Life in Refuge followed its own quiet rhythm, and Jack, Sam, Lila, and Ezra quickly fell into step. As they settled into their new lodgings, they began to adjust to the routines of the settlement, where people moved with purpose, their actions efficient and unhurried. There was a sense of peace here, but Jack knew it was fragile, a delicate balance that could easily be broken.
One morning, as they were shown around the various sections of Refuge, Jack found himself wandering near the farmlands. Rows of hardy crops grew in neat lines, each patch carefully tended, evidence of the work it took to keep this settlement self-sustaining. The people here bartered for what they needed, trading what they grew or crafted, and while resources were scarce, they seemed to make it work.
But what caught Jack’s eye as he passed the rows of vegetables and herbs was something entirely unexpected: a small patch of leafy green plants, their wide, fragrant leaves unmistakable. He stopped, staring at the plants with a mixture of disbelief and wonder.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered, a grin breaking across his face.
A nearby farmer, a wiry man with dirt-streaked hands and a weathered face, noticed Jack’s reaction and chuckled. “Not every day you see a tobacco crop, huh?”
Jack turned to the man, his grin widening. “In all my years out there, I didn’t think I’d ever see one of these again. Thought they were a thing of the past.”
The farmer nodded, his expression warm. “It’s a rare thing, that’s for sure. Got a small patch here, only enough for bartering or special occasions. Takes a lot to keep it going out here, but some folks just can’t let go of the old comforts.”
Jack felt a surge of appreciation, both for the crop and for the man’s determination to keep it alive. “Well, you’re doing a good job. Got to admit, I’m a little jealous.”
The farmer sized Jack up, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Tell you what. I’ve got some leaves dried and ready to go. You got anything worth trading?”
Jack patted his pockets, considering. He’d stashed a few small valuables over the years—a silver lighter, a few scraps of old currency, even a pocket knife he rarely used. With a shrug, he pulled out the lighter and handed it over. The farmer inspected it, nodded approvingly, and disappeared into a small shed. When he returned, he handed Jack a handful of dried tobacco leaves, already rolled and ready to smoke.
“Enjoy it,” the farmer said with a wink. “But don’t go getting spoiled. Not every place out there’s got luxuries like these.”
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Jack chuckled, slipping the small stash into his pocket. “Believe me, I won’t. This… this is a treat.” He started to walk away, then paused, giving the farmer a nod. “Thanks. Means more than you’d think.”
The farmer gave a knowing smile. “Good folks deserve a few good things. Just make sure you’re one of the good ones.”
Jack continued through Refuge, his mood lighter than it had been in days. But as he walked, he noticed subtle signs that not all was well here. A group of guards patrolled the perimeter with tense expressions, their hands resting on their weapons, their eyes constantly scanning the settlement’s edges. He overheard snippets of conversation from residents, hushed whispers about food shortages, an argument over resources, and even rumors of sabotage.
His mind went back to the farmer’s words, and a thought lingered: this place, for all its peace, was as vulnerable as anywhere else in the wasteland. As he passed a gathering near the main square, he caught a mention of “strangers among us,” the words laced with suspicion. Refuge might have been a sanctuary, but it was clear that the cracks were already starting to show.
The thought gnawed at him as he made his way to a quiet spot near the edge of the settlement, where he could sit with his back against the wall, the view stretching out over the wasteland beyond. He took out one of the rolled cigarettes, lighting it with the remaining matches he had. The first drag was satisfying, a small comfort that eased the tension in his chest.
He leaned back, watching the thin tendrils of smoke drift into the air. The taste was familiar, grounding him, bringing back memories of nights spent with old friends, faces long gone. Here, in this place of fragile peace, he allowed himself a rare moment of calm, savoring the taste and the quiet.
As he smoked, his thoughts drifted to Sam, Lila, and Ezra. They’d been through hell together, each one of them carrying their own burdens. And somehow, they’d made it here, to Refuge. But as much as he wanted to believe in this place, he knew that peace like this was hard to hold onto.
Ezra’s words came back to him, the warning that Magnus saw Refuge as a prize, a place he believed was his by right. The man would stop at nothing to expand his reach, and Refuge, for all its walls and defenses, might not stand a chance if Magnus brought his full strength down upon it.
But Jack didn’t feel the usual urge to leave, to move on and avoid attachment. Instead, he felt something different—a fierce desire to protect this place, to give Sam, Lila, and Ezra a shot at a life beyond constant survival. For once, he had something to fight for, something that went beyond his own survival.
He took a final drag, savoring the last of the cigarette before crushing it under his boot. Rising to his feet, he looked out over Refuge, his gaze steady, his resolve hardening.
If Magnus thought he could take this place, he was in for a rude awakening.
Jack made his way back to the lodgings, where he found Sam and Lila talking in hushed tones, their expressions relaxed but cautious. Ezra was nearby, his face thoughtful as he watched the comings and goings of the settlement’s people.
“Grizzly,” Sam said, smiling as he looked up. “Enjoy your smoke?”
Jack grinned, his expression softer than usual. “More than I thought I would.”
They shared a small laugh, the kind of camaraderie that only came after surviving together, and Jack felt a rare warmth settle over him. He knew, deep down, that he would do whatever it took to protect this place, these people.
And if Magnus came knocking, Jack would be ready.