The two mutants introduced themselves as James and Darcy, and there were five others with them, including James' partner, Sheila, who was several months pregnant. Of the others, two were an elderly couple, one was their adoptive son, a young boy with green skin, and the last was a woman a few years older than them called Lily, with flame red eyes and an even worse temper.

They meant to stay one night, but they ended up spending two, and then three, and then more.

No comments were made about Andy's status.

Adam and Chance, teenage boys close to their own age, found them two months later, and their little family grew by two.

It was nothing like life had once been. It was hard and exhausting. They tried not to talk about what once was – it hurt too much – but he knew she sometimes still wrote.

They scavenged for food, for water, for weapons. Andy got rid of his pipe in favour of a large hunting knife found in an abandoned truck.

They stuck together, even though there were others with them now. Lauren's eyes were constantly on him, on where he was, and he watched her even closer, remembering that sudden feeling of being alone all too well.

When she slipped, it was instinct to reach out and catch her. She already had her other hand out to throw up a shield. The moment their hands connected, it was like the world… shifted.

They glowed like the sun, and he felt what she felt as he pulled her back up and helped her find her feet.

When all was said and done, all they could do was stare at each other.