My stomach flips and my heart melts at how quickly he jumps to my defence, but I squash it.He’s just being a good friend, I remind myself.Don’t read too much into it. “It’s fine, Rhys. Just Theo, Rachel, and my brother being assholes is all,” I say, clenching my hands into fists as I barely resist the urge to reach out and place a comforting hand on his arm.
He side-eyes me for a moment, like he’s trying to decide if I’m being honest or not. Whatever he sees on my face must reassure him, because he grunts and relaxes. “Fine, but if anyone else starts anything with you, I want you to tell me.”
“If I can’t handle it, I will.”
The muscle in his jaw ticks at my answer, but he just nods and directs his focus back to the road ahead.
Only to stutter to a stop a second later, honey eyes wide with shock.
I tense next to him, draw my bow and nock an arrow as I scan the road ahead. But all I can see are trees, tall, overgrown hedges, and the cracked tarmac ahead. Where’s the threat?
“What’s wrong?” I ask him as the group stops behind us, murmuring quietly at the sudden change of movement.
He stares for a moment, lost in thought, before shaking himself. “We made it,” he says, his voice soft and filled with awe.
My brow furrows. “Made it? Made it where—oh.”
It’s then that I realise that some of the group’s murmuring has turned into loud, excited chatter.
“Holy shit! We’re almost home!” Jerri squeals from somewhere behind.
My own excitement bubbles to the surface, erasing the frustration and anger from being ganged up on. It blends with the relief and joy surging inside me, creating a heady mix that has my head spinning and breathless laughter escaping from my lips.
We made it. Somehow we evaded the gangs and zombies and made our way home. ToHaven.
“How far are we?” I ask, unable to suppress the huge smile on my face as I turn to Rhys.
He wears a similar smile, his amber eyes brimming with happiness. “About a mile up the road.”
With that exciting revelation, he surges forward. I follow, hot on his heels, and judging from the happy squeals and laughter behind me, therest of the group aren’t far behind. My heart pounds against my chest, and my body is practically brimming with barely contained elation.
That last mile is both the longest and shortest mile of my life. Everyone is practically running, chatting and laughing, and I even hear Harlow bark excitedly from beside Alex. The woods grow thicker around us and the road changes from tarmac to a worn dirt and gravel road that’s slick with mud. It feels like we’re entering a completely different world.
And then we find it.
Haven.
A huge metal and wood gate stretches across the dirt road, blocking the view of the settlement beyond. Painted across the gate in blue paint is the name of the place,Haven, scrawled in neat handwriting. On either side are lookout towers, similar to the ones the Scourge camp had, only sturdier and with a better roof and more cover. Several people move in the towers, and dark metal glints in the winter sun. A huge wooden wall stretches out from the gate and disappears into the thick trees.
“Stop!” a voice barks from the left tower, their deep voice easily carrying on the wind. “State your name and purpose!”
Rhys halts, and everyone else follows.
“Anthony, is that you?” Theo’s joyful voice comes from my left, startling me.
I didn’t even hear him move up to me. Alex is on his other side, a massive smile on his face, and when our eyes meet, his blue eyes are sparkling with glee. Harlow prances around us, sneezing and yipping with excitement.
“Holy shit. Theo?” the voice—Anthony—shouts back.
“In the flesh! Alex and Rhys are here, too!”
“Where the fuck have you three been? We were expecting you back over a week ago!”
“Well—”
“Can we get inside before discussing this?” Rhys calls, cutting Theo off before he can answer. “There are about thirty of us out here that could do with a good meal, a shower and some rest.”
“Oh shit. Yeah, let me just open up for you.” Footsteps pound on wood, and a moment later, the gates creak open, revealing Haven.
