Page 100 of Dawn of Hope

“Wanna go shoot?” I say, looking over at Fin.

“Yeah! Let’s go!”

I clear the table and drop my barely picked at dinner and Roley and Fin’s empty plates into the tree on our way out. “I need to grab a bow. Meet you down there.”

Fin is still using my bow and I’ve been waiting for the armory to give me a new one. I make my way over and pull the doors open. Sure enough, there is one hanging on a rack, as if the island knew I was coming.

Roley has joined us, and it makes me happy to see that Fin has made a friend. He is older than Fin by a few years, but still a child and total goofball. I don’t have it in me to ask how long Roley has been here, but I can imagine that it has been quite some time, and he may not have any family left to return to.

Some of the older Voyagers have made their way down to the practice grounds and are throwing axes or spears into the wall of targets. The regular thunks are familiar and soothe my nerves, giving me something to focus on other than waiting for Dane.

After a few rounds of my own, I turn to focus on Fin and Roley. Fin has taken to the bow quickly and is getting much stronger, but I still make sure the pressure on the bowstring is low enough for him.

“Make sure your fingers are right by your mouth. There you go. Now breathe in and out.”

He follows my directions and lets the arrow fly, striking the target on the second ring.

“Yeah!” He yells jumping up and down, giving Roley a high five.

“You did great. Now do it again!”

I sound like Brynne.

I watch him and Roley shoot the next few rounds, offering pointers and encouragement when needed, and even jumping in to show him myself.

The sky is dark and everyone has started winding down for the evening, but Dane still isn’t back. Someone starts a bonfire in the clearing and we head out to join them. I sit in one of the wooden chairs close to the fire facing the portal, and stop myself from looking up at it every minute.

I listen half-heartedly to the scary stories the boys are telling. Fin and Roley are on the edge of their seats, soaking up every word. Gauge brought down a pile of treats and is popping corn over the flames. Smells and laughter waft into the air, the cheerful mood warring with the sinking feeling inside me.

Movement catches my eye past the fire, and I quickly sit upright.

Dane appears through the portal, but he isn’t alone. A young girl follows him, looking scared as she takes in the surroundings.

I push up out of my chair and stride over to him. His face breaks into a grin as I approach.

“Lennox—”

I throw my arms around his neck and press my lips to his, cutting off his words. I don’t know what has come over me. Maybe it’s the guilt, maybe it’s the worry something had happened to him. We agreed to keep this between us, not in front of the other Voyagers, so hopefully he isn’t upset that I broke that agreement.

His hands splay over my sides, fingers flexing into my ribcage to grip me tighter.

Not upset then.

Whistles and whoops sound from the group behind us as Dane pulls away. A slight flush creeps across his cheeks, but he presses another short, chaste kiss to my lips before gesturing to the girl next to him.

“This is Lilly. I’m going to give her the tour and have Mara get her settled.” He bends down, his lips hovering over my ear, his breath tickling my skin and sending shivers down my spine. “I’ll find you after.”

I nod and turn to Lilly to introduce myself. I reach my hand out to shake hers, remembering my manners. “Hi Lilly, my name is Lennox. I’m fairly new here as well.”

She gives a shy wave, her eyes flitting back and forth between Dane and me.

“Come on, Lilly, let me show you around,” Dane says.

They head to the rope ladder and I return to my spot at the fire.

“Ew, gross,” Fin sing-songs as soon as I sit down.

I giggle. “Someday, Fin, you will take that back.”