Save each other // Joel Miller

The Full Truth

With the shock Sophie was feeling at Ellie's comment came another wave of surprise at the scene in front of her. The open gates were a flood of people.

Adults stood with apprehensive smiles and children weaved in and out of eachothers way to get a better look at who was coming in. Sophie's eyes slowly scanned over the crowd, landing on a familiar face.

Tommy.

His forehead beaded with sweat and his cheeks flushed, like he just ran a marathon. He looked as though he was seeing a ghost and Sophie began to fidget under the intensity. He seemed to want to say something as his lips parted but stopped short when Ellie brushed right past him.

Ellie's stiff demeanor and arms clung around her chest made Tommy look between the girls before huffing out and following Ellie into the crowd. Sophie stood and watched, still lingering outside of the gates.

The threshold was an invisible barrier. It took all her willpower to convince her brain that Jackson was safe, that this is where she belonged. This is what she just fought for.

"Sophie dear!" Called out an old friend. Her voice rang light and happy over the murmuring people. Soon enough a face came into Sophie's veiw as Barb shuffled towards her.

"Oh goodness, how I've missed you. Come inside! We can't be standing around like a bunch of bums." Her smile was contagious, even through the near crippling anxiety that gripped Sophie's mind. Barb hung a withered arm over Sophie's shoulders and guided her through the gates.

A few hellos chirped as they passed the people. Sophie smiled and nodded, acknowledging as many of them as she could. Sophie found herself wondering where Jesse's family was. Or Maria. Neither of which seemed to be within the bustling crowd.

She felt a tinge of disappointment, like maybe the validity of her acceptance here remained on them greeting her with open arms. She didn't have much time to dwell as Barb practically dragged her past everyone and towards the clinic they once shared.

It was as they walked further away from her old aquantances and neighbors that she noticed how frail Barb was. Her arm, hung loosely around Sophie's shoulders, was thin, and light. Her walk seemed to shake with each step. Sophie side eyed Barb to get a better look without being too obvious.

Her cheeks seemed sunken, as well as her eye bags darker. Like she wasn't sleeping or eating. Guilt began nagging at the back of Sophie's mind. When she left the community, she never thought of her mentors duties. How Barb may have to take over everything Sophie had once promised to help with.

Barb must have felt the stare on the side of her head, because as they got a good distance away from prying eyes and ears, she turned to smile at Sophie. Even through her tired skin, her smile seemed genuine, a crinkle at the side of her eyes.

"Sophie dear, do an old lady a favor and loop arms with me. I could use the support." She spoke softly, a gentle tug at her overthinking mind. Sophie quickly offered her arm, which made Barb smile brighter. She nodded her head in a silent thanks and looked forward again.

"Where are we going?" Sophie asked, knowing the answer already but needing to fill the space between them with words. Barb chuckled before answering, their hasty walk slowing to a stroll.

"To the clinic. But don't worry, I'm not going to put you to work... yet." She finished with a wink. Sophie's eyebrows knitted in confusion, which drew more chuckling out of Barb.

"I have something to show you." Barbs lips pinched as she spoke, like she was surpressing an excited smile. Her voice betrayed her efforts, driving Sophie crazy with what she could possibly mean.