I'm really worried. The feeling increases when we ride through the entrance of a high fence and pass several people holding guns.

It's a relief to know Naturalists and Techies aren't the only survivors. It's worrying when these survivors are armed and look as though they're waiting to be attacked at any second.

Zach rides next to me, not saying a word. Are his insides being filled with the same uncomfortable dread as mine? Or is he happy to finally have met other people? Is he glad to no longer be stuck with only me as company?

On either side of the path we are cycling on, people tend to muddy fields of vegetables and straight ahead looms a tall wide building, which we are fast approaching on our bicycles. We stop in front of the building with intricately carved stone walls and multiple large glass windows. The roof has several points with large stone figures balanced on top. The others dismount and add their bicycles to a pile of others which have been discarded on the floor.

'Leave your bikes here. No one will steal them,' Bo says.

I nod, even though the idea of someone stealing them hadn't entered my mind. Why would anyone want to steal them? There's thousands of them laying unused across the world.

I drop my bicycle on the floor, and Zach takes my hand.

'What is this place?' Zach asks as we follow them to the large door of the building.

'Belonged to some super important leader or something. Not that it made any difference in the end. They still died of Virulence,' Cas says, walking beside Zach.

Bo walks next to me, and I step closer to Zach to increase the space between me and Bo. I'm being stupid, really stupid yet I can't override my natural instinct. Zach's arm goes around my waist and pulls me closer.

Cas glances down at Zach's arm around mine. 'So what happened to the rest of the people in your group? They die or something?'

'No. We left them,' I say.

'Why?' Cas arches an eyebrow.

'It was our only option,' Zach responds flatly as his body tenses next to mine.

'Cas, thanks for coming along, but you'd better go and return to your allocated duties now,' Doll says.

'What's the point? I won't have long before they ring the bell for lunch. I may as well come with you and help interrogate the newbies.'

'We're not interrogating anyone, and there's no need for us to overcrowd them. You got enough time to do some of your duties before lunch. Go on, or you'll force me to stop bringing you on any future outings,' Doll says firmly.

'Fine.' Cas huffs. She smiles at us and waves. 'See you two later.'

'I'll make sure she actually goes.' Bo nods in our direction before following Cas.

'Follow me. This place is what we call home,' Doll says, glancing at us as she pushes open the large door. 'It was a good size for the community when it was first found. Now, it's getting a little cramped. There are plans to start extending soon, maybe build some houses around the back, but we're still in the planning stage, A K A, no one can agree on what they should look like.' Doll chortles.

Inside, we walk along large wide hallways with high curved patterned ceilings. The floor is a smooth dark brown colour which blends in with the brown walls adorned with large paintings of individuals in strange clothes.

What is the point to it all?

The few people we encounter look at us inquisitively whilst giving us a friendly smile, even though we're strangers. It's odd. If this was the Naturalist settlement people wouldn't know what to do if a stranger turned up. Actually, they would. They'd run screaming back to their cabins and wait for the Council Leaders to get rid of them with their prodding sticks.

Maybe, Naturalist's are the odd ones. Maybe, smiling is a more normal response. It's definitely a nicer one.

'I'm going to introduce you to the people who currently manage this place.' Doll stops in front of a brown wooden door and knocks on it loudly. It opens, and a man stands on the other side. 'Come in, Doll.'

The room is a cluttered mess of desks, papers, books and random pieces of furniture. A woman sits at one of the many desks, looking up her gaze flickers over us to Doll, only to return again and take a longer more in-depth inspection of us. I shuffle uncomfortably, and Zach's hand tightens around mine.

At this rate, he's going to cut off the blood supply to my fingers. Does he realise I still want to be able to use my hand in the future?

The man closes the door behind us, perches himself on the edge of her desk and studies us intently.

Now, it's just getting awkward. Weren't they ever taught it's rude to stare? Or is that only a Naturalist concept?

'We found these two beauties sleeping at the old Diner. They say they're alone, and I believe them. No signs of there being others,' Doll says.

The woman raises her eyebrow. 'I'm Ethel, and this is Roman.' She gestures at the man who nods.

'What are your names and how old are you?' Ethel asks.

'Zach, seventeen.'

'Kit, sixteen.'

'Where are you from?'

Neither of us respond. Ethel crosses her arms and leans back in her chair. 'Are you runaways?'

Zach looks at me. 'We can't return to where we're from.'

There's a quick exchange of nods between the three before Ethel address us again, 'Why don't you stay here for the week? If you like it, you're welcome to remain on a more permanent basis.'

'And if we don't like it?' Zach asks.

Ethel frowns, whereas Doll grins and says, 'we'll not force you to stay, but give us a chance. We may not live in luxury, but Ethel and Roman here ensure things run as smoothly as they can, and we're always making improvements.'

Ethel nods. 'Everyone is expected to contribute to the running of this place. You'll be allocated duties, and in return you'll get food and a bed to sleep in. The rest of the time you are free to do as you wish. There are no restrictions in terms of your movements however we recommend you don't venture beyond the fences alone, for your own safety. We only have people guarding and patrolling as far as the fences around our fields.'

'Have you searched them thoroughly?' Roman asks Doll.

'Of course. No weapons. Bags contained a few plant books, sketchbooks, solar lamp, clothes, water canisters,' Doll says.

'Which of you two is interested in plants?' Roman asks.

'Me,' I say. 'I was identifying ones we came across.'

'Any other interests which may be useful to us?' Ethel asks.

'I know some basic carpentry.' I shrug.

'Great. I'll buddy you up with Haiden, she's basically your twin.' Roman smiles. 'Doll, can you take Kit to Haiden. She's in the greenhouse. We'll organise where Zach would be best placed.'

I glance at Zach. I haven't been away from him longer than a few minutes. The thought of being separated is making me panic.

I'm turning into a clingy girlfriend.

'You'll see each other at lunch. If you have any problems, one of us is always in this office,' Ethel says.

'What about sleeping arrangements?' Doll asks. 'I'm on night patrol. They can go in my room tonight until we sort out a permanent solution.'

'I don't think that would be appropriate.' Ethel frowns.

Why not? We've already done other stuff! 'We've spent the last month sleeping together,' I blurt out.

Zach chuckles under his breath and smirks. I roll my eyes in response.

'We don't allow private rooms to couples under the age of twenty.' Ethel crosses her arm. 'Unless you're pregnant. Are you pregnant, Kit?'

Ethel, Roman and Dolly look at me awaiting my response. I shake my head from side to side.

'Are you certain?' We need to know if there is any possibility you could be pregnant,' Ethel's eyes narrow.

Dolly adds, 'for medical reasons, sweetheart. That's all. We'd tell Fara, our medical person, so she could make sure you're looked after correctly.'

My face heats. I know exactly what to say to convince them but I'm one- too embarrassed and two- feels it's none of their business to know my virgin status.

'She's not. She's just finished her period,' Zach says simply.

I nod even if it's a lie. I finished over two weeks ago which Zach is fully aware of.

Ethel clears her throat. 'Kit can bunk with Haiden, Cas and Mercy. Zach will go in with Nate and Bo. Ok?'

'You're the boss,' Doll says. 'Come on, Kit. Haiden will be excited to meet you. She's been looking for someone to join her and the project she's working on. She hasn't managed to convince any of her friends to help her.'

Doll holds the door open for me, and I glance between her and Zach. I'm nervous. Zach squeezes my hand. 'I'll see you at lunch.'

'Ok.' I kiss him on the lips and he grins.

Leaving the room, I dodge around Doll so as not to touch her. I'm starting to think coming here wasn't such a good idea.

Less than an hour with other people has made me realise, I don't need anyone else. I'm quite happy when it's only me and Zach. I wish I could say that I'm certain Zach feels the same way.