So its been a year sorry, but I do want to carry on with this story. Hope you like it.


Charlie was beginning to realise why her father would always want to her remain close to home, the outside world was dangerous. The plane had looked like a safe place to spend the night but then they came. There were little ways in which they could fight back. The three men were bigger and stronger and she could not get to her crossbow but she kept struggling. Maggie offered them some whiskey. One of the men took it, it was poisoned. Charlie found it odd that they would take it, why would Maggie offer it to them it there was nothing wrong it. She came to the conclusion that the men were not very bright. Dangerous yes, intelligent not so much. Suddenly an arrow came out of nowhere killing one of the two remaining men before they could do anything about their dying friend. A second one soon dispatching the other. Charlie looked up in the direction the arrows had come from, stood there was the boy she had met earlier while getting water, Nate. He lowered his bow and ran to Charlie untying her hands before he moved towards Maggie and Aaron. After they were free Nate moved back towards Charlie.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Charlie just nodded; she was shaken up but did not want anyone to notice. She wanted to be brave but the real world was not what Charlie expected. She knew her mother had left and never come back but she never really put this into context of how dangerous that could mean it would be. People were dangerous and would take advantage of those weaker. She hoped that Nate would stay with them.

"We shouldn't stay here tonight. We should get moving, find somewhere safe for the night," Nate indicated that they should go, herding the three of them out of the plane.

Nate led the other three away from the plane back towards the more wooded area where they could find a place to settle down for the night. Maggie and Aaron were both sticking close to Charlie. She had been quiet since the attack. Maggie's mothering instincts were kicking in. Even after they found a quiet place to settle down none of them got much sleep. Nate took first watch and he could see they were all restless. When it was time for Charlie to swap with him she gave him a small smile and thanked him for earlier. He simply smiled and gave a nod as he went to settle down at his place next to the fire. Charlie was slightly on edge for the whole of her watch. All four of them were glad when the sun rose. They packed up and headed towards Chicago continuing with their journey. This time with Nate accompanying them.


They made their way into Chicago; there were a lot of rundown buildings. When the lights went out the big cities were abandoned but people started moving back after a while. The group had no idea where to start so they decided to find a popular place to ask around. Charlie, Maggie, Aaron and Nate stopped in front of a tall building. Looking up at the sign Charlie read that it was called The Grand and at one point had been a hotel. However from the sign on the door it looked as though it had been converted into a bar.

"Well we need to start somewhere," said Maggie heading towards the entrance.

The inside of the hotel had indeed been transformed into a bar. Even though it was the middle of the day there were people sat around drinking. There was a lone man behind the bar with his back to them. Charlie straightened up and strode towards the bar as the man turned. God he was beautiful, was a man allowed to be that pretty with his blond hair and blue eyes. He smiled at Charlie as she walked over leaning on the bar.

"What can I do for you?" he asked a flirty smile on his face.

"I'm looking for Jimmy King," Charlie replied also leaning on the bar.

Charlie could feel a presence over her shoulder, she knew it was Nate. The guy's eyes flickered from Nate back to Charlie, his eyes narrowed.

"Who are you and why do you want him?" he questioned.

"Charlie Matheson and my dad told me to find him. We need his help."

At her reply the man nodded and said "Come with me, just you," while indicating with his head to follow.

Charlie started to move when Nate stopped her, demanding that she not go alone.

"She is here to find me so you can wait here," Jimmy said glaring at the hand Nate placed on Charlie's arm.

"So Jimmy King is what you go by now," sneered Nate.

Jimmy's eyes narrowed as he reached for Nate's covered wrist. Jimmy yanked back his sleeve and revealed the M brand on his skin.

"Did you know he was with the Republic?" he asked.

Charlie looked shocked at Nate, he was with the people who killed her dad and took her brother. Nate pulled away and fled the bar. Jimmy signed and motioned for Charlie to follow him as he headed towards the stairs, telling Maggie and Aaron to stay in the bar but to keep out of sight. They were wary of leaving her alone with him but he said that he needed to tell her a few things.


Upstairs Jimmy started to pack a backpack asking Charlie why she needed help and where her dad was.

"Republic soldiers came to our village looking for dad there was a problem and it ended up with them killing my dad and taking my brother. I need you to help me get him back. But why did Nate seem to know who you are?"

Jimmy froze and sighed. "It won't be that easy Charlie."

"Why not?" She ignored that he had not answered her question yet.

"There are thing I should tell you but that soldier will be back with re-enforcements so I'll be quick. Firstly, Jimmy King isn't my real name it's Sebastian Monroe. You can call me Bass. The other thing is about the Republic and just who you are trying to get your brother back from."

Charlie frowned, "Wasn't Monroe the President that went missing?"

Bass nodded as Charlie just looked confused.

"It's a long story but I don't want to go back."

Charlie decided to drop it for now, "Who is the person that you're worried about?"

"His name is Mile Matheson," at Charlie's face Bass added, "Yes, Charlotte your uncle."

Before he could explain anymore there was a ruckus from downstairs. Maggie and Aaron came running into the room staying that the militia were there. They looked towards Bass as he reached for his sword. It was up to him to get them out.