Page 289 of Psycho Pack
We gather around the fire pit, settling onto the cushions arranged in a circle. The fish and roasted veggies sizzle tantalizingly on the cooking platform, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. I serve everyone, making sure Wraith gets extra of his favorites since he had a rough day.
"This looks incredible," Thane says appreciatively as I hand him his plate.
"It smells divine," Plague agrees, inhaling deeply.
Whiskey's already shoveling food into his mouth. "Holy shit, wildcat," he mumbles around a mouthful. "This is fucking amazing."
"Thank you all," I say, warmth spreading through my chest at their praise. "But I can't take all the credit. Valek and Whiskey helped, and Wraith caught the fish."
Valek preens visibly at the acknowledgment, folding his scarf in his lap. "I didn’t do much."
"Yeah. You chopped herbs," Whiskey snorts. "I'm the one who hauled all that firewood."
"Yes,andyou managed to burn yourself in the process because you insist on being half naked all the time," Valek shoots back. "Truly a herculean effort."
“I don’t mind,” Plague adds, glancing appreciatively over Whiskey’s bulky bare torso.
Whiskey mutters something under his breath that sounds like it’s probably obscene before glancing around us. “There’s something that’s been on my mind,” he says, stretching as he looks to Thane. “What’s your real name?”
Thane looks up in surprise. “What?” he asks, his brow furrowing.
“Well, it can’t beThane, bro.”
“And why the hell not?”
“I dunno, it just sounds like a code name,” Whiskey says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“What would Thane even mean?” Thane demands.
“I always figured it has something to do with trees,” Whiskey says with a shrug. “Sounds tree-ish.”
Thane just stares at him for a few seconds before replying flatly, “It doesn’t. It’s just my name.”
I almost choke on my fish. Whiskey just rubs the back of his head. “Well,thatwas awkward.” He glances at Wraith. “Speaking of names, though, maybe we should rename you.”
Wraith tilts his head, confused, and signs back to him.Why?
“Sounds like a mean name,” says Whiskey. “And you’re not a mean guy. You could have any name you want. Like Vincent, or Victor, or Viggo…”
“Do you know any names that don’t start with a V?” Valek asks, arching an eyebrow.
“None that would fit,” Whiskey replies. “Why? You jealous he’ll have a better V name than Valek?”
Wraith gives him a blank stare, like he doesn’t know how to react to that, then looks at me.I like my name. I like the way she says it,he signs.
I lean against his shoulder affectionately.
As they keep bickering good-naturedly, Valek and Whiskey—and now Plague—arguing over the ranking of the short list of names that start with the letter V, I catch Wraith's eye again. He's watching the exchange with clear amusement, his sharp teeth glinting in the firelight as he maneuvers bites of fish into his mouth. As if he can tell I’m wondering what he’s thinking, he signs with one hand.
Just happy.
Me too,I sign back to him, tears pricking my eyes.
After everything we've been through, all the pain and violence and fear, we've found this. This moment of peace, of family, gathered around a fire and sharing a meal.
We eat in comfortable silence for a while, savoring the food and each other's company. As the sun dips lower on the horizon, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come.
"So," Plague says eventually, setting his empty plate aside. "I assume you've all noticed Ivy's... condition."