To The Shucking End

Chapter 40

Thomas had woken up just in time because Gally's moonshine was finally ready, so that night, they all gathered around a bonfire in the centre of the village as Vince addressed them.

"We have come a long way together," he said, a cup of moonshine in his hand and he had to admit, Gally knew what he was doing. "So many have sacrificed so much to make this place possible. Your friends and your family," he continued before he raised his cup into the air, everyone copying the motion. "So, here's to the ones who couldn't be here. Here's to the friends we lost. This place is for you, for all of us. But this...this is for them, because we will never forget them," he announced as he pointed to the tall boulder behind him, a knife in his hand. "So, in your own time, in your own way, come make your peace," Vince invited as he stabbed the knife he was holding into a wooden stump. "And welcome to the Safe Haven!"

And the crowd cheered before drinking, Gally even touching his cup to Tanya's before downing half of it.

People eventually started standing as they moved over to the boulder and began carving names and symbols into the stone.

It was a good time as people danced around the fire, talked, and ate some of Frypan's food that was definitely better than what it was in the Glade.

After a time, Tanya eventually moved to sit next to Thomas who was just watching it all and taking it all in.

"Want some company?"

"Sure," he said with a small smile as she lowered herself down next to him, but as she did, Gally came up behind her as he placed his jacket over her shoulders, the beach much colder as the sun set and Gally having noticed her shiver as she sat down.

"Thank you," she smiled up at him as he kissed her cheek, his long-sleeve sweater more than warm enough.

They sat in silence for a while before Tanya eventually broke it.

"You know, I think part of the reason why I hated you so much at first was because of how much you reminded me of myself," she joked as Thomas couldn't help but laugh as he fiddled with his fingers.

"So, you're my sister, huh? Fuck, that sounds so strange to say," he remarked.

"It seems so. I kinda see it though. No one can annoy me like you can," she laughed before continuing. "And we have the same eyes," she pointed out as Thomas met her eyes, he finally realised were the mirror image of his.

"I didn't realise it at first but, after Teresa told us we were siblings, I realised how much you looked like our mother."

Her smile kind of faded as they looked out at the horizon. "What was she like?" she asked.

"She was kind. Loving. More so than our dad. I remembered an argument they had before she kicked him out," he began. "Mom was pissed because our dad traded something for a few vials of serum. I never heard what he traded but I think he traded you. Nothing else would be worth a few vials of serum like a Munnie. And I don't think anything would've made me as upset as I was then learning I'd never see my sister again."

Tanya sighed heavily as she hugged Gally's jacket tighter around her body before Thomas kept going.

"Mom gave me up to WICKED when she got infected. She didn't want me to see her turn into a monster and figured they'd be my best chance at surviving."

He was silent for a moment as if realising something, his voice filling the air once more before Tanya could get a chance to say anything.

"I think that's part of the reason why I gave Mary your file back when I worked for WICKED. I may not have remembered you – I still don't remember you - but I knew that there was something about you that was familiar. I knew I couldn't let anything happen to you anymore. I'm honestly glad you don't remember the fucked up shit that WICKED put you through – that I put you through."