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↳ 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 'like a dream in the night, who can say where we're going'
━━ 𓄼 𓄹 ━━
CORONADO BEACH Coronado, California
𝐔𝐏 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍, Cam slid on Basil's harness and was out the door without much fuss. It was an old routine, and even though they were in a new place, Basil still anticipated his morning run. He bounded forward, eager to break into a sprint as they ran onto the street.
She whistled once and he fell into step next to her, matching the easy pace of her jog. The sun was just starting to rise over the water of Coronado beach. Shades of dusty rose melted like ink on the blue waves. She still hated getting up early after all the years of basic training, but being up to see the world come alive was a different thing entirely.
It worried her that they had yet to be briefed on exactly what the mission would entail. She saw Maverick's play: get them all up in the air together, break them in like a new pair of shoes. The only issue was the unbreakable spirits of the pilots he was working with.
She knew today was bound to be similar: more dogfighting practice.
Her breathing echoed steadily. She focused on the color of the world around her, the sounds of a world still asleep. Her first therapist had coached her through grounding techniques. You are here, you are an extension of the world around you.
The park was nearly empty, and she could count the people she passed on one hand. None of them paid her any attention. The trails ran like rivers through palm trees and sand, forking off in a surprising number of directions.
Up ahead a figure was heading towards them at a steady clip on the boardwalk. Another person out for an anonymous run.
She pulled in the slack of the leash, preparing to run onto the grass lest Basil get too excited. The more she stared at the other person, the more confused she became. She focused on their form, their pace, and the strangely familiar shape of their body.
Her heart seized.
"Hijo de puta," she swore under her breath.
Cam changed paths quickly. The peace lasted for another three minutes, but then she saw himagain in her periphery. This was too unlucky to be a coincidence, so she spared a full glance over her shoulder and her curly ponytail whipped her in the face. It was Bradley, undoubtable now as he too took the same path.
