Chapter 354 Chapter 354
Terah watched as the other man, Tripp, walked back into the trees. Her heart was still beating fast. When she’d watched him approach Konner, her only goal was to protect him. She didn’t even know she could move that fast until she was holding his head in her hands. Letting her body go under the surface, she closed her eyes and let the water brush over her. She liked this moving water; it was exciting to be in.
Opening them, she looked up to see the snow touching the water’s surface. Snow was strange, it tasted like the rain had, only it vanished when it hit her tongue. If it disappeared, how did it pile up on the ground? For years, she had watched winter from a window and wondered what it would be like to go stand in it. The people would move it with scoops on a handle and she wondered if it was heavy. The most interesting part of it was after winter it turned into water and then the ground drank it like it had an incredible thirst. She needed to see more snow to figure it out.
Breaking the surface again, she moved closer to the water’s edge. Konner was putting the bottles back in the bag. That would mean they were going. Kicking against the pull of the water, she went back over to the edge and slowly climbed up the bank.
Konner was right there, holding up his vest. “You should wear this again.” He set it beside her clothes and then stepped back. He watched her, his green eyes moving along her as she reached the top and stopped beside them. He never looked at her like those men that watched her had. They all had a strange look on their face when she would get out of the tank and her skin returned. The way he was looking at her, was not like that at all. His glance was respectful and something else, she wasn’t sure of the word, but it made her feel special.
When he turned and went over to stand with the other man, she put the vest on and then her clothes, moving fast. As much as she liked being out here and free, the pit of her stomach reminded her that she wasn’t safe yet. Konner nodded to something the Tripp man said. He would keep her safe, she felt that when he said it.
Pulling the shoes back over her feet, she cringed at the way they pinched her toes together. How did they wear them all the time? It was uncomfortable, made her feet feel heavy, and her balance off. She looked down at them as she straightened up. Maybe once they were at Konner’s Sanctuary, she wouldn’t have to wear shoes again. She would be very happy with that.
Konner came over and held out the backpack. “Tripp will lead, we’ll follow him.”
Putting her arms through the straps, she nodded. “Okay.” She looked over at the other man, “I am walking with you,” motioning with her head to Tripp, “he smells strange.”
Konner’s mouth curved into a smile. “He’s some sort of cat, I believe.”
A shiver moved along her back. “There is something about the smell that sends,” She moved her hand up and down her arm, “a strange feeling along my skin.”
He didn’t question her, she liked that about him. “It’s likely that you’re sensing how dangerous he is.” Leaning closer, he zipped her coat up for her, “he’s part of the team that goes in when no other team will.”
She frowned and looked over at him. “It is your team that found me.” She nodded, giving him a hard look. “I am staying with you.”
Konner looked down at her, the expression in his eyes changed, “yes you are.” He motioned for her to go. “We’re going to have to go into a town where he left his ride, so stay close.”
Terah nodded, her stomach tightening. The idea of being around people bothered her. “Can I wait, and you come and get me?”
Shaking his head as he swung the large bag to his back, he turned to look at her. “No. We stick together.”