Killjoy (A Lesbian Story)

31: Ashley

My fingers stirred a spoon, watching the tea swirl in the paper cup. The brown liquid sparkled in the light, grains of sugar swimming along in the mini whirlpool. Steam swirled up into my face and I smelled the earthy scent of green tea and sweet hibiscus.

Tea always found a way to make me feel better. Every time I was upset, my mom would make me tea. I never found out what kind of tea she made me, she always kept it a secret. Said it was her 'feel good' tea. 

That makes it sound like some kind of drugged tea, but I never really put too much thought into it.

I haven't thought about my mom in a while.

My eyes lifted and stopped on Steve and Amelia's mom. Andrea, I believe. They sat in the far corner of the hotel lobby. People were walking around, getting their supplies together and attending to the wounded. Most of the people were in the cafeteria, eating everything in sight after a fight like that.

Andrea was sitting in a large chair, her head in her hands, eyes cast to the ground. Steve sat next to her, a hand on her arm. His lips moved quickly and desperately, telling her the whole story.

A bark sounded and I turned my head to see Jeep hopping towards me. I bent down to pick her up, letting her lick my face excitedly. I laughed softly, hugging her tightly.

Trish walked up to me, smiling, "Hey, Ash! Whoa, what happened to your face?"

"Long story." I sighed, scratching Jeep behind the ears. "How have things been here?"

"Chaotic." Trish said, looking around at the people in the lobby. "That whole barrier breach was wack as hell. I wanted to be out there, but I think I would've done more harm than good."

I thought about telling her about Max's abilities, but I didn't want to go into it. Again.

Steve came up to us, making Jeep jump off my lap and headbutt his leg. He knelt to pet her head, smiling down at her.

"Hey there girl! Who's a lil babe?" Steve laughed as she rolled over for him to pet her belly. He looked up at me, "Andrea is going to talk to Amelia's fam. She said to go ahead with our plan. She'll meet us at the hospital."

I stood up with a nod, "Alright. Let's go, then."

"Ash," Trish took my arm, "Can I ask you something real quick?"

I glanced at Steve and nodded. He took a few steps away to give us space. Jeep trotted after him.

"It's about Max." Trish continued, "I heard from some people that she controlled those things out there. Is that true?"

I sighed softly, "Yeah. She did, thanks to Grimes being a sadistic freak. But we're figuring it out."

"What if she does something?" Trish asked me. "You know, if Grimes gets to her. What if she gets them to attack again?"

I stared at her. Was she actually insinuating that Max would put us in danger? That she would even say yes to Grimes. 

"She won't." I said. "She will never say yes to Grimes. She will fight for us."

"I know, but-"

The doors burst open, with a man running in. I've seen a few times around the Homestead, but I didn't know his name. He ran in, searching the lobby.

"There's a helicopter!" He shouted. "Where's Thor and Hawk?"

Thor and Hawkeye gone? A helicopter?

Steve came over to pass Jeep in to Trish's arms. The two of us ran over to the man at the doors. He looked to us. 

"Hey! You know Thor and Hawk." He said, looking between us. "Do you know where they are?"