Chapter 24: Set at Ease
KATHERINE
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Morning always arrived before I was ready for it. Sleep had become little more than a formality another task to complete before the next one demanded my attention. The search party would leave within the hour, and although I wasn't among those crossing the shelter's gates today, the responsibility of making sure they returned safely still rested heavily on my shoulders.
Planning was my battlefield. Hog would lead the mission once they ventured beyond the walls. Everything before that belonged to me. And if there was one man I trusted with lives beyond these gates, it was Hog. The man was a force of nature. I'd seen him bring down opponents twice his size without breaking rhythm. If twenty armed men stood in his way, I'd wager on Hog before I'd wager on the odds. Which was exactly why he was captain. The mission roster lay neatly on my desk, every name reviewed more times than necessary.
Search Party
1. Hog — Captain
2. Thomas
3. Dameon
4. Ian
5. Leila
My stomach made a knot looking at the name ,
6. James
...and nineteen others. My eyes lingered on James's name. Only days ago he had still been completing advanced training, yet his skill with a bow bordered on absurdity. Watching him loose arrows felt less like witnessing practice and more like watching instinct itself. It was enough to earn him a place on today's team. Twenty four soldiers and Leila . Twenty five lives. Twenty five chances to lose someone. I folded the list before my thoughts could wander any further. Outside, the transport truck waited in silence. It was large enough to carry the entire team alongside crates of ammunition, medical supplies, food, water, fuel, and emergency equipment. Every mission was planned as though we'd return the following day. Reality rarely cared about plans. If something went wrong...
Three days' worth of supplies might become the only thing standing between survival and death. I tied my hair into its usual bun, adjusted my gloves, and stepped outside. Cold air greeted me immediately. As I crossed the shelter toward the central courtyard, a knot tightened inside my chest. Keep it together. This mission isn't about you.
By the time I reached the gathering point, most of the soldiers had already assembled. Then I saw them. Caine.
Leila. Standing together. Talking. Laughing.
My fingers curled into a fist before I even realized it. Really? For months , years, even . I had watched Caine bury every emotion beneath duty. Nothing ever seemed capable of reaching him. Yet somehow... She already had. A bitter knot twisted deeper in my stomach. Without another thought, I turned to leave. Then I saw Hog. I hadn't even heard him approach. He didn't say a word. He simply met my eyes and gave me a look. One look that said "Don't". I exhaled slowly. He was right. Damn him for always being right. Straightening my shoulders, I turned back and walked toward them. "Caine," I said evenly, "may I have a moment alone with Leila?" His smile disappeared almost instantly. For a fleeting second, hesitation crossed his face. As though he wondered whether I might hurt her. The realization stung more than I cared to admit. I couldn't even blame him. Yesterday, I hadn't exactly welcomed her with open arms. After a brief pause, Caine nodded and stepped aside.
I shifted my attention to Leila. "Walk with me." She obeyed immediately. Her feet moved before she'd even processed the request. The Reestablishment really did break her. For several moments we walked in silence. I could practically feel the tension radiating from her. "It's alright," I finally said, keeping my voice calm. "I'm not going to bite you." She glanced at me cautiously. "I know my reaction yesterday put us on the wrong foot." I sighed. "But understand something." "My doubts are just as valid as your confession." "You want to save people." "So do I." The rigidness in her shoulders eased ever so slightly. "I understand," she replied quietly. "It must be difficult to trust someone who worked for the Reestablishment." She stopped walking and met my gaze directly. "But you have to believe me, Ms. Katherine." "I never wanted any of it." "I only did what I was forced to do." "And now..." She swallowed.
"I'll do whatever I can to help these people." I studied her. Her eyes. Her posture. The tremor in her voice. Years of reading people had taught me one lesson above all else Fear could be faked. Regret rarely could. She's telling the truth. Trusting her completely would still be reckless , foolish as one might say , Refusing to give her a chance would make me a hypocrite.
I drew a slow breath. "Alright, Leila." A small smile found its way onto my face. "I look forward to working with you." Relief flooded her expression almost instantly.
"But for now," I continued, "I have supplies to organize before the convoy leaves." She nodded. "I understand." As she walked back toward the others, I headed for the supply depot. Crate after crate lined the shelves. Food. Medical kits. Ammunition.
Weapons. Emergency tools. Everything our soldiers might need if one night outside these walls became three. Hopefully...
It wouldn't come to that. One by one, I hauled the heavy crates from storage and stacked them beside the transport truck.
The work was exhausting. Which was precisely why I welcomed it. Physical labor had a way of drowning thoughts that refused to stay buried. By the time the final crate sat outside the depot, sweat clung to the back of my neck despite the cold morning air. I rested my hands on the box and closed my eyes for a brief moment.
Finally. A little silence. Footsteps echoed behind me. I let out a quiet breath without turning. "So much for alone time."
Slowly... I turned around.
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and then Add to home screen.