My knees are tucked so closely into my chest, I'm finding it difficult to breathe while my legs are aching from being fixed in the same position for such a long time. I'm facing Max but I can't see anything in the dark box we're squashed in. His breath hits my forehead as I shuffle slightly, trying to get some feeling back in my legs.

"Don't move," Max hisses. "Every time you move, you kick me in...in a place I don't want you near."

"Where exactly is that Max? I need you to be a little more specific," I tease.

"You know exactly... don't try and get me to say it out loud..." Max splutters.

Wes and Siennas' laughter from the box next to us can be heard over the rumbling engine of the truck which is taking us to our next destination. I bite my lip to stop myself from joining in with the laughter.

It's been three days since we left the factory and I've started to realise how naive Max is and how influenced he is by The State's values. The first place we stayed in, he refused to share a bed with me or Wes so I had to sleep on the hard floor with no blanket or pillow. When we all got changed in front of each other, Max looked like he was on the verge of having a seizure and the scowl I'm so familiar with makes an appearance every time he deems the content of our conversation to be inappropriate which in the presence of Sienna, is pretty much all the time. He's still here though, still with us but then, he has nowhere else to go.

"Ignore them, Max," Orla says from another box.

There's a strange divide between the five of us. Orla and Max versus Wes and Sienna while I don't fit anywhere. It's expected I guess, Max and Orla are closer in age and grew up living The State's messed up version of normal. And from what Sienna has told me, she and Wes have spent every day for the last few weeks together which means they've bonded.

I know they all like me. Years of moving, generating business and meeting new people means I've gotten good at flattering people and stroking their egos. However, all those skills only go so far. Weak friendships with no real strong bonds are easy to make. It's the deep meaningful relationships I'm worried about. To trust means to expose yourself and share your past which I have no desire to dig up and lay bare.

"This reminds me of this one time I had a client who would really enjoy-" Sienna's voice stops abruptly in response to the screeching of the brakes.

We all listen carefully to the truck door squeak open. Max holds his breath, the regular sensation of his exhaled air hitting my forehead stops. Muffled voices followed by the ripping of cardboard fills the silence.

Cool air soothes my tense muscles and shards of light make me squint until Zed's smiling face comes into focus.

"You planning on staying in there?" He chuckles.

I grab his outstretched hand. "No, I don't really enjoy being bent to the point of almost snapping in half."

"It can be very enjoyable, Cady, if you have it done by someone who knows what they're doing," Sienna winks as she smooths out her clothing.

Max tuts loudly as he scrabbles ungracefully out of the box. His look of disgust only encourages Sienna further.

Sienna smiles. "I mean it's not my favourite position like-"

Max's eyes widen, his face looks as though he's going to faint and I quickly interrupt Sienna's favourite activity of tormenting an inexperienced Max. "You'll have to tell us all about it later, Sienna. We don't want to keep Zed here too long and blow his cover."

Zed leads us out the truck towards a two-storey house which looks similar to the one we stayed in last night. However, we're not in the suburbs anymore. Large fields surround us, broken only by the occasional dense cluster of trees. A couple stand by the open door waiting for us.

Zed greets them then introduces them to us, "This is Imani and Phil. I'll leave you in there capable hands." He hands over a small envelope to them.

Turning to us, he smiles. "Good luck. I look forward to seeing you all upon you return."

Everyone slaps Zed on the back, saying a hasty goodbye. No-one wants to linger on the idea some or all of us may not return.

Zed pulls me to the side, his expression strained, "Would you do me a favour?"

"Depends what the favour is?" I say.

"Will you think about meeting mum when you get back? For me?" Zed looks at me urgently.

Did Charlie put him up to this or does he want me to get to know his mum? Or should I say our mum. A mum he obviously admires and loves but then why wouldn't he? He experienced what's considered a normal upbringing, absent of running from Officials, of loneliness, of wondering when he'd be captured and killed.

"You're very optimistic about our return," I say flatly.

Zed frowns. "You will come back if you follow the plan. So follow the plan and you can meet with mum."

I don't like the way he emphasises the word 'you'. What about the other three?

"Cady, just say you'll meet her."

"I'll think about meeting her."

"Thanks, sis." Zed hugs me and I stand stiffly, not sure how to respond. Zed senses my awkwardness and chuckles, "A little too soon to call you sis?"

"Yep, just a little," I say standing back.

"At least I'm not flirting." Zed laughs, punching me on the arm.

He waves goodbye before jumping into the van and driving away. It's only then I realise he didn't take Orla aside, didn't give her a special hug and I glance over to see her talking to Max, seemingly unfazed. Maybe, they said there goodbyes earlier but I can't figure out when. In fact, I've hardly seen Zed and Orla talk to one another. At all our meetings they spoke to everyone but each other. I guess I'll find out soon enough if Orla has a problem with Zed. Spending twenty-four hours with people means things tend to come out eventually. The problem is I don't ever want it to be my turn.