Chapter 53: Home With My Friends.

As the group approached the gates of Green Arbor, Callie felt the weight of exhaustion, fear, and relief all mingling into a dizzying mixture. But as they drew nearer, she noticed a crowd had gathered—members of the ADF, villagers, and a few familiar faces from the market. The convoy she’d protected was waiting just outside the gates, the drivers and guards standing in anticipation. And then, unexpectedly, they began to clap.

Callie’s face flushed with surprise, but a soft, proud smile crossed her lips. She walked with her head held high, each step feeling lighter as the applause and cheers rippled through the crowd. Some people nodded respectfully, while others called out words of encouragement, shouting things like, “Well done, Callie!” and “Good job, Cadet!”

One of the ADF drivers stepped forward, shaking her hand firmly. “Well done. If you hadn’t made that call on that ambush, none of us would’ve made it back.”

Miko nudged Callie with a playful grin. “See? You did good, kiddo,” he said, his voice warm with pride.

Callie smiled, feeling the genuine warmth of the community's support seep into her, lifting her spirits in a way she hadn’t thought possible. Talon jogged ahead, turning back with his usual, mischievous energy. “Alright, everyone, you know where we’re heading—meet up at the tavern!”

Callie glanced at Ava, eyebrows raised. “The tavern? Won’t it be closed by now?”

“Oh, he’ll get Selene to open it up,” Ava assured her, slinging an arm around Callie’s shoulders as they walked through the gates. “I think he’d charm the moon down from the sky if he thought it would make a good night.”

As they made their way to the tavern, Lucas and Echo met them at the entrance. Echo’s screen flickered with excitement, his digital face displaying a wide grin. “Callie, I’m so happy you’re safe! I was really worried. Lucas wouldn’t let me go look for you.”

Lucas laughed. “Well, considering you’d only make it as far as the gate before losing signal, I figured it wasn’t the best idea, Echo.”

Inside, the tavern was dimly lit, lanterns casting a warm glow over the room. Talon had already set a round of drinks at the table, grinning widely as they all gathered around. He handed Callie a small glass with an amber liquid. “Here, drink this. It’ll take the edge off,” he said, winking.

Callie looked hesitantly at the glass and then at Ava, seeking reassurance.

“Go on, you’ve earned it,” Ava encouraged, smiling as she gave Callie a gentle nudge. “Tonight, you’ve shown what you’re made of. This is a toast to your strength, kiddo.”

Callie raised the glass to her lips, downed it in one go, and immediately coughed, her eyes watering. “Oh my god, what the hell *is* that?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Selene, standing behind the bar, laughed as she poured her another. “That, Callie, is called victory. And trust me, it tastes better the second time around.”

The group settled in, sharing stories of the night's events, with Callie absorbing every word. She marveled at how, even after such a frightening experience, they found ways to laugh and joke, turning every moment into something that strengthened the bond between them.

Talon leaned over lifting Ava’s arm to check her injury, inspecting it with the precision of someone who’d done it a thousand times. “You didn’t tear this back open, did you?”

“Oh, stop fussing,” Ava replied, rolling her eyes and pulling away as she downed another shot. “I’ve had worse paper cuts.”

“Right,” Talon smirked, flicking her hair playfully. “Bet the medics *love* you.”

Callie, finally relaxing, tried to tell a story but stumbled over her words, the drinks taking their effect. The group erupted in laughter as she tried to recall a lesson Talon had given her, her words turning into an exaggerated slur. Even Echo’s monitor displayed a laughing face.

Talon, always the storyteller, leaned back and began to recount the night’s chase. “You know, it wasn’t easy tracking you out there, kiddo,” he said, his voice dripping with theatrical drama. “There we were, trudging through the woods, and Ava decides we should follow the river…”

Ava rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, here we go.”

Talon continued, undeterred. “So, we follow the river, and what do we see but a massive bear!”

“There was no bear,” Miko interjected dryly, crossing his arms.

“Quiet, Miko, I’m telling a story!” Talon shot back, grinning. “So this bear, it looks us up and down, like it knows we’re on a mission. And it starts guiding us, leading us through the forest.”

Callie’s eyes widened, captivated. “Really?”

Ava laughed, shaking her head. “No, not really. Talon here just likes adding a bit of flair.”

Talon shrugged. “Okay, maybe no bear. But we *did* follow the river, and we *did* take out some bandits on the way. And then we heard shots—your shots, Callie—and we knew we had to get there, fast.”

Miko nodded, adding in his own calm way, “Your shots kept ringing out, but we knew were holding your ground, that helped us find you. Those last shots saved your life.”

A lump formed in Callie’s throat, but she managed a smile, feeling the surge of gratitude. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Ava wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her shoulder. “You’re family, Callie. We’ll always come for you.”

Just then, Jess burst into the tavern, her hands on her hips as she scanned the scene with an exasperated look. “Is she drunk? She’s a cadet, you bloody children!” She marched over to Miko, gesturing to Callie. “Help me get her home before she falls flat on her face.”

Talon, Ava, Lucas, and even Echo erupted into laughter as Jess scolded Miko, who was half-heartedly trying to defend himself. Eventually, Jess couldn’t help but join in the laughter, the tension melting away.

“Say goodnight, Callie,” Jess instructed, a fond smile softening her tone.

Callie grinned, her voice slurring as she tried to follow orders. “Goooood night,” she managed, drawing another round of laughter from everyone.

As Jess and Miko led Callie out, Talon, Ava, and Lucas sat back, watching her go with a shared sense of pride. Ava lifted her glass, glancing at her friends. “She needed that tonight,” she said, her voice thoughtful.

Talon nodded. “She’s young, but she’s got heart. There’s nothing worse than feeling hunted… but I think tonight, she learned just how strong she really is.”

Lucas raised his glass, a soft smile on his face. “To Callie, the cadet.”

They all clinked their glasses together, feeling the strength of their bond and the warmth of the home they’d found in Green Arbor.

“To Callie, the cadet,” they echoed, and as they sat together in the warm glow of the tavern, they knew they would always have each other’s backs, no matter what lay ahead.