Dana, if you're reading this, then you made it back from college, and we have left. There are some things you should know before you come to find us.

Firstly, your mother and I are fine. I was working from home, so we were safe enough to start with.

Adam came home an hour after it all happened. He had a broken arm and was covered in scratches, but was otherwise ok.

Alex has not yet come back, but we believe it is only a matter of time. If he is still there when you return, protect him and bring him to us.

We are heading to the countryside house where it should be safer. We hate the thought of leaving you behind, but we must trust in your survival.

We left as much food as we dared for you so you can stay there and wait for your brother.

We love you sweetie, and if you can, drive yourself here as soon as possible. Stay safe.

Dad.

(James)

Dana teared up as she read the letter, leaving damp circles of tears on the already tear stained paper.

"Dad... Alex..."

Dana had her hand to her mouth and was close to breaking down.

James hugged her, holding her as close as he could to himself. He activated comforting almost by reflex.

She was going through a lot. Probably a bad mix of relief and grief.

James knew Alex and had met him several times.

Alex was a short and skinny 12-year-old. Barring some miracle, he was probably dead, and Dana knew it.

James saw so many emotions in Dana's eyes that he did what he knew would help her the most, and helped her take her armour and uniform off.

Despite her standing almost naked in front of him, he knew all she needed was to sleep, and for him to be the boulder she could cry on.

He helped her into some warm pyjamas that we're probably loose on her before, and quickly changed too. Borrowing some clothes from her dad's drawers in the next room. The chill of the outside wasn't as bad, but he still appreciated the man knew how to sleep warm.

He returned to her room and saw her sitting on the side of her bed, her face blank and emotionless.

He felt so proud of her. She was so tired, but she had tried so hard to lead them through a rescue and emerged alive and victorious and she was still standing.

He pushed her gently down onto her bed and put the covers over her.

Before he laid down, he remembered most of his body was coated in spider gore.

"Shit."

He swore under his breath and went to the bathroom. He found that there was running water, but it was a weak flow, so most likely gravity fed. They didn't have enough running water for much, but he used the water and a cloth to wash himself off as best he could by the light of his phone. It was all so fucking cold. But at least he was clean.

He had to retrieve another set of sleepwear from Mr Bryce's drawers as he had utterly ruined the first set. He didn't know how he had forgotten being coated in such gore, but he had and he had to move past it. Probably just tired. So he returned to Dana's room and a hopefully warmer bed.

He slipped in beside her, and they fell into the familiar position of rest that couples do, keeping each other warm.

Dana fell asleep almost instantly, but James laid awake despite his own exhaustion. He couldn't help but think of how the others downstairs must be feeling.

What would I do if I lost Dana?

The question troubled him, but he couldn't shake it, so he let his own pains rock him Into an uneasy dreamless sleep.

(Dana)

Dana woke to the sound of people moving around downstairs. She immediately noticed how close James' face was to her own and felt his slow steady breathing. She was comfortable here. This was where she belonged.

But she couldn't stay here forever. She was hungry and thirsty. All of the fatigue from the day before was gone, but her body ached.

She eased herself from James' arms, and let him lie in. It had been an eventful day for them all, and James had earned the sleep.

It was already a few hours after sunrise, so the house had warmed up a little. Dana appreciated this as she started to change slowly out of her noticeably tight sleepwear.

None of her old bras would fit her anymore, and her mum still wasn't close, so she had to settle for the same bra that had blood on it.

At least some of her mum's shirts fit her better than any of her own would, despite still being a little tight around the chest.

We so need to go to the nearest clothes shop. Get some stuff that actually fits.

Almost happily dressed, Dana shook James until he started to wake up, then walked downstairs to see what her guests were up to.

Somehow, they were standing around the central island of the kitchen, watching Callum cook hash browns on the cooker.

They looked up at her when she walked in, the padding of her feet audible on the wooden floor.

"Morning Dana."

May was the first to greet her, in a much better mood than she was the day before.

She suddenly looked behind her in a short panic.

"Oh. Sorry, we started cooking. We were just really hungry, and Callum found out the gas still works."

Dana was speechless for a second. After days of just dry snacks and sweets, her mouth was watering at the smell of the freshly cooked breakfast.

"How did you even? I mean, there's no power, so..."

Callum answered as he flipped the pan and the food in it.

"There were potatoes and eggs in the pantry. And a load of other non-perishable stuff. You had a load of food here, so I thought it would be cool."

Dana hurries to correct the crestfallen chef.

"No, no this is great. Freshly cooked food is great. Can you put in a couple eggs for me before the gas runs out?"

Callum grinned and pulled out more eggs.

"Is James awake? Does he want anything?"

James walked into the room at the mention of his name.

"Yeah. If you have enough, I'll take a couple hashes. And is there any toast?"

May lifted a grill and a slice of bread.

"Working on it."

"Awesome. Just turn off the smoke alarms. They're probably battery powered."

Dom stood from his stool at the counter that he was dozing on and walked away.

"I got it. Why don't you guys change, and we can get a plan together."

Dana nodded and grabbed James' hand, pulling him back towards the stairs.

"Ok. Be back in a couple minutes."

(James)

"Are you ok? You seemed distracted downstairs."

James looked up from his unsocked feet, a pained look on his face.

"I don't know. It's just. They all seemed so happy to move on. I can't... get in the mood. I mean, someone in our team died yesterday. Less than twenty-four hours ago."

Dana knelt in front of him and held his hands. She put her forehead on his and he talked slowly.

"You are not them. They're dealing with it in a different way. They're together. You and me need to rely on each other in the same way they do."

He looked up, so he was looking into her eyes, so close to his.

"Thanks. I'll do that. Rely on you, I mean."

She delicately pecked him on the lips and stood quickly.

"Then let's get ready. I'm starving, and those hash browns smelled amazing."

"Fine."

James said with a grin.

So they got ready, dressed in all but their armour.

James had to borrow more of her dad's clothes as his school set had hardened as the blood dried. It might have made decent armour, but it was foul smelling, and it looked even worse.

The man was no fashion expert, but James grabbed some clothes that fit him well enough and found an old leather jacket in the back of the wardrobe.

"You think your dad will mind If I borrow this?"

Dana laughed as she imagined her dad wearing it. He was in his mid 40's and would probably look ridiculous in it with his receding hair and dad bod.

"I doubt it would even fit him. You're welcome to it."

He nodded and checked the sleeve length.

"Good. Because my armour is fucked and there is no way I'm stepping outside without protection."

There was an awkward pause as they remembered the horrible things that could happen outside. James broke the silence with a mischievous grin.

"That reminds me. We should grab some while we're here."

"Somewhat?"

"Protection."

Dana still didn't get it. They had armour and stuff already.

"Wha...?"

"Condoms Dana. I meant condoms."

"Ah. Yeah. Um... I don't think I have any."

"Any chance your parents had any?"

Dana began to feel sick. She somehow knew this would be asked.

"I don't want to find out."

"Fair enough. Let's see what happens to breakfast."

And without another word, he left down the stairs.

Dana could do nothing but helplessly follow, exasperated by his lack of finesse.

(Dana)

Around mouthfuls of breakfast, the group decided on their plan. As it was Dana's house, she was allowed to start the discussion.

"So there's enough stuff in the house to comfortably keep us going for a while. Pretty much everything my parents left is good for another few days. There's also a couple tents in the shed, and sleeping bags might be in the attic."

She paused to make sure everyone was getting what she was saying.

"Long-term, I want to go to the countryside to meet up with my parents and brother. But for now, we can restock here and go looking for everyone else's families if you want."

Everyone was silent for a moment, deciding who would be the selfish one to ask first.

James broke the silence.

"This isn't working. We don't have to go to my place first. We can go there last. Is anyone else not as worried about their family?"

Callum slowly raised his hand.

"I don't live close at all. I used to take the train to get to college. Like, a long train journey."

Dana appreciated his sacrifice. Without power, it would be difficult for any of them to go very far.

"So what about you two?"

Dom looked at May, and almost instantly submitted.

"We can go to my place later. My brother is probably holding his own."

"Is he a fighter?"

Dom shook his head with a slight smile.

"Not in the slightest. The guy hardly ever leaves his room. Works from home. Biggest nerd I've ever met, and that's me saying this."

Callum perked up at the mention of Dom's brother.

"Doesn't he have like an entire armoury of old weapons and replicas?"

"Yeah. He must have spent all his disposable income on them over the years. But he couldn't use them to break open a can, so I don't know how he would fare against a Komodo lizard."

Dana felt this conversation route could only end badly, but James luckily stopped it short.

"Ok. So that leaves May. Do you know how to get to your house from here?"

She mulled it over in her head.

"Maybe if we went past the college again. And even then, I used to get a bus in. It's going to be an hour and a half to walk. Maybe less with heavy bags."

James slammed his fist on the table, suddenly full of energy. Likely because he was full of proper food for the first time in days.

"Its decided. As soon as everyone is ready to go, we head for Mays house. I'll do repairs on armour in the meantime, and Dana can help everyone get gear. Dom, find a map and work out a route with May. Callum, do your food thing. Good plan?"

Dom grumbled something about overcompensating, causing Callum and May to struggle back laughter. But at least they all accepted the plan.

They broke off and Dana took them around the house showing where stuff was.

She was already forcibly breaking emotional connections to this house. Somehow she felt that as soon as they left, she wouldn't see it again.