Chapter 20 Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Chapter 20
Sabrina's POV
I looked down at my cup. My mind was a bit scattered.
Mira looked at me. Eyes very serious.
"Sabrina," she said again. "I'm serious."
"Don't get too personally involved with Kael."
"He's reliable. Work-wise, battle-wise, he's the best leader we could ask for."
"But he carries too much."
"No one can really share that burden with him."
"Nobody can share that burden with him."
I nodded. "I understand."
But my thoughts were drifting. I remembered ten years ago. That lakeside. The young man I saved.
Blind. Covered in blood. That scent. Steel blue and frost. Cold but not bone-chilling. Just like Kael.
Could it be... no. Impossible. So many years. How could it be the same person?
But that scent. That feeling. Too similar.
I thought of Abigail again. She liked Kael. Today she ran over to thank him. Kael was awkward. But he didn't hurt her. He helped her get the ball.
If Kael and I... no. What was I thinking? Mira just said. Kael wouldn't have any personal feelings.
And I had Abigail. I couldn't let her suffer again.
Derek had already hurt her once. Made her lose her father. I couldn't let her experience any more pain.
If Kael would only push everyone away, what would Abigail think? No. I had to protect her.
"Sabrina?" Mira's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"You okay?"
"Yeah." I smiled. "Just tired."
"Let's get you home."
We stood up. Abigail was already asleep in my arms. Little face flushed. Breathing steady.
Elena walked with us.
"You know," Elena said. "You're a veteran now."
"Been through real combat."
"Want a bigger role?"
"Like what?" I asked.
"Machine gunner," Elena said. "Or assault."
"You've got guts. We saw that."
Mira interrupted her. "Hold on."
"Sabrina needs more training first."
"Heavy weapons require more strength. More conditioning."
I nodded. "I'll work on it. I'll get there."
Elena snorted. "You better."
"Next time I'm in trouble, I'm counting on you to save my ass."
Mira laughed and punched Elena. "Don't jinx it."
Then she turned to me. Expression becoming serious.
"Sabrina," she said. "You've done one mission."
"Do one more, and you qualify for the War Council."
"You'll have a say in planning. Strategy."
"Keep it up."
"I will," I said.
We reached my cabin.
"Good night," Mira said.
"Night."
I pushed open the door. Put Abigail on the bed. She rolled over. Kept sleeping.
I tucked her in. Then went to wash my face. The water was cold. Made me more alert.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I'd had quite a bit to drink tonight. Face still red. But eyes clear.
I remembered Elena's words. Machine gunner. Bigger role. More responsibility.
I could do it. I would do it. What men could do, I could do too.
I climbed into bed. Lay next to Abigail. Her little hand grabbed my clothes.
I touched her hair.
"I'll keep us safe," I whispered. "I promise."
The next morning. The camp returned to normal.
Hammering sounds everywhere. They were building new houses for the rescued people. Wood. Nails. Hammers. Would be finished soon.
I took Abigail to daycare. Lily was waiting at the door.
"Morning, Sabrina."
"Morning."
Abigail ran inside. Played with other children. She picked up a doll, showed it to Lucas.
"She's doing great," Lily said. "Getting braver."
"That's good," I said.
I turned to go to the training ground. Mira was there. Rifle on her back, checking magazines.
"Ready?" she asked.
"For what?"
"We're picking new recruits."
"From those rescued people."
"They want to fight back. We need to see who's fit."
We walked to the clearing. The rescued people stood there. About twenty, men, women, children, elderly.
Garrick and Marcus were already there.
"We've picked two," Garrick said.
Two men stood beside him. Young. Strong.
"Good," Mira said. "Anyone else?"
She looked at the women. Most were very thin. Malnourished. Not suitable for combat.
But one person raised her hand. Teresa. The mother holding the baby.
"I want to join," she said. Voice trembling slightly.
Garrick shook his head. "You have a baby."
"Exactly," Teresa said. "That's why I want to fight."
"To protect her."
"You're not strong enough," Garrick said. Tone direct.
"I can get stronger," Teresa said.
"You need time," Garrick said. "Time to recover. Time to take care of your kid."
"No." Teresa's voice was firm. "I need to fight. I need to make sure this never happens again."
I stepped forward.
"Let her join," I said.
Garrick turned to me. "Sabrina. She's not ready."
"Neither was I," I said. "A few weeks ago."
"But I trained. I got stronger. She can too."
"It's different," Garrick said. "You don't have a baby."
"So what?" I said. "That makes her weaker?"
"It makes her more motivated. She has someone to protect. That makes her stronger."
Garrick shook his head. "It's a liability."
"If she's out there fighting, who's watching the kid?"
"The same people who watch Abigail," I said.
"Lily. Rosa. The whole camp. We take care of each other's kids. That's what community means."
Garrick looked at Marcus. Marcus shrugged. "She's got a point."
"But..." Garrick looked at Teresa. "You're too weak right now."
"You'd be a danger to yourself. And to the team."
"Then let me train," Teresa said. "I'll prove myself."
"Garrick," I said. "She has the motivation. She has the reason. That's more important than strength."
"Strength can be built. But you can't teach someone to care."
Garrick's face darkened.
"This is not about caring," he said. "This is about combat readiness."
"Then test her," I said. "Give her a chance. Like you gave me a chance."
"That was different."
"How?"
"You didn't have a kid."
"So we're back to that?" My voice rose. "A woman with a kid can't be a warrior?"
"That's bullshit and you know it."
The crowd started whispering. Some nodding. Some shaking heads. Tension rising.
"Enough."
A calm voice cut through. Everyone turned around.
Kael stood there. Eyes covered with black cloth, black cloak trailing.
When did he arrive? I hadn't heard footsteps.
"Quiet," Mira said.
Everyone fell silent. Whispers immediately stopped.
Kael walked forward. His head turned toward me. Then toward Garrick.
"Warriors need only the strong," he said. Voice cold. Flat.
"Sabrina." He turned to me. "You want her to join?"
"Yes," I said.
"Then prove it," Kael said. "Prove she's worth it."
"How?" I asked.
"Beat Garrick," Kael said.
"If you win, Teresa joins."
"If you lose, this discussion is over."
The crowd went quiet. Everyone looked at me.
Garrick looked at me too. Expression complex. Surprised, but not worried at all.
He was a head taller than me. Weighed at least fifty pounds more. All muscle.
He was one of the strongest fighters in camp.
But now. Kael was waiting for my answer. Teresa was waiting for my answer. Everyone was waiting.
I looked at Kael's face. Cold. Expressionless.
This was a test. He was testing me.
I took a deep breath.
"Okay," I said.
"I'll fight him."