Riley's POV
I sat straight up, blinking into the darkness I realized I'd fallen asleep while sitting against the truck. I heard a snicker beside me I turned to see Aiden smiling at me. After a few deep breaths I leaned back against the truck and let my eyes adjust to the dark. We had been at the camp for almost a week. I wasn't able to do any patrols yet so I was free to sleep a full night but my body had been panicking shooting awake and having anxiety attacks as I woke up. So here I was sitting up half the night still sleeping four hours here and there to keep myself sane. The camp was completely silent and since Aiden was now awake I guessed it was about one in the morning, shift change for patrol. He handed me his flask and I took a drink of rum choking it down as I handed the flask back. I wasn't sure what to think about Aiden yet. He was friendly to me and Jake he but rarely ever spoke. It seemed like he had just accepted the fact the we were now a part of his space. Both Aiden and Levi were still a mystery to me most of the time they were easy going. Just two day's ago though a man had spit on Aiden,s shoe as he was walking by. Aiden attacked him viscously, luckily Levi had pulled him off before any damage was done. I was glad Jacob wasn't watching I didn't want him to be frightened by either of them, especially since he was starting to open up a little he liked watching Levi train me. I reached out my hand to Aiden and he put the flask in it. I took a long drink, as I handed it back Levi came into the camp circle and started towards us. When he was in front of us Aiden stood up and handed him his flask before he picked up his rifle and walked off.
Levi reached down for my hand, I put mine in his and he pulled me to my feet. Sit with me he said. He climbed into the truck so I did to. Levi took up most of the back bunk, he pulled me onto his lap and slid his arm around my waist. leaning back he took a long drink. I tried to hide my yawn but he noticed, still not sleeping well? he asked. I nodded my head as I leaned back against the window. Levi was twirling my hair around his fingers. You can start coming with me on my patrol to learn the routes, Aiden will stay with Jacob while he sleeps. I mumbled a response, I couldn't and didn't want to move or talk. Levi had started massaging my neck and shoulders, it felt amazing and I couldn't help but lean into his hands. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as one of his hands move back lower to my stomach and then my waist. The tingling sensation grows in the pit of my stomach as Levi grips my hip and presses his lips to my neck, gently kissing down to my collarbone and back up to slightly nip my earlobe. I let the warmth wash over me when his lips meet mine. He deepened the kiss and I wrapped my arms around him. I don't think I could refuse Levi a kiss if I wanted to, not now that I know what it feels like. I did eventually pull back a little and his lips went back to my neck. I tried not to but I was so tired that I yawned again. Levi pulled back and looked at me. I'm that boring Huh? He asked. I shrugged my shoulders at him. Come on, let's get some sleep he said. I never said it out loud and thankfully neither did he but we both knew I always slept better when he was there with us.
I handed Gemma another can of carrots after I had written down the size and expiration date of the can. I grabbed another can of carrots from the pile Jacob had already organized wrote down the information and passed it to Gemma. Gemma had been a math teacher and tutor when the world went to hell. Her brother Jaimie had been staying with her at the time, he saved her life and kept her safe. When they found the group she offered her math and calculation skills to Gerard and he accepted. She determined how long our food, water and supplies would last and helped to prioritize what was needed on scavenge runs. I'm only telling you this stuff so you know, it's for your own good Gemma said taking another can of carrots from my hand. I really do appreciate it your the only person in this camp I talk to. Look Levi and Aiden haven't done anything to us and it's not on you if something happens you've been more of a friend to me then I thought possible anymore. Gemma had been trying to warn me again about staying with the brothers, as she called them. She told me more people were angry that Aiden had attacked the man who spit on him. Apparently he tried to rip the guys ear off with his teeth. Gemma smiled at me. She handed me a pile of duffle bags and said, As long as you understand I'm just trying to help. Now let's get the bags filled up, everyone take one. We filled the weekly ration bags for each vehicle and then Jake and I had some lunch.
I ate my apple slowly, I was watching Jake eat and thinking to myself. Gemma wasn't the only one saying things to me or giving me strange looks this last week. I didn't feel threatened they all looked worried which made me extra worried about Levi and Aiden. Granted I've never seen any other changlings or any ferals but I just can't understand everyone's attitude towards them. There were definitely people who had worse issues than Aiden before this whole mess started. They both made me feel safe, extra safe because I knew they could hear anything coming before it ever got close to us. I wished people would lay off. Aiden saw me staring at yohanna this morning and he told me they would all forget when we left camp for our run. Yohanna had been telling me how Caleb could help me find someone else to stay with if I wanted. I declined better the monster you know than the one you don't and from what I could tell this camp was full of monsters. Jacob handed me his wrapper for the recycling box and lay his head on my lap looking up to the sky. I played with his hair I knew he loved it. Jacob still wasn't speaking much but he did come out of his shell more often especially when we were learning something new. Levi found us both laying on the ground Jake had the rest of my apple while I played with his hair. You both ready? Levi asked. Yes we are, Jake answered. Levi offered both of us a hand which we took and he pulled us both to our feet.
I was getting pretty good at shooting a crossbow it was still hard loading the thing. I practiced with a normal bow to. Joe a man in the camp was a expert on weapons, all kinds of weapons. He could make amazing bows and arrows to go with it. I already had my very own bow and I was getting a crossbow for our first scavenge run. Camp rule was to conserve ammo for emergencies. They'd been having a hard keeping their bullet quota up. Luckily I heard from Zeke their was now a woman in camp capable of making bullets.
Riley! Earth to Riley? I looked up at Levi, he raised his eyebrows at me. You gonna practice? he asked. I lifted the crossbow breathed deeply, aimed and took the shot. Not a bullseye but I definitely wounded them. Your form is getting better he said. Levi moved over to help Jacob practice shooting his bow and work on knife skills. I continued shooting and reloading my bow and crossbow. Levi had explained that the goal is not only to shoot good but to be fast. Make it second nature to your body, a reflex instead of a though process.