I had sat up, my lungs desperate for fresh air, but before I could take a proper breath two figures wrapped themselves around me, not letting go. All I could see was an entwined mass of glossy, raven-black hair and neat, short, brown hair. I felt two sets of arms gripping tightly around me. Then a memory started to form. I remembered plaiting a black mane and then cutting it choppily later on. I could feel the ghost of it tangled in my fingers. Another memory of standing next to someone, looking out over an army of rebel soldiers, rose in my mind. Then a name took shape.

"Rose?" My voice was scratchy and sounded raw. One of the figures clung tighter to me.

"Emma," she sobbed. I pushed her away and held her arms length.

"Rose? Is it you? Honestly?" She laughed through her tears as she nodded and I pulled her back into a hug.

"I've missed you so much!" Her voice was muffled but I could hear the joy in it. I held her tightly, just savouring the moment.

"And.....Dan?" I tested out the name. The other figure grinned so brightly that I thought I might go blind.

"Yes Emma, it's me. And after all this time, you're back. Rose I can't believe it! We did it! She's back!" I laughed at how excited he was but it was contagious and soon Rose was spinning around the truck. Dan leaned down and whispered, with a look on amazement on his face, that he hadn't seen Rose like this for two years. I looked at him surprised.

"Two years? Dan.... have I....?" I swallowed nervously. "How long was I out Dan?" He looked shifty. "The truth, please?"

Rose stopped dancing around the truck and came over, instantly serious. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a figure huddled in the corner looking amused at Rose, but I forgot about it as soon as Dan started speaking. He and Rose came and sat on the table-bed next to me and told me everything, starting with just after I was shot and ending with us joining the caravan of vehicles leaving the city. I just sat there staring at him, taking everything in. While he told the story he only glanced up at few times, mainly focusing on his hands or gazing off into the past. When he fell quiet I struggled to stand up and then almost toppled over as I tested out my legs. I hobbled over to the back of the truck. I opened the upper half of the door.

Behind us were a few more cars and lorries but beyond them in the distant was our city. As I gazed out at it I saw a low cloud of dust steadily making its way through the streets and heard a distant rubble. If I closed my eyes I could have pretended it was thunder. A melancholy feeling settled over me as my memories of growing up and loving and fighting for this city flooded my mind. But as I also thought about the machine that had invaded our city and destroyed two others (and possibly more), a seed of seething hate was planted in my gut. I was not going to let this happen again. I was going to protect my people and save others from suffering before this mechanical monster. Unnoticed by me, Rose and Dan had come over while I was lost in thought. The former had slipped her hand into mine and the latter had placed his arm over my shoulders. I breathed a sigh and faced back into the truck.

It was then that I realised we weren't alone in the back of the vehicle. The figure in the corner looked up as we came over to the benches lining the space. His expression was wary and curious at the same time. I smiled.

"Rook. Glad to see you're still sociable." He went red and looked down at his lap as he muttered an apology, hiding a grin. Pushing aside my sorrowful feelings, I chuckled. Rose crept around me and sat down. She shoved Jay lightly on his arm and I warmed me to see them messing around.

"You should be thanking Jay, not teasing him," Rose mock scolded. "He's the one who found the correct key."

"Of course. I am so sorry Jay. It could have never been my incompetent sister who woke me up." Rose stuck her tongue out at me as I winked at her. I went to sit next to Dan, opposite the others. The truck swayed slightly as we rolled across the rough roads. As we began to climb up into the Highlands, the roads became tracks and jolted us around. Eventually we reached the meeting point. The vehicle swerved to a stop as we pulled inline with the others that had already arrived.

Dan took the lead and lept out the back but as soon as we recognised what we were looking at, we all stood still, awestruck. In front of us was the entire population of the city gathered in shell-shocked groups. Then one person spotted us and let out a shout. Dan's team broke away from the others and raced towards us, whooping with joy. As they approached, they realised that it was me standing on the ridge next to Dan, and gasps of disbelief were heard. Then a shout started up. They were yelling "Emma is back! Emma is back!" Soon the call had spread around all the people gathered and everyone congregated in front of us.

I noticed Rose and Jay move to stand to the side as Dan and I faced the people we had guarded and fought with, for the first time since that fateful battle. Despite the horrific memories of violence that were creeping back into my mind, I felt comfortable and secure to be back where I was most often: surrounded by my people, preparing to help organise our future. I stepped forward and silence fell.

"After two years, I am awake! And it's time to restart again. I am sorry I was not with you but I am determined to rebuild our lives and our city. That is, if you are still willing for me to lead you?" As I handed the question to the eagar crowd, it erupted with shouts of encouragement and support. I am sure that I also heard a cry of "Of course! Don't be stupid!" I let out a victorious laugh. I reached for Dan's hand and held it above us, as a sign of unity and confidence. I turned to see Rose grinning at me with pride, and Jay trying to hide his excitement. It really was thrilling to be awake and alive in this world, with Dan by my side again, my sister to laugh with, and our people to survive with.

"Alright! Let's do it! We shall return and restart! Stronger than before!"

I dropped our hands and turned to my sister, Jay and Dan.

"So, what first partners?"