5. Kara
5
KARA
K ara stood at the entrance to her cabin and looked out onto the pulsing life of the community in the daylight. At least half a dozen people were putting together another makeshift gate for the east side of the perimeter fence. It seemed to be cobbled together from reclaimed wood and reinforced with scrap metal. Like the others, it would mark the threshold between the chaotic world outside and what Kara had come to think of as the fragile safety within.
Jeez, I missed this place. The hard work. The community. A real fucking bed.
Next to her, Sam shifted from one foot to another. Kara immediately recognized this as a sign of anxiousness. She hadn’t known Sam for long, but she could read her body language like a book. She turned her head and noted the blend of excitement and apprehension.
“Ready for the grand tour?” Kara asked, nudging Sam gently with her elbow.
“I think so. Sure. Let’s do it,” Sam replied, but Kara could hear the slight tremor in her voice.
As they walked across the central courtyard, Kara felt the familiar warmth of the fort envelop her. As a lifelong vegetarian, she didn’t want to admit that the scent of bacon simmering in the fort’s makeshift stone ovens smelled insanely delicious. The distant sound of laughter added to the homely atmosphere, but Kara knew that not everyone would embrace her return and the fact that she had brought Sam back rather than those she had left with. She had had to make a quick visit to the outdoor latrine in the middle of the night and had heard the whispers of a couple of teenage girls as she’d walked past them. Their wary glances told her everything she needed to know. She wasn’t trusted. Not by everyone. It felt like starting over.
“Okay, Sam. I say we start with the basics here. What do you reckon?” Kara said, beckoning for the hesitant Sam to come a little closer. “So, this is where we were last night. It kinda looks different in the daylight. We have different names for it. The yard, the courtyard, the common area… It’s basically where we all meet up to eat and share news. You don’t have to eat here. Everyone’s free to eat in their cabins, or not to eat…or whatever. But I like coming here. It builds connections.”
The entire area was bustling, filled with families and individuals chatting, trading stories, and sharing food. Kara spotted some of her friends and waved. Kara saw immediately that although their smiles were warm, there was something else in their expressions: their features appeared tinged with uncertainty as soon as they spotted Sam. A stranger in their place of safety.
“This place feels…like it’s got a real vibe,” Sam said as she took in the scene with wide eyes, her mouth gaping into an O shape. “It’s nothing like what I’m used to. In fact, I haven’t seen this many…live humans…since before the outbreak.”
Kara couldn’t contain a snicker. “I know, right? I guess it’s a whole lot more than just survival here. We try to actually live, you know? I think the idea originally was to make it feel as normal as possible.”
“I totally get it. It’s wonderful. It reminds me of…” but before Sam could continue her train of thought, Kara felt a firm hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Laeticia standing there with a hardened expression.
“Captain,” Kara said in greeting. Her tone remained the same even as she went to shake hands with the woman. Her gesture was refused with a brief shake of the head. She felt Sam tense up beside her, clearly picking up on Laeticia's demeanor.
“Hello. Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Sam mumbled softly with a polite nod and a timid smile.
Laeticia ignored Sam completely. Her sharp gaze never once left Kara. “You and I need to talk. And I’d rather see you alone, Kara.”
Kara shuffled a little, looking down at the floor, and gulped before turning her body to face Sam. “Don’t worry, okay? You wait right here. Or go grab a bite to eat, and I’ll come find you.”
Sam took a nervous step backward and shook her head slowly. Kara could see the unease in those deep almond-shaped eyes she found so enchanting.
Laeticia led Kara toward a secluded corner of the fort.
Oh, great. Where are her henchmen? Why is she taking me over here?
As soon as they were out of sight, Laeticia turned to face Kara. She crossed her arms across her chest moodily, and Kara noticed the fierce glint in her bright green eyes.
“What the hell were you thinking? Why the fuck would you bring her here? There’s a goddamned vetting process, you stupid idiot, or did you forget all about that?” Laeticia hissed, flicking her long black hair over her shoulder and thumping her palm with her other hand. The rage simmering beneath the surface of her questions was unmistakable.
“She brought me here, captain. She saved my life,” Kara felt her jaw tighten as she started to plead with Laeticia. “I wouldn’t have made it back without her.”
“And your entire team is dead? Is that right? We haven’t had that number of deaths since we set up here,” Laeticia snapped, her eyes narrowing. “You were their leader, Kara. They were counting on you to protect them. But no! Instead, you flounce back in here with some random woman none of us has ever before laid eyes on. How am I supposed to trust her? Or you, for that matter. You’re ridiculous, did you know that?”
Laeticia’s words struck Kara like a physical blow. Guilt gnawed at her insides—guilt she had been trying to bury since she returned to the fort. She had replayed the mission in her mind a hundred times, wondering what she could have done differently to save her team. But the truth was, she didn’t have an answer. They had been outnumbered, caught off-guard in a situation no one could have predicted. Overrun by the dead.
“You’re talking as if I actually wanted this to happen,” Kara said quietly, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “We were ambushed. They turned within seconds. It all happened so fast. I didn’t think I’d survive either, but Sam saw me and saved my fucking life.”
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 the only 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 just said. 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 Sam any 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.”
“I think that’s easier said than done, and it makes me wonder if I should really stay? I am going to cause you more trouble than it’s worth?” Sam mumbled as her gaze drifted to the floor.
Kara reached out, gently lifting Sam’s chin so their eyes met. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel the same way I do. You do feel it?”
“Yes,” Sam breathed, her answer barely audible but filled with longing.
The world seemed to vanish as their lips touched. The kiss was soft at first, almost hesitant—a delicate brush that sent a ripple through Kara. Sam's lips were warm and full, slightly parted, inviting Kara to explore further. As the kiss deepened, Kara’s mouth molded against Sam's with urgency.
Their tongues met in a slow, sensual dance, sliding together in a rhythm that felt instinctual. It was as if they were made to fit. Kara could taste the faint hint of salt on Sam’s lips, mixed with a slight sweetness. This made her crave more. The warmth of Sam's tongue against hers sent a jolt through her body. Her pulse quickened. Every flick and caress brought a new surge of heat as slick saliva mingled between them, adding to the intoxicating sensation.
Kara’s skin prickled as her breasts pressed against Sam’s in the bed they shared. Her heart raced in time with the kiss, and every nerve seemed to light up under Sam's touch. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was like an electric current running through her, spreading warmth from her lips down her spine and pooling low in her belly. Sam's soft moan vibrated against Kara’s mouth, and it took everything in Kara not to lose herself entirely in the sensation.
“You’re really good at this,” Kara remarked as she pulled back.
Sam gave her a small smile. “You’re really good at making me crave you.”
Kara’s hands slid up Sam’s sides, her fingers pressing into the warmth of her skin, feeling the muscles tense under her touch. Sam let out a soft sigh.
Sam’s hands were no longer tentative. They gripped Kara’s waist, pulling her closer, their bodies pressed hard together. Kara could feel the heat radiating off Sam, the thrum of her heart beating fast in sync with her own.
As their kiss grew more heated, Kara’s hand dipped lower, sliding under the waistband of Sam’s panties. Sam gasped against her mouth, her breath coming in short bursts. The sound sent a pulse of desire straight through Kara, her fingers moving without hesitation now, seeking the wet heat between Sam’s legs. Sam moaned softly, her body arching into Kara's touch, urging her on.
Kara's fingers found their mark, sliding through Sam's slick folds, and the shiver that ran through Sam’s body made Kara’s heart palpitate. She could feel Sam’s fingers fumbling at her own waistband, slipping past the fabric to return the favor, and when their fingers found each other at the exact same moment, both of them gasped.
Kara’s breath caught as she felt Sam’s fingers press inside of her, sliding deep and slow, matching the rhythm Kara had set between Sam’s legs. They moved together, their fingers working confidently, every motion sending waves of pleasure that left them both trembling.
Their bodies moved together, each thrust of their fingers more urgent than the last, the wet sounds of their fingers sliding into each other filling the room. Kara’s free hand gripped Sam’s waist, holding her close as the pressure built inside her, tightening her core until she thought she might snap.
When the climax hit, it was like a flood—wave after wave of pleasure crashing over them, leaving them both gasping, trembling, their bodies entwined. They stayed like that for a moment, fingers still inside each other, catching their breath as the last tremors of their release faded.
“I never thought I’d find this again,” Sam said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Neither did I,” Kara admitted, “but I want more. Take everything off and let me taste you. Let me make you stay a little longer here with me. I never want you to go.”
Sam kept her eyes fixed on Kara’s as she laid herself on her back, removing the remaining clothing that covered her hot flesh.
“Right now, you can have anything you want. I’m all yours,” Sam whispered as the world around them disappeared.