Notes:

Yay, I managed to do another chapter! Being pretty consistent so far though that'll probably change lol. Thanks to everyone for the feedback, favourites, follows, kudos and likes, I appreciate every single one :)
WARNINGS: References to depression, PTSD and implied suicidal thoughts. Also, beware of ableist asshole characters.

Well, Eve thought to herself, isn't this just great.

Night had fallen and they were all gathered around a fire Koba had made. Cloud and Rain were sat on a fallen log across from Koba. Eve was a little behind them, Luna laid sleepily across her legs, as far away from the fire as she could manage without it looking too weird. Banshee, being his usual antisocial self, was in a nearby tree, sitting upright on a branch, fast asleep. No one, not in the troop or the village ever got used to that. If there was anything that humans and apes could agree on was that sleeping like that was weird.

Eve watched as Koba tended to the fire, stabbing at it viciously with a branch. Obviously still pissed off. But then when wasn't he pissed off? She could hardly remember a time she saw him happy, let alone smiling. Maybe on occasions when he was with Caesar and Blue Eyes but that was it. Though to be fair, the common denominator was that she had been there as well. It made her feel a twinge of guilt, thinking of how much pain her mere presence must have been causing him ever since she had arrived in the Village.

The fire hissed and cracked and Eve flinched. Koba glanced at her and she waited for some scathing remark but he quickly turned his head back to the fire. He was seated close to the fire, the flames dancing in front of his face. He seemed to like the fire, taking it in with fascination. His eye was huge and black in the light like it was absorbing the flicker and flash of the flames. Eve shivered and looked away, fiddling with the zip of her sleeping bag.

Her sleeping bag. She'd have to thank Travis for that. She only had it because Travis had insisted that she bring her whole pack with her, just in case. At the time Travis' paranoia had annoyed her and they argued. Again. While he had kept his end of the deal by making an effort with the other apes, he showed no signs of easing up on his clinginess. She tried so hard to be patient with him but he was gradually wearing her down. She didn't remember him being this bad before when Big Poppa and Mama were still alive. In any case, she had spent three years in that godforsaken lab without his protection. What had changed now?

Nevertheless, he did have a point. She was putting herself in a lot of risky situations lately, acting almost … cocky. She had told him to play nice with the other apes but at the same time was quite happy to rile up Cedar and Koba so she could 'stand up for herself'. For someone who was preaching about empathizing with the human-hating apes, she was being pretty hypocritical. She was lucky that one of them hadn't bashed in her head already.

Do you not care?

The words Travis had said to her were still itching at her brain. Do you not care? Except she knew what he really meant by that: Do you not care if something happens to you? Do you care how it will affect us? Affect me?

Every time she thought about it, the reply was always the same – But why do you care if something happens to me?

Eve shook the thought off. She wasn't going down that road again. Sky needed her. The troop needed her. As long as her family needed her, she would be there no matter what. And if they didn't …

Koba grunted and she looked up at him. "You away … from the fire. Get closer."

Eve fidgeted. "I'm warm enough," she said delicately, crossing her arms defensively.

"Not about – warmth. Helps keep away – animals."

Ha. Suddenly so concerned about her welfare. Or, more likely, he wanted to get her out of the dark so he could see her.

She sighed but scooted closer, setting up her sleeping bag next to Cloud and Rain. Luna sighed grumpily and wriggled back onto Eve's lap, adjusting herself comfortably. She raised her eyebrows at Koba – you happy now? – and he huffed irritably, staring back into the fire.

Cloud and Rain signing to each other. It was the first time they'd spoken since Banshee had led her to them. She leaned forward, trying to see what they were saying.

I wish we were back at the Village, Cloud said miserably. I don't like it here. I never sleep outside the city anymore. His eyes were flitting around restlessly as if he was waiting for something to burst out from the darkness.

Why is he so scared? Eve wondered. Is it because of what Koba said about something being out here? Is he scared of Koba? Or does he know there's something out there to fear?

Just what had happened while she was gone?

Be brave Cloud, Rain consoled him. Strong ape.

Koba grumbled. Everyone looked at him. Humans make apes weak. Make hard to be strong. Cloud and Rain both shot Eve an anxious look but she kept her eyes on Koba. He was still glaring into the fire, not looking at her. Humans think they are better. Top of life. To them, apes are nothing. They think apes less than firewood.

He met Eve's gaze with a glower and suddenly she could feel everyone's eyes on her. "Did I say anything?" she complained, wanting them all to stop looking at her.

They didn't. Koba's eye bored into her.

"What?" she finally snapped. "You want me to deny it? Because I won't!"

Koba didn't say anything, watching her with an unreadable expression. She felt like he wanted something from her but she wasn't sure what.

"Not all humans were cruel to apes. There were good humans," she continued, feeling the need to say something. "My sister was one of them." There was a catch in her voice and she swallowed. "Maybe not enough of them but there were good people. But not anymore. They're gone. And the humans that are left …" She trailed off, shaking her head. She didn't need to say it.

Cloud and Rain gaped at her silently. Cloud sniffled and Eve could see he was upset though whether it was because of her or for her she wasn't sure.

"What about you?" Koba jabbed. "You say – good human dead. So why you – not dead if – you good human?"

So much for a truce.

Eve bowed her head. "I never said I was one of them," she whispered.

No one spoke. The fire popped and sizzled gently. She kept her head down, not wanting to look at any of them. She stroked Luna placidly, feeling like she should be more upset, but she wasn't. She felt nothing.

Leaves rustled and crunched as someone approached her. She could sense them hovering over her, their hand wavering above her shoulder, not sure if they should touch her. Forcing a smile, she looked up at Cloud and clasped his arm gratefully.

"It's okay Cloud," she reassured him. "I'm okay."

She was reminded of what he had said about not sleeping outside the city. "I wouldn't worry about being outside the city Cloud. Mama, Sugriva's mom, used to have trouble with that. She'd never been in the outside world before."

Sugriva's mother? Rain asked, perking up out of curiosity.

"Yeah. She was raised in a research facility before she went to the zoo. It's where she learnt sign language. She said her carer Frankie taught her how to sign and talk through buttons."

Research facility? Koba interrupted. Turning to him, Eve was surprised to see him was leaning forward, focused raptly on her. He looked like he'd seen a ghost. Maybe he has.

"Yes," she said carefully, sensing she'd hit a sore spot. "It wasn't like a lab or anything like that. Places like that were meant to prove that apes like Mama were intelligent and had feelings just like humans. To prove they had souls I guess."

Koba flinched as if he had been punched. He brooded for a second, looking sad and almost … childlike. Eve felt a swell of sympathy as she imagined the child Koba must have been, mutilated and abused over and over again by humans. He must have seen the pity in her eyes as his face twisted into a horrible snarl.

"If humans care for her – why they send her away to zoo?" he spat bitterly.

"They had their funding cut," she said sadly. "They didn't get a say in the matter. It meant they couldn't afford to take care of Mama anymore. From what Mama said, it sounded like they really cared about her. She didn't understand at the time but they didn't have any choice. They had to send her to the zoo."

She hesitated. "I'm not saying zoos were all good places," she said, acknowledging the apes' justified hatred of those places. "In an ideal world, you wouldn't have been there at all. And a lot of them were run by people for money and who didn't care about their animals' welfare. But a lot of people thought it would be better for apes if they were put in zoos so that they could be protected from poachers and deforestation. Of course, not all of them were doing it for those reasons but Frankie, the people at the zoo … they cared about her. It was hard for her to adjust after being cared for by humans all her life." She laughed softly. "I remember she told me that when she first came to the zoo, she had no idea she was the same as the other gorillas. She called them …"

"Black fuzzy caterpillars," Koba broke in eagerly as Eve said "big black bugs". Eve stared at him, startled. "Yeah," she said eventually, nodding. "Yeah, something like that …"

So, Koba must have been a language ape like Mama. Probably with the funding cut from his research programme as well. Except he hadn't been fortunate enough to go to a place where at least someone gave a shit about him. Thrown straight into the labs … Her mouth dried and she felt that familiar crawling over her skin again.

Cloud piped up. But she was okay, right? Mama?

Eve shook off the feeling of her skin creeping. "Yeah!" she chirped with too much enthusiasm. "She got used to it in the end. It can take time but I wouldn't worry. Mama had trouble sleeping too but eventually, she could sleep anywhere. It's just learning how to switch your brain off."

Sigh. She wished she knew how to do that.

Cloud gave a small smile but then his face fell, just stopping himself from saying something. Rain asked the question instead. What happened to her?

Eve's breath caught and she bit her lip against the wave of grief. "She died." She wasn't going to lie about it. "In the labs. We didn't get to her in time."

Rain turned her head away, unable to look at Eve directly. Koba watched her silently, something almost like understanding in his face.

Cloud's eyes were visibly filling with tears. I'm sorry, he said sincerely.

A part of Eve wanted to hug him and thank him for such a sweet gesture but she stayed where she was, suddenly longing to be alone. It was enough emotional vulnerability for one day.

"I'm going to sleep," she said abruptly, shoving herself down into her sleeping bag. "Wake me up for when we getting going."

She laid back, letting Luna snuggle into her side. She heard Cloud and Rain croak goodnight to her but she pretended not to hear them, burying her face in Luna's warm fur. She wrapped her arms around her and closed her eyes, imagining it was Mama or Sky.

She didn't think she would sleep but she did and when she did she dreamt of the Colonel.

2020

The Colonel hates his job sometimes.

It's been four months since McCullough and his unit had been posted in the Portland sector and he is already longing for the transfer. He'd thought that fighting militias and terrorists was soul-destroying enough but running security on some compound called 'The Ark' (a name as subtle as a punch in the teeth) and a lab full of mad scientists took the biscuit. It was insulting.

It was punishment, he knew, for that shit he pulled with Apostles in Seattle. A test to see if he would toe the line, grit his teeth and smile while they handed him the shittest jobs they could find. General Prescott, he was sure, would love for an excuse to keep him here longer. But they would never completely remove him from his job: killing. He was too good at it. After all, he'd taken care of the Apostles hadn't he?

Sure, it was a security job but that didn't mean raiders and militias suddenly disappeared. If anything, there were more of them here, always trying to steal supplies meant for The Ark. And there were plenty of people to harvest. The people running this place would call it 'rescuing' but he knew better. People were a resource, an especially precious one considering most of the population were dead or dying, and The Ark needed all the people they could get. Not that he didn't sympathize – he could do with some new recruits himself.

Seating obediently at the desk, he inwardly seethes at the indignity of being called to these meetings, answering to a doctor of all people. The man in question, Dr Breck, sits across him, smiling that cool, pleasant smile of his. His dark hair, as always, is neatly styled (even in an apocalypse, vanity still mattered) and his cold blue eyes study McCullough, looking him over like he is a particularly interesting specimen. McCullough waits; he is not interested in entering a pissing contest.

"So I hear your son found something quite interesting," Breck starts, leaning back in his chair.

McCullough frowns. He knows this already. "Yes," he confirms anyway. "John reported finding three juveniles, one boy and two girls, all siblings, with their dog attempting to break into the supplies depot." He hesitates, hardly believing what he is going to say next. "They were accompanied by several apes: three gorillas, two males, a silverback and a baby, one female, and a male chimpanzee. They had to shoot the silverback."

Breck tuts, acting as if the whole matter is a minor irritation. "Pity. We would have benefited from having another test subject. You should tell your boy to take an easy on the trigger next time."

Heat rushes through McCullough. "I would much prefer that the Lieutenant ensures that he and his soldiers' lives are not at risk rather than focus on preserving your 'specimens'," he says evenly, just about containing his anger. "But I'll be sure to pass your advice onto him."

Breck raises his eyebrows, mildly amused. "Good. However, capturing three apes and three humans in one operation is impressive. And three living siblings! A very good catch. You'll have to send him my thanks."

McCullough inclines his head in acknowledgement. "Thank you. He did report some strange behaviour from the apes, however. Protective behaviour towards the juveniles, attempts to communicate with them through sign language …"

Breck waves a dismissive hand. "Classic case of monkey see monkey do. They used to say Koko the gorilla could sign but the likelihood is that she copied any sign her carer showed her so they would feed her fat ass."

This doesn't wash with McCullough. "The juveniles themselves claim that the apes are intelligent and can communicate. They claim that the apes have taken care of them for several years now."

"Apes are naturally inclined to forming groups," Breck says, too fast. "If the female gorilla had a baby with her, her maternal instincts probably kicked in and they took in the children as their own. Same with the chimp."

"But there were reports that the virus tested on the apes in San Francisco increased their intelligence," McCullough insists. "Could this not be a case of that?"

The amusement in Breck's face fades. "Whatever those children said, they are mistaken. They are deeply traumatized orphans that have dreamed up this mad delusion that these apes can talk to compensate for their loss. And that is what we are going to tell everyone else."

"I find it hard to believe that three kids, three kids that have survived all this, are all crazy."

Breck leans forward, staring McCullough straight in the eye. "It doesn't matter what you believe. That is what we are going to tell them. You should be happy – you're getting two new recruits. One of them has already shown great promise if your son's injury is anything to go by."

Daniel and Evelyn Taylor. Eighteen and sixteen years old. They may be young but the time for such niceties like the exclusion of child soldiers from the US Army was at an end. As long as they could handle a gun and follow orders competently, McCullough couldn't give a shit what age they were. And the fact that the girl had been the one to stab his son's arm only made him think she would a promising candidate.

"What the other one?" he asks. "The younger girl. The deaf one. They won't like leaving her behind."

Breck chuckles. "Isn't it obvious? We'll send her for testing. Being one out of three siblings to survive the Simian Flu makes her a valuable asset. She'll be useless anywhere else of course. I can't imagine that in the army can you? And she'll be another useless mouth to feed if we send her to The Ark. I'm sure we can come up with some reason for her disappearance."

McCullough shifts in his chair. He could understand the sentiment – whatever anyone said, the reality was that only the strong survived in a world like this. There was no room for the weak. Yet, at the same time, it didn't sit well with him that people, people that had been strong enough to survive thus far, were being fruitlessly wasted in experiments that would kill them for a cure that would not be forthcoming. While it was not the time to coddle anyone that would ultimately be a burden, he didn't necessarily see people like Amber Taylor as a burden. After all, surviving this hell on top of a disability should be counted as a strength, not a weakness.

"Are you sure about that? The Ark has been having a lot of difficulty lately with a lack of people. She could be useful if given the right role. And with most of the population already infected with this virus, surely looking for a cure isn't a priority right now."

Breck stiffens. "Finding a cure is the top priority. It is essential that we learn more about the virus and how to control it. It does not matter if most of the available hosts have already been infected. Mutations are a significant risk to the population that is left. And of course, we can always strive for improvement."

McCullough is questioning what he means by 'improvement' when Breck cuts in. "I wouldn't really make comments on these matters regardless. Virology isn't your area on balance."

His eyes are hard and unblinking, the threat coming across crystal clear.

"Very well," McCullough says through his teeth. "Are we done here?"

Breck nods and he gets up, going to the door without saying a word to Breck. He is just about to open it when Breck calls to him.

"Oh and Colonel. Keep your little theories about the apes to yourself. Your son too."

That transfer couldn't come soon enough.

"White bear."

Eve twitched, not wanting to wake up just yet.

"White bear," someone whispered insistently, giving her a shake.

Eve groaned, turning and curling into herself. She never slept well and she held onto any sleep she could. "Just a minute …"

"White bear!" the voice shrieked and Eve bolted up, gasping.

Cloud stared warily back at her, crouched in front of her. Rain was behind him, watching her with the same expression.

"What is it?" she demanded, frantically whipping her head around, looking for the bear. "Where is it?"

Where's what? Cloud asked, visibly confused.

"Where's the white bear? That's what you said wasn't it?"

Cloud's frown deepened. I didn't say that …

"Then who did?"

Rain shook her head. Koba was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh," she said, blinking sleep out of her eyes. "I must have dreamt it …"

You do talk a lot in your sleep, Rain added helpfully.

Cloud glared at her. You weren't supposed to tell her!

Eve groaned. "Oh, God. Tell me it wasn't that bad."

No … Cloud started.

It was quite bad, Rain said. Rain paused, pondering something. Who is the Colonel? she inquired innocently.

A white-hot bolt of pain shot through Eve's temples. Her brother's brand new daddy. Yes, she thought she'd remembered him. It had been a long time since she'd even thought of the Colonel, let alone dreamt of him. The weirdest part about it was that she thought she'd seen Breck there too, a weird combination if ever she saw one. But Breck didn't bother her as much as the Colonel did – at least she knew exactly where he was.

"Nobody," she said petulantly, wriggling from under Luna's weight. Luna moaned dramatically, rolling onto her belly, pretending she was still asleep. Eve wished she could get away with that.

"Where's Koba?" she said, trying to avoid having to talk about the Colonel. "Or Banshee?"

Went to get breakfast, Rain explained. Banshee wasn't going to help but then Koba said he would be breakfast if he didn't so he went.

Eve snorted before she could stop herself. It was kind of funny. Until she recalled what happened yesterday.

She leant closer to Cloud and Rain. "Look, Koba's not here now so you can tell me. What happened yesterday?"

Both of their eyes widened in fright. Rain shook her head rapidly. Nothing! she insisted. Nothing happened!

Eve softened her tone. "It's okay, I'm not going to tell him you told me. I just want to know what the hell happened. It doesn't matter if you did anything wrong, I don't care. What I care about is if you two are okay."

Cloud was scanning the trees fearfully, his eyes darting about. She could tell he wanted to tell her. He stooped beside her, getting as close as he could. Can't tell you, he said, his hands signing the words guardedly between them. He'll hurt you.

He'll hurt me? Eve replied in sign, following Cloud's lead. You mean Koba?

Cloud shook his head quickly. No. Can't tell you. Can't tell you.

Eve went to say more when the sound of branches cracking above interrupted them. Looking up in dread, they all lifted their heads to see Koba watching, several raccoons in hand. Banshee balanced beside him, his face blank.

They ate their breakfast in silence, Cloud and Rain glancing at Eve repeatedly. She ignored them, chewing nonchalantly on her raccoon, making out as if nothing was wrong. She was good at doing that - the lab had given her plenty of practice.

It turned out that Koba had kept watch all night. Eve would have pointed out that he could have woken her so they could take turns but she knew she'd be wasting her breath. There was no way he was going to trust a human to watch over them, truce or no truce. If the truce meant anything at all that is.

What was he hiding? Eve wondered. What had he done that Cloud or Rain couldn't tell her? And why would he hurt her if she knew? In that case, maybe it wasn't something he had done but had tried to do? Had he wanted to kill her while they were alone in the woods? But that wouldn't make sense - why would he run off after some 'scent' if the ideal opportunity to kill her had been right there?

Had there been something in the woods that day? And if there was, why couldn't she know about it? Was it something only apes could know? Or was it something not even Caesar could know?

She chewed on this for the rest of the day as they finally trekked their way home, picking up supplies on the way. She considered telling Koba about the creepy cabin she had found but decided against it; if he was going to keep secrets then so could she.

She felt herself getting lighter with each step as the Ape Colony beckoned in the distance. They were close now. It would be good to see Sky and get away from the ape that potentially wanted to murder her.

As they got nearer they passed a gas station and she paused, wondering if it was worth scavenging. She was moving towards it when a figure – Gas Station Guy! – stumbled through the entrance, his face all bloody, waving his shotgun at her. His pupils were huge, almost enveloping the bright red of his irises. Blood ran down his face like tears and she could swear he was mouthing "I'm going to get you sweetheart!" at her.

She must have made a sound because they all turned to her, looking concerned. She gasped and whipped her head back to the gas station but he was gone, disappearing in a blink of an eye. She inhaled, trying not to show that she was shaking.

"Nothing there," Koba grunted. "Ape look long time ago."

She nodded, forcing herself to walk off the tremors wracking her body. It's just PTSD, she told herself. What else would it be? Shit, she wasn't a doctor but it wasn't like she was going to get a diagnosis from anyone anytime soon. You're not like the other ones. It has nothing to do with the Flu.

They climbed up the Ape Gate, hauling their sacks of supplies. Luna skipped ahead, quite happy not to be carrying anything. Sugriva met them there, crushing Eve into a hug as soon as she was within arm's length. Koba loped away, feeling awkward. Cloud and Rain stared at them dumbly, not sure if they should follow Koba or wait with Eve. They chose the latter.

"I'm sorry," she said when Sugriva finally let her go. "Things got … complicated."

Sugriva grimaced. Everything gets complicated with you. What kind of 'complicated'?

Eve pulled an offended face but she didn't deny it. "We got separated and it took us a while to find each other again. Speaking of that, look what I found!" She waved an arm at Banshee who she could have sworn rolled his eyes.

Sugriva snickered. You found him? More like the other way round.

Eve slapped his arm playfully. "Okay, he found me. But we did find some things …" She stopped, sensing Cloud watching her. Tell you later, she signed to Sugriva discreetly.

He raised his brow but said nothing, leading them up to the courtyard.

"How much trouble am I in?" she asked casually, trying to throw off Cloud's suspicion.

Sugriva smirked. The worst.

They entered the courtyard to see Maurice, Koba and Travis already waiting for them. Koba was talking to Maurice, clearly explaining to him why they were so late.

Maurice noticed them. There they are, he said to the apes thronged around them. Help them. Get supplies.

Eve sighed in relief, gratefully passing her sack of supplies over to one of the apes. Cloud and Rain went over to help unload them.

Travis rushed over. "Where have you been?" he demanded.

"Oh well that's a nice greeting," Eve said lightly, hiding the spike of annoyance she felt.

Travis was unimpressed. "Was worried about you. Thought you might be dead."

Eve's mouth fell open. "That's a bit dramatic!" she spluttered. "We were only delayed by a day! Don't tell me you said that around Sky?"

Travis stayed silent.

"For God's sake," she hissed. "You've gone and worried her sick over nothing haven't you?" She marched past without waiting for an answer, beyond irritated. Why can't you ever have some faith in me? she thought bitterly.

You didn't come home, Maurice greeted her. Was worried for you all.

Eve smiled warmly. "That's very kind of you, Maurice. But we're all safe." She raised her voice slightly, making sure the apes nearby could hear her. "Koba was a lifesaver. It was a good thing he came." Even if he was possibly plotting to kill her, it wouldn't hurt to butter him up a little, especially if it turned out that he wasn't guilty of anything. And the apes here would see she didn't hold a grudge against him.

Koba snapped his gaze to her, torn between suspicion and confusion. We gathered plenty, he said at last. He eyed Eve. Eventually.

She smiled – at least there wasn't any nasty comment blaming her for getting lost.

Maurice nodded, his eyes flickering from her to Koba. Cloud and Rain are young apes and they have never ventured into the woods before as well as Eve. How are they?

A lot to learn. But good apes in time. I am very pleased. He sighed. The hum – Eve did well.

Wow. He actually said her name. Was this truce real or was he playing games too? She shot him an appreciative smile anyway but he just huffed and looked away.

Maurice gurgled approvingly. All apes great in time. I will let Caesar know that you are safe. He gave Eve a meaningful look. Sky will be happy to see you. I hear from the other apes that she has been very upset.

Oh, dear. Eve nodded sheepishly. "Yes of course."

He lumbered away towards Caesar's house, leaving Eve and Koba by themselves. Except for Sugriva and Travis, the other apes had disappeared, with only Cloud and Rain in the courtyard. They had both stopped, watching her and Koba with obvious worry. Koba met their stare, his eye burning into them. The two young apes cowered, clearly intimidated. The air around them suddenly felt very tense and dangerous and Eve cleared her throat, breaking Koba's concentration. He glared at her.

"Is everything alright?" she said calmly, a note of challenge in her tone.

"Nothing you need to know," he growled.

"Okay," she said in a voice that made it clear she didn't believe him. She turned away, walking towards Sugriva and Travis. Travis was tapping his foot, agitated, while Sugriva waited patiently, a question in his eyes.

"Eve," Koba croaked.

She spun on her heel to face him.

He pointed a harsh finger at her. "May have got supplies but still put apes in danger. Do not go in woods again."

Eve stared at him for a moment. "Thanks for the concern," she said sweetly. "But as long as Caesar says it's okay, I think I'll go where I like." She walked away, leaving him gaping after her, stunned by her defiance.

She hurried over to Sugriva and Travis, motioning them back home.

Get everybody. We need to talk.

Notes:

:/ Not so sure about this one but hope you guys like it anyway.
Please give feedback if you want to see more. As always, stay safe everyone :)