Tribal (Jenlisa)

Chapter 10

Jennie's POV

My father will not change his mind no matter what Mother says. He has drawn the line and has stated which side he's on.

I spend the rest of the afternoon going through all of the possible plans and their outcomes. The only one that makes sense is the one I dread the most. But it is the most logical one. And even as my heart braces itself for another low blow, I know it's the right choice.

I have to escape. I have to go back to them.

Never in a million years would I have thought one day I would leave my home to save another. But I don't know what else I can do besides follow through with Chief Marco's plan. I can only do what's in my power. And that's to go back and help them fight this fight.

I hope my father does not allow anyone to take their land if I'm there. He would have to see reason and realize these people deserve to live in peace. They treated me like a human being and deserve to be helped.

I know deep down even if my father did not help them, Clare would have protected me with her life. She would not allow them to hurt me.

I make up my mind while I eat dinner in my room. I have to leave, soon. The thought of going back to the tribe warms my heart and I feel more alive than I have in weeks.

A small part of me feels guilty about leaving my mother just when I have returned to her. Will this damage our newfound relationship? No matter, I can fix it in the future. I need to do this. I have made up my mind.

A small part of me yearns and dreads to lay eyes on Lisa once more.

~~~

I'm lying in bed staring up at the dark ceiling, wondering the same thing I always wonder at this time of night.

Where's Lisa? Was she as devastated as I was to find out that we would never be together again? Will Irene be there to help her forget that I even exist? Did Lisa feel anything for me? Anything besides lust?

These thoughts run around in my head as my eyes begin to droop. Sleep wraps around my body so discreetly that I pay it no mind.

Just as I'm about to succumb to it, someone jumps in my bed and covers my mouth with their hand.

The scream dies in my throat as soon as long black hair sweeps across my face.

The hand is quickly replaced by her soft lips and I moan in relief and hunger as I yield to Lisa. She's here!

She pulls back and shushes me.

I realize then that I'm crying and my whimpers are getting louder.

Her thumbs run under my eyes to wipe my tears away. I hiccup and take in shaky breaths. I strain my eyes to get a good look at her but can only see the outline of her body.

"I thought you would be happy to see me." Her tone is crushed and my tears start to flow again.

"Lisa..." I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her down on top of me. I let her weight calm my nerves and protect me from the unknown.

I bury my head into her neck. All of the past lonely nights come crushing back and I hang on to her tighter, crying harder against her neck.