“I guess I have to.” This was going to be a shit show, I could already feel it.
Amir threw his arm around my shoulder, chuckling in brotherly affection. “The first thing I would suggest is getting to know the community and letting them get to know you. Else, who the hell would follow a stranger?”
How long had I been involved in this community? I honestly lost track. But Amir was right. I didn’t know over half the people here, choosing instead to go out on whatever run or mission the leaders threw at us because we didn’t have enough medics.
“How the hell am I supposed to do that?” I questioned them both.
“Fuck if I know,” Amir laughed.
“Maybe you should sit out the next mission. Force yourself to mingle,” Carson suggested.
I stared at his serious face. “The same way you do?” He didn’t. The asshole was as much of a recluse as I was.
“This ain't about me. You’re the one that wanted change. Shit or get off the pot, Vik,” he reiterated.
“Get back here!” a feminine voice range out, breaking into our conversation.
Angel jumped on me the moment the girl reached us. Amir removed his arm and petted Angel affectionately.
“Hey, girl,” I cooed, pushing her back down to all four paws. “She got away from you again huh?”
“It’s as if she knows your precise location at all times. I’m surprised she doesn’t speak to you telepathically at this point,” Vanessa pointed out.
Right then, I knew how I was going to get on the community’s good side.
“Vanessa, thanks for watching Angel again. Truly.”
“Of course! She’s lovely to be around. Popular with the children and the elders. No one would ever guess that she went with you guys on these dangerous missions. She’s such a nice dog at home,” she said lovingly.
Carson watched her every move intently with a blank expression, his eyes never straying from her lips. Amir gave me a look letting me know that he noticed the same thing.
I stifled a laugh. This guy was smitten. Vanessa kept on rambling about Angel and I let her without interruption. When she finally took a breather, I injected myself.
“You’re right. I need to give Angel a break sometime. I think I’m going to sit out the next supply run and reacclimate myself back to Black Hollow. It’s time for me to take a small break anyway after…”
My mood became somber. Vanessa’s eyes softened and she placed her hand on my shoulder in understanding.
“You don’t have to explain to me. We all know what you guys go through. We go through it too in our own way, though not all of us were as close to him as you guys were.” She then addressed us all. “You guys hungry? I can whip up something back at my home. Give you guys a good meal. It’s the least I can do when you guys are always putting yourself on the line to keep us safe.”
Amir’s stomach growled and I snickered. Carson’s expression didn’t change but he never took his eyes off her. Instead of answering, his nostrils began to flare as his glare bored into where her hand was still touching my shoulder.
Vanessa let out an almost inaudible exhale as she quickly removed her hand.
“Yeah, that would be nice. Thank you,” I told her.
Carson was right. I needed to mingle. Vanessa was the only person I really talked to when I was back home. She was the first person to approach me upon my arrival and gushed over Angel, the first pet dog they had seen in a while.
She gave us a beaming smile before turning on her heel. “Come on guys, it’s about time for mid meal anyway.”
The three of us followed her past the southern exit and through the next west tunnel that led to the main living quarters. The boys and I didn’t have homes by each other but it didn’t matter when we spent most of our time topside.
Angel ran ahead of us and followed Vanessa like she knew she was in for something delicious. I needed to take my own dog’s advice and relax.
Some people gave us a nod in greeting while most of them ignored us, going about their everyday. When Vanessa made it to her home, I realized how small it was, especially when three grown men were packed inside.
“Wipe that stupid look off your face, Vik. You guys aren’t leaving here without a full stomach so sit your asses down and I’ll let you know when food is done,” she instructed firmly.
Carson grimaced as he did as she commanded. Her bed was big enough for one person to lay on. With all three of our asses sitting on it, Amir was right on the edge beside the floor.
