Dean and I quickly get dressed and rush outside. Everyone was crowded around the edge of the forest. A few of the guys were pointing spears at someone and yelling.
"Stay back and keep your hands up!" Roan yelled at the mystery person. I was to short to see who he was telling at.
"I'm just looking for a friend," it was a girls voice. Oddly enough the voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. The crowd begins to part for me and Dean. Once I finally get a look at the mystery girl I don't recognize her. Her face was covered in mud and her hair was matted. She wore dark, worn, and patched clothing. She even had a few furs around her shoulders.
"Linnea!" The girl shouts in a tremulous voice and rushes towards me. Dean ushers me behind him. Roan, Sam, and a few other guys raised their spears toward her simultaneously; warning her not to come any closer. She gasps and stops dead in her tracks. She looked pained by their actions or maybe more so that I was allowing them. How did she know me? Who was she?
Tears begin to make a noticeable path down her cheeks due to the mud. Her eyes, filled with disappointment, and latch on to mine for a few seconds then her head drops. Her eyes reminded me of those of a deer. They were so big, brown, and gentle. That's when I realize exactly who it was. I'd know those eyes anywhere.
"Kida?" I push past Dean and gesture at the guys to lower there weapons. Her head shoots up toward me when I say her name. A smile spreads across her face. Her white teeth stand out against her own skin.
"Linnea," She shouted. This felt so surreal. I never thought I'd see her again. She rushes towards me and throws her arms around me. She smelt like dirt, sweat, and body odor, but I didn't care. Overwhelmed with emotion tears begin to blur my vision and stream down my face. We both begin crying and laughing hysterically as we embrace each other. She probably thought she'd never see me again. I for sure never thought I'd see her again. Yet here we were. This felt too much like a dream. I half expected my parents to show up behind her as I glanced behind her while resting my head on her shoulder.
Once we both collect ourselves we release each other. I look at her once more. She looked so different. She looked like more of an Outlander then I did. Why was she here? Surely she passed the test. How did she find me? How long had she been out here? There are so many questions. However, right now is not the time to ask them. The crowd still surrounds us. Some were staring at us in confusion, and others in awe.
"She's not here to hurt us! She's a friend! Everyone go back to celebrating!" I yell trying to keep my voice from wavering or cracking. The crowd began to disperse, but Dean and Sophie still remained.
"Dean, Sophie, this is Kida. She was my best friend back in the compound," Kida shakes both Dean and Sophie's hands. That's when I noticed her dirt caked finger nails. She must have had a rough time out here.
"Welcome to Camp Superstes," Dean announces with his hands crossed over his chest.
"Sorry about the hostile welcome. We're a bit weary of stranger here," Sophie apologizes to Kida.
"None of the camps I've been to offer warm welcomes either so it's okay. Thank you for allowing me here. I'm truly grateful," Kida responded.
"How about we get you cleaned up and then you can get settled in?" Sophie offers Kida her hand, but Kida just looks back at me. I give her a nod. We would have time to catch up later, but Sophie needed to check her over to make sure she wasn't hurt or sick. Kida takes Sophie's hand and they begin walking toward the creek. I begin to follow them, but then I feel Deans hand grasp my forearm.
"We should talk while she's getting looked over," Dean stated. I agreed and we both walked back to his tent. The vibe between us was much different than just minutes ago. He was visibly tense and his arms were once again crossed firmly across his chest.
"I know she's your friend but are you sure we can trust her?"
"Of course we can!" I snap getting instantly defensive. I didn't mean to snap ay him. He is just worried about his people, but Kida was one of my people ways before I even knew there were people out here. "I'd trust her with my life. She like a sister to me; we basically grew up together," I explain.
"I get that. Believe me I do, but we don't know who's she's talked to, what they've promised her or threatened her with."
"She wouldn't betray me so if anyone threatened or promised her anything the deal was done once she saw I was here,"
"How do you know that for sure?" he glared, and I glared back. He had a point. I wasn't 100% sure. No one could ever be 100% sure of other peoples actions, but I trust her.
"I'll talk to her later and find out has happened to her while she was out there. I should go get Jess and help him set up a tent for her," Dean's eyes fall to the ground then he suggests something I was really prepared for.
"She could take your tent," he suggests.
"What?"
"You could sleep here and she could take your tent. It'd be less trouble then setting up another tent right?" his eyes glance up at mine and his hand runs over the back of his neck.
"Makes sense," I smirk. I walk over to him, take his face in my hands, and I trace his soft, full lips with my thumb. "I know it's hard for you to trust anyone let alone strangers, and that's okay; but I don't need you to trust her. I just need you to trust me," he leans forward placing a soft kiss on my lips. I hesitantly pull away. As much as I would love to have picked up where we left off before Kida's grand entrance I need to talk to her. I had too many questions that needed answers. So I leave his tent and walk down to the creek to find Sophie and Kida.
