Page 14 of Her Shadow

Laeticia’s eyes softened for the briefest of moments, but then the sternness returned. “Do you realize how dangerous it is to bring back a stranger? I’ve never allowed it! Not even family members get in here without my say-so. This is how it works here, and you fucking know it as well as I do. What if she’s a threat? What if it was her plan all along to get in here?”

Kara knew that the living could be as much a threat as the undead, but she felt her fist curl up at the unjustness of the captain’s words. “Sam isn’t like that. She’s been through a lot. And I’ve seen her. She’s resourceful, and she’s skilled. And theonly reason she’s here is because she wants to help. We need people like her. She’s not trying to stay, although I want her to.”

Laeticia scowled, and she stomped her heel onto the dirt below their feet. “We need loyalty. That’s all that matters here. And I’m not sure where yours lay anymore. With her, it seems. You were seen last night…you and this Sam woman. Listen, I don’t judge…but seriously, Kara?”

The words cut deep, and Kara pressed her palms together as tears formed in her eyes. She was having trouble believing Laeticia was speaking to her like this. There had always been mutual respect between them. “My loyalty is to Fort Haven. It always has been. You know that, Captain.”

Laeticia studied her for what felt like an hour. The silence was deafening. Kara knew the woman was weighing her plea carefully, and she dreaded the response…whenever it would come. “I hope you’re right,” she said finally. “Because if anything happens—if she turns out to be a threat—it’s all on you. And the consequences will be severe, Kara. You mark my words.”

Kara felt her throat tighten. “I understand.”

With that, Laeticia spun around and walked away, leaving Kara standing alone. What had been said weighed heavily on her conscience.

Have I put Sam in danger by allowing her to come here?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She knew she had to get back to Sam, and she wanted to straighten out her nerves beforehand.

Sam was sitting on a bench near the dining tables when Kara found her. She was looking around cautiously, and Kara felt a pang of pity for the older woman. She looked so lost and helpless. As she approached, Sam gave Kara a questioning look.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Sam asked.

Kara forced the most cheerful smile she could muster, not wanting to burden Sam with any of what the captain had justsaid. Laeticia’s words would have scared Sam, and that was the last thing Kara wanted. “Everything’s fine. We were talking Fort business.”

Sam looked far from convinced, but Kara could tell that, for ease’s sake, her lover was going to let this little white lie slip. “You sure, sweetheart?”

“Ooh! I like it when you call me that,” Kara repeated. “Yeah. Obviously, we were expected back with a ton of supplies. Maybe not a ton…but, you know? We have to come up with another plan. But anyway,” she concluded with a forced grin, “let’s keep going.”

As they approached the workshop, Jamie, the fort’s primary builder, waved them over with a grin.

“Hey, Kara,” Jamie called out. Kara had known Jamie before the outbreak. He was an old family friend. She remembered the day she saw him arrive at Fort Haven almost a year ago and how she’d vouched for him. He was a sight for sore eyes. She rushed over to see him, her eyes wide open, ready for one of his bear hugs. “Who’s your friend?”

“This is Sam,” Kara declared, feeling a surge of pride as she said it. “She’s going to be staying with us. For now, at least.”

“Hey! It’s nice to meet you, Sam. So, what’s your story, lady?” Jamie asked, leaning against a workbench and flashing the widest, friendliest of smiles.

“I…I am…was…in this nomadic group. I’ve got lots of skills. We survived in the wild for years,” Sam explained as Kara gave her an encouraging smile.

Jamie’s eyebrows raised. “That’s impressive. We could always use more hands on deck here. Are you good at building? Carpentry? I’d love to show you how we do things.”

Sam’s eyes sparkled at the offer. Kara felt a surge of relief wash through her, grateful that Jamie was welcoming her lover.“Absolutely! I’d love to give it a go. I can put my hand to most things.”

Maybe Sam will find her place here.

“Do you see, Sam? People are naturally drawn to you. You’ll have a home here. Have you thought about it?” Kara said as she gave Sam a playful nudge.

“I don’t know,” Sam replied, one corner of her mouth turning down as she shrugged her shoulders. “I feel like an outsider, and I guess I will for a while.”

Kara couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she turned to face her. She realized in an instant that it was the wrong thing to do and started wracking her brain for the right words. “You know something? You’re not an outsider as far as I’m concerned. You could have left me for dead that first day. In fact, I can’t work out why you didn’t. The whole area was swamped with the undead. I’d have run away. But you chose to stay and save me. That means something. You chose to bring me here, to personally escort me, and now you’re considering leaving?”

Sam’s gaze softened, and the tension in her shoulders looked to be easing a little as her arms dropped down to her side. “You’ve made it all sound a lot easier than it is, Kara. I’m not saying it’s a no. Let’s just see how it goes, okay?”

Kara smiled and pulled Sam closer, whispering gently in her ear, “I promise it’ll be worth it,” before landing a gentle kiss on her lips.

Later that evening, as they settled into their room, the intimacy of the space closed in around them. Laeticia’s harsh words seemed to be playing on a loop in her head. She hadn’t told Samany of the details, but she also knew that Sam could see that she was distracted, that something was wrong.

“What’s up, Kara? You’ve gone quiet…and you seem so down,” Sam asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

She moved closer, her heart aching at the vulnerability in Sam’s tone. “I’m fine. Everything will be just fine. It may take time before people get used to you, take time to get used to…us. But yes. All you have to do is show them you should be here.”

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