Through The Ashes

10

The journey back to camp stretched on, the city becoming more treacherous as they started running into blockages.

Jorn led Mara through winding backstreets and alleyways, avoiding main roads where the Rot would be more likely to congregate. The early morning sun was creeping higher, each step bringing the young hunters closer to home.

Jorn could feel Mara's presence close behind her, steady but watchful. Jorn appreciated that about her—Mara didn't need constant reassurance. She followed Jorn's lead, trusting her instincts. But even with that trust, the silence between them had grown heavier since the last conversation. Jorn could feel the topic hanging in the air.

Mara sighed in relief this time when they turned the corner into the street where home was. Jorn was holding the bag now, the weight slugged over her shoulder as Mara stuck close by her side, her pistol drawn.

Her mind wandered back to the conversation they'd left unfinished. Mara's mention of her found family had opened a can of worms in her head. It made her wonder about Mara's past.

Did she not have a family she was born into? Did she spend her entire life in a shelter?

In a world like this, attachments were dangerous—they made you soft, gave you something to lose. And yet, Mara seemed to hold on to those connections like they were her lifeline. Jorn didn't understand how she could do that, how she could care so deeply in a world designed to tear you apart.

Brio and Jar stood in front of the gate, their gazes landing on Jorn. "Everyone is worried," Jar said as soon as they got close enough. "Are you guys alright?"

"We got stuck for a little while, set up in an old apartment until the sun came up," Jorn said.

"We're happy you're both alive," Brio said as he opened the gate.

Jorn gave a curt nod and started to move past them, but something made her stop. She hesitated for a moment before turning back toward Brio. "Anything happen while we were gone?"

Brio's gaze shifted to the ground briefly, his hands gripping his assault rifle a little tighter. "There's been some... movement near the southern perimeter. Eli and Ana spotted a few Rotted gathering, but nothing too serious yet. We've got eyes on it."

Jorn frowned. They were getting closer to the junkyard. That was never a good sign. "Thanks," she said.

Both women crossed through the labyrinth of junk cars. The closer they got, the more chatter they could hear from the residents, the more life present.

"They're back!"

"Mara!" Becca shouted.

Jorn watched as Mara ran to Becca and Eli who were talking to Ana. She was welcomed with open arms, the members of her found family more than happy to see her again.

The rest of the hunters were grouped, greeting Mara until their eyes had moved to Jorn. Jorn cleared her throat, turning the other way.

She was surprised to see Brady approaching her, brown eyes looking tired. "What happened?" He asked, his voice stronger than usual.

Jorn narrowed her eyes on him, already tired of answering the question. "We went on vacation."

Brady scoffed. "Don't be an ass, Hayes. Was it bad over there?"

"They were coming out in groups. We didn't want to risk it with half the street lights off. We hid until the sun came up."

Brady nodded and Jorn couldn't understand why he was so strung up. Jorn dropped the bag beside her feet, tired of carrying it. "And the blockages?"