Having been ushered off the train and towards the zoo Ed took stock of himself and his group, much like he suspected they all were.  His pack was a little heavy on his shoulders but it had a funny way of grounding him.  He'd done this before in a way -  he'd been on the Irvingly expedition - but the crunch of locusts beneath their feet was enough reminder that this was something completely different.  

Their group was - not what he'd expected.  He'd barely finished being baffled at the number of women that had signed up, especially the one remarkably old woman, before the zoo's gate closed ominously behind them.  Merlin's bloody beard if he was going to die here and it would be his own damn fault just for signing up.  Well, technically it would be Skeeter's fault.  That had been the final straw to Ed signing up, he couldn't let him best him.  

"Maybe we should form some kind of rank," he suggested, their clear and present reality settling in when the boy who looked hardly old enough to be there offered to lead.  "A few people at the rear to watch our backs - ideally someone who knows the zoo at the front." Between himself, Mr. Byrne, the young kid, and the professor they could have all cardinal directions covered.  Not that the girls couldn't keep watch he just... instinctively imagined them in the middle.  "And collectively agree no wandering off alone?  In this fog we'll never find you again."