Alive

15

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~~~~~~⚫️Chapter 15⚫️~~~~~~
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We left the remnants of the city behind, the towering ruins slowly giving way to a dense, shadowed forest. Trees loomed over us, their branches twisting and arching as if watching, listening. Koda led the way with his usual unbothered swagger, hands tucked in his pockets, whistling some carefree tune as if we were on a casual stroll. Despite my frustration with him, I found myself relaxing as we walked, even... enjoying his company.

It was strange. I barely knew him, only remembered fragments of that one wild night we'd spent together, yet here we were, walking through a twisted forest as if we'd known each other our entire lives. As infuriating as he could be, I couldn't deny the easy charm in his personality, the way he could make me laugh even when everything around us was a nightmare.

Eventually, we came upon a massive wooden fence, tall and rugged, stretching as far as I could see in either direction. It was sturdy, clearly made to withstand whatever horrors lurked beyond it. Koda walked up to it with a smirk, not bothering to knock politely but pounding on it with both fists, the entire structure rattling under his heavy blows.

"Oi! Open up!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the thick wood. "It's me, Koda. And I've got someone you're gonna want to meet!"

A few seconds later, I heard a deep voice from the other side, grumbling. "For the love of—Koda, if you dented that gate again, I swear—"

The voice trailed off as a small hatch in the fence slid open, revealing a pair of narrowed eyes staring out at us. The person on the other side groaned, muttering a few choice curses before finally opening the gate. "Alright, alright, come in. But if you bring trouble with you this time, I'm throwing you out myself, you hear me?"

Koda grinned, clapping the man on the shoulder as he pulled me through the gate with a firm grip on my arm. "Relax, old man. You know you missed me."

The man rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he swung the gate closed behind us. "Missed you? Like I'd miss a rash." He caught sight of me, his gaze lingering with curiosity, but Koda's grip was firm as he led me forward, and soon I was distracted by the sight before us.

The inside of the barricade was like a small, makeshift village, with cabins scattered about, each one fortified and patched up with whatever materials were available. People bustled around, carrying supplies, fixing up the buildings, and tending to fires that burned in metal barrels. It was a community—a safe haven in the middle of all this chaos.

But my attention was immediately drawn to a figure sitting on the porch of the largest cabin. He was a burly man, broad-shouldered and imposing, with an air of authority that made everyone around him seem to unconsciously keep their distance. His face was weathered, his eyes intense as they swept over the area, taking in everything with a piercing gaze.

As we approached, his eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The world seemed to slow as his gaze bored into me, and I felt an inexplicable pull, a feeling of familiarity so strong it nearly knocked me off my feet.

Then, without warning, memories flooded my mind, overwhelming me with a sudden intensity. Flashes of a warm home, of laughter, of a deep, comforting voice that had soothed me through countless nightmares. Strong hands lifting me up, holding me tight, a smile filled with pride and love.

"Dad?" The word slipped from my lips in a shaky whisper, and I felt my knees weaken, my hand flying to my mouth as the realization hit me like a punch.

He stared at me, his eyes widening with shock, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable, his rough exterior cracking as he took in my face, his mouth opening and closing as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.

"Aisha?" His voice was barely above a whisper, thick with emotion, and I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes that made my heart clench.

The memories crashed over me like a tidal wave, and before I knew it, I was stumbling forward, feeling like a child again, my heart pounding as I moved toward him. I barely registered Koda's presence beside me, his usual smirk softening as he watched the scene unfold.

My father stood up slowly, his expression one of awe and disbelief, and as I reached him, he opened his arms, his embrace rough but warm, familiar in a way that made tears prick at my eyes. I fell into his arms, my face pressing against his chest as the memories continued to flood back, each one bringing a wave of emotions I hadn't felt in what felt like an eternity.

"Aisha..." he murmured again, his voice breaking, and I could feel his shoulders tremble as he held me tight. "I thought... I thought I'd lost you."

I pulled back, looking up at him through blurred vision, my hands gripping his arms as if to ground myself. "Dad, I... I don't know what happened. Everything's so different, and I... I can't remember everything. Just flashes."

He looked at me, his gaze softening with understanding, and he brushed a hand over my hair in a gesture that felt achingly familiar. "It's alright, sweetheart. You're here now. That's all that matters."

Koda cleared his throat behind us, and I could almost feel the smirk returning to his face as he watched us. "Well, this is touching and all, but you might want to fill her in, old man. She's been asking for answers the whole way here, and I'd hate to deprive her of them."

My father shot Koda a look, but there was a glint of gratitude in his eyes. "You brought her here?"

Koda shrugged, his smirk widening. "What can I say? I'm a softie at heart. Couldn't leave her wandering around out there, not when she clearly needed a guide." He winked at me, and despite myself, I felt a reluctant smile tug at my lips.

My father sighed, shaking his head but unable to hide the faint smile that crept onto his face. "Still the same as ever, huh, Koda?"

Koda shrugged, unbothered. "Gotta keep life interesting. Speaking of which..." He looked back at me, his gaze softening just a fraction. "Guess you didn't expect this little reunion, huh, doll face?"

I rolled my eyes, but there was no denying the warmth that had blossomed in my chest. "No," I said, glancing back at my father, my voice barely a whisper. "But... I'm glad it happened."

My father squeezed my shoulder, his grip strong and steady. "Come on, Aisha. Let's get you inside. There's a lot you need to know."

He led me up the porch steps, his arm still around me, and I followed, feeling the weight of the past and the unknown future all wrapped up in the comfort of his presence. Koda lingered behind, leaning against the porch railing with a casual grin, watching us with a knowing look.

As I stepped inside, the warmth of the cabin surrounded me, a sense of safety that I hadn't felt in ages. I didn't know what lay ahead, what answers I would find here. But for the first time since I'd woken up in that twisted world, I felt like I'd found a piece of myself again.

And with my father by my side, and Koda's infuriating grin in the background, I was ready to face whatever came next.