Smalls, Emma, Heather, Picket and Heyna started doing shifts of one person staying with the little ones and two out on a patrol. The children were starting to get used to this life. 

It was a month since the parents and everyone had disappeared. The people who had gone to look for food such as Jo, Cole and a few others had not returned and Smalls thought he might never see his other family members or even another human other than the kids and Emma and Heather again.

Smalls was walking in the forest alone. He had said he wanted a little walk but Emma had objected.”What you are captured and we don’t know?! 

“I will be careful and yell loud and I will take that wooden spear I made. 

Smalls grabbed it and walked out of the clearing.

The had not found a good place to make a hideout but smalls knew they would find one soon.

He walked up a small hill and looked down at a place that had been walked through. Strange maybe Heather or Emma came this way on a patrol. Smalls didn’t really know but he decided to follow the trail. He followed if for a long time and came to the road. He couldn’t see the bus and the road was empty. Smalls decided to head back. It was getting darker by the time he made it back to the clearing.

“What took you so long me and Heyna were about to go looking for you! Smalls looked at Emma. “I found a trail that led to the road. Have you guys gone to the road recently? Heather looked at Emma and Emma looked at Picket who looked at Heyna.”No,”they all said in unison.

Smalls didn’t know whether to tell them that they could be found or keep it to himself. We have to be more careful. Someone is watching us and they could come at any time. My job is to keep everyone safe and that is what I am going to do.