A thin hand jerked the door shut, locking it with a rusty key. Large puffs of mist came forth from the red lips, the chill of the night air chapping skin and running shivers down the girl's spine. She heaved her luggage into the back of her car, already out of breath. She could faintly hear the tell-tale clunk of the old black car about three blocks down, and getting closer. Getting into her car, she pressed the clutch with her foot and turned the key in the ignition. No start. The engine squealed feebly and then stalled out. She cursed, slamming her tiny fists on the steering wheel as the sound of the car only got closer. Turning the key again, the engine started, and she backed out of the parking lot, her breathing heavy and uneven.
About a block away from her apartment she heard someone curse as the realized she was missing, and tapped the gas pedal with her foot, shifting into second gear as she picked up speed. She shivered despite her heavy coat and knee-high boots. Her hair was stuffed inside a knitted black hat, and her hands wrapped in mounds of newspaper for warmth. Finally reaching the freeway, she looked for the airport sign. She had been saving this money for a couple months now, and she thought she'd have enough. She'd even stolen from her boss, and with that money she was going to get home.
Half an hour later she reached the airport, taking her suitcase, and stripping her car of anything she liked, taking the picture of Zinnia and her third-year boyfriend out of the car and stuffing it in her pocket. She didn't bother to lock the car. The glass doors opened in front of her and she skidded to a halt in front of the ticket booth.
"Ticket to Warsaw, Poland?" she asked, handing over her money and passport. "We have two seats left, a coach and a first-class," said the woman, checking the passport and counting the money. "You're paying in cash, Miss... Newman?" she asked curiously, racking her eyes over the girl's body. "Is everything okay?" she asked, spying the newspaper gloves. "Fine," replied the girl, taking her passport and coach ticket. "Thank you."
Her heels clicked up the ramp to the airplane an hour later, casting shifty glances around, making sure no one she knew was here. She got to the seat, and closed her eyes as the airplane took off, only opening them five minutes before landing. As she exited the airport she waved down a taxi, stuffing her luggage into the back while giving the driver her home address.
The taxi finally stopped outside the steep driveway to The Outpost, which looked as quiet and peaceful as ever. It was the morning before Thanksgiving, and as Alina stepped from the cab she could faintly hear voices of her family from inside the doors. It took her at least eight minutes to get to the door, having been feeling quickly short of breath these days. She raised one shaking hand to the front door, and knocked. The babble from indoors did not falter, as someone offered to get the door.
The knob turned, and the familiar pale face of Esther appeared, her face turned the other way, in conversation with someone not visible from where the girl was standing. Esther turned her head back, as if to say "Welcome," or "Hello," but she stopped before anything made it from her lips, pink eyes widening. There was a silence that seemed to stretch on forever, when finally Esther broke it.
"Alina. Wow... I-It's good to see you." she said, smiling feebly. "I guess you're here for Thanksgiving?" Esther asked, taking Alina's free hand and dragging her indoors. She led her into the family room by the porch, where Dala was making vegetarian stir-fry and the rest of the family was sitting around and talking. "Hey, guys, look who's here!" Esther announced, placing her other hand on Alina's shoulder. It went quiet as Alina took in everybody who was there.
From where she was standing she saw Halen and Allie in one corner, both looking faintly surprised but not particularly excited. Zinnia and a taller man sat on the ground, along with Seattle and Oliver, their game of strip-poker forgotten as the gaped motionlessly at Alina. Frey Collins was sitting on the chair nearest Esther, who looked up and smiled, waving slightly. Rosalinda was sitting with Bathsheba, who was staring avidly at Alina, and tugging on Tabby's dress hem. Tabby was whispering something to her brother, Cobalt, who was telling her to hush. Luke and December were on the porch with a Vesper, Alitza and a man Alina didn't recognize. Siggi and her sisters' children were here, Doll and Harley were the only ones gaping, as Coralynne knew better. There were too many people to count.
The silence seemed to last forever, when at last the woman Alina had been looking for stepped out from the large crowd, which Alina now noticed included people like Sophiana and Hazel, who were with their families. Alice took a shaky breath. "Alina... What a surprise." she finished lamely, looking behind her at the guests, who shrugged. Alina smiled sadly. "Mom... Can I stay with you from now on?" she asked, gripping Esther's hand tighter than ever, so that Esther winced. Alice's blue eyes stared long and hard at Alina, who felt herself shake. "May I ask... Why?" Alice asked, Orion walking up behind her and taking her hand.
