Chapter 12

The last time Grace saw Zoe, she was being bundled into her parents' car in the school parking lot. All Grace could remember from that moment was the flash of fear and confusion on her friend's face as her father pushed her into the back seat and they drove off into the distance, oblivious to what would happen next. She never thought she would see the girl again.

But now here she was, sitting in Grace's tent and tucking into a small bowl of rice. Grace watched her from her cot, still in shock, as she polished off the bowl with ease. She was skinnier than she remembered - obviously malnourished - tired, with dark rings around the eyes. Her platinum blonde hair had grown out, revealing her darker roots. Grace thought it suited her. Despite everything, she actually looked...good. Zoe always managed to look pretty, even if it wasn't by her usual standards.

Zoe placed the bowl down on the cot and wiped her lips with her forearm. She noticed Grace looking at her. "Sorry," she said self-consciously. "I haven't really eaten in a couple days."

Grace blinked and shook her head, still in disbelief. "I just...I thought you were dead, Zoe. I didn't think I would see you again."

"Me either," she admitted with a small smile. "As soon as the aliens started attacking, my dad packed up everything he could. Loaded me and Mom into the car and drove. No time for any goodbyes." She sat cross-legged, resting her elbows on her thighs as she recalled that day. "I had no idea where we were even going. The roads were blocked, everyone was trying to get out. It was insane. People were panicking." She sighed, her gaze lowering. "My dad tried to get through...then we saw the ships up ahead. They started firing on us. We tried to run but…" She paused as she stared morosely at her laced boots. "Mom...died instantly. Dad tried to get to me but...they got him too."

A single tear rolled down her face as Grace sat beside her and placed a hand over hers.

"I just ran," continued Zoe, sniffing. "Until I found Jeanne and her mom, Linda. They helped me get somewhere safe. We went from house to house, hiding, gathering supplies. Then Linda got sick...we had to leave her. Eventually we found the Lost Boys."

"Lost Boys?"

"It's what me and Jeanne call them. They were this lost, scared group of boys headed by this boy, Diego. You would've seen him. He's Jeanne's boyfriend. It was just us for a long time, until your brothers found us and brought us here. To the Second Mass." Zoe smiled at her, giving her a playful nudge. "My girl Grace, some badass action chick in the revolution. Never in my wildest dreams."

Grace chuckled. "The biggest thing on our minds a year ago was college applications."

"For you maybe. I was going to take a year out, remember? See the world." She sighed forlornly. "Now I never will."

"What matters is you're here - alive," Grace reassured her, squeezing her hand. "God, I have so much to tell you, Zo. So much has happened." She looked into Zoe's face, recognising those familiar features she was so used to seeing. It was almost like stepping into the past. "I'm so glad you're here." She leaned into her friend, embracing her in a hug. Zoe let out a gasp of pain and Grace withdrew from her.

"Sorry. I got knocked off my bike a few days back. Bruised a couple ribs, guess it's still sore."

"We have a doctor," Grace suggested. "She can get you something for the pain."

"Still looking out for me, huh? Some things never change."

Grace laughed modestly. "Come on."

She led Zoe to the med bus. Her friend was clearly in awe of the camp they had built, taking in the sights of all the people and supplies they had. Anne's base impressed her the most; she was taken aback by the equipment and medicines they had access to as she looked around with her mouth wide open.

"You hit the jackpot, girl," she said to Grace as Anne fetched her some painkillers from one of the cabinets. "This is quite a setup."

"Took a lot to get us here," Anne smiled, dropping the pills into Zoe's palm and handing her a glass of water. "It wasn't easy but it was worth it."

Zoe quickly downed the pills and followed up with the water, making a satisfied "Ahh" sound once she'd swallowed. "I mean, compared to our place, this is luxury."

Grace gave her a perplexed smile. She had never considered the life she lived to be luxurious, but she supposed compared to the way some people had to live, she was one of the lucky ones. She certainly counted herself lucky to be part of the Second Mass.

"I can take a look if you want," Anne offered, indicating to Zoe's sore ribs.

"Oh. Sure." Without another thought, Zoe pulled her vest over her head to reveal the blue and purple bruising around her midriff.

Grace and Anne grimaced at the sight. It must have been a pretty nasty fall. Grace had received similar injuries in the past and she knew how painful it was.

Anne stooped down to examine the bruising, carefully placing her fingers around Zoe's ribs. The girl hissed in pain.

"Sorry. It doesn't look like anything's broken though. Just some bruising, it should heal with time." She stepped away. "The painkillers will help."

"Thanks." Zoe was about to put her shirt back on when Grace spotted the ink on her shoulder.

"Oh, my God."

Zoe clocked on to her looking. "Remember when we got these?" She turned around to reveal the large tattoo above her shoulder blade: a dark silhouette of a fairy with pink wings, blowing fairy dust across her back.

Grace chuckled, glancing at the familiar ink. "How could I forget? I thought your mom would crucify you."

"You mean her only daughter? No way! I mean, she yelled at me for a while. Said I looked like one of those mudflap girls truckers have."

"The highest compliment!"

"Right, and there you were with your measly butterfly and your parents locked you up for weeks," scoffed Zoe, pulling her top back down.

"Sounds like you two had a bit of a rebellious streak," Anne smiled, raising an eyebrow at Grace.

"She had a streak," Zoe explained, nodding towards Grace. "I had a life-style. Ever since we were kids, she was the squeaky-clean good girl and I was the rapscallion who would drag her down to my level."

"You never dragged me down! You just reminded me to have a bit of fun every once and a while."

"Ah, even from a young age, I knew life was short."

"Well, you were right," admitted Grace with a small snort. "Where did all that studying and good behaviour get me? Not much use with the world ending, is it?"

"It's not ending. You're saving it." Zoe winked at her.

Anne cleared her throat, unfolding her arms. "Well, I've got to make the rounds. It was nice to meet you, Zoe," she smiled at her before tending to her other patients.

"Thanks, doc," Zoe called after her. "She must be a godsend," she said to Grace, shaking her head as if still in disbelief. "Literally."

Grace smiled enthusiastically at her friend. "You're gonna love it with the Second Mass. Trust me. It's going to be great having you as part of the resistance."

She noticed Zoe's features soften, her impressed grin replaced by an awkward hesitance.

"You are staying...right?"

"Grace…"

"Zo?" Grace stepped closer to her friend, a pleading look in her eye. "You can't go now."

Zoe looked at her as if she was unsure what to say.

"You can all stay," Grace suggested hopefully. "You said yourself that what we've built is luxury compared to what you have. Captain Weaver wouldn't mind. He's not gonna turn his own daughter away."

"I don't know, Grace. I'm not sure the boys will want to join a resistance. They're just kids."

Grace frowned. She once again remembered Jimmy. Deep down she knew Zoe was right. She couldn't guarantee the boys' safety in the Second Mass - but it would be safer once they got to Charleston. Grace tried to explain this to Zoe, but she still wasn't convinced.

"We've kept our heads down all this time and it's kept us alive. I think Diego and Jeanne would wanna keep it that way."

The glint of optimism escaped Grace's eyes. Part of her wanted to yell at Zoe. Perhaps a few days ago, she would have. But now, after what happened to Jimmy, she was reminded of just how dangerous her way of life was.

"Okay. I get it." Grace paused, feeling her throat close up. "I lost a good friend recently. His name was Jimmy. My own Lost Boy." She smiled sadly. "If I could do everything over again and protect him, I would...I just didn't want to have to say goodbye to another friend."

There was a brief pause as Zoe watched Grace's despondent expression. "Tell you what, I'll think about it. See what Diego and Jeanne think."

Grace nodded hopefully. She supposed that was better than nothing.

"Sorry to interrupt."

They glanced over as Tom climbed aboard the med bus, smiling politely at the girls.

"Mr. Mason!" Zoe rushed over to embrace him. "It's so good to see you again."

Tom, a little surprised by the gesture, regained his balance and accepted the hug. "I'm glad to see you're okay, Zoe."

"I'm sorry about Mrs Mason. She was always nice to me."

A sad smile crossed Tom's lips as Zoe released him. "Is your family-?"

"Jeanne and the Lost Boys are my family now," she replied.

"I'm sorry. Your parents were always good to Grace."

"They loved her." Zoe smirked at her old friend. "Almost more than they loved me! Think they hoped she would settle me down a bit. Quite the opposite!" She poked her elbow into Grace's side, causing her to chuckle.

"I'm sure they'd be very proud of you," Tom assured her as Zoe glanced down with a soft smile. "The truck's ready to load up with everything we can offer you. Sorry it's not much."

"Don't be silly," replied Zoe. "We're so grateful for your help." She looked towards Grace. "Wanna lend a hand?"

"Of course."

Outside, they met Hal and a young man sitting by the tents whilst Maggie played a game of soccer with some of the Lost Boys nearby. The kids' playful shouts and laughter was a welcome addition to the camp's usual hustle and bustle. The boys were young, some even close to Matt's age. Seeing them play so care-free reminded her that they'd lost out on most of their childhood too. It was impressive that they'd survived this long on their own. Zoe had a point about them keeping their heads down.

"Hey." Hal looked up from his map as Tom and the girls approached. "Diego was just giving us some intel on our way down to Charleston."

Grace scanned Diego. He was a similar age to her and Zoe, handsome, with dark hair, tanned skin and a goatee. So this was the leader of the Lost Boys.

"Diego, this is Grace Mason," Zoe grinned at him. "My BFF from high school. Crazy, right?"

Diego raised a thick eyebrow. "That is crazy. Jeanne finds her dad, you find your friend. That's some luck, huh?" The look in his eyes suggested he didn't think it was good luck, his tone even less so.

"Nice to meet you," Grace said, ignoring his comments.

"So, uh, what's in Charleston anyway?" Diego asked, scratching at his dark beard.

"Rumours of survivors organising a pretty substantial force against the invasion," Tom replied. "Your group's welcome to join us if you want."

"I told Grace we'd think about it, Diego," Zoe quickly added.

"You did?" Diego smiled insincerely at them. "Then I guess we'll think about it. Thank you for the offer."

Grace masked her disappointment. Diego seemed like he would be hard to convince, but there was still a bit of time to win Zoe over. She found it hard to believe Weaver would let his own daughter out of his sight again - maybe once Zoe realised that, she would stay too.

She had to.