Off The Beaten Path

Little Country Boy

Bernell held her breath as Erwin led them to the quaint cottage. The surrounding area was nice; trees, open, grass. A community garden comprised the center square. The smell of fresh tomatoes and ripe vines hung heavy in the summer air. It was pleasant, which made Bernell's anger burn. Such a commodity was usually reserved for military and as such off limits to civilians minus married families.

But so many were homeless, so many were starving. So many were killed and they had all this sitting around going to waste. Half the houses were empty, another quarter were in the midst of being built. So many more had been put to slaughter. She had been offered up to slaughter. The broad back of the Commander stopped moving, he turned to her, a smile on his face, his eyes weary. Levi trailed behind. He had been told to guide them, but Bernell didn't trust him yet. She didn't trust herself yet. She ignored the feeling of his presence, firmly gluing her eyes to Erwin's wearied face as he grimaced, looking around. She could only imagine what he assumed she was thinking. He was probably right too.

"We will talk to you more about what to expect and what will happen from here on out in the morning. For now enjoy the house, get cleaned up. Sleep well." He smiled, reaching out to the sleeping Terra in Bernell's arms and stroking a soft cheek.

Bernell couldn't help the motherly smile as she rocked her toddler, Gabriel sleepily walking alongside her. Ezra had fallen back somewhat. She looked up at Erwin nervously, then to the house where Lisa was supposed to be. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then nodded at the waiting man. His smile faded and he knocked on the door, taking a step back as propriety demanded. It took only a moment for Lisa's voice to come through muffled. When the door swung open light spilled onto the grass. Bernell couldn't help the gasp, nor the tears that followed.

"Bernell!" Lisa ran to her friend, holding her gingerly for the babe in her arms, pulling away after a moment with her nose wrinkled, "Oh we need to get you clean clothes and a bath!" She teased, dragging her brown gaze up and down her friend, to the children. "Oh but I've missed you so much!" She pulled Bernell into a hug again.

Bernell couldn't believe it was the same Lisa. She was radiant; her flawless skin scrubbed to perfection, her blond hair newly cut and styled with grease to curl under her ear lobes in a becoming fashion. Her ears sported small green studs and she wore a matching dress that boasted a lace underskirt and crushed velvet lining. Her shoes were a deep brown leather and clicked on the stone walkway as she moved to Gabriel, showering him in similar affection. Bernell hadn't missed the berry stained lips, khol lined eyes, or tinged cheeks. She felt so empty, so hollow. She had known Lisa as a herbalist, as a survivor. This Lisa, civilized Lisa, was a stranger.

"Come in, come in!" She ushered the group into her waiting room, taking jackets, leading to chairs, pouring tea. "I haven't had much company." She offered shyly when she caught Erwin's eyes, quickly diverting her gaze.

"Well, most people don't even know you're here." Levi quipped.

Bernell hid a grin, kicking herself for finding his dry sense of humor funny. He wasn't funny; he was an ass. Her eyes drifted to him automatically, shock filtering through her when she saw he was holding Ezra's hand. Something in her felt a twinge of wrongness. Levi wasn't supposed to hold her children's hands. He wasn't supposed to compliment them, he wasn't supposed to be here in her life right now. That same anger flared when her eyes met his again. his face remained stoic and calm though he pried his hand from Ezra's and told him to go sit in a chair. Instead Ezra sleepily climbed on Bernell's lap, pressing a sweating Terra against Bernell's equally sweating chest. She flushed in embarrassment remembering Lisa's reaction to her smell. It could only have gotten worse, she closed her eyes, stifling a groan and willing the flush in her face to recede.