Another short chapter, guys, I'm sorry. I know I haven't been updating as much. I promise the story is and will continue! At the moment it's just piecing things together. Many exciting things to come.
Laura opened her eyes the next morning, finding Jean fast asleep, her face pressed to the fluffy pink blanket. The small girl quietly got up and made a fire, getting out some of their rations and leaving them where Jean could see.
Casting the red-head a quick glance, she tied her jacket around her waist and walked across the camp into the woods.
A thick fog had rolled in during the night, shrouding the forest eerily. It was just what Laura needed—a walk. A chance to think…to remember the events that had happened. Events…that made her care so much for a person she'd only known for a week. They had trusted each other then—even if sometimes they didn't want to admit it. They…hadn't wanted to admit a lot of things. Until it had been almost too late.
Laura's dark eyes moved to the tree her hand was resting on, following the trunk up above the mist to the sky.
Sknit.
Laura's claws dug into the bark and she steadily climbed up, only stopping when she reached the top. Her gaze travelled along the stretch of forest, to the horizon. She closed her eyes, letting the cold, crisp morning breeze wash over her face and bring with it many scents.
But Laura was looking for more than the smell of earth and trees and rain, the creatures of the woods...
It came. The ever so faint trace.
She held her breath, closing her eyes and drinking it in.
"Daddy…"
And all too soon, it was gone.
She opened her eyes, blinking past the moisture that had welled up in them.
She'd dreamed last night. The same dream, his death…the blood on her hands. His blood. That she'd killed him, it was her fault. She'd broken her promise to Charles.
Why did he trust her to look after Jean? She hadn't even been able to look after him…
Laura dragged her sleeve across her eyes, slowly leaning her back against the thick branch behind her as the wind blew the leaves.
One landed on her jacket.
It was a maple leaf.
Laura sniffed, gently picking it up and turning her head over her shoulder to the edge of the trees and the mountains on the horizon.
She had to take Jean to the mountains, to safety. She would keep her safe.
And then she would go find Logan, and make sure he came back to be with them. For always.
Laura let go of the leaf and let the breeze carry it, slowly making her way down to the ground. She understood now…her daddy's decisions and choices. Why he hadn't wanted to come with her and the other children. Why he hadn't wanted to care for her.
Bad things happened to people they cared about.