillage the right places. They agreed that there was a good chance at one of the stations that had a school marked nearby, their first overnight stop. If the facility had been locked down, there cold be medicines and tools there they needed.

Travis and Boomer were near the back, Travis quietly bricking it that his little brother had started to cry when he left but he knew sticking by this big man might be the best idea, Boomer had been kind to them after their mama died and Travis trusted him.

With a team as mixed in ages as they were, the grups had all agreed to watch over specific children without the Bigs realising this and even now as the train putted along eyes were checking and rechecking for signs of concern or fear that might need a gentle word. They were not just making future soldiers and scavengers … they were nurturing future Parentals and teachers too.

They neared the first town at around three in the afternoon, as they had hoped there was a high school in the distance in the township and as they started to move like they were getting off Dean suddenly turned and motioned everyone to remain where they were as Hope sprang up on a seat to peer out at the town.

"Tadda wants us to wait" she said calmly "I think … There!"

She pointed and they could see Jack's ATV up ahead. Abandoned and signs of something being pulled out of a saddle bag. The weapon bag was gone as if he had chased something and needed extra ammo with him or something and they all knew it could only mean Zs in the area so they all settled back to wait.

Hope continued scanning, her Wolfling eyes taking in a different scene to the others and it was Dean who finally voiced it out loud "Are those signs made by people?"

In the distance, unseen by human eye were signs on the side of buildings made with splashes of paint. Buildings had been named and marked as Zomb Zones or Safe. Humans were here. Survivalists were here.

Their first stop and they had found civilisation.

But where were they?

They looked at one another with the same thought in their brains even as their Tad suddenly slammed into the bond.

Unfriendlies!

Ah.

Hope and Dean hunkered down to wait and see what would happen as their Parentals stalked the humans still alive in the middle of the warzone. If they were not friendly it meant they had either threatened them already or they had found something to suggest newcomers would be met with force.

Hope didn't like it one little bit.

Dean growled softly as he agreed.

Tadda had warned them about it.

Hell has hidden traps.