Redemption Run

Chapter 10

I was back in the dark place. Back with Katie, who was sitting on nothing at all, thin air, across from me, also sitting on thin air, at least I think I was. Katie was smiling, her usual cheshire cat grin that I remembered fondly from when she was alive.

"Wonder what I would be doing if I were there with you?" she asked.

"Probably flirting with someone and making them extremely uncomfortable," I said, "Or getting into a serious relationship with someone here. I would suspect Xelsa or Killian."

"You really think I'd be one of those types of girls?" Katie asked.

"I mean, I would be if I were straight," I said, "Definitely, one-hundred percent."

"Never would have suspected that from you." said Katie.

"You'd also be a vodka aunt for the boys," I said, "Teaching them all sorts of things Rhys and I would rather they didn't know."

"Oh, absolutely." said Katie, "My influence would be terrible."

"But the morale would be outstanding," I said, "You'd be as big of a beacon of hope as I am - more, if I'm being honest, you'd probably live for the spotlight around here and be able to speak for all of us."

"Probably." said Katie, "But let's be honest, if I were there, you'd still be feeling a lot of guilt."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You already know the answer to that," said Katie, "You feel like you're responsible for every person in this camp. Any failure is on your head, and if anyone dies, then you think it's gonna be your fault."

I just stared into the darkness. She was right.

"You shouldn't think that way," said Katie, "It's not healthy."

"I can't help it," I said, "Everyone here sees me as a big hero, all because I survived. All because I got lucky."

"Was it luck?" Katie asked, "Or was it fate?"

"Ugh, don't get me started on that again." I said.

"Fair enough." said Katie, "In the meantime, I'll see you when you dream next, old friend."

I awoke that morning to find myself almost alone, which was odd since Rhys usually liked to wait for me to wake up first before she did anything most of the time. Vionna was sitting on her cot, reading a book she must have pulled from her bag, and the boys were still fast asleep.

"Where's Rhys?" I asked.

"She slipped out about half an hour ago," said Vionna, "I'm sure she's somewhere around the camp."

"She didn't say where she was going?" I asked.

"Nope." said Vionna, "Probably didn't want to wake anyone up."

"Alright, I'm gonna go find her." I said as I started getting dressed, "What are your plans for the day?"

"I have no idea," said Vionna, "I think I'll ask what I can do to help around the camp. I don't want to seem useless on my first day here."

"I'm sure Rogal or Dimitri will have something for you to do," I said as I pulled on my boots, "Check in with them, if they're awake."

"Will do." said Vionna, "I'll also let your... kids, know when you're awake."

"Thank you." I said. With that, I headed out.

I found Rhys at the shooting range with a bow. An arrow in the target was decently close to the bullseye.

"How long have you been doing this?" I asked when I got up to her.

"Since the sun rose," said Rhys, "Bows and arrows aren't exactly my thing, but I should have as much skill as possible, just in case I have to use one."