Flashf0rward

Chapter 15: Midnight Conversation

Wren

The flames from the torchlight flickered across the wooden walls as I stood at the gates, waiting anxiously as I hoped that they would be back. Soon after, the flames blew backwards with a gust of wind, and I saw Sparrow appear in front of me. "Anything?" I asked her, then she shook her head. "No...I'm sorry Wren, she's too far out. If I went any further, I could get lost out in the dark."

Shortly after, I saw Jude and a few of his men come riding over the hill, torches in hand. He looked down at me as he rode up. "It's getting too dark. If we continue searching, we could attract unwanted attention." Running my fingers through my hair, I knew that they were both right, and I sighed resignedly. "Alright. Close the gates."

Jude, Sparrow, and the men walked back in, and the gates were shut and locked tight for the evening. Jude saw the look on my face and put his hand on my shoulder. "We'll continue looking tomorrow. She's a resourceful kid, she can handle herself." I shook my head and kept walking. "I know that...but out there, sometimes that doesn't matter."

My mind flashed back to earlier yesterday when we'd first found out about what had happened. The first thing we did was head to her cabin. Both Max and Julie didn't want to give up much at first, but when they knew that keeping secrets wasn't healthy for anyone involved, they told us her plan, including getting the help of Connor.

It wasn't that I disliked Connor, I just knew that if things went south, he usually went along with them, which could put Ivy in even more harms way. This entire thing was a nightmare. Julie had been trying to raise Ivy on her walkie-talkie, but she either hadn't turned it on or was out of range. Most likely the first option to conserve her battery.

Walking through the village at night, I saw Jude and Sparrow heading back to their homes to rest for the evening. God knows I wouldn't get any sleep tonight. Sighing, I nodded to them as I walked back to my place, closing the door and resting against it. I didn't blame Ivy for what happened, I had practically goaded her into doing it, but she still was reckless for going alone.

There was a knock on my door right behind me, which made me jump. Turning around, I spoke. "Who is it?" A familiar, soft voice answered. "Wren, it's me. Can you open up?" Opening the door, I saw Katrina standing there, looking up at me with sympathetic eyes. Putting down the burlap sack she had in her hands, she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in tightly for a hug.

Surprised by the sudden sign of affection, I moved my arms around Katrina's waist as I hugged her back, sighing as I held her close. "Thanks." I said, and she pulled back slightly, still not letting me go as she looked up at me. "You looked like you needed it." Nodding, I closed my eyes. "You have no idea."

Letting go, she bent down slightly to pick up the sack she'd brought. I frowned. "What's in there?" She opened it up, revealing several carrots, potatoes, some meat, and bread. "I said I'd make you dinner, didn't I?" I remembered what she'd said yesterday. "Oh, right. Well, you don't have to if you don't-" She put a finger up. "Yes I do, so shush."

Walking in and closing the door behind her, she walked into my one-room cabin, and placed all of her things down on the table. "You've got some water, right?" Nodding, I grabbed my bucket from the corner of the room, which had been freshly filled, and placed it on the table. Katrina pulled out a knife and handed it to me. "You know how to peel a potato?"

I shook my head, taking the knife. "Nope." Smiling, she sat next to me. "You're gonna learn today." Putting a potato in my hand, she made a sweeping motion upwards with her hand. "Just slice upwards and try to carve the skin off. Always cut away from yourself though." Nodding, I started peeling, and after a few shaky cuts, I started to get the hang of it.

Next to me, I saw Katrina was beginning to dice some carrots. "You used to do this a lot?" I asked her, and she nodded. "My mom taught me everything I knew when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to learn as much as I wanted..." I remembered how she told me that her mother moved away when she was young, before the Singularity happened.

She sighed as she looked down, brushing her long platinum blonde hair out of her face. "I just wish I could have seen her again before all this happened. Maybe had coffee with her or something." She turned to look at me. "Now I wanna make coffee beans." I laughed a little. "Maybe if I find one, I'll give it to you." She groaned dramatically. "Please, I hate getting up in the morning without it."

I found myself smiling a lot more. Katrina always seemed to boost my spirits when she was around, even if we never ended up talking. I finished peeling the potato, and she finished up with the carrots. After teaching me how to cut the potato into wedges, she motioned to the bucket. "Alright, just put it in the water." Nodding, I placed it in along with the carrots.

"This is why I always trust you to cook things." She said, and I smiled. "Hey, can't help it if I'm the only human heater in the village." Placing my hand on the bucket, I concentrated, and I could feel my stomach clenching as my hand warmed up, making the water start to steam a bit. Taking out a big slab of deer meet that she'd brought, Katrina placed it in my hand. "Medium rare, please."

Using my powers to cook the meat, Katrina started cutting the bread into small bun-shaped sections. I saw the water beginning to boil over, and the smell of cooking meat filled the cabin. Katrina smiled. "Mmm...god, I love that smell." Once the meat was done, I passed it to her and she cut it in half for the both of us, placing the halves in between the buns.

Taking a small spoon made out of wood, she managed to take the potatoes and carrots out of the water, placing them on a large leaf, which doubled for plates around here, along with our makeshift sandwiches. "Ta-da!" She said triumphantly, and I laughed. "Wow. Master Chef Katrina, you've done it again."

She giggled and waved her hand at me. "C'mon, you did just as much. Now, dig in before it gets cold." Taking a bite of the sandwich, I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Wow. This is amazing. Thank god I cooked it right." Katrina smiled. "Yeah, last time you charred it so bad, it looked like something from a firepit." I placed my hand over my chest. "Stop, you're hurting my feelings."

Katrina elbowed me. "Shush." We ate for a few minutes in silence. The vegetables were great as usual, and I found myself much calmer and more rational around her. After we finished, I sat back in the chair. "This was great. Thanks for, offering, y'know." Katrina smiled. "Of course, Wren."

I sighed and rubbed the back of my head. "Well, if anything, this'll help me sleep." Katrina gave me a sad look, then placed her hand on top of mine. "They'll find her, Wren. I know they will." I looked down, then back at her. "Thank you, Katrina, seriously. You...just make life better for me." I blushed slightly, not expecting that to come out.

She apparently didn't either, as the same red tinge was on her face. "Of course..." She noticed her hand was still on mine, then she pulled it away. "Um...I should get going." I nodded. "Yeah, yeah, curfew, and all that." We both stood up at the same time, and I handed her back her bag. "Here you go."

Nodding, she walked to the front door and opened it. "Oh, by the way." She turned back to me. "You can...call me Katie, if you want." I smiled a little. "Alright. See you...Katie." Waving to me, she walked out the door, closing it. Standing there for a bit, I sighed and rubbed my face. Now I knew it was going to be hard to sleep. But this time, for a different reason.