Page 107 of Beyond The Maples
"Is that how you greet your dear old sister? Not a very welcoming homecoming, Lind," I smirk at him.
Then I rush at him before he's even taken off his dusty boots or jacket. I wrap him in the tightest hug I can manage, and he returns it.
He pulls back.
"Woah, look at you. You look… different."
I cock an eyebrow. I know I've filled out. Gone are the ribs that used to poke out angrily, and dark circles no longer haunt my eyes. Myhair isn’t as frazzled. I feel better, despite the fact that chaos still rules in my life at The Centre. It's a different chaos.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment," I say, jabbing him in the stomach so he lets out a grunt.
"What are you doing here?! Is everything ok? Is Deacon OK?" Linden's anxiety seems to fill the room.
"Everything is fine. Deacon is fine. Sort of..." I pause. "Hey, by the way, a letter would've been nice—warning me the idiot was following me into the trenches. You must have known he was coming," I scold.
He shrugs.
"He'd mentioned it, but you know Deacon. Once he made up his mind it wouldn't have mattered what I said, no matter how stupid I told him he was being." He shakes his head. "Plus, if I'm being honest, I was kinda glad you'd have someone out there, someone to look out for you."
"I don't need that, and you know it," I chide.
"Anyway. What's up? Did they fire you for being an ultra pain in the ass?" He laughs, taking off his boots as I flop back down on the couch.
"Ha Ha. Very funny. No. But I do have a lot to tell you, and it's a fairly long story. I was just trying to figure out if I should make you wait until Willow's home, so I don't have to repeat myself," I say, fiddling with the stray threads that peek out of the couch's seams.
"How about you tell me now, then you can tell the child-appropriate version when Willow's home?"
Linden the logical. Gods, I missed him.
I tell him everything. About The Centre, and how differently the residents there live. How cadets and citizens are still going missing everywhere, and no one seems overly concerned. I tell him about how Leo found a growing plant in the ground. I tell him about the hangings, and the family that was our first assignment in a town that had more growth than anyone thought possible. I tell him about Farra and how we failed to protect her. Then I tell him about the twins and their accountsof Soland and Zaphira, and how almost nothing is what we thought. I tell him about Sibyella and the herbs, and the compass wall hanging. I tell him every last detail that I've left out of my letters over the past few months.
Linden sits with his leg crossed over his knee, listening intently.
"What is the name of the root the twins are bringing back?"
I chuckle. Of course, this is the detail he wants to analyze first. Ever the scientist.
"It's called Lether root."
I'd finally remembered what it was called. Though I hadn't had another shift in the library to snoop for what the herb was used for yet.
Before we're able to continue, I hear a large thud at the door, and then a high-pitched squeal.
Willow's home.
I spring from the couch and launch myself at her. Willow gasps and lets out a half-sob half-laugh into my hair.
"What are you doing home?! Is Deacon ok? What happened?" she asks, out of breath.
I pull back so I can look her over. She looks healthy. Her cheeks are less gaunt, and there's even some colour to them. There are still dark circles under her eyes, but they aren't as alarming, and her eyes seem brighter. I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Everyone's fine, and Deacon sends his love. I'm just here to fill you guys in on some stuff and make sure you're ok."
Giving me a once-over she says, "You look different."
"So I've been told," I say, squeezing her arms.
I pull her to the couch, and at first I just need a minute to take in my siblings and the wholeness I feel with us all being together. I ask Willow about school and her friends, and anything new.
