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5

  Since meeting the brothers Rachel had killed twice. She didn't regret either death, maybe that was John's influence. Neither would keep her up at night, because this was how the world was now. It was kill or be killed and she was intent on staying alive and keeping the brothers alive; her brothers now. It wasn't a conventional family but it was one she was grateful to be part of.

  They followed John out of the station. He pointed at the Humvee and the adorning corpses littering the vehicle and the car park.

  "What do you think?" he said.

  "Subtle," his brother said. "And I bet you want to keep the turret don't you?"

  John didn't answer – of course he did.

  "Fine," Charlie conceded, and left his brother to clean up the dead cluttering their new car.

  Rachel took the time alone to check him over. In her old life she had been a doctor and Charlie had never looked so much like a patient before. His split lip and swollen face were a clear sign that he could have damaged himself elsewhere. She inspected him, checking his neck and his ribs. There was nothing to cause her major alarm.

  "Satisfied doctor?" he said.

  "I think you'll live. Does it hurt?"

  "Of course not," he lied.

  She was concerned, he didn't need to cope with any more pain.

  "Don't worry," he said. "I lost my medication."

  Before he could protest she drew him near. "Then let me help." Pain and addiction started in the mind and that was her domain. She could take away the agony for a little while, but for someone like Charlie that was a waste of time. Instead she pushed an idea he could build on; you can cope, you can do this. When she pulled away he looked brighter. He didn't say anything, he just gave her a grateful smile.

  "Are we really going to drive around in that?" she asked, nodding at the Humvee.

  "John's got a thing about military vehicles."

  "What about our car?"

  "We leave it here."

  "John!" Rachel suddenly called. "Can you get the bodies out of the way?"

  From the back of the Humvee John scowled.

  "There's kids inside and as much as I appreciate your creativity I think they've seen enough for one day."

  Charlie smirked at her. "Come on," he told her and led her back inside.

  The diners were still fixed in their seats.

  "They're in shock," Rachel told him.

  "Can you snap them out of it?"

  "I'll try."

  She went to the man first and took his hand, leading him away from his dead partner.

  "What's your name?" she asked.

  "Richard," he replied in a trance.

  "Okay Richard, what was your partner's name?"

  "Francis."

  "Listen to me closely Richard. Francis is gone now and I know it is very sad, but you need to leave him here. It is time to say goodbye. And you see that lady and her children over there? They've lost someone they love too. And they are all alone. You need to be brave now Richard. You need to be brave for Francis."

  He nodded, the gravity of her words cementing in his mind. Still holding onto his hand, she led him towards the mother. She knelt down and smiled at her.

  "Hello, this is Richard. We're going to give Richard our car and you can go with him. Take the children and get them out of here. Can you do that?"

  "They murdered my husband," she said.

  "I know. I'm sorry. But you have to think about your children now. Get them to safety." Get them out of here.

  She nodded and rose, taking Richard's hand. "I'm Daisy," she said to him.

  "There's food in the kiosk," Charlie said. "Take whatever you need." He tossed the keys to Richard. "The car is full and there is more fuel in the boot. There are guns in the car park. Take what you find. Take them West until you get off the motorway." He shook Richard's hand.

  "Why are you helping us?" Richard asked, still dazed.

  Charlie glanced at Rachel and smiled. "Because we're not all like them. Good luck."