Page 6 of Her Shadow

She wants to know why I’m doing this. So do I! This woman is a total stranger. I’ve just met her. Why am I doing this? I’m not doing anything else, so why not?

Sam couldn’t fully explain it even to herself. There was a connection there, and she couldn’t deny it. And connections were rare in this broken world.

“I appreciate it. But I don’t want you to get in any trouble with the others,” Kara whispered, lowering her head to look at her feet and fidgeting with the cuff of her sleeve.

Sam turned back to the fire. She pulled her knees up to her chest and cradled them. This was a gesture she found comforting whenever she felt ill at ease or nervous. “We’ll probably leave tomorrow morning,” she said, barging ahead with her decision despite still feeling confused and anxious as to why she trusted this woman implicitly after knowing her for less than 24 hours. “I’d say pack up your stuff, but I guess you don’t have any. I’ll gather a few supplies. We’ll have to hunt and gather as we travel. You’ve been through a lot. Get some rest, or you’ll never heal.”

Sam could see the flicker of impatience in Kara’s eyes as the younger woman pursed her lips. She clearly wasn’t one to sit idle, even though her body was working against her. Sam admired that. But rushing into the wasteland in her current statewould be suicide. Kara was clearly going to be someone who wasn’t easy to persuade.

Later, as the temperature began to drop, Sam found herself beside Kara. The fire crackled, and Sam slowly relaxed, resting her chin on her knees.

“You’re quiet,” Kara said, taking an unsure breath and breaking the silence between them. “Thinking about something?”

Sam stiffened. “Nothing in particular. I’m just thinking about the road ahead.”

“I know,” Kara replied softly, scratching at her neck where a mosquito had settled to do its worst. “But we’ll get there. I have to believe that.”

Sam nodded forlornly as she crossed her arms. Her mind remained heavy with the weight of what was to come. She had been living the nomadic life for months, constantly on the move, never settling in one place for too long. The idea of having Kara as a travel companion and of having a specific destination in mind felt not only exhilarating but terrifying.

“You’re so strong,” Sam dared herself to say after a moment. “You went through a lot yesterday, and it must feel raw. But Fort Haven seems like a world away. We’ll need to be smart and take our time.”

Kara met her gaze. “I trust you guys. You brought me here, fed me, and you’ve kept this fire burning all day. I know I’m in the best possible hands. You didn’t kill me, either, so that’s something.”

Sam laughed as she felt a warmth spread through her entire body as Kara spoke. She wasn’t used to this feeling ofconnection, of caring for someone this much in such a short space of time, but with Kara, it somehow felt natural.

God, her voice. It’s beautiful.

"I need to tell you something,” she stated matter-of-factly. “The others don’t want to join us. I’ve had a chance to gauge the mood today, and they don’t want to go anywhere near Fort Haven. I’m sorry. But I’ll be with you. And I won’t let anything happen to you, I’m good on a trek, and I’m up for the adventure, I mean, what else have I got to do?” Sam said, her voice filled with a profound determination.

Kara smiled. “Really? Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The two women sat in silence, their unspoken bond growing stronger with each passing moment. Sam knew the road ahead would be filled with uncertainty, but she felt she had a reason in Kara to keep fighting.

What am I doing? Why am I risking everything for her? But what else have I got to do other than hunt, survive, and fight?

She didn’t really know, but one thing she did know was the warmth she felt for Kara didn’t come by often, and she’d be a fool to let it pass her by.

3

KARA

Kara trudged forward, every step just one more in the treacherous miles they’d traveled so far. She knew she was carrying too much weight in her backpack. She felt the strain in her lower back and prayed that Sam would suggest a rest and a bite to eat at some point in the not-so-distant future. The dirt and grime coating her clothes was so depressing. The once-vibrant green fabric of her jacket was now a dull, sludgy shade of brown stained by the blood, sweat, and tears she’d had to endure over the last few months.

Oh, God. What I wouldn’t give for a day’s shopping. I’d go anywhere…Target, Walmart…I wouldn’t be fussy. Hot fresh food. An ice-cold drink. Wow, I miss that.

Sam walked beside her, a steady presence that Kara realized felt somewhat reassuring. The older woman had captivated her almost from the start. Her leather jacket, though still intact, bore the marks of her travels with her tribe of nomads—scuffs, dirt smudges, self-defense tears, and an outdoorsy odor. The contours of her physique were more apparent now, her athletic build defined by the movement of her muscles beneath the fabric. Her shirt clung to her, damp from the exertion of the day.

I could watch you all day.

“Are you sure this is the right direction?” Sam’s voice cut through Kara’s thoughts, who actually welcomed the break. She was starting to feel a little ashamed of her daydreaming, mainly as she was now permanently in the company of its subject matter. Sam’s gaze swept over the terrain, and Kara took note of the woman’s sharp eyes assessing the surroundings with practiced precision.

I wish you’d look at me like that.

Kara shifted from one foot to the other, the straps of her bag digging into her shoulders. “Yes. We’re still going east. Right? I’m pretty certain we’re on track. We should make it by tomorrow evening.”

Sam’s face was set in a thoughtful expression. “I’ve been thinking about what you said about Fort Haven. It sounds like a sanctuary. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been fine with my gang. I’ve gotten quite good at roaming from one place to the next, and I felt sick when we left them, but I quite like the idea of being in the one place…of having roots, you know?”

“Does that mean you’d like to stay at Haven?”

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