COMPLEXES

                “depends, are they in fact edible?”

              “thank u althea”

                      alicia actually enjoyed taking over watches. not that she was sleeping much lately anyway and she wanted to be as useful as possible for the group. she sat by the edge of camp her fingers playing carefully with the sharp edge of her weapon, pressing around the holes as she waited for any sound of life -- or death. she heard a rustle of grass, sticks and leaves but it had to be someone from inside. the steps were too organised and quick. bright, iridescent, green hues moved through the darkness to find althea walking toward her. alicia relaxed as al spoke to her, the company wouldn’t be all bad.   ❛   can’t sleep huh? -- aren’t you supposed to be taking tomorrow’s watch?    ❜

                    it’s cold. like really really cold. she’d never been so far north, not even before the end of all things. this was all unfamiliar territory, weighing her down, making her more cautious. alicia had been fooled before with so called ‘safe havens.’ having gotten used to the security and comfort of walls, weapons, food and company only to have it all fall through her fingers like water... or maybe sand. either way she was keeping a steady distance, ensuring her safety above all else. but this woman -- one who had reminded her so much of her mother when she’d entered those high guarded walls was here, standing before her and offering her blankets and a few extra jackets. alicia couldn’t help but smile.  ❛  thank you.   ❜ was all she could offer in terms of a reply as she took the pile of woven cloth and what looked like a nice, almost new sherpa lined denim jacket. 

                    there’s a small nod in place of an actual response for a moment, green eyes making their way to the blond woman who sat close to her. there was a profound quality to what she had said. all alicia could ad was,  ❛ aren’t we all? ❜