Chapter 17: New Bonds, New Paths.

The days in Green Arbor had passed peacefully since the dinner at Ava and Talon’s cabin. Callie had found herself settling into a comfortable routine, staying with Jess and Miko, who had welcomed her into their home with warmth and understanding. Little Ava had taken to visiting Callie often, bringing her colorful drawings of her “aunties and uncles” and telling her endless stories about her family’s adventures.

During her free time, Callie had formed an unexpected bond with Echo. Every day after training, she would make her way to the schoolhouse, where Echo’s hardware now resided, his monitor always displaying some calming scene. She would sit with him, sharing her lunch, sometimes talking, sometimes just enjoying the quiet company. The children from the school often left small trinkets—handmade crafts, flowers, and drawings—on Echo’s casing, and Callie found that this simple connection to the AI had become one of her favorite parts of the day.

One afternoon, as she sat cross-legged on the floor beside Echo’s monitor, nibbling on an apple, Echo’s voice broke the comfortable silence.

"Callie," Echo began, his voice gentle but filled with curiosity, "I’ve been thinking about emotions. They are... difficult to understand. Can you help me?"

Callie smiled, setting the apple core aside. "Sure, Echo. What do you want to know?"

"Can you explain what happiness feels like?" Echo asked, his monitor switching to an image of a sunlit field, the soft sound of a breeze playing through the room.

Callie thought for a moment. "Happiness feels... light. Like the sun warming your skin. It’s that feeling when something goes right or when you’re surrounded by people who care about you. It makes you feel free."

Echo’s screen flickered to a bright blue sky, a soft breeze moving through digital grass. "And sadness?" he inquired.

"Sadness is the opposite," Callie said quietly, her fingers brushing over one of the children’s drawings on Echo’s case. "It’s heavy, like you’re carrying something in your chest. It makes you feel alone, even when you’re not. It’s hard to shake off."

The screen shifted to a rainy scene, drops tapping gently against the window of an old house. "I understand. What about fear?" Echo asked, his voice more inquisitive now.

Callie felt a slight shiver as she answered. "Fear makes your heart race, like it’s too fast for your body to keep up. You feel like you should run, but you don’t know where to go. It’s... overwhelming."

Echo displayed an image of a stormy sea, dark clouds rolling over churning waters. "Fear sounds... troubling. And love?" Echo asked, his voice softer now, almost reverent.

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Callie paused, her mind drifting to memories of her parents and the warmth of being surrounded by family. "Love feels safe. It’s like knowing there’s someone who will always have your back, no matter what. It makes you feel stronger, like you can face anything."

Echo displayed a scene of a cozy room, a fire crackling in a hearth, and a blanket draped over a comfortable chair. "Thank you, Callie. I think I understand a little more now. Emotions are very complex, but they also seem important."

Callie smiled, finishing the last bite of her apple. "They are. And they’re worth feeling, even when they’re tough. They make us who we are."

Echo’s screen flickered slightly, as though he were processing her words. "I will remember that. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Good luck with your training, Callie. Believe in yourself. Ava and the others already do."

Callie felt a warmth spread through her as she stood up, adjusting her jacket. "Thanks, Echo. I’ll see you tomorrow."

As she left the schoolhouse, Callie headed toward the training grounds, her thoughts still on her conversation with Echo. But before she could get too lost in her thoughts, she spotted her friend, Lara, the female cadet who had been part of her group when they arrived at Green Arbor. Lara was standing by the gate, her bag packed and slung over her shoulder, waiting with the other two cadets who were set to return to the base in the morning.

"Callie!" Lara called out, waving her over. "I was hoping to catch you before we left."

Callie hurried over, her steps quickening as she smiled at her friend. "I’m glad I caught you, too. You’re really leaving tomorrow?"

Lara nodded, her expression a mix of excitement and sadness. "Yeah, we’re catching a ride with the messenger heading back to the base. It’s been an amazing few weeks here, though. I’m going to miss it."

Callie looked down, her nerves suddenly creeping in. "I’m kind of nervous about staying here without you with me. It’s been... nice, but also really different."

Lara smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. "Callie, I’ve already seen the change in you. You’re standing taller, you’re smiling more. This place has been good for you, and you’re going to be great here. Trust me."

Callie’s heart warmed at her friend’s words, but she still felt a pang of uncertainty. "I don’t know. What if I can’t keep up?"

Lara grinned, pulling Callie into a tight hug. "You’ve got this, Callie. You’re stronger than you think. And hey, you’ve got Ava, Talon, and Jess here. They’ll take care of you. Just promise me you’ll come back to visit us at the base when you’re all toughened up."

Callie laughed softly, hugging Lara back. "I will. I promise."

As they pulled apart, Lara’s grin turned mischievous. "And did you see Darren getting tossed around by Talon? I swear, he’s never going to mess with anyone again."

Callie giggled, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. "Yeah, that was pretty great. He definitely got what was coming to him."

The two friends laughed together, the bond between them stronger than ever. As the evening sky began to darken, they said their final goodbyes, with Lara squeezing Callie’s hand one last time before joining the other cadets.

Callie stood there for a moment, watching her friend walk away, feeling both sadness and excitement swirling inside her. She wasn’t entirely sure what the future held, but for the first time, she felt ready to face it head-on.

With a deep breath, Callie turned and made her way back to Jess and Miko’s home where she was now staying, a small smile on her face as she thought about Echo’s words and Lara’s encouragement. She was finding her place, little by little, and with each step, her confidence grew.

As she walked under the canopy of trees, the distant hum of Green Arbor’s life continued, wrapping her in its embrace. For the first time in a long while, Callie felt like she belonged somewhere—like she was finally home.