the supplies comes in waves. summer has been kind to them. must be the sun talking— the heat its rays provide being just enough to warm her insides where she's still frostbitten from winter— but she's counting the numbers, counting the days and by the end of fall.. they might just be back to square one. when winter comes they'll have the clothes on their back and the bordered up windows of their homes but what the hell is that going to do for rumbling bellies? ❝ a whole lot of nothing. ❞ she mumbles into the campfire as it sparks away in front of her.
colette crumples the dried to bone paper in her hands. maybe she'll finally have to cave. they have more medicine than they've needed over the last three years let alone to survive another winter. she can bargain with the other half of flagstaff. beg and plead until she's red in the face. her heart beats heavy in her ears. flushes her face against the flames and the scorch of summer. is it okay to show weakness if it keeps the people who depend on her alive? she's all too willing to take the risk. she has to be, for them. it isn't their burden to bare. it's her burden.
❝ don't worry, the fire's still got a keeper. ❞ can feel the presence of another behind her. even when she thinks the town's fast asleep in their beds after a summer night of camaraderie, unaware of the misery in seasons to come, she is reminded she's never truly alone. makes her remember why she's hung on this long. she turns her neck to crane a look at who joins her. ❝ shouldn't be surprised it's you. ❞ a smile tugs northbound. ❝ myra and benji enjoy themselves tonight? ❞
¹ @svnbleach / ² starter call .. from colette for lydia hart.