My Light in the Darkness

Camp

As I walked, I kept my eyes trained on the ground. I didn't speak, didn't struggle, didn't show any signs of forgiveness. I looked behind me to see Corbyn give me his best pity smile. I didn't return it, just looked back around to the ground.

"I'm sorry," Zach mumbled. "But I didn't kill him." His voice was strained, like it was hard for him to apologize.

"Eat shit," I mumbled under my breath. He pulled my head up so I looked him in the eyes.

"What?" he spat.

"I said, Eat Shit." My words drug out to make a point. I wasn't going to be friendly to them. Nor would I be pleasent to anyone in their camp.

"Better clean that mouth out, hunny." He chuckled before letting my head go. I tore my hands free from his grip and continued walking away from them. I could see the flames of their camp, and I guess they trusted me enough to walk there. We were out in the middle of nowhere by now, so I had no place to run too. The woods, I assume, would be full of watchers.

I heard their hurried footsteps behind me as they rushed to catch up. I wanted to say Zach was behind me again, but the hands that grabbed my ropes were alot softer and kinder than Zachs rough ones. I looked behind me to see Corbyn smiling down at me. I didn't return the guesture. Instead, I continued my walk was if nothing changed. Simply, because nothing did change. I was still being held hostage, Thomas was still shot, Gabby was still heartbroken and probably freaking out. She would either have to drag him back to the house, of leave him there for the night. I knew she wouldn't do that, so I prayed she got him home quickly and safetly.

"I'm sorry," Corbyn said. I just nodded my head. The difference between Corbyn and Zach, was that Corbyn actually sounded sincere. "He didn't die. Jonah shot him in the shoulder. If anything, the worst it could do was damage some nerves." His words weren't comferting.

"They came to try and find me. I was the last thing she had to actual family. She has nothing now that I'm gone." I didn't mean for it to come out, but Corbyn had a sense of familiarity to him, like he was someone I could trust.

"I'm sorry," he apologized again.

"You should be," I huffed. I think he got the idea I wasn't going to talk anymore, so he let me be.

As we walked into the camp, everyone came out of their tents to get a look at the new prisoner. They looked like midevil time tents, something that was actually very common now. Zach took Corbyn's spot once again and drug me to what I guessed to be the front of the camp. Everyone followed behind us.

We walked up to 5 tents bigger then anyone elses and I knew it was the boys's tents. A little girl came bareling out of the middle one, her brown hair a tangled mess, dirt spread along her face and a scar, just above her eyebrow.

Her eyes lit up like she just got the best christmas present. "Zachy!" She threw herself at him. He let me go and caught her just before she could hit the ground.

"Reese, what did I say about leaving the tent when I have a new recuite?" He got down to her level, brushing the hair out of her face.

"I'm sorry." She looked down to the ground. I knew it wasn't my place, but I gave Zach a light kick at his side. He looked up at me, confused and a little angry. I gave him a look and looked at his little sister. I heard her sniffle and since Zach wasn't doing anything, I decided I would. I too got down to her level and spoke soflty.

"Hello," I smiled. She raised her eyes to look at my own. "Reese, was it?" I tried to talk kindly. I could be sour to any adult, but when there was a scared little kid I couldn't help but remember what I was like. She nodded her head. "Well, Reese, I'm Abby."

"Hi Abby," her voice was fragile and quiet. She was too pure and innocent for this world, that I already knew. Zach watched the interaction closely and in awe. I did a quick glance at the others who all shared the same look. Respect.

I looked at her and took in her apperance. On her knee was a few cuts that looked to be bleeding along with a scrape on her elbow. "What happened?" I asked her.

"I fell from a tree," she sniffled. "It hurts."

"Zach," I said, still looking at the scared little girl infront of me, "take these rops off me." I demanded.

"What?" he asked like I was crazy.

"Please?" I breathed. I felt his hesitate behind me, but he beckoned for the blue eyed boy to give him a knife. Once the restraints were off, I held my arms wide for the little girl. "C'mere." She fell into my arms and wrapped her little ones around my neck almost instantly. She burried her head in the crook of my neck as I lifted her off the ground.

I turned around to see everyone in the camp watching me. They all seemed so curious and shocked, but there were more important things to address.

"Do you have a medical tent?" I asked Corbyn. I wouldn't speak to Zach unless I had too, and by now, I didn't have too.

"This way," he said and beckoned me to follow. As we walked towards the crowd of people, the parted in half for us to get by. Zach and the others followed closely behind us.