Off The Beaten Path

Idea of Perfect

Bernell let her hair down, grimacing. Between the wilderness, the stress, the packed conditions - she looked down at her lap where the debris she had shaken out landed. She bit on her lip as a little spider crawled across a belted thigh. She hastily swiped at it, running her fingers through the wavy locks with fervor. Gabriel walked up, sitting beside her on the damp, cool ground; his little hand rested gently at her knee.

"Everything okay?" She forced a grin, hastily knotting her hair back into a braid, fastening the end with the leather band.

He nodded, rubbing his eyes. "It's pretty here." He lay down. "Are we staying much longer?"

Bernell looked up, to the kids now dipping their toes into the water at the far side. The horses grazed peacefully; Cerberus nibbling the little mares back occasionally. The other adults were alternating between resting on the ground and keeping a watch out for Titans. It was a bizarre contrast to what her life had been up to that point, especially after their fleeing from the city to the outer walls. She looked out into the forest again. Now that they had settled into the area more wildlife was showing up. Foxes, deer, rabbits even. Joan still hadn't returned from her hunting excursion. Bernell looked back down to her tired son. It had been over an hour. Even if she had manged to catch something they wouldn't have time to skin, gut and cook let alone eat.

"Not much longer, sweet one." She crooned, pulling him into her lap and standing, holding him against her. She moved to the wagon, setting him down softly and calling to the other children.

The adults eyed her with suspicion, though Lisa grabbed a few bags and loaded them up.

"Mushrooms and berries and stuff." She shrugged, ducking her head. "I was a herbalist back in... back..." Her eyes began to water as she smiled. "Sorry." Her voice was a whisper.

Bernell rubbed her back gently. "It's alright. I think we're all owed a meltdown or two after all of this." She smiled, "I'm glad that we have your knowledge of these things." Her gaze slid to the wagon. "We weren't given much in the way of food. If we don't make it to camp tonight we can make something out of the oats and food you found. Unless Joan caught an animal or two."

As though summoned Joan smacked the side of the cart, making a mostly asleep Gabriel jump awake.

"Sorry." She grinned wide, holding up a large, dripping bag. "I couldn't catch a deer, but I found a lake. Fish!"

Bernell grabbed the bag carefully, surprised at it's weight. "This'll feed us well too." Her face lit up, "We're doing really well so far." She took Joan in more slowly, "You're shivering." She pointed out lamely.

Joan's face slipped into a frown. "It's cold. The river was partially frozen." Her eyes rolled, "Don't get comfortable." She turned to look around them, leaning against the wagon, "We still have a huge clearing to get through, camping out here with the Titans, and then meeting with the Survey Corps. It's not going to get easier. Not by along shot. Not until we're back within the walls." She sighed, kicking back to her feet. "Most likely we'll all be dead before that happens. We're all inexperienced, just getting out here was mass murder..." her pause was crushing. "All right slobs! Get your horses geared up, we're rolling out."

She let out a low whistle and the mare trotted over with a huff, Cerberus on her heels.

"Looks like someone's in love." She grabbed her saddle with a grunt, throwing it over the mare's back. "You shameless hussy."

Bernell grinned, patting the stallions coat in affection as she took his lead, removing the knot in it before lacing the ropes through the tugs. "Are you sweet on that little mare?" He snorted in response. "Well, you'd make cute babies."