Some stores were still open for business. Makeshift markets, peddled wares. We'd been travelling by train for days incognito, a small band of thieves trying to reach the north-east coast where we could decide whether a) the chunnel was safe enough or b) we'd have to find a way over sea.

I was trying hard not to get too attached to anyone, particularly Case, younger than us. She seemed to like me and she was also the most savvy. She knew where we were headed, what to look out for, and she had a great gut instinct for dangerous situations. I trusted her and I guess I wanted to protect her. We sat next to each other on the train, always one of us awake while the other slept.

We stopped off at Newtown, where we'd have to wait six hours for the next train for the next leg. We stuck together and went window shopping. Case wanted to try on some clothes, reminiscing about the times when that kind of activity was fun or normal. We all went into a clothing store and we were as wary of the staff as they were of us. I felt as though we were being watched even more than usual, and I would have left the store except Case hadn't said anything, and her instinct was far better than mine. While she was browsing through some shirts, a shop assistant came over to us. She asked for ID and she then turned her full attention to Case, staring at her. She spoke a little more slowly: "I am going to ask you five questions. I want you to answer them." I couldn't believe it was happening. I hoped that maybe Case would laugh and we'd leave and get back to the train and just travel again, travel anywhere, I didn't care where. Case didn't smile, she just said, "OK." I stepped away, one step, and the shop assistant steeled herself. I looked around for the rest of our group and waved them over. Case wasn't answering the questions with real words. It was time for us to leave. I had a minute pang of heartbreak for one second and then I suppressed it.