[[Until We Become Lions]]

Chapter 112

The drive back to Camp Maximas was filled with a heaviness that couldn't quite be described. Danijela knew just by looking at Bembe she couldn't tell the difference between him and a pile of shit - but he had been in this game longer than she had been a guerilla, which meant he held most of the cards. It meant that he could ask her to transport live human beings to be shipped off the island like cattle while keeping a handful for whatever ill intents he had because he knew he was the one who held the power here in Cruz Del Salvador..

Danijela tried to not notice how affected Evee looked as they watched the container doors on the dock close with all the faces of the scared Yarans who had no idea what was going on or why they were not permitted to get off. She tried to not notice the red mark that still remained on Evee's cheek where Danijela had blindly slapped her. It was the closest she had ever felt to embodying Amaia in her darkest years. Danijela had grown up with contempt for her mother buried so deep in her heart that even Amaia's sacrifice had done little to allow that wound to heal. Now she was repeating history with Evee, and she could never forgive herself for it.

They dumped the truck they used to transport the people along the road and proceeded to make the long journey back to camp, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention. Even the walk was silent save for the soft crunch of soil beneath their heels. Danijela knew what she had done was irreversible, and she hated herself for it. She hated herself for allowing Evee to endanger herself like that. She hated that Juan had given her a weapon that made Evee feel invincible now that she knew it worked and knew that her mechanical skills could be used for more than just fixing electric toothbrushes and burnt-out toasters.

Talia is the first to see the sisters as they came up through one of the camp's entrances. Her hands were on her hips like a mother ready to scold her children for coming home after curfew, though the glare was more so directed at Danijela. Talia looked at Evee and appeared more sympathetic.

"Chica bonita, the others just made some food. Go grab yourself some."

Danijela and Evee looked at one another but nothing could be conveyed to the other. It was like at that moment they didn't know one another. Evee looked at Talia and nodded and silently walked toward the heart of the camp. As Danijela tried to follow her, Talia thrust her hand right into Danijela's chest, pushing her back. Danijela's eyes sharpened.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Where the hell have you been? We got work to do but you've been off playing guerilla in the jungle or some shit."

Danijela's lips parted, beginning to talk, but something told her to stop. Talia had no idea where Danijela and Evee were this whole time. Had Paolo not told his own girlfriend that Danijela was working on their debt to Bembe? Talia looked at Danijela expectedly, waiting for a response, and then Danijela realized.

Shit. Talia had no idea at all did she? Danijela resolved that she wasn't about to get caught up in whatever drama Paolo was keeping from Talia. From what little she had seen, the two were explosive. Chemically reactive to one another - and Danijela did not want to have to pick sides if it came down to it. Danijela's face went slack and she shrugged. Whatever was going on behind the scenes was their business. So instead of ratting Paolo out, Danijela decided to lie.

"Clara asked me to do some stuff for her while I was here. It's not a big thing."

Talia snickered and began to turn around, "Of course, Clara has found another poor Afro-Yaran to do her dirty work."

Danijela's jaw twitched and she clenched her fists, firmly planting her feet down on the ground. Talia's words ignited Danijela like a match and it took everything in her to not run up on her and smack her. When Talia realized Danijela was not going for the bait, she turned around and began walking back toward her.