They worked quickly, Finn running through a mental checklist built from hours on post-apocalypse forums.

He moved down the aisles, a chipped Marshal’s shortsword replacing his ruined knife. Water came first — half-liter bottles, six in his scavenged rucksack, four more for Nyx’s smaller bag.

Next, food. Cans that would outlast the world. Tuna, beans, peaches in syrup. Peanut butter and digestives, both essential for different reasons.

A tub of coarse salt went in on instinct, some part of him sure salt mattered in starting zones. Batteries. Two torches, one each. Duct tape, because only an idiot skipped it.

Paracetamol, plasters, antiseptic — the last one passed over by earlier looters who’d gone for harder, more tempting stuff.

In the wrecked clothing section, Finn found a dark gray hoodie in Nyx’s size. He held it up without a word; she took it just as silently, folding it into her pack instead of putting it on.

He noticed, but didn’t push.

They passed the body of the person who had followed them. Finn looked this time. Pale skin, slack mouth, a dark stain spreading from under the shoulder. He catalogued it the way he’d catalogued the cans, useful information, nothing more, and moved on.

Nyx looked longer, her face hidden under her hood. Finn waited, then asked through their bond, ’Anything worth taking?’

’A short bow, string snapped. Seven arrows. A ration bar. A photo in a wallet.’

’Take the arrows and ration bar.’

’As you wish.’ She lifted the quiver in one clean motion and slung it across her shoulder. The ration bar disappeared into her pocket. ’The bow stays.’

"The photograph?"

She was quiet for a moment. "I left it."

Finn nodded once, and they kept going.

Loaded down with packs and bags, they finally stepped out under the buckled doors of the Tesco. Finn was carrying close to twenty-five kilos between his rucksack and the bag in his off-hand. Nyx had her own pack and the quiver.

He stopped at the edge of the Safe Zone.

-

Finn looked across the makeshift camp, taking in the strange mix of things that made up their new resting point.

The pale blue dome of light cast a soft glow over the patchwork of tarps stretched overhead. His eyes settled on the small girl cradling her rabbit, its loose ear pressed against her cheek—a fragile picture of innocence in the middle of all this uncertainty.

By the obelisk, men in brown jackets formed a loose perimeter, their watchful stances giving away their unease. Finn and Nyx exchanged a knowing look, silently thinking about their overstuffed rucksacks.

"Bags," Finn said quietly. "We should make them look lighter."

Nyx nodded, quickly rearranging the contents to hide how much they had. "Pitiful is the word, I believe."

Stepping through the trolley barricade, they felt several stares. In this fragile little safe zone, two people coming back unhurt with full bags seemed to be big news.

The looks had a sharper edge now, less shell-shocked, more calculating.

Finn caught each gaze in turn: the rabbit girl’s quick glance, the nurse’s uncomfortably long stare, the four survivors talking about Ashenmere who all turned toward them at the same time, like they were synced up.

The sharp-eyed woman held his stare, her eyes flicking pointedly to his rucksack before meeting his again.

Then the Marshals spotted them.

Marcus, stationed at the obelisk, ran through surprise, then pleasure, then something colder as he clocked their return. Hand half-raised in a friendly-looking wave, he started toward them. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Dale being out of sight bothered Finn more than seeing him would have.

’That man from before is on his way,’ Nyx whispered through their bond.

’That’s fine. Just follow my lead.’ Finn replied, walking with purpose toward their old spot, trying to get there before Marcus could catch up.

By the time the Marshal arrived, Finn was standing easy against his own wall, rucksack at his feet, Nyx between them.

The shift was subtle but you could feel it.

Marcus’s smile stayed put, but his hand dropped. "You went out. Without telling us."

"Didn’t realise I owed you a heads up. I don’t see any of those guys telling you when they’re heading out." Finn kept his voice flat and gestured towards the lone wolves.

"We’ve got a system, mate. Runs are coordinated. You go in blind, you might not come back. It’s far safer if we work together and—"

"We came back."

"Yeah. I see that." Marcus’s eyes slid to the rucksacks. "I’m glad. Really. Just saying, there’s a better way to do things."

Finn studied him, noticing the tightness around his eyes, the fear sitting under that friendly mask. He also clocked the way Marcus’s men had positioned themselves behind their leader.

"Then I’ll be clear. We’re not joining your group. We’re not running anything past you. I’m not interested in working together with you"

"May I know the reason?"

"Ask Dale." Finn didn’t blink. "Whatever he tried, it was stupid enough to make us a problem. You should keep your dog on a tighter leash."

Marcus’s smile thinned at the edges. Finn could almost watch the pivot happen behind his eyes go from what can I get from this kid to what did that idiot do this time.

"That idiot again..." Marcus exhaled slowly. "I apologise on his behalf. I don’t know what he said to you, but I’ll have a word. In the meanwhile, I’d ask you to reconsider my offer."

Finn pulled water bottles and a tin of peaches from his pockets and held them out at arm’s length. "Fort that girl over there with the rabbit and her mother. And whoever else needs it. Not a peace offering. I just don’t want that kid going thirsty.."

After a moment, Marcus took them.

"That’s kindof you," he said, surprise threading through his voice with something colder underneath. "Cheers."

"Sure," Finn replied with a nod.

"And the rest?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

Finn met his gaze steadily. "The rest stays with us. I believe I’ve already made my intentions clear."

The pause that followed only lasted a second, but in this dimly lit car park, surrounded by watching eyes, a second felt like forever.

Bearer, Nyx’s voice whispered through their bond, he’s deciding.

I know, Finn replied silently.

Whatever he decides, I’m behind you.

I know.

Finally, Marcus let out a slow breath and, to Finn’s mild surprise, smiled. The smile of a man choosing not to fight today. "Yeah. Fair enough, mate. Fair enough." He lifted the bottles in a salute. "Get some rest. We’ll talk properly in the morning."

"We won’t," Finn said. "But sleep well."

Marcus huffed something that was almost a laugh, and turned. The two men at his flanks peeled off to follow with the easy walk of people who’d been set to fight but didn’t have to.

Only when Marcus was halfway across the car park did Finn let himself sit down, his hands shaking.

That, Nyx said as she settled beside him, was pretty well handled.

I’m going to be sick, Finn thought.

Oh, Bearer. Nyx’s amused voice filled his mind. Not on the new coat.

A small laugh escaped Finn’s lips, sending a twinge through his bruised ribs, but a laugh all the same.