Their clothes dropped in piles on the bank of the spring as Najia, Leah, Abigail, Penny, Maru, Haley, Emily, and Sandy hurried in to the warm water. They waded in until the water just barely reached their hips and settled in on the rocks scattered around the spring, sitting until they were submerged.
The water was refreshing on Najia's skin. She leaned back and closed her eyes happily. She wiggled her toes and sighed.
Leah tossed still packaged shavers across the spring to each of them and they tore through them eagerly. They lifted their legs and passed around bars of soap, scrubbing until their legs foamed.
"I can't remember the last time my legs felt this nice," Haley said dreamily.
"Probably at the beach before the invasion," Emily said.
"I can actually wear a bikini again!"
Sandy laughed. "Wear it tomorrow when you're digging in the dirt all day. Give us something to look at, anyway."
"The guys won't get anything done if she does that," Emily said.
"Especially with these legs," Haley said proudly, lifting her smooth legs out of the water. "Hello again, girls."
"Don't forget the man pits," Leah pointed out. "I can actually wear a tank top now."
"And pluck our brows," Penny added.
"Shampoo?" Maru offered, passing the bottle around.
They washed their hair eagerly, not caring when the shampoo stung their eyes. The burning was a familiar pain from before the invasion. They splashed water at their faces to clear the soap and rinse their hair before settling in to enjoy the hot water.
When they finished, they stepped out of the spring to dry off with the towels John had provided them earlier. They wrapped their hair and dressed themselves before making their way south, back into town.
"So," Leah started as they made the short walk back. "Roomies, anyone?"
"I'm with Emily," Sandy said, taking her hand. "I guess Haley can bunk with us, too." She winked at Haley.
"Well, I'm not going to live alone," Haley snapped. "I don't know if I trust anyone here that much, yet."
"I'll likely just stay with my dad," Maru said. "He's scared enough as it is. It will make things sort of normal, anyway."
"Must be nice to have a family to live with," Abigail muttered.
"C'mon, Abs," Leah said. "You're rooming with me."
"Me and you, then?" Najia said, turning to Penny.
"Seeing as I'm your only option," Penny muttered.
"Not at all," Najia said. "I could crash with Leah, or even my grandfather. But, if you'd rather be alone…"
"No," she said quickly. "You have survival skills, and I don't. You're wth me."
Najia laughed. "I'll teach ya," she said. She patted the gun in her pocket. "We'll shoot shit some time."
Penny stared at Najia's pocket, then met her gaze and forced a hesitant smile. "Shooting guns, sure. Sounds fun."
They approached the community center, illuminated by a large fire just outside where the guys stood. They turned to the women as they approached.
"Hair in towels," Alex said, looking them up and down. "Dammit, we missed the bath party."
"Hilarious," Leah snarled at him.
"Would have been too dark for you to see, anyway," Emily pointed out.
Alex shrugged. "Don't worry, I've got a good imagination."
They rolled their eyes, practically in sync with each other.
"Now, now," Elliott said. "Leave the ladies alone."
"Yeah, Alex," Sam joined in. "Stop being a dog."
"Give him a break," Haley said, coming to his defense. She put her hand on his arm as she walked by. "He can't control himself around pretty girls." She winked at him as she went into the community center.
Shane whistled playfully. "There you go, Alex," he said. "Someone who actually wants you."
"Someone you haven't scared off, yet," Sam muttered.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll figure it out soon enough," Shane said, drinking his beer.
"Haley doesn't need another asshole man in her life," Elliott said. "Stay away from her."
Alex raised his hands in defense. "Hey," he hissed. "No one's going after anyone."
"By Yoba," Marlon practically shouted to them. He, Gil, and John had been observing so quietly, the others had forgotten that they were there. "I've never seen a hornier group of people."
"It's like a college campus," Gil muttered.
John shifted uncomfortably. "Well, this has been great," he said, clearing his throat. He turned to leave, pausing for a moment and looking back over his shoulder. "Just remember, if anyone fucks with my granddaughter, I'll bring you into the woods and introduce you to Betsy."
They turned to Najia, their expressions a combination of confusion and fear.
"Betsy?" Sam asked.
Najia smiled. "His Winchester 12 gauge shotgun."
"My Sharps, Jane, could do the trick, too," John said. "But it would be more fun to watch you boys blow to bits."
They watched as he disappeared into the night and stepped carefully away from Najia.
"Jeez," Alex muttered. "Don't piss him off."
"Don't worry," Najia assured them. "I don't need him to fight my battles." Once more, she patted the gun in her pocket and shot them a sly smile.
"Guess crazy runs in the family," Alex said.
"Watch out," Leah warned him as they made their way into the community center. "Wouldn't want you to get your ass kicked by a girl."
Najia patted Dusty on the head as they passed. She took her hair out of her towel, fluffing it with her fingers, and looked over her shoulder, catching Shane's gaze before she closed the door behind them.