The afternoon sun hung low in the sky as the day drew to a close. Muscles throbbing, I traversed the rooftops and headed towards my hideout.

I had spent as long as possible at Joey's today, training. It was getting harder and harder not to say anything about him to the others. Henry seems to never even get up anymore, just lies there in the bunk. The situation has made Georgia more moody which causes frequent arguments with Anna. It is most definitely not a nice, relaxing space to go home to anymore.

It took longer than usual for me to get to the skylight that led to my hideout. My body seemed to instinctively slow it's movements so that my journey would take as long as physically possible.

Taking a deep breath and squarely setting my shoulders, I lifted the hatch.

The soft glow of a lantern illuminated Anna snuggled on the couch with a bowl of steaming, hot noodles and a romance novel. Some baubles had been hung up on the walls to celebrate Christmas. A mini plastic tree was set on the table in the middle of the room. Heat wafted up from the aga in the little kitchenette that we kept on low for warmth in the winter months. The bunkbeds were made and the small pile of dirty dishes had been cleared. There was no sign of Georgia or Henry and their bags had gone.

Relief filled me at the revelation even as guilt wriggled up at my happiness. They had needed support because they thought Joey was gone. It was why they stayed with me. However, I had left them to their misery.

Now they were gone and I was relieved. What kind of a friend am I?

I dropped down, causing Anna to jump.

"Aagh! Emma!" She screamed, one hand clutching at her chest.

"Hello," I greeted innocently while smiling sweetly and offloading my weapons onto the ground.

Anna glared at me, narrowing her eyes.

"You did that on purpose," she stated in an accusing tone, setting her food and book down.

Smirking I joked, "You can't prove anything!"

Snarling she leapt over the back of the sofa and stalked towards me. My aching muscles bunched, ready for sudden movements as I edged away. Eyes narrowing, we sized each other up.

Anna darted forward, reaching her arms out to grab me. Squealing, I ducked under the outstretched limbs and sprinted to hide behind the ratty couch. Twin grins stretched uncontrollably across our flushed faces as we played the childish game.

As I made a run for the chicken hutch Anna tackled me to the ground, knocking the air out of my lungs. Breathing heavily, I rolled onto my back and lay there. My muscles relaxed and my eyelids sagged.

"Wake up!" Yelled he irritated voice of Anna as she slapped me in the face.

Groaning in response, I swatted at her arm that was raised threateningly.

"Emma," she hissed, drawing out my name in warning.

"Fine," I grunted and sprawled onto the sofa.

Anna curled up next to me and grabbed her cooling food. Expectant eyes watched me as she began to eat. It had been like this a while ago. When I had still refused to take her with me on jobs. Everyday she made noodles or pasta for our dinner with her limited knowledge or cookery skills. While eating we would discuss everything about our days.

Nostalgic warmth tingled through my body as a sense of belonging settled on my skin.

"Where are Henry and Georgia?" I asked, grabbing the pan filled with the remaining noodles and a spoon.

Smiling as I sat back down, Anna replied, "It was weird! Henry suddenly sat up in his bunk which scared the hell out of me. Then he turned into a housewife: making breakfast, replacing the bedding, doing the clothes washing and cleaning literally everything. Bam! Tidyness!"

She waved her arms and gestured energeticly to the room before continuing, "He then packed his bag and Georgia followed suit. I think he decided to get on life with life instead of wallowing. They said they'd see us around."

"It seems quiet now. I don't know whether I like it or not," I murmured, spooning a large heap of noodles into my mouth.

Anna looked at me in disbelief.

"Ok fine. I like it," I whispered, shrugging my shoulders.

"You like it. I like it. Life's good," Anna grinned, holding her spoon up as if it was a holy object.

"The best."