Reckless Hearts

Chapter 41

You walked out of the big house, arm in arm with Karen. Getting a glimpse of the new camp, properly, for the first time. The house was big, and in its day would have been quite beautiful, if it weren't for the location. Stuck in the middle of a swamp, the muggy air and mosquitoes. More worrying the glimpses of the heads of the Alligators.

You cringed slightly, causing Karen to chuckle.

"It ain't that bad, and at least its outta the way of pryin' eyes." she concluded.

You sighed, you guessed you had to agree with that.

The pair of you walked over to where the stew pot was sitting, and helped yourself to a bowl. The layout to this camp, was not a great deal different from previous ones. Except that there was no tent for Dutch, Arthur, Hosea, or John and Abigail. They all had proper beds in the house.

The rest of the gang, had tents dotted about. There was a couple of fires, with logs and crates.

You headed over to one of these, with Karen. Several of the other gang members refused to make eye contact with you, and hurried off to do some unknown task. Likely you thought a task that didn't exist.

As you sat down on a crate, you sighed. "They're making me feel like some sort of leper!"

Karen rubbed your shoulder. "They just don't know what to say is all," she countered. "They just don't wanna upset ya."

You sighed and put the bowl of stew down, untouched.

"C'mon honey, you gotta eat something," Karen implored.

You sighed, "just don't see the point, I feel so empty...kinda dead inside."

You stared into the fire, hoping for some inspiration, but none came.

Karen picked up the bowl of stew, and handed it back to you, "go on, even if its a just little."

You took the bowl, from Karen, and nodded.

Of course she was right, you had to eat. You took a mouthful. It tasted bland. Not Pearson bland, but like your taste buds couldn't even be bothered to taste. You knew how they felt.

Karen stood up, "just come and find me if you wanna talk," she said, resting a hand on your shoulder.

After a few moments she left. You couldn't blame her, you weren't much company right now. You guessed that was why the others were giving you a wide berth.

You carried on staring into the fire, every so often putting a mouthful of food in your mouth, not through want, more through need.

You weren't sure how long you had sat there. You imagined quite a while, as the food on your plate had started to go cold. You were stirred from your thoughts by a hand on your should. When you looked up, you were surprised to see Arthur standing there.

He half smiled, "How you doin'?"

"Okay, I guess." you replied, breaking eye contact, and looking back into the fire.

"You don't need to lie, to make me feel better, I know you ain't ok." he soothed.

You looked up, swallowing the lump that was forming in your throat.

"You determined to make me cry, ain't ya," you replied, your voice cracking.

Arthur rolled his eye, "No, but sitting around staring into the fire ain't helping you much either. C'mon lets walk a bit."

You put down the bowl of half eaten stew, and stood up, as Arthur wrapped his arm around your shoulder.