The One

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On the seventh day, precisely one week after the turmoil, an invigorating thought ignited within her.

"I'm heading to the campground to whip myself into shape. Brian, pack your bags—we're going for training!" she called out, scrubbing her plates vigorously after breakfast.

"Right on it," he replied, a hint of excitement in his voice.

After checking out, the duo embarked on their journey, an eight-hour odyssey to the intended island campsite. As the scenery shifted from the urban sprawl to verdant landscapes, a smile broke through her stoic façade. "Camp here we come," she murmured, her mind sharpening with each mile. Beside her, Brian was wide-eyed, taking in the unfamiliar sights like a child in a wonderland.

Upon arrival, however, darkness engulfed them, only the eerie shadows playing tricks on their senses. She navigated through the gloom, bringing the vehicle to a halt at the camp gate.

As she switched off the engine and stepped down, an unexpected voice cut through the stillness. "Who are you and why are you here?" A guard, new and alert, aimed his gun at them.

"I'm KR. I'm here to send this recruit," she replied, her tone flat yet authoritative.

The guard's eyes widened, disbelief washing over his features. "KR?! Impossible!" He stepped closer, peering into her face as if seeking reassurance that this was indeed the famed warrior before him.

At that moment, the entire camp-site lit up, blinding spotlights illuminating the scene. From the shadows emerged a familiar figure—Eve, radiating warmth and recognition.

"Oh my Lord, Karol! It's been years!" she exclaimed, a contagious smile spreading across her face.

"Hey, Eve! What's up? It has been a while," she greeted, her spirit bolstered by the reunion.

"Come on in, guys!" Eve beckoned, and after a flurry of revving engines, she hopped back into her Jeep with Brian as they drove into the campground, a sense of belonging swelling in her chest.

As they parked, she approached Eve, her curiosity piqued. "How's Lily? Iris?"

"They're doing well, as always," Eve replied, her eyes glinting with shared history. "I miss the old team."

"We miss you too," Eve echoed as they moved toward the main quarters, nostalgia washing over her in waves.

"I'm here to sign my subordinate into this year-long programme since he'll be working with me," she stated decisively.

"Of course! Let me show you to your room first, and then I'll fetch the documents. Tonight, just settle in and rest. You need it; you look dead tired," Eve advised, her tone filled with care.

Eve guided them to their quarters before leaving, and as she settled in with Brian, a wave of exhaustion hit her, urging her to surrender to sleep.

Days passed, filled with laughter and camaraderie as Karol reunited with her best friends, the triplets, and dove back into rigorous training. They shot at the range and tackled intensive courses, and each night, she collapsed from sheer exhilaration and fatigue.

After a week, she departed from the camp, her heart racing as she blissfully anticipated reuniting with her family. Upon reaching her home, she threw open the door and joyfully announced, "Mummy, Daddy, I'm home!"

As she slipped off her shoes, a flurry of footsteps echoed from the second floor, instantly drying the laughter bubbling in her throat.

"Welcome back, baby girl!" exclaimed William, reaching her first and enveloping her in a bear hug. Anna soon followed, mirroring her husband's warmth with her own booming, "Welcome, baby girl!"

Sharon, slightly later to arrive, joined the embrace, and overwhelmed with love, she uttered through tears of joy, "Thank you, my family. I'm home."

"Oh puppy, come here. Let's move to the living room, shall we?" Anna offered, her voice soothing.

"You okay, baby sister?" Will ventured, worry etched across his face.

"I'm fine! It's just my hormones acting up," she chuckled, shaking her head at herself, unable to contain her overwhelming happiness.

"No worries, baby girl, you can let it all out," he said softly, and like a dam bursting, her tears flowed freely, each droplet a testament to her anguish. The tender strokes of her sister's hand on her back provided little comfort as she continued, "There, there, baby sister, let it all out."

She cried and cried until her voice was hoarse, the emotional floodgates finally closing, only to be interrupted by the low rumble of her stomach. The room fell silent, and a moment later, laughter erupted among them.

In a still-sobbing voice, she managed to declare, "Guys, I'm hungry."

"Come, let's head to the kitchen. Mummy will whip up your favourite food," her sister responded.

As they entered the kitchen, she transformed, driven by an insatiable hunger, darting towards the fridge like a feral creature. She yanked open the door, snatching a pickle and the jar of peanut butter. In an audacious act, she dipped the pickle into the spread and devoured it with an enthusiasm that made everyone else cringe.

Moments later, her stomach rebelled, and she sprinted to the loo, her body betraying her as she emptied its contents with desperation. Weak and trembling, she leaned against the wall for support.

The chaos unfolding seemed strangely familiar to Anna and William, who exchanged knowing glances before nodding in unison.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. I forgot to grab something," William said swiftly, dashing out the door, leaving a cloud of uncertainty in his wake.

An hour later, he returned, arms laden with an array of essentials: pickles, ham, peanut butter, jam, fruits—blueberries, strawberries—and an assortment of flavoured ice creams. But the most pertinent item was the discreet pregnancy test, which he surreptitiously passed to Anna.

With determination etched on her face, Anna approached Karol's bedroom, knocking softly before peeking inside. "Baby girl, are you tired?"

Karol, ever the workaholic, looked up from her laptop. "Not really, why, Mummy?" As she closed her laptop, Anna slipped into the room.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, Mummy and you two can stop hiding behind the door. I know you're there," she said, laughter mingling with exasperation as her father and sister sheepishly entered the room.