Zak POV--

I came down the stairs and whistled for Gracie but was still stood by myself. Normally after a single whistle she came to me.

"Gray?!" I called out. Aaron came out the kitchen with a sandwich in his hand.

"Ri took her for a walk." He answered chewing his food at the same time.

"Oh. Did she?"

"Yeah. About 2 hours ago. Think they went into the woods." He shrugged.

Oh, well that was nice of her, perhaps she missed Logan more than anyone knew. Plus finding her with Gracie this morning cuddled up pulled at a little heart string of my own.

"Hey we're gonna head out fishing with this moody weather apparently it's good for the fish. You coming?" Aaron asked.

"Nah you all go on ahead, make a day of it. I got some work here. I'll get the wood for fire pit as well whilst you're gone for tonight." I answered.

"Really?" Aaron frowned suspiciously.

"Yeah, why what's up with you?" I asked amused.

"Just your helpfulness.. I don't think I can cope with it." He laughed.

"Get on. All of you." I kicked them out and watched Ash, Jay, Billy, Diana, Bacon and Aaron get seated on the boat.

There wasn't enough room even if myself and Maria wanted to go. As they left I was stood in the kitchen left to my own devices.

I decided to make some lunch for Maria for when she came back, as a thank you. I also kinda hoped that I could work in my apology..

I was still determined to say it, I mean if that scars her face for life she'll never forgive me. We're speaking now but it's hard for her, I can see that much and last night was only alcohol influenced with a hint of sadness and problems.

Maybe she'd open up a little over lunch?

2 hours soon turned to 4 and my stomach had an uneasy feeling. I knew it weren't from dinner last night.

Leaving a note I grabbed my coat and headed off into the woods just in case.. You should never go in alone on unfamiliar ground but they had a trail pegged and markered out. So hopefully finding them and getting out won't be to hard.

I called for Gracie and Maria but got no answer from either, normally Gracie would have barked at the very least.

A solid hour of walking I looked around. I called out again and heard a groan. My eyes began searching frantically coming away from the trail.

"MARIAA!!" I yelled.

"D-down here!" She called back. Following her voice I found her in a ditch, her clothes covered in mud with a cut on her head.

"Shit!" I got down carefully and went to her side checking on her.

"S-she wouldn't come back. Did you get her?" Maria asked looking up at me as I checked her forehead. She had a small cut but it wasn't anything drastic.

"What?" I asked.

"Gracie. You whistled for her. Did you get her?" She asked holding her head.

"No, I didn't.. Did you pass out?"

"I.. Maybe I don't know. Move."

I got a little push and she got up looking around. I watched as she got herself up out the ditch and began walking.

"W-where the hell are you going?" I asked following her.

"To get Gracie. She's ran off. Didn't you whistle for her?" She asked.

"You've been done nearly 5 hours." I replied making her freeze and blink.

"What? Shit Zak come on."

I followed behind her calling for Gracie, normally by now she would have came to me but we were getting deeper into the woods on the trail with no sign of my dog!

"We must be nearly out the clearing.. Look." Maria pointed ahead. The trees were thinning and so was my patience. I just wanted to know Gracie was okay!

We walked through the woods onto a smaller plot of land which held a small cabin.

"The hunters cabin." I confirmed.

"Huh?"

"Aaron said there's a hunters cabin.. We found it." I gestured towards it.

"Oh. Well it better have a collie inside or I'm outta there. Unless there's drink. Alcoholic drink at that." Maria answered.

As we approached I noticed the small track leading up to it. At least we could find a road and walk on that back rather than through the woods again.

I opened the door by the latch and pushed it opened, I poked my head inside but Maria went straight in.

"There's nobody here. Damn Gracie where did you go?!" She huffed.

I watched Maria look around and find a crate of bottled water. Cracking one open she nearly downed the whole thing.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Fine. Great. Go-" she was cut off from the rumble of thunder over our heads and then came the rain.

"Brilliant." I muttered.

"You stay here and I'll go look for her." Maria spoke heading to the door.

"Uh no the hell you won't. We stay put until this has passed." I answered looking out.

"It's a little bit of thunder. I won't be long."

"Maria!" I growled making her stop.

"B-but we need I find her Zak." She answered getting upset.

"We will.. She will run back or even here. She's not a daft dog, trust me."
I replied.

With a nod she closed the door and sat on a stool.

"You always this dirty?" I asked looking at her mud caked clothes.

"Eat shit I'm not in the mood for your winding up." She answered.

"Well this is going to be a long afternoon then." I replied.

"Fine. I'm sorry but I'm more concerned for her welfare right now." She answered.

After a rummage around I found a first aid box and touched the kettle. "Someone has been here. It's still warm." I frowned.

"Well they better not have take Gracie I'll hunt them down." She muttered.

I got on a pair of latex gloves and pulled out some swabs and gauze.

"Patch me up then Dr Bagans." She answered sitting back to let me get to her head.

I cleaned her head up as she sat in silence watching me.

"You okay?" I asked.

"I'm sorry for saying that about your gran."   I stopped cleaning her head and looked at her as that took me off guard.

"It was disgusting of me to even mention her in an argument. It was wrong of me and I hope you'll accept my apology along with the promise of never mentioning her again."

I looked at Maria who's brown eyes reminded me of Gracie's when she was a puppy. Just looking for a little love and someone to care for her.

"I accept it. As long as you accept my dearest apology for hurting your face.. Maria I threw it in rage at the container I didn't think of the impact and you being so close. For that I'm sorry.."

"I deserved it. I was being nasty. I wasn't raised to be nasty or evil but I was."

I disagreed "You didn't deserve that."

"If you say so.. Can't say I agree with you." She replied.

I used the sterile wipes to clean her face off and smiled "There. You'll do I suppose."

"Thank you."

"So after those apologies are we friends again?" I asked.

"Hell no. You've got an annoying face and we were never friends to begin with." She answered.

I looked at Maria who held a pout before she winked.

"Good. Cause you've lost my dog." I replied.

"Okay. That wasn't funny. I'm concerned.. I'm really worried for her, Zak." She answered.

I was about to answer when my phone rang. It was Aaron.

'Hello?'

'Bro where are you and Ri?'

'We're looking for Gracie, she ran off.'

'She's here. Covered in mud but she's here.' He replied.

"What's he saying?!" Maria whispered.

"They had Gracie." I answered.

"Oh thank god." She answered putting her head into her hands.

'Where are you two then?'

'Hunters cabin. I'll explain when we get back.'

'Alright bro. Just hold off until the storms gone over.'

'Roger that.' I answered and hung up.

"Good news Gracie is fine, but muddy." I answered before looking up from my phone.

"Good." Maria sniffled.

"Don't do that.. Whatever is about to happen." I pointed at her.

"Shut up you idiot." She wiped her face looking away from me.

"How's your head?" I asked.

"Hurts, I feel like I could sleep for a week and want a hot bath. Then warm blankets curled up in the couch with that bleeding dog so that I know she won't disappear." She answered stifling a yawn.

"Sounds nice."

"Yeah well you're not invited." She answered.

"You don't play fair." I mumbled.

"Suck it up sweetheart." She replied with a little smile.