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"Fine I accept your terms At least for now"

I was actually okay with her response, so I moved forward to join the others

"No Huh-uh No way does that work for o stand in front of Paci and the others he brought "If you can’t walk through this gate and tell me that you’ll have my back the entire time you’re here, then don’t even bother We don’t need trouble out of hand Feathers were ruffling all over the place as people got their backs up and squared off on either side of the fence

I rushed forward to put soet back, please Let me deal with this"

Gretchen only hesitated about half a second before she coot there and faced Paci again "Are you good with the terms?"

He spoke without emotion "I’m with you Bryn, no matter what the terain "Good Go ahead in"

The crowd parted to let hiainst the three newco definitely mutinous, but the other two seemed neutral I didn’t feel threatened by the at aze took in all of theot et done before we’ll be comfortable We don’t want to exclude anyone, but we also can’t let anyone in ill hurt e’re trying to accouys nodded "Yeah, I get it It’s cool"

"What’s your naree to follow theree"

The second guy gave hi is words How do know half the people in there didn’t lie to you?"

I shrugged "I don’t But in ood as your word It’s all about honor So long as you keep your word to us, it’s gold You lie once though, and you’re done"

"Good luck with that," said Gail, obviously uy rolled his eyes "Give it a rest, Gail, Jesus" He turned to face her, scowling "Aren’t you tired of running?" His head swung back in ood Always has been" He held out his hand

I took it inhe had callouses that spoke of hard manual labor at some point I prayed it wasn’t the kind that involved the dismemberment of humans

"Welcome to Haven … what’s your naenuine sood to be here Really I’ve been walking forever trying to find a place to settle down"

"You can tell us all about it tonight around the campfire" I smiled back at him

"You have campfires for real? Cool" Joe seemed easily won over, which was a relief Iwith people who appreciated ere trying to do here at Haven

I turned to Gail "So what’s it going to be? Oath or no oath?"

She shook her head angrily at the two guys alking away froht felt soiance towards her "Fuck that," she said, spitting on the ground

I stepped back two paces, bu into a solid, warm body I kneas Bodo from the smell of his sweat and the way he envelopedeye contact with Gail, I said, "Close the gate!"

Ja its track until it clanged into place against the fence Peter walked up and put the lock in place,away

It was dead silent except for the sound of the wind brushing past the high grasses that rose up nearby Everyone stood quietly, all of us on the opposite side of the fence as this one stubborn girl

I felt bad for her And I understood her oing to give her a special pass that nore rules she didn’t like

"I’e your mind, please come back"

"Fuck you, Bryn I promise you I’ll be back, but not like you think"

She turned and walked away

"Come on, Gail!" yelled Zach "Don’t be like that!"

"Go to hell, Zach! You too, Joe! Assholes!" She flipped a bird behind her back

"Where’s she goingk to go?" asked Bodo "Dare’s nothing out dare"

"She’ll be back," said Peter "She’s just one of those people who has a hard ti"

"Don’t count on it," said Zach He sounded sad "She’s pretty stubborn That’s how she made it this far She ca her for smaller and smaller "I wish her well I think she’s an idiot but that doesn’t mean I want her to die out there"

Paci pattedhis hand there when he was done "You did the right thing, Nokosi You have to be tough People have to toe the line or it’ll be anarchy in here"

Bodo walked by and bu Paci’s hand to fall off otta digk dose holes very soon"

Paci watched hi for a second before disappearing and leaving hi a word