Zara and Cade had decided to set off straight after their encounter with Mary. They had been walking for a few hours, mostly in silence. Zara was still reeling with a mixture of anger and grief, she could not bring herself to speak to Cade. He had spent the journey throwing her concerned looks and making the odd remark about their surroundings, but Zara could sense he was disturbed too.

They had stuck to their route, following the train tracks and checking the map every so often to make sure they were on course. They had crossed over a bridge over an empty motorway and now they were walking through farmers' fields adjacent to the tracks. The leaves had already begun falling from the trees, the wind blew them onto the train tracks and around their feet as they walked.

''Zara it's not your fault, you know'' Cade said suddenly.

Zara stopped and buried her face in her hands, trying to hold back tears. ''I know, I just wish I could have prevented it. All those lives lost, they had no idea what was about to hit them''

Cade bit his lip ''They didn't suffer. Although it's sad and awful, they went peacefully. You will get through this, I know it's hard.''

Zara nodded ''I know. I will be ok in time, don't worry about me. I just wish there was something I could do now, so it wasn't all for nothing. I feel like I'm running away.''

Cade stared into her eyes ''You aren't running away, you're choosing to live. I know there isn't much left but at least you're alive. We are lucky compared to everyone else, at least we might have a chance at growing old.''

Zara continued walking, deep in thought. She looked at Cade and frowned. ''I don't understand why Mary wasn't vaccinated. It wasn't like she was a conspiracist or terrorist who was able to escape the vaccine. If that was so, then she wouldn't have let her husband be injected. The government were so thorough in making sure they vaccinated everyone, I just don't know they could have missed her out. It doesn't make sense.''

''Actually, I know why she's alive'' Cade replied with a shaky voice. His eyes darted to Zara as she looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

''Zara, I think it's time I tell you my story.''

Sorry everyone for such a short chapter! It's kind of a bridge between the last and the next chapter, which I will be uploading later.

Next, we will learn more about Cade's past! Tissues at the ready!  ;)