Chapter 21: A Winter’s Refuge.

Just over two months had passed since the grueling battle against the Reclaimer forces, and Ava was still finding her footing, both physically and mentally. The bullets that had nearly claimed her life left more than just scars on her body—it left a weight in her spirit she couldn’t quite shake. Talon had hurried to finish their cabin just outside the defensive walls of Green Arbor, ensuring Ava had a place of peace to recover. The first whispers of winter had begun to dust the landscape with frost, turning the world outside into a serene but cold picture of change.

Talon, returning from chopping wood for the evening’s fire, stepped into the warmth of the cabin. His boots thudded against the wooden floor, the sound comforting in the quiet. Ava sat nestled in her chair by the fire, a blanket draped over her legs, coffee cradled in her hands.

"Hey, Blondie, how we feeling today?" he asked, stacking the logs beside the hearth, his voice gentle but with the familiar edge of concern.

Ava looked up, managing a small, tired smile. "I’m getting there," she replied, though the weariness in her voice was unmistakable. The fire crackled in front of her, but the warmth didn’t quite reach her expression.

Talon’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he stoked the fire. "Well, Jess and Miko are coming over later, and I’m cooking," he announced, breaking the silence with a casual tone, hoping to lift the mood.

Ava sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "Talon, not tonight, please," she started to protest, her voice edged with fatigue.

"Yes, tonight." Talon’s tone was firm but kind. "They’ve been asking about you and worrying. Eli’s coming too," he added, cutting off any further objections with a finality that left little room for argument.

Ava’s gaze fell back to the flames, her voice quieter this time, almost a whisper. "I wish people would just leave me alone. I’m okay," she muttered, more to herself than to Talon. There was a vulnerability in her words that she didn’t want to admit out loud.

Talon, sensing her unease, knelt beside her, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Ava, you went down hard in that battle. I thought I lost you." His voice softened, the weight of the memory still fresh. "Everyone’s just worried because they love you. Don’t push them away. They’re not leaving you alone—they’re showing up because they care." He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before standing. "I’ve got a patrol to do and some traps to check. Try to get outside a bit, okay? It’s beautiful today. Breathe in some of that cold air. It’ll help."

Ava watched him leave, the door closing softly behind him. She sighed, whispering to the empty room, "Thank you, but I’m okay, honestly." Her words felt hollow, as if she were trying to convince herself more than anyone else.

Later, as the smell of Talon’s cooking filled the cabin, Ava stood in her room, her eyes tracing the new scars that marred her body. Her fingers lingered on the one near her breast, a grim reminder of how close she had come to death. The reflection staring back at her in the small mirror seemed distant, as if the woman who had led soldiers into battle and fought with unyielding ferocity was now a stranger.

The sound of voices broke her thoughts, pulling her from the painful reverie. Forcing a smile, she opened her bedroom door just as little Ava ran toward her, arms wide open, her face beaming with joy.

"Auntie Ava!" the child exclaimed, wrapping her tiny arms around Ava’s legs. Her bright eyes sparkled, and her excitement was contagious.

Ava bent down and scooped her up, the warmth of the little girl’s embrace momentarily lifting the heaviness she carried. "Hey there, munchkin. How’s my favorite girl doing?" Ava asked, her smile softening as she kissed the top of little Ava’s head.

"I’ve been missing you, Auntie Ava," the little girl said with a pout. "I wanted to show you my drawings, and guess what? Baby Talon’s walking now!" she said, her voice filled with excitement.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

From across the room, Talon, overhearing their conversation, grinned. "Oh, does that mean I can take him hunting now?" he teased, earning a playful slap on the arm from Jess, who rolled her eyes.

"Talon!" Jess scolded, shaking her head at him.

Talon laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "What? Miko said I could!" he quipped with a grin.

As if on cue, Miko entered the cabin, catching the last part of the exchange. "Oh yeah, that must’ve been one of those times I didn’t press the button on the radio," he said with a chuckle, earning laughter from the room.

Eli approached Ava quietly, offering a soft peck on the cheek, but she barely registered it, more focused on leading little Ava to the table. "How are you today?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.

"Good," Ava replied, her tone steady, though she didn’t meet his gaze. She settled into her chair as the warmth of the cabin and the chatter of her friends filled the space. The night promised food, laughter, and maybe, just maybe, a small step closer to healing.

As everyone settled around the table, Talon laid out the food with a proud grin. "Alright, dig in and enjoy, folks. It's all fresh," he announced, his enthusiasm contagious.

Jess took a bite and nodded approvingly. "Talon, you missed your calling. This is fantastic," she praised, making Talon beam with pride.

Laughter bubbled around the table as Talon launched into one of his infamous tall tales, this time about how he "single-handedly" stole a vehicle during the Reclaimer assault. "So there I was, with nothing but my bare hands and a blade, and this Reclaimer guy is begging me to let him go," Talon said, waving his hands animatedly. "He said he was no threat and came willingly, so what did I do? I tied him up and threw him in the back!"

The group erupted in laughter, enjoying Talon’s exaggerated storytelling. Miko, shaking his head and barely containing his giggles, interjected, "Oh no, not this again."

Talon ignored him, grinning widely. "I swear, he thanked me afterward!"

Ava tried to laugh along with everyone, but her smile felt forced. She noticed how Eli, sitting quietly beside her, was watching her closely. He reached out, gently placing his hand on hers, but she instinctively pulled away, pretending to be focused on helping little Ava with her food. Eli, patient but growing aware of the widening gap between them, sighed softly and turned his attention back to the table.

As the night wore on, Talon fetched a bottle from the cupboard, pouring drinks around the table. "Now, Miko, tell us your side of things. It’s always better when it’s your turn to roast me," he said with a wink.

Miko didn’t hesitate, jumping at the opportunity. "Well, let me tell you about Talon trying to swing a sword. I had him in my scope during the battle, and let me tell you, it was like watching a toddler with a stick! Dropped it five times at least!" The table erupted in laughter again, even Ava chuckled softly, trying to shake off the heaviness she carried.

"Shh, she’ll kill me," Talon joked, gesturing toward Ava with mock concern.

Jess, seated across from Ava, leaned in quietly. "I’ll come by tomorrow if you want. Maybe we can just sit and draw a little. It might be nice to have some quiet," she offered gently, her eyes soft with concern.

Ava gave her a grateful look and squeezed her hand. "Sure, Jess. Anytime."

Across the table, Miko poured Eli a drink and raised his glass. "So, I hear you’ve been made watch captain. Well done."

Talon lifted his glass as well, though his grin was teasing. "I’ll toast you, Eli, but I’m still not saluting you."

Ava glanced at Eli, offering him a half-hearted kiss on the cheek. "Good job, Eli," she said softly, her words kind but distant.

Eli smiled, grateful for the acknowledgment but still feeling the growing space between them.

As the evening drew to a close, everyone began to gather their things. Eli lingered for a moment longer, standing by the door. "I’ll stop by tomorrow if you want," he offered Ava, his voice gentle but hopeful.

Ava gave him a small smile, though her eyes remained clouded with something deeper. "Okay," she said quietly, "but only if you have time."

Jess, noticing the subtle exchange, gave Eli a reassuring pat on the shoulder as they walked across the frozen grass. "She’s not fighting you, Eli," Jess said softly, her breath misting in the cold air. "She’s fighting herself."

Inside, Talon closed the door, rubbing his hands together. "Well, that wasn’t so bad, right? I’ll take care of the dishes tomorrow. Tonight, just rest up," he said with a satisfied grin, already making his way toward his room. "Good night, Blondie."

Ava remained silent as she made her way to her room. She lay down on her bed, the faint sound of the crackling fire the only noise breaking the silence. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the scar beneath her breast, a constant reminder of how close she had come to death. As she stared at the ceiling, her thoughts drifted back to the battlefield—the fear, the pain, and the darkness that had almost swallowed her whole.

Despite being surrounded by her closest friends and allies, Ava felt more alone than ever. There was a weight in her chest, an unspoken burden she couldn’t shake. The laughter, the warmth, the jokes—none of it seemed to reach her. And as she drifted into a fitful sleep, one question echoed in her mind: *How do you heal when the scars run so deep?*