Through The Ashes

23

When Jorn found Mara, she was sitting with Silas and Eli, talking and eating breakfast. The sun was just starting to warm the air, casting a golden hue over the camp. Silas was laughing at something Eli said, his hand gesturing animatedly while Mara smiled softly between bites.

It was strange to see a man as brooding and intimidating as Silas smile, but Jorn knew at the core of his heart, he was a family man. His love was visible to the young adults who were like his children.

Jorn hovered a few feet away, watching them for a moment before she approached. Mara glanced up first, her hazel eyes meeting Jorn's as she approached. She was wearing her blue long-sleeve and jeans. The smile grew a little wider on her face. Silas and Eli both noticed her at the same time, their conversation faltering as Jorn stepped closer to the group.

"Morning," Silas greeted, nodding in her direction as he tore off a piece of bread. Eli offered her a quick smile, looking a lot more energized today.

"Morning," Jorn said to them, her mind already turning over the difficult conversation ahead. She stepped a little closer, her hand brushing Mara's shoulder lightly. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Mara glanced at Silas and Eli, then back at Jorn. Her smile had faded, replaced by curiosity and a hint of concern. She set her bowl down and stood up, wiping her hands on her pants. "Sure," she said, her tone neutral but wary.

Mara led them a few paces away, to a quieter spot where the noise of the camp faded into the background. She turned to face Jorn, crossing her arms over her chest as she waited, clearly sensing that something important was coming.

Jorn took a breath, steeling herself. This wasn't going to be easy, and she knew Mara would have something to say about it.

"We're... heading back to Windridge," Jorn started, watching Mara's reaction carefully.

Mara blinked, her face unreadable for a moment. "Okay," she said slowly, clearly waiting for the part Jorn hadn't said yet. "We?"

Jorn shifted on her feet, running a hand through her hair. "We as in me, Yosef, Gareth, Brady, and Harrem. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

Mara's arms tightened across her chest, her brows furrowing as realization dawned. "Wait... without me?" she asked, her voice growing sharper.

Jorn kept her gaze on Mara, refusing to look away. "It's too dangerous, Mara. Windridge was close last time. Too close. We barely made it there in one piece, and we don't know how much worse it could be now. I can't... I don't want you going back into that."

Mara's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "You can't just decide that for me, Jorn. I've been on runs before. I know what I'm getting into. You don't get to make that choice for me."

Jorn rubbed a hand over her face, already feeling the exhaustion from the conversation before it even fully started. "I'm not saying you can't handle it," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I know you can. Hell, you're stronger than half the people here. But this... this is different. I need to know that you're safe."

"Safe?" Mara's voice sharpened. "Safe from what, exactly? From the same danger you're walking straight into? You expect me to just sit here and wait, not knowing if you'll even come back?"

Jorn's chest tightened. This was exactly the reaction she'd feared. "I'm doing this because I care about you," she said, her voice quieter now. "If something happened to you... I don't know what I'd do, Mara."

"I don't want to lose you either, Jorn. But I'm not some fragile thing you need to protect."

Jorn stepped closer, reaching for Mara's hand, but Mara pulled away, hazel eyes hardened. "You're not fragile. You're the strongest person I know," Jorn said softly. "But I'm asking you—just this once—let me do this without you."