Before you read the chapter, I'd just like to say that I'm sorry for being away for so long!! So much has happened since I've been gone, but hopefully now I will be back for good!! I'm really going to try to keep up with my writing- maybe drop a comment if you're still interested in reading this book!

Thanks!! XX

Chapter 7

A gentle stillness was embracing the dorm when I awoke, my eyes peeling open. It was dark inside, but a small beam of light poked through the single window, illuminating the contents. I lay, staring at the ceiling and enjoying the calm that was surely before a storm.

It was warm under the thick layer of blankets, but a sharp chill was battering at the side of my leg which was poking out from the cover. I knew that I needed to brace myself for the cold, but I could still savour the few moments of warmth first.

The last week and been filled with fitful sleep, waking to see Jake or Benji watching over me. It was odd, albeit comforting, how much time they had spent with me, just watching me sleep.

Today was better. The aching didn't feel so severe, and my head was no longer banging with pain.

Pulling myself up with my arms, I let the blankets fall so they were huddled at my waist. The cool air sent a shiver down my spine, but I grabbed a jumper that was neatly folded at the side of the bed mat.

I tugged it over my head and pulled the hood up.

By the sounds of the camp outside, it must be early evening. The smell of the roaring campfire mingled with vegetable soup, and for the first time in days my stomach rumbled.

I jumped up, hopping over the other bed mats and blankets until I reached the door. I paused.

Taking a deep breath, I dragged it open, my eyes squinting at the light.

The sun was low in the sky, the light golden around me. Everything looked so much better in this shade, and even the land filled with nothing looked so beautiful.

My hair had always seemed to change to an auburn colour in this light, its usual dull brown becoming much more enchanting. I liked to have auburn hair- it was different.

A crowd was gathered around the campfire, chewing on food and chatting with jolly laughs. Seeing the newbies immersed in camp culture brought a smile to my face. It really was wonderful.

"Cass!" an excited voice brought me out of my own mind.

My head snapped in the direction that it had come, eyes searching for the child that it belonged to.

Jake jumped up from his chair, now made aware of my presence. He ran over, skipping over a stray bench in the process. He skidded to a halt in front of me, a cloud of dust filling the air around his feet.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked. He was standing so close that I could feel his breath on my face, gently tickling my forehead.

"Absolutely perfect," I replied with a shrug. "A little hungry though."

"Of course!" he grabbed my hand and tugged me to the area that he was sat. Jessa brought over a bowl of soup, the contents almost overflowing down the side. But she expertly carried it, carefully dodging children and not spilling any at all.

She waited until I had settled down, before gently placing it in my hands, the heat almost burning me.

Taking a large mouthful, I savoured the taste of the fresh vegetables and herbs. Nothing ever tasted this good in the city- it was always swimming with preservatives.

"Thank you, Jessa," I told her, watching her nod her head and trudge back to her own friends, who were all gathered around the soup pan.

"Jake, I think it's time to hold a meeting." He cocked his head at me, considering the request. "I need to know what's been going on around here." I explained.

He jumped up on a bench behind me, his arms shooting out and his quick reflexes showing when it tumbled over. He landed on his knees, his cheeks flaming and eyes pointing towards the ground.

I clapped my hands, a smirk covering my mouth. He had successfully gained the attention of all of the children, but the embarrassment would surely hunt him down later.

After a shocked silence, laughter seemed to travel across the children. First, it was just a few boys giggling, but soon the whole of camp were in stitches. Benji was by far the loudest.

Once the laughing had calmed down, I cleared my throat, trying desperately not to look at Jakes flushed cheeks.

"So, as I haven't been around for a week, I need an update on everything that has happened." I told them.

My eyes travelled from face to face expectantly, but all I received were blank looks.

"Okay, any technological updates?" I asked Isaac. He shook his head, eyes not leaving the spot of dirt on the floor that he was staring intently at. Isaac was lovely when alone, but the minute more than two eyes were watching, he seemed to freeze up.

Whilst his social skills may have been less than desirable, he was excellent at anything involving technology. It had been his idea to connect to the city's water pipes, and he was brilliant at designing useful things.

"Alright," I told him. I turned to the head gardener. "Anything happening in the gardens?"

"Plants are being grown," he smirked. I rolled my eyes.

"So, nothing interesting?" I pushed.

"Not a thing."

A few more people added some input, but it seemed that camp had run extremely smoothly. It was slightly disconcerting that nothing had run amiss- perhaps my leadership was valued more highly than necessary. I had always thought that camp would fall apart if I wasn't around, and although I was glad that it hadn't, I felt slightly sheepish for thinking so greatly of myself.

"So, no newbies?" I asked Jake. He shook his head.

"We've been to check twice, but it seems that Benji's group are still the last outcasts." He reported.

I narrowed my eyes. No newbies meant something was happening in the city. And that couldn't be a good thing.

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