Return and Reflection

The late afternoon sun slanted across the rolling foothills as Leila's expedition made their way back to the orchard settlement. Dust rose beneath their boots, and the orchard donkey's harness jingled softly, laden with the modest provisions they had salvaged from the partially intact store. Tamsin's watchers brought up the rear, rifles scanning the ridges for any sign of undead or raiders. Mark walked alongside Leila, orchard staff guiding the donkey with quiet efficiency.

A hush rested over the group, exhaustion etched in their faces. The adrenaline from earlier—when they'd narrowly escaped a cluster of zombies—had ebbed, leaving behind a persistent unease that often lurked after close calls. Leila, in particular, felt her shoulders weighed down by the day's brush with old terrors and the memory of nearly being cornered by an undead straggler. She clutched her machete with a white-knuckled grip, unwilling to let her guard down until they were safely behind orchard walls.

When they finally crested the final hill, the orchard settlement rose into view—a familiar silhouette of timber walls, near-finished watchtowers, and farmland rows turning gold in the waning sunlight. A subdued excitement stirred among orchard staff; the donkey brayed, ears perking at the sight of home. Tamsin's watchers exhaled relief, seeing no immediate infiltration or raider threat around the orchard.

Leila signaled, and one watcher climbed the orchard fence to wave down any orchard watchers on duty, indicating a friendly returning party. The gates swung open with a low groan, watchers hurrying to greet them.

As soon as they passed through the entrance, the orchard donkey shook its head, orchard staff patting it in thanks. Fiona appeared from the courtyard, wearing a look of anticipation. Behind her, Darren and a few orchard workers had gathered, drawn by the promise of supplies.

"Welcome back," Fiona called, eyes flicking to the loaded donkey. "How did it go?"

Mark took a step forward, patting the donkey's flank. "We found a partially intact store. Fought a few zombies, but we managed to salvage some canned goods, a couple of medical kits, and some random odds and ends. Nothing huge, but it's something."

Fiona's face brightened, orchard staff glancing over at the donkey with relief. "That helps. Our ration concerns have eased since Redwood's gift, but we still needed more variety. This will keep folks going."

Darren approached, scanning the orchard donkey's bundles. He carefully lifted the medical kits from the saddlebags. "We can store these in the orchard's infirmary," he said, nodding in quiet approval. "Wounds from Jace's siege are healing, but new bandages and antibiotics are always welcome."

Leila watched as orchard staff hurried to unload the donkey, carefully stacking the goods on a makeshift table. Tamsin's watchers lingered near the gate, ensuring no infiltration or sabotage attempts slipped in during the commotion. Harriet's group also arrived, offering to help carry items to the storeroom. The orchard settlement hummed with subdued gratitude at even these modest supplies.

A stir of movement drew Leila's attention: Kai emerged from the orchard's interior, weaving past a cluster of watchers who parted respectfully. His eyes scanned the returning party, searching first for Mark, then settling on Leila with a flicker of relief. The orchard donkey brayed as though acknowledging his presence, orchard staff guiding it to a feed trough. Tamsin's watchers stepped aside, letting Kai approach.

He paused in front of Leila, posture relaxed yet alert, a small smile ghosting his lips. "Welcome back," he said softly, voice carrying more warmth than usual. "Everything go smoothly?"

Her heart gave a slight lurch, remembering how his presence usually steadied her during missions. She swallowed and offered a polite nod. "We had some trouble—small cluster of undead—but we made do. Found some supplies."

He exhaled, tension visibly leaving his shoulders. "Glad you're safe. We heard minimal radio chatter but stayed on alert for infiltration signs." He paused, eyes flicking to her face. "Any injuries?"

For a second, she almost confided about her near cornering by the undead straggler, the flash of old betrayal memories. But a wave of reluctance quashed the urge. She forced a faint, awkward smile. "All good. No major wounds."

Kai searched her expression, concern still etched in his gaze. Sensing he might probe further, she quickly said, "Thanks for holding the orchard security. We appreciate it." Her voice held a stiffness, half grateful, half uncomfortable—she had resolved not to rely on him too much.

He inclined his head, reading the subtext. "Anytime."

As orchard staff finished unloading the donkey, Tamsin's watchers took stock of each crate, scanning for infiltration stowaways or sabotage. Harriet's group assisted with cataloging, orchard donkey munching contentedly at its feed. Fiona quietly conferred with Mark about distributing the newly acquired canned goods, especially the battered medical kits.

Darren, after verifying the orchard donkey's harness was undamaged, turned to Leila. "We'll store these items in the orchard's storeroom. That plus Redwood's earlier gifts should keep us stable for a while."

She nodded, crossing her arms. "Good. We still have infiltration checks daily, especially with new expansions rumored in the foothills. But at least we're not short on basics."

He gave a small grin. "Agreed. Good job out there. I heard about the small zombie cluster from Mark. Glad everyone's okay."

She mustered a nod, ignoring the flicker of fear that recalled her near-death flashback. "Yeah. We handled it."

As the orchard donkey was led away to rest, orchard watchers dispersing, an evening hush began settling over the courtyard. Survivors formed small clutches, some orchard staff heading to the farmland, Harriet's group returning to bunk areas, Tamsin's watchers resuming infiltration patrol. Kai lingered by the newly stacked crates of salvage, orchard donkey braying once behind him as if in farewell.

Leila felt the tension clamp her chest. She needed to say something, to convey the relief that he had stayed behind and kept infiltration at bay while she was gone. Or to thank him for worrying about her. But how? She inhaled, stepping closer, her voice hushed. "Thanks for… well, for making sure everything was secure here."

He gave a subdued smile. "Of course. It's good to have you back." His eyes flicked to the orchard donkey rummaging for leftover feed. "Thought we might have to come looking if infiltration or raiders delayed you."

She forced a small laugh, though her stomach twisted with old heartbreak. "No infiltration trouble this time. We got lucky." She paused, words stumbling. "I… appreciate your concern." The orchard donkey's quiet munching provided a surreal background to this awkward exchange.

Kai caught the awkwardness, nodding gently, not pushing for deeper confessions. "Anytime."

She offered him a tight-lipped, polite smile, then stepped back, uncertain how to handle the warmth in his gaze. I can't let him see how shaken I was. Instead, she turned to orchard watchers finalizing the day's infiltration checks.

Night soon draped the orchard settlement in a gentle hush, torches glowing along the orchard fence and watchtower platforms. The orchard donkey rested peacefully in its stable, orchard staff drifting to bunkhouses. Harriet's group retreated under watchful eyes, Tamsin's watchers patrolled with guarded diligence. Overhead, the near-finished watchtowers loomed, the orchard's expansions forging on despite infiltration fears and raider threats.

Fiona and Darren stood near the orchard's storeroom, verifying inventory logs and praising the modest but useful supplies gleaned from the old store. Mark recounted the day's small victories, orchard staff occasionally marveling at the battered medical kits or the few undamaged canned goods. It wasn't a massive haul, but enough to ease ration concerns, reaffirming the orchard's resilience. They overcame infiltration nightmares and a small zombie cluster, returning stronger.

Leila, perched on a wooden crate in the courtyard, breathed slowly, reflecting on the day's events—the near-cornering by that undead straggler, the haunting flashback of Jace's betrayal, and the subtle relief in Kai's eyes when she returned. She felt a swirl of conflicting emotions: a yearning for the synergy they once shared, overshadowed by her vow not to appear too reliant or vulnerable. One step at a time, she told herself, scanning the orchard watchers posted at the gate.

Kai lingered on the opposite side of the courtyard, quietly speaking with watchers about infiltration protocols. Their eyes met briefly in the torchlight, a flicker of tension passing between them before she forced herself to look away. Not yet. She needed to keep a firm boundary until she felt certain infiltration or sabotage wouldn't exploit any perceived weakness.

Still, the orchard settlement ended the day on a subdued note of accomplishment. They had returned with salvaged resources—a small but tangible victory. The farmland expansions pressed onward, Redwood's generosity from earlier arcs continued to bolster them, watchtower expansions neared completion, and infiltration checks remained thorough. The orchard donkey dozed contentedly, orchard staff retired to rest, and Tamsin's watchers rotated for another vigilant night watch.