Despite the entirety of our time being spent walking, our enthusiasm was quite high. Although mine was for a different reason.

It was hard to keep my eyes off of him. Which was annoying because he usually was at the back of the group.

Chubs lead us, his map in hand. I walked with Zu and Ruby. But both moved around, I focused on the scenery.

We walked for the whole day, resting at night with a campfire. We took turns watching out for, well anyone. Well everyone except for Zu. I gazed at the fire, it being the only side before Chubs moving around in his sleep. I wasn't really tired. I offered to be first watch but Liam had insisted the moment I felt tired that I wake him up to take over.

They all needed rest though. Zu was still a child, Ruby held through despite using her powers on Lady Jane. Liam already was beat up by her and no way was I waking Chubs up.

I hear rustling from the tent that contained everyone but me. It was the zipper, I saw Chubs head pop out. He even had his map in hand. I nodded in his direction which he looked at, but did not respond.

"How much farther do you think?" I ask quietly, as soon as he zipped up the tent. He came over by the fire and sat down, sighing as he did.

"Well depending on how fast we move and if it is all still flatlands, we should be there by noon. If everyone keeps a moderate pace that is, depending on if we take a break as well-" I cut him off by holding up my hand.

His green eyes fade back to their natural brown. "Why didn't you tell us she was orange?" He questioned, changing the topic.

This was a tricky but plain answer. Tricky because I didn't like my own answer. "She was my next assignment. I was going to, well to try and train her." I start, my voice fading as I attempt to find a way to word my words.

"You didn't want to fail." His green eyes came back, for a few seconds only. I nodded, he was right as always.

Even if I wasn't at the league, I wanted to not have one of my assignments, one of my people, die. "Working for the league I had to train myself, try and find what I can do. I was never good at training anyone else but they always improved."

I had to pause for a second, I hated talking about this. "The League pushed the process always faster than they should've. I never saw any of them again. Ruby is my last chance. You all are in a way to me." I shake my head, it was so stupid but what was truly stupid was how much it meant to me.

I'm still doing what the League wants me to do. "I'm not sure if I'm offended or glad I have a bodyguard." He comments, unsure of what he felt. I laughed a bit at that, it did make me feel better.

"Get some sleep. I'll take over. Besides I have some map working to do." He shooed me towards the tent.

Before I opened the tent that was only a bit towards my left, only close enough to the fire to keep warm, I told him "Wake me up when you get tired.". He nodded so I headed inside, I was a bit tired now.

Talking about the League does wear me out. I open the tent slowly, crouching as I shuffled inside. I spot an empty spot that had my bag, it was on the edge of the tent next to Liam. I put my bag where my feet would be.

I really didn't want to wake them up.

Particularly Liam, although I also did because I loved talking to him. I could always relive the kiss as well, I wouldn't mind that.

But I know I wouldn't wake him up. I slide into my spot, unfolding the blanket over my legs and I tuck it under my arms as I lay on my back. I kind of hated laying on my back unless I could spread out.

I switched to my side, facing away from everyone. It was quiet again, except for the sound of soft snores and Chubs' papers. I lay my head on my arm, pulling my other arm up to my chest.

———————————————————————

Frantically sitting up I spot three sleeping bodies next to me. Ruby, Zu and Chubs on the far end. I saw what I assumed to be Liam's figure, darkness against the light from the fire as it made the tents side light up. I got up, my hand pulling the zipper on the tent.

Liam's eyes met mine as I climbed out of the tent. He watched me as I closed the tent. "I heard you wake up." He murmured, patting on the log beside him.

"Sorry." I apologized, I hadn't meant to be so loud. I sighed as I sat next to him, I felt sore from all the walking or well my hips were sore.

He chuckled when I groaned. It was silent for a minute before he guessed "Bad dream?". I nodded, letting chin rest on my hands, covering my mouth as my thumbs were tucked underneath.

"Are you okay?" He questions, looking at me instead of the fire this time.

I move my hands, entangling my fingers as my hands move to my lap. "Yeah. Just got me for a few seconds." I admit, shrugging my shoulders. His hand found its way to mine, interlacing our fingers.

I study our hands, looking at his fingers entangling mine. "Well hopefully we will find our way to the camp and never have to deal with what you're dreaming about again." He nudges my shoulder, making my laugh as I cover my mouth with my other hand. I didn't want to wake up the others.

"Part of me thinks they wouldn't take me back, I don't think." I tell him, removing my gaze from our hands as I look at him. "The other half knows I was their most powerful asset until Ruby."

"They were so excited, it wasn't like any other mission. I remember all the other kids I were training got cut so I could work with her alone. Focus on finding out what she could do." I think about how she couldn't control her powers and mentally laugh, I would've had my work cut out for me.

But I continue "After all she had hid this long, they expected someone powerful. They had a lot riding on it." I tell him, running my thumb along his. I didn't know what was going on between him and I but all I knew was I was going to get them to the camp, to safety.

"They are never gonna hurt you or Ruby again. We are going to the Slip Kids camp and we will be safe." He assures me, squeezing my hand. I nod so he continues, but this time with a smile "Now turn around and look at that sunrise." He nudges me shoulder.

I shift, turning my head to look behind me. The sky was beginning to light up. But you couldn't see the sun yet. "Hold on." He told me, taking his hand away and I watch him duck into the tent before brining out a blanket.

I turned around on the log, sliding down roughly onto the ground. I leaned on the log and he hurried to sit next to me. He opens up an arm, inviting me to lean on his chest.

I certainly wasn't gonna pass it up. I edge closer to him as he leans his arm on the log. He was so warm as I laid my head on his chest and his arm moved to right below my shoulder.

I watched the sun rise with him and waited for the others to rise as well. But for that hour that we had, quiet comments and laughter. Just smiling and being kids, it felt like how I used to. Happy.

———————————————————————

Trudging along behind Zu and Ruby who were holding hands, I eyed the train that had been long abandoned. After walking for a couple hours it was almost noon.

"I don't know, Chubs. It doesn't feel right." Liam told him, something they had been talking about for the last ten minutes.

We walked along the tracks and I turned back to them. No longer looking at the train behind us. I saw Chubs tottering on the bridge between the metal tracks. "Man y'all are just a bunch of negative nellies." He said before turning towards us. I stepped over the crossing tracks, moving around Chubs and his random stop in his spot.

"Check it man." We stood by his side, looking to see what he was showing us. "E. D. O." He spelled out the letters. E was made of stones, D of branches and sticks and finally an old tire. Each separated by a train track line.

"Oh my god." Ruby murmured, Liam gazed proudly at Chubs who was looking at the sign. I rested my forehead on Chubs shoulder.

"You're my favorite green ever." I tell him, grinning and he gave me a grin too. "Now let's go. I love twinkies but I'd love some actual food." I cheer.

"Alright let's go!" Ruby agrees, starting back up our walk that was now much more energized.

But that lasted about 5 minutes, we got to a large concrete area, all cracked with grass and dried greenery spouting out from it. Then something was thrown at us, smoke spread.

My eyes flashed as I threw a hand up before being pulled down by Zu. My mind raced as they yelled "Stay on your knees!"

"Head to the ground!" Another one commanded as they ran over, all I could hear was pounding feet.

I shifted as my backpack began to fall off my side. "Hey we're not armed!" Liam rushes out, not wanting anyone to get hurt.

"Save it asshole." He pushes Liam closer to the ground by his neck. I turn my head slightly, just checking on Zu.

Then another voice pops up, farther away than the original asshole. "Hold on, Liam Stewart?" He questions as he gets closer.

"Mike?" Liam's voice sounds confused. Apparently he knew them, god if they didn't let us up soon.

My knees were bruised up and in pain. "Everybody stand down!" He calls out, I hear guns clicking as they were moved. I take it as I can look up now. The sun blares on my face as I watch the person apologize "Jesus I'm sorry Liam, I didn't know it was you."

"It's okay." Liam assures him as the shake hands, I push myself up. I ignore my knees relief and protest as I fix my backpack so it doesn't make my fall over. "Wait I thought you were with Josh?" Liam's face contorts as confusion reaches him.

"I was." The kid replied, "I made it through the fields. Thanks to you." I was proud of Liam, he did so much and more. I stay close to Zu, who held my hand.

I tighten my grip on Zu's hand as I look around at all the armed kids. I didn't like the look of it. "Wait are you looking for..." Liam starts but trailed off when 'Mike' said the words we had been waiting for.

"You found it." He gestures back to his group. Liam backs away in happiness, a grin appearing on his face. "Welcome home." Mike told him, obviously happy for us.

Zu and I crush each other in a hug as Chubs goes over to Liam saying "Finally! I told you man! Told you!". Ruby comes over and we pull her into the hug before the guys join us after their own little hug.

We were all laughing and happy. We found it, but I wasn't sold after our introduction. Who supplied all these kids with guns and smoke grenades, I really hope I'm wrong about this place. It would break my heart and theirs if I'm wrong.