I am back

Zia woke up covered in sweat from head to toe. It had been 2 years since she came back from her mission and half year since her parent's death, but the night terrors didn't seem to go away. Zia pushed herself out of the bed and went on to do her business in the bathroom after that she dressed herself in camouflage pants with a black high neck top which she paired with simple military shoes. "let's do this" she thought out loud. Today was the day she would be returning to the army camp for the first time in 2 and half years, she didn't remain in touch with anyone for a long time; just those important calls during mission where she had to send the location of enemy camp. She grabbed her duffel bag, because she didn't have too much clothes, she didn't have much or rather she wasn't here for vacation anyway. She looked at her apartment for one last time and then made her way towards the SUV that was send for her by the chief marshal. She was about to open the door when two people just jumped out of the tree beside the car. She wasn't startled rather she just stood there watching these two people hug her tightly. These two were her best friends Josh and Avery. "I will choke to death if you don't let go of me" she humored while maintaining a light smile. "HA HA, don't worry you are not going to die that easily" Josh joked while laughing. While Avery broke the hug and looked at Zia with tear filled eyes "it's been a while" she cried and hugged her again this time more tightly. Zia comforted her friend "yes it has been". "My Lady" Josh bowed with a wink and took the bag from Zia's hand. They settled in the car, Zia in the passenger seat, Josh was driving the car while Avery just rambled about how much she missed Zia in the back, but Zia's mind was somewhere else. She kept thinking about how she will see someone again back in military base. The journey will almost take about 4 to 5 hours. She already told Josh and Avery that she can come by a local flight or bus, but they kept insisting that it would feel like old times being on road trip. They became friends since college and then three of them went to military after completing their perspective degrees. They had a few stops in between to buy snacks because Avery was half crying saying she would die otherwise. All in all, Avery kept Josh and Zia awake by her cheerful and excited ramble about everything. Zia unknowingly fell asleep after 3 hours, it was then Avery decided to shut her mouth. "Do you want me to drive now? You must be tired" Avery was worried for Josh as both of them were so excited to meet Zia that they didn't get any rest and he was constantly driving for about 8 hours even though they did stop and had rest that still wasn't sufficient. "No, I can manage, it's just two more hours" He knew he was tired, but he didn't want to tire out Avery. "You do know that none of us are going to get any amount of rest as soon as we reach camp base" she amused. "Just stop the car and don't worry I am not going to crash your car somewhere. Come back here and lay down for a bit". Josh chuckled and stopped the car at side. He knew she was right whenever she argued. After 2 hours they finally arrived at the base camp. When they were about to reach, Zia woke up with sweat covered forehead. This startled Josh and Avery. "You okay?" they both asked at the same time concerned filled their voice. "I am fine, just a bad dream nothing to be worried about" she smiled at them. Both knew that it wasn't just bad dream, but they chose not to pry more about it, if she wanted to tell she would have, and they respected that. They finally arrived at base camp. As they were getting close to the last checking point, Zia could feel heart thumping loudly in her chest. Soon they were on the main ground, they got out of the car while Zia took her duffel bag out of the car. Zia stood for few second watching the base camp that was still the same as when she left. "I am back".