Footsteps were heard as the group looked up and saw Julia approach. She looked around the group. "I suppose we should be hospitable. You should stay here the night, it is not wise for you all to be walking around at this hour," Julia said. "Its fine. We've been through worse situations, we should get going…" Cain said, looking at his group.
Julia sighed. "I admire your integrity, but have you ever been in this part of the forest? I think you should trust us on this one," Julia said. "Well, thank you. But I get the feeling we are still strangers," Cain said, shooting Rodney a glare, who returned one. Julia looked at Rodney and sighed. "To be honest with you, I wasn't the one who requested your stay," Julia said, looking at Cain.
"Didn't you just-"
"Aiden asked," Julia cut off Cain. Cain stared at her for a second. "Aiden did?" he asked. "I guess having a few men in the house makes him feel…different. I'm sure you'll be able to relate to him in ways Rodney and myself cannot," Julia said with a small smile. "So are we…on good terms then?" Cain asked, placing his hand on his gun. Julia raised her eyebrows. "For now, but might I suggest you learn to negotiate without your gun? Its kind of annoying," Julia said, in a flat tone.
Cain turned red in slight embarrassment. Julia smiled knowingly. "Rodney and I could lay out a few extra beds for the night. There are three down the chamber if you two ladies and the young man would like to sleep there," Julia said. She turned to Cain and Glitch. "You two could use my bed and Rodney's bed if you'd like. Rodney and I are going to be keeping watch all night anyway, since were going to be watching over the remains of the city. Baguns usually make one last sweep of the area," Julia said, with an unreadable expression. Rodney heaved herself off the floor.
"She is right, go ahead you guys. Our beds are in the same room as Aiden's. Hope you guys don't mind," Rodney said, looking over at Glitch. "No, no, no, no. Aiden seems like a sweet kid," Glitch said with a smile. Rodney returned the smile.
After showing Cain and Glitch to their rooms, Rodney joined Julia standing outside the cave. Julia turned to face her. "They…settled?" she asked. "Yep, I'll tell ya…they are some interesting people," Rodney said, taking her place next to Julia, who was perching on a rock. "Anything down there?" Rodney asked. "I saw one or two Long Coats pass through, no Baguns yet…" Julia said.
"I think they would of come by now if they were going to come at all," Rodney said with a sigh. "Our newcomers are enemies of the Long Coats, they could be trailing their tracks or something like that. Better safe than…sorry…" Julia said, sitting cross-legged and laying her bow on her knees. Rodney was silent for a second, causing her to get a look from Julia.
"What are you not saying?" Julia asked with a questioning look. "We should probably tell them," Rodney finally said. Julia gave her a sharp look. "No," Julia answered simply. "It doesn't feel right not telling them," Rodney spoke up. "We haven't told anyone for eight years. Why would we say something now?" Julia asked. "Well, the only comfort we have had for about five years is Aiden. I mean, they deserve to know…." Rodney replied.
"They are our guests. We don't deserve to tell them anything. Right now, we are looking after them," Julia said, shooting a look at Rodney. "You're still upset about it aren't you?" Rodney asked, in a softer voice. Julia looked away. "There was nothing you could have done…what happened…happened…" Rodney said, putting a hand on Julia's shoulder.
Julia looked at the ground again, trying to hold back the tears. "I guess we could tell them at least about us being sisters…" Julia said. Rodney nodded in agreement. Julia turned to face her. "But I swear… If I hear about you telling them anything more…" Julia said, still trying to hold back her tears. "I won't. I promise…" Rodney said with a small smile.
Julia continued to stare into space. "What?" Rodney asked. "Nothing…" Julia said, out of it. "Its not Baguns you are looking for is it? You're thinking about…them again aren't you?" Rodney asked. Julia sighed. "Yes," she said. Rodney nodded, and Julia looked over at her. "Don't you ever think about…." Julia asked. "Not as often as I used to. I'm past my past now. I know this is hard to say, but you need to move on….he would want you to," Rodney said, looking over at Julia.
"Don't talk about him," Julia said, burying her face in her now drawn up legs. "If you talk about it, you can get over it…" Rodney said. "I don't want to talk about it…" Julia said, her voice slightly shaking. "Julia…" Rodney started. "I said I don't want to talk about it!" Julia said, her voice cracking slightly. "Okay… I'm going to go inside now. Will you be okay?" Rodney asked. Julia didn't respond, and Rodney took that as a 'yes'.
Rodney stood up and brushed off her pants. She took one last look at her sister before disappearing into the cave.