Chapter 473: This could be the last time
Hill was staring at him, her arms crossed, and Kellen swallowed. Taylor wiped at her eyes, sniffing as Kellen felt the weight of the bag on his back, and the weight from the orange eyes staring at him.
Hill looked exhausted. True, bone deep exhaustion on every facet of her face. Kellen wasn’t sure what to say to her, how to broach this topic. Hill tapped a finger against her uniform jacket before she uncrossed her arms and sighed. She opened her arms, and Kellen hesitantly moved towards her. Hill pulled him in, squeezing the life out of him.
"You’re a damn motherfucker and I’m so fucking pissed at you." Hill uttered. "That’s the part of me that has known Captain Thatcher longer. Fuck Kellen. You really aren’t making this easy, are you?" Hill’s grip was brutal, painful, as if she wasn’t able to control her strength.
Kellen didn’t say anything, even as he felt his bones creak a little.
"Karen." Taylor said, a warning in her voice and Hill released him immediately. That was when Kellen noticed she was tearing up. She wiped at her eyes, her bottom lip quivering.
"Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hold you too tight. Are you okay?" Hill asked, reaching out to gently squeeze Kellen’s arm. Taylor’s eyes turned green, beams in the night as she scanned Kellen’s body from head to toe.
A peculiar look crossed her face, but she kept it inside.
"He’ll be okay. I just need to give him some-"
"No you won’t." Kellen growled, interrupting her. "Not before you heal yourself. Have you been forgoing guiding?" Kellen demanded and both women looked guilty. It was Pamela’s voice over their shoulders that answered the question in earnest.
"They’ve been making sure the others are tended to first, Kellen. They’ll be fine in the next few days. A few more Guides are arriving from the Peach Guild, and they are at the top of the list, besides Captain Sergei." Pamela’s voice was clear, firm, and calming. Kellen could feel some of his emotions quiet, not feel as big.
Pamela had her hair in her classic braids, her eyes firm and pink. She also looked tired, but she didn’t look exhausted. She was fresher to the front lines, this being her first time. She gave Kellen a soft smile.
"Kellen. Good to see you. Not under these circumstances, but you look better than the last time I saw you." She said, and Kellen couldn’t argue that. It’d been a rather devastating time. For everyone involved.