Secrets Intertwined

XIV

All the Community had gathered in the clearing and the bonfire was in full swing, casting a warm,orange glow in the autumn night . Drinks were being passed around and there was laughter in the air.

"Hey. Know when is Aislyn getting here?" Asked Jackson, clapping him on the shoulder and taking a seat next to him.

"Whenever she feels like it, I suspect," he retorted, taking a swig of his beer.

Jackson turned to him and said, "I feel like there's something big she isnt telling us."

Tamani looked over his shoulder, back in the direction of the Community House, before replying, "Yeah, me too. She threw someone of a roof. Who does that? Aislyn, of all people, would be the last person I'd ever expect to do anything like that. She couldnt even stand going to the defense courses."

"Exactly, and how did she get out of prison after four months? Surely she would get more time ofr-"

His face paled.

Tamani looked over his shoulder again, checking Aislyn wasnt coming over. "What?" He asked Jackson, leaning in close.

"YOu dont think she killed that Leader, do you?"

Tamani plaed too.

"No. I mean- no, right? She would get more that four months for murder, wouldnt she? Aislyn's not a murderer."

Jackson didnt reply for a long while. He sat with an impassible face, staring into the heart of the fire. The colours of the fire made it look like his own blue eyes were glowing. He took a long sip from the bottle in his hand and eventually shook his head.

"No, shes not."

"And whats the deal with Galen?"

That drew a laugh amd a look from Jackson.

"Oh no," he replied, "I'm not getting into that with you."

Tamani bumped him with his shoulder and said, "I didnt meant it like that. Dont you just find it strange? She insists on him staying with her eventhough theyre not companions... allegedly. What is he doing here? For all we know he's the reason Aislyn is hiding something or he's the reason she ended up in priosn in the first place."

"Aislyn stubborn. I dont think its she could be coerced into doing anything she didnt want to do. Plus, he seems decent to me. I think they can relate to each other. She says she met him two years after she was taken, didnt she? That must mean he was one of the ones she escaped with. He's the only one who knows what she went through."

"Yeah, there seems to b-"

Hearing a whoop of laughter, Tamani stopped talking and everyone everyone turned down the trail with Aislyn riding piggyback.

Tamani and Jackson glanced at each other and nodded. A sign theyd pick up the conversation later.

Jogging over to them, Galen yelled, "Want to know something else about Aislyn? She is always fucking late!"

Slapping him upside the head, Aislyn remarked, "I am not!"

Snorting Galen threw her off his back and she landed in a heap on the ground.

"You bastard!"

Rolling onto her stomach Aislyn groaned, "You broke my arse."