Chapter 6.3

When I woke, I was confused by the noise, then I remembered the events of the last few days. Most of the kids were awake and chatting and playing with one another. Most of them thankfully had seen a shower and were now considerably less fragrant and in clean clothes. Something I couldn't say for myself. I was just about to head for the showers when Anna called me over.

"I heard you were the one that bought the girl in." I motioned to the other end of the hall to the girl I carried most of the way.

"I did. She was having trouble even standing. Did you find out what was wrong?"

"I did to an extent. She's malnourished, and I think her leg has been broken multiple times and hasn't been set, I think the combination is why she can't walk easily. But she won't let me examine her closely nor is she willing for me to take her to the shower. Can you talk to her?"

"I'm not sure what help I can be, but I'll try." I shrugged, shifting my thoughts away from the hot shower that was waiting for me.

"Hi, do you remember me from yesterday?" I asked.

She nodded.

"What's your name? I didn't catch it yesterday."

"I don't trust them… any of them. They're just like my parents." She glared outwards to the outside world but to no-one in particular.

"But you trust me?" I probed.

She nodded slowly. "I think… You might understand."

"Anna is my friend. She won't hurt you. It's best if you get checked out so we can help you if we can."

"I don't like people touching me." She mumbled defiantly, almost like she was afraid to show her reluctance but also wouldn't let it go.

"Would you at least let her take you to the shower? I'm going there myself, so I'll keep an ear out."

"I don't need any help." She spat back, insulted.

"Okay, well, I can show you where it is, and Anna can wait outside. Is that okay?"

Her expression was blank for a moment, and I thought she was going to reject that as well, but she reluctantly agreed.

Anna had overheard our conversation and stood ready at the door with an armful of soap and a towel. She walked awkwardly, like her legs weren't her own, but it was better than the day before. Her fox trotted besides her. Thankfully we didn't have far to walk; outside, Anna handed her the bundle, and without meeting either of our gazes "Tasmin Whitewater." She muttered, before hobbling into the female shower block.

I hurried to the other end of the male's block, away from the doors, although it was almost the middle of the day and not many would be using the showers, the far end was almost always empty. The room curved like an L shape, but the sound carried. I heard two men follow after me, and I caught part of their conversation.

"I get that they're kids and all, but I don't really get why Raven sanctioned a rescue mission."

"But are they kids though?"

"What do you mean?"

"I heard that they've all got those things attached to them. Like the Anderson kid."

"That's creepy as hell."

"What do we do if we get out numbered? What if they've been brainwashed or something and they kill us all in our sleep? Maybe that was Garlantia's plan."

"Well, I know I can't get a proper sleep with them lot here."

"I think they should be locked up."

The rest of the conversation was cut off by the sound of water as they turned their showers on. My mind was both frozen and whirling with echoes of their conversation. I could hear my heart hammering in my chest as I stood motionless, half naked, and in a freezing pool of water. I realised I was shocked that they thought that we might not even be human, that we were there to take over the base or something.

I was naive to be shocked, in retrospect, I don't know why I was. Maybe I thought it was pretty clear how much these kids had suffered; they didn't need to be demonised by the adults that were meant to protect them but failed to do so. We risked our lives to rescue those children, they were being starved and maybe even tortured, yet those safe in the bunker could only think of themselves. Fear seeped into my anger as I wondered how far these opinions went. I didn't like Raven, but I knew we couldn't really afford to be divided. A war wasn't the time for that, but we couldn't turn our backs on them. I waited until they finished before I started my shower, in fear that they would realise I was listening in on them.

Anna and Tasmin were waiting restlessly outside the restrooms; Tasmin frowned at me for taking too long and Anna looked questioningly. I shook my head slightly and she left it at that.