Venture was a pleasant switch up. More people, animals and food. Everything Venture was made Ashley consider she was wrong about the group in the mall. Did they have friends? Families? Were The Ventures really the threat she perceived them to be? Ashley was a Venture for a few weeks. Leonardo taught her how to shoot and chop wood. She chose to farm for the community and volunteered in the clothing shop on occasion. She actually had quite the talent for sewing. Leonardo and a small group of men left a few days after Ashley and Leonardo bonded in the range. He told her he'd keep a look out for Kelly, he was lying. Mason stayed in the community from then on.
Today was a special day someone was getting married. She helped maintain the flowers used for the ceremony and everyone was expected to attend. She swung by the clothing shop that morning to help tailor some outfits. Claire was there with her two year-old daughter, Ruby. Claire was getting a yellow knit dress cinched at the waist. Jane was sitting on a stool getting the dress done and Ruby was playing on the floor by Claire's feet. Ashley came in and started on the clothing laying on the counter. "Do Kimberly's dress first, she's a bridesmaid. Open the notebook on the counter I note every alteration per request." Claire waved at Ashley and Ashley nodded politely. "Sorry, I was cold to you when we first met. I don't trust new faces but you've stuck around and haven't caused trouble. I really appreciate that. My husband Leonardo is quite fond of you." Jane said 'you poor thing where is he going anyway?' Claire sighed and Ashley could tell the question was heavy. "Georgia, he's going after a community called the scholars. I use to be a part of the community, the leader killed my husband and son… I ran away. I met Leonardo a couple months later. You know that story Jane. We met here when one of his men found me unconscious and dehydrated. The Ventures saved my life. Leonardo is protective, he promised nobody would hurt me again."
Promises and zombies were like water and oil. Looking at Claire Ashley saw a frail bland white woman with a blonde bob and blue eyes. Leonardo thought the Scholars were after Claire because Claire was valuable in Leonardo's eyes - but Claire was nothing in Ashley's eyes. As much as she questioned that day at the mall and bonded with Mason and Charms and Hannah and Mary they're only a memory. Like a dream that felt too real because she was killing everyone. Every kid, everybody because what if they figure out who she really is? What if they find the Island? What if Leonardo survived the ambush and came back to form another group and came after her family and her people? The Ventures didn't deserve it, they were normal people who loved, fought and survived. She didn't care though because her family and her people came first. They'd always be her main priority regardless of how much she cared about The Ventures. In her head you're either part of the unit or you're dead.
At the reception Ashley was slow dancing with Hannah and Mason was dancing with Mary. Mason looked at Ashley ever so often. Ashley wore a long snug knit dress. The wedding was beautiful, Ashley particularly liked their vows. Gallo and Ellie's wedding was simple. Kelly and Jay found Ellie's dress, Trudy made Ellie a crown and Voight wed them. On the island there weren't any decorations or music. When Gallo and Ellie started talking about how much they loved each other it moved everyone and everything. The island was never the same. It felt like more than paradise, the island was home. Home is where Ashley belonged. The night Ariana was born was the first time in years Ashley felt tears in her eyes. Everything made sense for the first time in forever. Gallo, his wife and daughter were a perfect spark of joy and even in the middle of everything they were happy.
Family fights, Oh did her and Voight push each other. Kim, Kevin and Ashley didn't particularly like each other but nobody was going to lay a finger on them. Someone face planted on a table and broke it in half. Hannah stumbled a bit and looked towards the commotion like everyone else. Ashley steadied Hannah and continued to dance with her. Ashley held her up, a lot of people wanted to react to what happened but everyone was dizzy themselves. People were collapsing all around them. A loud 'thud' came from beside her. "W-w-what's happening?" Hannah asked, Ashley ran her hand through Hannah's hair and pulled her in tight. Ashley felt worse than guilty, saddened. She wanted things to be different, they just weren't. "I made the tea… You, Mary and Mason gave me something I never thought I'd have. You gave me the chance to be a normal teenager - and I appreciate that but I don't wanna be a normal teenager if that means I have to give up everyone I love. I knew someone like you and she killed herself being normal. Normal is impractical, for example you and everyone here let a newbie make the tea bag. Tea leaves blended with poisonous and dried flowers… Bye Hannah." Hannah collapsed and Ashley whistled. Charms came running out of a bush. Ashley changed back into what she wore outside of those walls and rode out of the community in Mason's vehicle. She broke through the gate and let off a couple shots into the air. "COME AND GET EM!"