''We should be really close now. I think it's just past this housing estate.'' Cade stated, looking up from his map. They had been walking for about fifteen minutes, all had been quiet so far but they both felt jumpy to be out in the open after months of being hidden away on the boat.

''Ok,'' Zara replied quietly, putting her arm under her jumper checking the gun was still concealed.

''Hey, are you sure you're ok? You've been quiet since we left.'' Cade grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him, his concerned eyes searching her face.

''I'm fine. I'm just worried about finding other people like Dante. We've had such a horrible time but over the past few months we have been safe and finally felt like life is normal. I just can't bear to lose that.'' Her voice shook with emotion.

''Zara nothing is going to happen. Today is a good day, I can feel it! Look, I can see the roof of the warehouse!'' He walked ahead, Zara jogged to catch up to him as they rounded the corner. She held her breath.

The large rolling shutters were closed as Zara and Cade edged closer. Zara didn't want to reveal the gun to Cade but feeling its presence against her back gave her a feeling of safety. The building seemed quiet, Zara felt that had it been occupied, there would be guards posted outside. A small side door stood to the left of the shutter doors.

''Let's check it out,'' Cade decided, ''We can look through the window.'' He walked forwards.

''Let me go first.'' Zara tugged on his arm, pulling him behind her. ''You're not supposed to be straining yourself.''

She approached the door, gingerly peeking through the dirty glass. The inside was dark, but no movement caught her eye. A delivery van parked in the centre of the warehouse amongst the ceiling high shelving. Her pulse quickened.

''Oh my god Cade you were right. The shelves are still full! It's untouched.'' Zara threw her arms around his neck.

''Told you it was going to be a good day. Come on let's eat, I'm starving.'' He picked her up fireman style and kicked in the door. She giggled.

''Hey no straining remember! Doctors' orders.'' She wriggled as he placed her down in front of him.

''Babe, I've never felt better. Woah, look at all this food. This would keep us going for months,'' He reached into the nearest box, pulling out a packet of ginger biscuits. ''Come on Zara, dig in.''

Zara took one from the packet, ''Mm'' She groaned in appreciation, closing her eyes. ''I've missed biscuits.'' She frowned. ''I hope Miles is ok, he was really worried about Lola this morning. She looked ever so poorly when we left'' She bit her lip, ''I often wonder if I made the right choice asking them to come with us on the boat. I worry whether the life I have offered them is a life at all for a little girl.'' She looked to the floor.

Cade tucked a stray strand of wavy hair behind her ear. ''Zara a life with us is better than being on the mainland. You know the types of people we have encountered, it' s just not safe. Your plan is better, I promise you. And look how happy Lola has been. And Miles. We are like a family and we are better off together.''

Zara shrugged her shoulders, ''I guess so. We can't stay anchored where we are, the waves are going to get too strong. We are going to have to travel somewhere calmer and warmer. And soon.''

''I know. We should get all the supplies we can and map a route. It's a shame this place isn't a bit closer to the harbour.'' Cade suddenly jumped up, the biscuits flying everywhere.

''I need to check something.'' He simply stated before jogging to the parked van. Zara followed him with a bemused expression then her eyes widened as he started the engine.

Cade grinned as he opened the electric door window. ''We can fill the van and drive it down to the harbour. If you can bring the yacht back, we can just load it straight on board then we can get outta here.''

He shut off the engine and hopped out of the cab. ''See, a good day.'' He beamed at her as she laughed softly.

''You're right, it is a good da-'' He words trailed off as a figure emerged from the darkness behind Cade. She screamed as the figure raised an object behind him.

Zara wasted no time, she pulled the gun from her waistband and aimed directly at the dark figure. ''Cade get behind me.'' She demanded between gritted teeth, keeping her gaze on the figure.

''Wait, wait don't shoot, please!'' A young man's voice cried. He stepped closed into the light, his hands above his head. He was young, probably not much older than Zara. His hair long and unkept hung around his shoulders. His clothes looked dirty and ragged, the ripped cuffs of his jumper hung loosely around his blackened hands. ''I don't want no trouble. I thought you was bad men coming for me. All I do is sleep here you see. I don't go out, I don't bother no one. Same as all me life, I just wanted somewhere to sleep.''

Zara kept the gun steady, ''You're homeless? That's why you didn't have the vaccination?'' She asked softly.

The man nodded, his face solemn. ''They came for me, but I hid. Been homeless for years, I know all the hiding spots. Then I found this place. Been here since.''

Zara lowered her gun. ''We don't want any trouble either. We just wanted some food. I'm Zara and this is Cade.'' Cade nodded as he entwined his fingers with hers.

''Me names Otis. You can take as much as you like. I don't eat much, not used to it you see. There's plenty here.'' Otis smiled and for the first time looked like the young man he obviously was under all the grime.

Zara stepped towards him, touching him gently on the shoulder. ''Thank you, Otis.''

''Zara I'm going to start loading up, you gonna start choosing what we need?'' Cade asked, cocking his head.

''I'll leave you to it then. Good luck to you both.'' Otis gave one last nod and disappeared through a back door.

Zara stared after him, deep in thought.

''No Zara,'' Cade stated, opening the side door of the van.

She spun to face him, ''What?'' She asked indignantly.

''You can't invite him with us, we don't know anything about him or if he's telling the truth. We can't endanger Miles and Lola. You know that.''

Her shoulders sagged, and she sighed, ''I know. It's just sad to be alone in all this. I hope he finds his peace.''

Cade kissed her forehead. ''You know, that's why I love you. You think of everyone else before yourself. Now when were you going to tell me you had a gun tucked down those little black jeans?'' He raised an eyebrow.

Zara flushed, ''I'm sorry. I kept it after you were shot on the roof. I thought there may be a time where we need to protect ourselves. No one in this world can be trusted now Cade, we have to keep ourselves safe.''

Cade stared at the fierce determination in her eyes as he stroked her cheek with his thumb, ''You are so strong and you don't even know it.'' He said softly. ''Now come on, choose some yummy food to stock up on. Especially biscuits.''

She grinned as tore herself away from his touch and she began to browse the shelves. She began to grab armfuls of boxes and packets, laying them down in front of the van for Cade to load on. Huge bags of pasta and rice were first. She found crates of tins which she instructed Cade to lift down for her. Tinned soups, meats, fish and vegetables. Enough to last them months and months. She grabbed a few extras such as tea bags, coffee, long life milk and some much-needed toiletries. After half an hour they had filled the van to the brim. Zara turned and looked around the warehouse before hopping into the passenger seat. Although they had taken a lot, the filled shelves looked barely dented. Zara felt relieved that Otis could still spend years in the safety of the building without having to venture out in search of food.

Cade opened the shutter doors before joining her. He started the engine and buckled his seat belt, ''You ready?''

Zara nodded, ''Let's get back to our family.''

Cade locked the van and pocketed the keys. ''We don't want to leave it there too long, in case anyone spots it and is suspicious. We should get back and bring the boat straight back to load up then we need to go.''

''Sounds like a plan. I can't wait to show Lola all the goodies I got for her. She's going to love the sweets and magazines I found. And I stocked up on flour and baking bits, so she can make cakes. She loves baking.'' Zara smiled.

''She will be so happy. Hey, can I drive the jet ski this time?'' He looked at her hopefully, his eyes shining with mischief.

Zara rolled her eyes, ''As long as you are careful.''

Cade hopped on and started the engine. Zara lowered herself down behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she manoeuvred the jet ski away from shore. With the waves being choppier as the wind picked up, the small craft bobbed up and down causing Zara to grip tighter. She loved feeling Cade's muscles under her hands moving with every turn as he steered the jet ski towards the boat. She pressed herself up closer to him, slipping her hands under his t-shirt, feeling his soft abdomen below his stomach. She felt him tense against her touch and although she couldn't hear him over the sound of the engine, she felt him vibrate with a soft moan.

Zara didn't know what had come over her, the day being so successful gave her a new hunger for Cade she hadn't felt before. She felt blissfully happy as they neared the boat. The feeling was short lived, however, as Miles stood looking over the side as they approached. His face ashen and full of concern.

Zara hopped off as Cade shut off the engine, ready to hoist the jet ski back onto the yacht. ''Miles what's the matter?'' Panic rising in her throat.

''It's Lola,'' His voice shook, ''Somethings wrong with her.''

Poor Otis, I feel bad they left him behind! And Lola, what do you think is wrong with her? Thank you again to all my readers for continuing to vote and read <3