Notes:

To readers of the POTA comic books, it's exactly what you think it is.

WARNINGS: More angst and character death at the end of the chapter.
Enjoy :)

Cloud scuffed his feet restlessly. Dragging his toes through the dry earth, he scanned the crowd of young apes thronging the courtyard around him, waiting to be chosen for their first missions. The high apes were studying them one at a time, deciding what task would be most suited to them. Caesar was choosing who would join him in the hunt. Cornelia, apes who would help bring in the harvest. Luca, apes who would join the Gorilla Guard while Grey, Stone and Koba would lead separate scavenging trips. Maurice was supervising, helping sort apes into the different groups.

Cloud twitched, his guts writhing with anxiety, and he clenched his fists. Rain huffed irritably and elbowed him in the arm. "Stay still stupid ape!" she murmured under her breath.

He stuck his tongue at her, hiding the nerves he felt. It was his first mission and he didn't want to get it wrong and be a bad ape. All he wanted was to do well and be a good ape. He just hoped that Rain and he would be put in the same group.

Rain rolled her eyes. She wasn't fooled. Don't worry, she signed discreetly. It will be fine. I'll stay with you.

She slid his hand into hers and squeezed it. He quickly squeezed it back and let go before anyone saw it.

There was loud squabbling and their heads simultaneously swung to the sound. Blue Eyes was complaining noisily, sulking over not being allowed to join in the hunt with his father. Neither he nor his friends were allowed to go as they were too young. Cloud could understand why Blue Eyes was so frustrated. While his friends' parents might take them on small trips of their own, Blue Eyes would not be allowed to do the same, kept under the watchful eye of his father. Cloud thought it must be frustrating to have the Ape King as your father – Blue Eyes barely spent any time with him while also being constantly monitored by him. It seemed to Cloud that being a prince wasn't all that great.

A distinct cheer rose from the crowd, a human cheer. Cloud spied Eve hugging Sugriva as Luca looked on proudly. The rest of the troop were there, obviously there to support Sugriva. He must have been promoted to the Gorilla Guard. Cloud was happy for him – he was nice; quiet, but still nice.

Cloud was going to congratulate him when he bumped into something hard. Koba.

Koba frowned at him and Cloud's throat dried. Please. Not him. Koba scared Cloud.

"Have job?" Koba barked.

No ... Cloud signed reluctantly.

Koba regarded him. Hunted before?

Cloud shook his head shyly. He had tried catching a raccoon before, something small, but he hated it, not wanting to hurt the poor creature. No, but have scavenged in forest with father –

Good. You can join us for scavenging trip, Koba cut in brusquely, steering him towards his group. Rama and Eshu were already waiting, impatient to get going.

"Wait!" Cloud exclaimed, regretting it when he saw Koba's face.

Koba stared at him, his expression leaning dangerously into a scowl.

Cloud looked down at his feet. Sorry. But I would like Rain to come with me.

Rain rushed to back him up. We work better together, she said confidently. Help each other. I can scavenge too.

Koba huffed. Four is too many, he said dismissively. Cannot watch you all. Rain will go with someone else.

Cloud glanced around them. Most of the groups had already been chosen. There would be no room for Rain.

But all the other groups have been chosen! he protested. Rain won't be able to go if she doesn't come!

Koba glared at him. He'd gone too far. Cloud cringed, waiting for the scolding to come.

"I can take them," a voice sang out. Eve.

Cloud felt himself relax and he had to stop himself from smiling. Eve! Let us go with Eve! he thought.

Koba growled quietly. This has nothing to do with you, human. Know your place. It was surprisingly tame for him.

Eve smiled pleasantly. "No need to be rude, I didn't mean anything by it. I was only offering to help. I don't mind taking them out scavenging. I've been dying to explore the woods. It's only for the day right?"

It is, Cloud added quickly.

Koba glowered at him.

"That will be fine. I can leave Sky with Ape and Kali. And I can bring Luna too! She's great at finding stuff." Eve finished brightly.

Out of the question! Koba snapped. Only high apes lead missions!

Maurice padded into view. Is everything alright? he asked.

Rain and I want to go on mission together but Koba said there's no room for her, Cloud said before Koba could interrupt. So, Eve said we could go with her.

Maurice rumbled thoughtfully. I see no problem with this. Eve has shown herself to be more than capable of defending herself. And Cloud and Rain will be able to lead them home. As long as Cloud's and Rain's parents approve ...

Cloud and Rain scampered off to find them. While it was doubtful whether their parents would prefer for them to go with a human as opposed to a high ape like Koba, Cloud's parents had fond memories of humans and liked Eve so that problem was easily solved. As for Rain's parents, she didn't bother asking them as they would only say no so they pretended that they had and gleefully reported this to Maurice.

Cloud was practically skipping. Even if he didn't like Eve (which he did) anyone was better than mean old Koba. He grinned at Eve and she winked at him from behind Koba's back.

Koba grunted. I'll go as well.

Cloud's face fell in horror and Eve bit her lip.

But what about Rama and Eshu, he said in desperation. They'll have no one to go with.

Stone will take them. It was clear that Koba wasn't asking. I will go with you and human. Human doesn't know woods.

Maurice and Eve looked at each other. After a few seconds, she sighed, giving up. "That's fair," she allowed.

Good. We leave soon. Koba turned and strode towards the ape gate, suddenly pausing midstep. He pointed a finger accusingly at Eve. Koba in charge. Human listen to me.

Eve nodded. "Aye, aye, Captain," she chirped with one of her weird human sayings.

Koba narrowed his eye at her and levelled her with an intense stare before finally stomping away.

Cloud eyed Eve. Raising her eyebrows and making a face as if to say 'what can you do', Eve tailed Koba, muttering a "sorry kiddos" to them as she passed.

Cloud and Rain stood stone still next to each other, both wondering what had just happened. Following a short silence, she smacked his arm playfully.

Come on fat ape, she teased. Let's go and get some berries!

Cloud watched as Rain hopped down to the ape gate. He hesitated, trying to rid himself of the dread he felt. He took a deep breath.

Let's go.

"Wow! I heard about these trees on TV! Coastal redwood, I think. You don't get that many, only here in California and up to Oregon. They're like a thousand years old or more, which is why they're so tall. Some of the oldest living beings on the planet actually. Go almost all the way back to the dinosaurs ..."

Glowering from his perch in the tree, Koba watched as the human ambled along, Cloud and Rain trailing alongside her, hanging on to her every word. In that sense they looked a lot like the human's faithful dog which was trotting close to her heels, gazing up at her in anticipation of a command.

Koba growled. Even after apes had been freed from the chains of human cruelty, these two apes were still pandering to a human, looking to her to teach them, to guide them. It disappointed him. Had he not told them all about the evil of humans, what they were capable of?! They should have known better anyway – they both were old enough to remember being housed in the zoo.

But then, Koba supposed, she didn't act like a normal human. She didn't look down upon apes, at least not in a way he had seen before. She lived with other apes comfortably, like they were humans like her. She was even raising an ape baby as her own. While he still thought it was wrong – of course, it was wrong – Koba couldn't fault her as a mother. He'd watched the child from afar, looking for any sign of abuse or neglect, but found none. The child was clearly happy and healthy, albeit being brainwashed by the human. Sometimes, the human reminded him of an ape mother, the way she paid so attentively to Sky, holding her close and gazing into the girl's eyes adoringly. One time, he had spied the human tickling Sky and he'd had to close his eyes, shutting out the image of his mother and his old human carer Mary sitting in her place.

Koba didn't like what some of the other apes said about Sky. It wasn't her fault that she had been taken in by a human and he disapproved of anyone that sought to punish the girl for it. Cedar and Red had been especially vocal in their contempt of Sky and the human but Koba silenced them, reminding them that the girl was an ape no matter what her parent was and should be treated as such. Cedar hadn't listened to him so Koba was quite amused when she and Grey had complained of the human humiliating her in front of all the women. Cedar annoyed Koba anyway with her constant self-pity and attention-seeking behaviour. If only it had been an ape that humbled her.

It did disturb him sometimes, how similar the human acted to an ape sometimes. She reminded him most often of a female bonobo, particularly in her dominance. While she had submitted to Caesar, it was evident that the troop (most of them anyway) still bowed to her as the alpha female, though as far as Koba could tell she didn't physically impose that dominance. Even Travis, who would traditionally be the alpha male in his species, was submissive to her.

Travis confused Koba. The chimpanzee obviously thought himself a human inside an ape, acting like one, thinking himself above other apes, and yet he pandered to a human woman much weaker than him. Despite what Cedar said, Koba did not believe that they were mates; if they were they would be at least equals. But they were not, and while the human may listen and take advice from Travis, he certainly did not control her. So much like Caesar, she was of her own mind, not to be controlled or manipulated. Today had proved that enough: despite Koba's (and Travis') protests she was here now whether they liked it or not.

She had spirit, he had to admit. Not even an ape had taken down a cougar with their bare hands and lived to tell the tale. And, as hard as it was to accept, he had to acknowledge the fact that she had been experimented on and that she had freed apes from a lab. The males Rama and Eshu had said as much, begrudging confessing that Eve had planned to release them all. They were reluctant to say any more than that and Koba respected their wishes as he did not like to speak of what had happened in his time with humans either.

And, if what she said was to be believed, she hated humans just as much as any ape. He remembered her outburst at the fire, her rage and contempt for her fellow humans ringing loud and clear. It bothered him how much she had sounded like him, saying the things he wholeheartedly believed in. The way she spoke, it was like she was somehow apart from other humans. Different. He bet that humans saw her the same way too, considering she had betrayed and killed them for apes. Though it would be fair to say that they had betrayed her first, he supposed. But then only humans would so wantonly denounce and experiment on their own. Perhaps the human was a case of it takes one to know one, as they used to say.

Yes, he thought as he observed the human's oddly pale braids swing behind her, she is a strange human. But that did not comfort him. She wasn't a normal human but that only meant she was something different. Something else. Something he hadn't seen before, something he didn't know. And what Koba didn't know, he didn't like.

"Oh, that's cool! That's a Captain America figure. I love Marvel, I used to watch all the movies ..."

Ears pricked, Koba peered down from his perch. One of the apes, Cloud, was holding some sort of human toy in his hand as the human enthusiastically gushed over it. No more, he thought. It was enough that the human got to spout her (secretly interesting) nonsense but trying to indoctrinate apes into liking human rubbish? That was more than he could bear.

He dropped down from the trees, landing directly in front of the group. Cloud and Rain jumped back, startled, while human merely regarded him, not moving an inch.

Koba, Cloud – Rain began.

Koba snatched the toy from Cloud. The toy was a human man wearing a dark blue uniform with a red, white and blue shield. He rounded on Eve. "Human waste apes' time!" he hissed. "This garbage not for ape!"

But I found that though, Cloud argued, his eyes fixed imploringly on the toy.

Ignoring him, Koba hurled the toy into the woods as hard as he could. It sailed over their heads in a perfect arch, falling somewhere into the undergrowth. The dog, thinking it a ball, took off after it, diving headfirst into the shrubbery.

You have job, Koba reminded them. Find reeds. Canopy leaves. Berries. He stared directly at Eve as he spoke. "Apes obey Koba. Human obey Koba. Caesar want report. Don't make Koba look like bad ape."

He stalked off, satisfied that they understood. For a while, all was quiet and calm now he had put some distance between him and the human. Silence. Koba sighed. He hadn't meant to be so harsh on the apes but it infuriated him that they listened to the human over him. Why were they so trusting? Had they so easily forgotten the lies and tricks humans were capable of? Because he hadn't.

Branches snapped underfoot behind him and he turned, expecting one of the apes to have come to ask for help. Instead, the human gazed back at him, her expression unreadable. The dog stood by her side, tail wagging.

Koba could have screamed. "What – human want?" he spat.

"I wanted to apologize."

Koba froze. Apologize? A human?

"It was my fault," she continued. "I haven't been out of the Village in so long and I guess I got a bit overexcited. I'm terrible for that. But don't blame Cloud or Rain. It's not their fault."

Koba gawked at her, unsure if she was being sincere. Seeing no deceit in her face, Koba grunted, sidestepping her apology and walked on, looking for some reeds.

The human shadowed him. "Is there anything I can help with?" When Koba bristled at that, she put her hands out in placating gesture. "No, don't take that as an insult. I was genuinely asking. I want to help."

Koba studied her, his one eye boring into hers. It looked like she was telling the truth.

"Find reeds," he conceded, indicating up ahead. "Find other supplies – if we can."

The human nodded. They walked for a while in silence and to Koba's astonishment, it wasn't too uncomfortable. Almost companionable.

Until she spoke.

"I'm not your enemy you know," she said softly.

He almost laughed. "You human," he scoffed disbelievingly.

"I know that." She sounded angry about that. "But I'm not here to hurt anyone. I never was. I just want the best for my family. It's all I've ever wanted. It doesn't make sense for me to destroy the only thing I have left."

Koba pondered this. There was truth there, he knew. If all the humans were truly dead or dying, it would not make sense for the human to hurt or kill her faithful friends. Nor had she shown any signs of intending to harm apes – if anything, it was the exact opposite. Hadn't she warned apes of danger despite having to take on a cougar alone? But then when did humans make sense?

"Humans destroy apes - and destroy themselves! Humans kill everything - they touch! Ruin everything!"

The human's face darkened. "Yes, they do. Humans kill apes. Humans kill humans. Humans abuse apes. Humans abuse humans. It's all the same, the ones on top exploiting the ones at the bottom in an endless cycle. But trust me – I am not one of them."

Taking in the outlandish pallor of her hair and the burning hate in those green eyes, Koba thought to himself, No, no you are not.

There was another hush and Koba scrutinised the human from the corner of his eye. She strolled along casually but she didn't fool Koba. He could see the tell-tale twitch in her cheek and the clenching of her jaw. Despite the heat of the summer sun bearing down on them in a way that would make an ape wish they were as hairless as humans, the human still insisted on wearing jumpers and cardigans that covered her arms as well as her signature scarves, though the one she was wearing now was more see-through and flimsy.

"Why wear that?" he said abruptly.

"Wear what?"

He scowled at her. She knew full well what he meant. "That," he said motioning to the clothes that covered her body. "Day hot. But wear – winter clothes."

The human feigned nonchalance. "I don't know what you're talking about. They're comfy."

Koba jabbed a finger at her arms. "Shouldn't cover scars," he stated baldly, referring to her wounds from the cougar. "Wear them with pride."

The human flinched. "I'm not covering them," she said in a testy tone. "I just prefer to wear these clothes."

"Feel uncomfortable around apes?" he accused.

"I didn't say that," she snapped.

She blew out a breath. "Do you ever get tired of trying to find something wrong with me?"

"What?"

"Doesn't it ever get exhausting, constantly trying to find fault with me? It's been months Koba – five months to be exact. 129 days."

Koba baulked. How did she know that? Had she been counting?

"I guess what I'm trying to say is I would have hoped that you would be able to trust me by now, even just a little bit."

Koba sneered. "Would never trust – human!"

The human sighed in frustration. "Well, could we at least call a truce? At least until you have actual proof I'm going to do something. I'm tired of fighting you and your minions. I just want to leave in peace with my family. I don't want to be the person everyone's talking about and staring at, always causing trouble. Aren't you tired of it?"

This struck a chord with Koba. He was tired of having to worry about the human all the time. He couldn't escape her. It was exhausting and he wished he could truly relax for once but it was impossible. She was everywhere – in the Village, in the fields, in the woods. She didn't have to actually be there for her to follow him: she was there even in the relentless complaints and whispered insults about her muttered by other apes.

So perhaps a truce would not be so bad.

"Fine," he said at last. "Truce. Human don't bother Koba, Koba not bother human."

"Great," she beamed, far too happy for his liking.

She hesitated. "But Koba ...?"

He sighed. "Yes?"

"You don't have to call me 'human'. I have a name you know."

"Don't - push it," he ground out and she laughed, an unexpectedly pleasant sound. Speedily suppressing a smile, he strode on.

Your fault Rain! Cloud signed sulkily. Koba thinks I'm stupid and you got Eve into trouble!

Rain pouted. You are too mean to me. You are a mean ape.

Cloud shook his head. Not mean like Koba ...

They knuckle-walked through the trees, woven sacks slung across their backs, scanning their surroundings for supplies. Koba and Eve were long gone, Eve having run after him, promising to make things right. Luna had gone shortly after, looking like she had something stuffed in her mouth as she hurried past them.

Cloud was ignoring Rain. Or at least trying to. If Rain hadn't bothered him for that toy, neither Eve nor Koba would have noticed it and it would still be his. He'd liked the toy's bright colours and star-spangled uniform. Captain America, Eve had said.

Cloud gulped. He hoped Eve was okay. Koba was scary enough when he was calm, let alone when he was angry. And with Eve being human ...

Cloud shook the thought off. Koba would not hurt Eve. Koba followed Caesar and Caesar said that they should not hurt humans. And Eve had fought that cougar. She would be fine. She was so brave. Cloud wished he could be that brave ...

Something glinted in the sun ahead, plunging out of his daydream ... berries! He sprinted to the berry bush, completely forgetting his mood with Rain. Without a second thought, he stuffed berries into his mouth, crunching and gulping the sweet juice. He was always hungry.

Rain tutted disapprovingly. Don't eat so much fat ape. Those berries are for us to give to apes.

Cloud didn't care. I'm hungry. Koba won't know if we don't tell him!

Crack! Cloud and Rain both froze as a pained shriek rose above the bushes.

What's that sound? Rain fretted. Koba? Eve?

Cloud swallowed. Koba scares me.

But Koba leader.

Be brave Cloud, he told himself as the screams got louder. Koba and Eve might need help. Or just Eve ...

Creeping around the bushes, they saw a human male lying on the ground, his leg up in the air. The foot on that leg was pointed at an odd angle, away from his body. The man was breathing rapidly, moaning and crying in pain.

"Oh god," the man whimpered. "It's broken."

Cloud and Rain gaped at him. He was a human. A live human. Cloud remembered what humans were like from his old home in the zoo and he'd heard all the stories about how evil they were to apes but something about the poor man's screams made him feel sorry for the human man. What if he was like Eve – a good human?

Cloud approached the man slowly, trying not to scare him. Rain squawked and yanked at his arm, pulling him back. He threw her off.

The man's head snapped up, focusing on them immediately, and his breathing got faster. "Please I'm not a threat ... Stay away!" he shrieked, hands scrambling to pull himself back, becoming more panicked as they approached.

Cloud knelt next to the man, making what he hoped were friendly sounds. Rain came up behind him, keeping her distance from the man. Holding some berries in his outstretched hand, Cloud offered them to the man.

The man looked at Cloud in confusion. "What – what are you ..."

But then – a roar of pure rage and hatred. He was upon them before any of them, ape or human, knew what was happening.

Koba paused, sniffing the air. Eve stopped, watching him warily.

"What –" she started but he silenced her with a flick of his hand.

He inhaled deeply, dragging air into his abused lungs. He growled. "Smell something ... strange. Something wrong."

"Humans?" Eve blurted.

Koba jerked his head towards her, probably about to accuse her of wanting it to be humans but seemed to change his mind when he saw the stricken look on her face.

"Don't know. Maybe." He regarded Eve. "Have weapon?"

Eve nodded. Her trusty knives were tucked in her belt as always.

"Good. Stay here. I go look."

"Hey, wait –" she began but he was already barrelling away, not so much as giving a backward glance.

"Fuck!" she hissed. There was no way she was catching up to him. "Fuck!"

Eve resisted the urge to childishly stomp her foot. Just when she thought she had gotten through to him, he ran off and left her. Great teamwork. Cloud and Rain were out there somewhere with something, whether it be a creature or a human, and she was supposed to stand here and wait?

"I kill a cougar and I still get coddled like some baby? No fucking way."

Luna rolled her eyes, huffing in support.

There was no way she was staying here. But what to do? She was never going to catch up to Koba unless he wanted her to. But that didn't mean she couldn't track him. And she knew exactly how to do it.

"Luna," she singsonged, kneeling to her level.

Luna stood to attention, ears perked up.

"Follow," she instructed, pointing to where Koba had gone. Luna only vaguely knew the 'follow' command – though in all likelihood she just sniffed out what she wanted to track – but Eve hoped she would get the idea.

And she did. Not wasting a second, Luna bolted, throwing up dirt as her paws ripped through the soil in her eagerness.

"Luna wait!" Stumbling from her crouch, Eve scurried after her, using the clouds of dirt left in her wake to trail her.

Up ahead, Eve could see Luna ducking and weaving through the trees, nose pointed down to the ground. Picking up her pace, Eve prayed that Luna was going the right way. She was at least heading in the right direction – Eve thought anyway.

Sprinting at full pelt, Eve jumped and skipped over the stones and roots scattered about the forest floor, navigating it easily. It was like she had walked these woods all her life. The humid air was suffocating, making her sweat, but it felt good to feel the burn in her lungs and muscles. It had been so long she had moved like this, able to run and never stop. Free.

Come on Wanderer, she told herself, her legs going faster. Run little Wanderer. Move your ass.

The woods flew by her and she gasped out a little giggle. I'm free, I'm –

Suddenly, she ground to a halt, almost throwing herself flat on her face. Legs staggering underneath her in an attempt to catch her fall, Eve smacked her hand against the nearest tree to steady herself. Catching her breath, she understood at once why she had stopped.

Luna stood a few feet in front of her, her body tensed. Her hackles were raised and Eve could hear a growl rumbling in her throat. Ears flat against her skull, Luna stared straight ahead, her eyes unwavering.

A single log cabin loomed in front of them. Its roof was caked in green moss, ivy snaking down to choke its splintered walls. The windows were smothered in grime, the ones on the bottom floor all smashed into jagged pieces. Only a single window on the top floor remained intact, dully reflecting the sunlight.

Gazing up at the window, Eve thought she saw a flicker of movement and shuddered. Oh great. A cabin in the woods. Nothing ominous or creepy about that.

Taking her time, Eve went to Luna. The dog hadn't moved a muscle, still staring at the cabin.

Eve put a reassuring hand on Luna's back. "It's okay Lu," she murmured, not sure if she believed that herself.

She stepped towards the cabin and instantly felt a wave of unease. Her skin prickled and all the warmth drained out of her body despite the heat of the day. She shivered and her heart leapt in her throat. Stop it, she scolded herself. You've seen one too many horror movies, freaking yourself out over nothing. It's just some old decrepit cabin, you've searched plenty of these before. But what about Luna? She would never react like that, not unless she scented a predator ...

Eve had to remind herself of why they were here. If Koba had smelt something strange and Luna had tracked it here then she had to check. What if Koba was in trouble? Or Cloud and Rain?

"Koba? Cloud? Rain? Are you here?"

No answer.

Legs feeling like lead, she forced herself up to the cabin, her body screaming at her to run the entire time. Without hesitation Luna shadowed her, teeth bared protectively. It made Eve feel a little better but not much.

"Cloud? Rain? Koba?"

As she inched onto the porch, the strong stench of rotten and wet meat hit her and she swallowed back bile. She was quite accustomed to that smell now – the smell of death. Placing her feet carefully on the porch boards, she soundlessly snuck up to one of the front windows. Grimacing, she peered in through the splinters of glass still in the frame. It was dark inside the cabin and she couldn't see much. Getting as close she could to the window without cutting herself, she squinted into the darkness, spying some shreds of bedding scattered about the floor. A nest maybe?

Eyes watering from the smell, she pulled her face away from the window in disgust. Some animal, either a cougar or a bear, must have broken in and made the place their nest. It would explain why Luna was so unsettled. Not some supernatural bullshit. Either way, neither Koba nor Cloud and Rain were there. Which meant she and Luna could get the fuck out of here.

"Okay Lu," she said, leading Luna off the porch. "Let's g- "

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeech!

Eve's soul flew out of her body. Luna wheeled in circles, yelping in fear. Groping for her knife, she was ready to let it fly when a small black and white body plopped down onto a low hanging branch.

Banshee.

"You asshole," she yelled, torn between anger and happiness. She jabbed her knife up at him from his perch. "Where have you been?"

Banshee had been missing for a month now. He was known for being a bit of a loner so no one was too concerned when he went into the woods and didn't come back. He had done this several times already, seeming to prefer being by himself. He didn't live with anyone in the Village, nor did he have any close friends. Even calling the troop his friends was a bit of a stretch since he never spoke to them or showed any interest in them apart from occasionally checking in on Eve and Sky, watching them with his large creepy eyes. And he still didn't talk. In either language.

Banshee bared his teeth into a grin. He looked smug.

"You scared the shit out of us," she said, giving away into laughter. "Did you really have to scream at us like that?"

Banshee's grin faded. He jerked his head, indicating for her to follow him.

"You want me to follow you?" He nodded. Then it dawned on her. "You know where Koba is?" He nodded more vigorously. "Okay, lead the way."

Swinging from tree to tree, Banshee guided Eve and Luna, looking back from time to time to see if they were following. The sky was darkening fast and Eve realised how far they had gone. Shit. Just how long did I take?

Eve's stomach fluttered. What if Koba had spent all day looking for her as well as Cloud and Rain? What if he had found Cloud and Rain and wasted the whole day looking for her? How was Sky going to take this? This would be the longest time they had been apart. How would Travis take it? How would any of the troop take it? She'd promised them she wouldn't be long, only a day trip she told them.

Just how badly had she messed this up?

Banshee howled low in his throat. They were here.

Cloud and Rain were huddled together underneath a tree, both looking shaken. Away from them, Koba threw an irritated look at Eve but he also appeared ... relieved? Guilty?

Not because of you, Eve reminded herself. It's because he doesn't have to explain to Caesar where the troublesome human went.

She rushed to Cloud and Rain, tackling them in an awkward hug. "Thank God you're okay. I was worried."

Rain was stiff in her arms but Cloud softened, returning the hug with his arm.

Eve let them go and whirled on Koba. "What happened? Did you find anything? Anyone?"

Unusually, Koba avoided her eyes. "Tracked scent. Found nothing. Lost apes. Found apes." He glared at them. "Took long time. Then couldn't find – you."

You. Not 'human'. 'You'. That was an improvement.

Eve crossed her arms defensively. "You left me! I was worried! Did you really expect me to wait around while Cloud and Rain could have been in danger?"

Koba shifted uneasily. "Koba look. Didn't need help."

"Well, it's not like you stopped to tell me that!"

She turned to Cloud and Rain. "Are you guys alright?"

They nodded slowly, not looking her in the eye.

Eve was immediately suspicious. Their behaviour was off. They looked scared. Scared of Koba?

"Are you sure?" she asked, intentionally blocking Koba from their view with her body. "Nothing happened? You didn't see anything?"

We saw nothing, Rain signed, too quickly.

Waiting for a few beats, Eve left it, knowing there was no use in pressing. Whatever they were hiding, there was no way they were going to tell her while Koba was there.

"We should go back," she said. "If there's even a chance something's out there, we need to tell Caesar."

Too late to return, Koba signed. We will have to stay here and leave with the sun.

Oh, joy.

2020

Evie is sixteen years old. Not that she knows that. She has a vague idea of her age but doesn't bother to count it exactly. She knows what year it is – 2020. Year five. A whole four years since everything fell apart.

Amber is eleven years old. It amazes Evie sometimes how big she has grown, how tall. The baby fat has fallen off her, making her face look much older than her actual age. It would be wrong to call Amber a kid anymore – the Flu has taken that from her.

Danny is eighteen years old. He's shot up in the last few years, overtaking Evie in height. His sandy hair is long and shaggy, constantly falling into his eyes. There's a hint of scruff on his face though he still doesn't look any older than he is. His face is always furrowed into a scowl.

Evie doesn't know how it's gone so wrong with Danny. These days her brother is a complete stranger, barely speaking to anyone but especially not Big Poppa, his family and Travis. He is there but he is not there, trudging along with them without actually being with them.

Well, maybe that's not the whole truth. He can talk to them and he can act like his old self from time to time but only when he feels like it. Deep down they all know what Danny's problem is. He wants to join up with other people, with other humans. Which means leaving behind Big Poppa, Mama, Sugriva and Travis.

Evie and Amber refused outright when Danny first proposed it, not willing to part with their weird new adopted family. Four years later and they still haven't changed their mind – but then neither has Danny. Every time they pass by a group of humans or a human settlement, Evie can see it seethe in him, the bitterness, the blame. He seems to think the only reason that the people they come across attack them is because they have apes with them, implying that if they didn't things would be better. She's not sure why he thinks that; if she's learnt anything it's that people will hurt you, for any or no reason at all, apes or no apes. Besides, those same apes have saved their lives a thousand times over.

Later, when she thinks back on it, she'll realise that Danny was clinging onto the old world, a world where people were supposed to help each other, where everyone was still civilized and not killing each other over what scraps were left. But for now, she thinks Danny is just being a stubborn teenage boy, not realising how deep his bitterness runs. How dangerous it will become.

Big Poppa leads them through this empty new world. He protects them, not minding if he has to smash a few skulls to do it. They don't run into many people, preferring to stick to the woods and forests, foraging and hunting. They never stay for long, preferring to keep moving.

Amber learns to make snares out of wire and cord. She's good at it. Danny hunts with bows and arrows he's made, saving ammunition for Dad's gun. Evie collects her knives. She's quite proud of them in an odd way – she likes sharpening them so that the edge sings, likes the satisfying thunk the knife makes when she throws it, the blade sinking neatly into a tree trunk. She likes how she can throw them from a distance, not having to get too close to whatever she is throwing it at.

Neither Big Poppa, Mama or Sugriva are any good at climbing so Travis takes charge of scouting and hunting. He's fast and strong, so he is better for chasing down bigger prey, herding them into Big Poppa so he can trap them in his massive arms.

It's a little easier now they have Luna. They found her about a year ago, a little scruffy thing covered in fleas, starving alone on the side of the road. Sugriva was instantly enchanted by her, constantly wanting to stroke and cradle her. Big Poppa and Mama were warier of her at first, seeing her as like any other wolf but the rest of them insisted, even Danny. Though Big Poppa complains that she is just another mouth to feed, he secretly loves her too, feeding the best parts of any kill to her. She takes to sign language pretty well and has a knack for catching and bringing back small animals for them to eat without even needing to be asked. Mom and Dad never let them have a dog so having Luna feels like the last 'normal' thing they'll ever have.

They're not always successful and there are days when they go hungry but for the most part, it works. They survive.

But it's not just about surviving. Amber helps Mama teach Sugriva sign language. Big Poppa shows Travis how to be an ape, helping him understand how strong and powerful he is. Danny and Evie train together, gradually improving their skills. They laugh. They cry. They love. They live.

Until they don't.

They are tracing the edges of a forest, looking for buildings to scavenge. They could be in Oregon or Idaho; nobody knows. There aren't many animals here and hunting has been hard. It's the middle of winter and there is no vegetation to feed off of as a backup. They are all bitterly cold and hungry. They can't go on like this.

From the treeline, they stare at the store opposite with hungry eyes. It's one of those enormous superstores, the kind that sold absolutely everything and had a car park the size of an aeroplane carrier. Everything edible has likely been looted years ago but they have no choice.

Evie doesn't like it. The store is right next to a motorway, out in the open with absolutely no cover around it. As soon as they leave the treeline, there will be nothing to hide behind except for the occasional shells of abandoned cars.

They decide that Big Poppa, Danny, Travis and Evie will go into the store while Mama, Sugriva and Amber stay in the woods with Luna to guard them. Evie wishes Big Poppa would stay behind (his size makes him so much of a target) but he won't hear of it, insisting that they need him to protect them.

They scamper across the motorway, crouching behind cars when they can. The wind howls at them unchecked, searing into any part of their bodies that isn't covered. Evie protectively pulls her scarf closer to her mouth, her eyes completely dry from the blast. Travis looks at her with concern but she shakes her head at him, giving him a quivering thumbs up.

Unable to take the cold, they make a break for the store. It takes a long time and Evie's heart thuds apprehensively, terrified that someone will see them and/or take a shot at them. Each step feels like forever but they eventually reach the doors, breathing hard from effort and the cold. The doors are in surprisingly good condition, fitted with sophisticated barricades and bars. Complete with a shiny camera on top. It looks like it works.

Shit.

"Wait –" she starts but before she can finish, she hears the click of a gun.

"Turn around please," a voice orders them coolly. "Slowly with your hands up. And drop your weapons."

Evie turns gradually. A line of soldiers blocks them off from the car park, all pointing rifles at them. She can't see their faces as they are wearing goggles and face masks against the winter weather.

Danny drops his gun, and he, Evie and Travis throw up their hands.

"Holy shit ..." one of them whispers as Big Poppa lumbers around, growling deep in his chest.

Evie drops her hand cautiously and places it on Big Poppa's arm. "Please. Please don't," she whispers.

He rumbles but eventually, he lifts his arms, staring down the soldiers.

The soldiers whisper amongst themselves agitatedly. Evie hears them swear more than once: "What the fuck", "Fuck", "What the shit" ...

"Okay ..." one of the soldiers says, the one who seems to be the leader. "Let's think this through ..." But he wavers.

And they still don't lower their weapons.

The sound of barking rebounds across the motorway into the car park. Everyone goes still.

Luna. No!

"What is –" the lead soldier begins. But then - chaos.

Big Poppa roars and he charges forward, intent on getting to Mama and Sugriva. The soldiers scatter, shouting in panic. Evie leaps towards him as if she has any chance of stopping him or pulling him back. She almost believes she can do it.

The rifles fire as one. Evie can barely hear herself breathing above the thunder of bullets, so many bullets, firing into Big Poppa's body. She'll never forget the sound.

Big Poppa gasps, the air rushing out him all at once. His muscular body, so full of life and strength, collapses, suddenly becoming small and shell-like.

The guns stop.

"No!" Evie cries, finally hearing herself above the ringing in her ears. "No!"

She doesn't care what happens to her now. She runs to Big Poppa, slapping her hands onto the bloody bullet wounds as if she can stop what has already been done. Big Poppa's wide and shocked eyes stare at her unseeingly but she refuses to accept it. She can't.

Someone, one of the soldiers, grabs her around her middle and she reaches for her knife and stabs him in the arm. He shouts in pain (it's the lead soldier) and Evie hears Travis screech, knowing he is trying to reach her. The lead soldier spins her around so that they are face to face, pinning her down with his body. He bats the knife from her hand, sending it skittering across the cement.

"Stay down," he hisses in her ear, almost pleading. He sounds young.

Danny is yelling furiously, struggling with several soldiers. He punches one in the face. "Get the fuck off me! Get the fuck off my sister!"

Travis is hooting and snarling but Evie can't see him. The barking is getting louder, closer.

No, Evie thinks. No! Mama. Sugriva. Amber. Run! Get away from here! Please don't see him ...

The lead soldier lifts his head from her and shouts at the others. "Don't shoot, don't shoot! We need the apes for the lab! Colonel's orders!" He catches his breath. "Somebody get some tranquillizers! We'll take the civilians to The Ark."

Evie desperately reaches for her knife as he's distracted. It's right next to her head. Her fingertips just brush the handle …

The soldier looks down and curses, knocking the knife away from them with the butt of his rifle. It flies out of her reach.

"Sorry," he says apologetically and then promptly slams the gun butt into her head.

Notes:

Killing off this many characters makes me feel so evil sometimes. Sorry, Big Poppa :'(
And yes, it's no coincidence that it's 2020 in their world when everything goes to shit for Evie and the gang. Also, 10,000 points if you already guessed that Eve was captured and trained by a certain bunch of psycho soldiers ...
As for the rest of the chapter, this where everything really kicks off for Eve and the apes - and not in a good way.
As always, thanks for reading, stay safe and please give feedback if you want more :)