Cole Campbell

"Good morning, sleep okay?"

"Mmhm. As well as I could," I said and rubbed my stomach, wondering at the sudden nausea. "Do you want me to... I mean, this is your house so... I don't know... I mean you don't have to cook for me if you don't want to. I'm Timber by the way, Linna's sister."

"I know who you are. Allegra is my brothers wife's daughter. She's been coming to visit here alot since she found our who she is. She talks about you alot. I'm Cole." I said and motioned to sit down. " I'm already cooking. Hope you like wild boar meat. It's smoked. Darnell is a first rate hunter. Anyways. Your sister woke last night and we chatted."

"Yeah, she's talked a lot about you guys. Anything is fine, thank you," I said and sat down. "I didn't mean to just... intrude into your home. I just wanted to be with her. I'm glad she woke up. How is she?"

"She's gonna be okay. She just needs rest."

I nodded. "That's good. Thank you for everything. And for letting her stay. I'd love it if I could take her home with me but... I don't know how safe that would be for her, to be honest."

I nodded slowly and then said " she's welcome to stay here."

I nodded again. "Thank you. I appreciate it," I said and rubbed my stomach again as the nausea welled up again then settled down. What the fuck was wrong with me? "You wouldn't happen to have any tea would you?"

I cocked an eye at her and smiled. "Yes, how far along are you?" I asked as I made her a cup.

I didn't say anything for a minute. "Excuse me? I'm not... no, I'm just... I must be sick or something."

I raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Yes certainly. I have tea. Hold in I'll make some."

I watched him walk away then looked down at my stomach. Could I be? Well of course I could be, how many times had I been with Asher now. But.... oh god it hadn't been that long since we'd been back in Kampfer..... What if I was and it wasn't Asher's? What if, God forbid, it was Marco's? How would I even find out? I took a few deep breaths. I just had to calm down... stay calm until I could go see Pepper... which at the very earliest wouldn't happen until this storm was over. Nothing I could do now, so no reason to get worked up over it. I jumped a little when he came over with a mug of tea. "Oh. Um, thank you," I said, slowly taking it from him.

I watched her face. She was terrified. I sat down and looked at her. " you know, sometimes talking about your fears makes them seem less scary."

"I don't see how this could be less scary," I whispered. I took a sip of the tea then set it down, my hands were shaking so badly I was afraid I would spill it. I looked away from him and bit my lip. "I don't... if I am... pregnant... I don't know who the father would be. I... before we left Kampfer I was... my father let me get... I... God I can't even say it," I whispered and wiped away the tears that stung my eyes. "And my boyfriend's gone and... I don't know what to... I can't be pregnant, I can't."

It had been weeks and my strength had slowly returned to me. Timber came to visit me often and I looked forward to our talks more and more each time. Sometimes we didn't even talk, just took walks, picking wildflowers that I liked to arrange in different cups all over the house. I loved living out here. It was quiet and peaceful and I was actually happy for once. But there were still moments when memories from the past would invade my mind to the point I thought I would choke with them. I woke in the morning and went into the living room to find Cole still asleep on the couch. I smiled, he always looked so peaceful when he slept. I went quietly to the stove and knelt down, trying to get a fire lit. I wanted to make him breakfast but I'd still never managed to make a fire on my own, I was horrible at it.

I woke up slowly and watched Linna at the stove trying to get the fire started. She was doing a lot better physically but emotionally I worried about her sometimes "Need help?" I smiled.
-Cole

I startled when I he spoke and burned myself on the small flame I'd managed. "Ouch," I yelped, putting my finger in my mouth. "Yeah... yeah I definitely need help. I'm really not good at this." I sighed. "I was going to... well, try to fix you breakfast."

"Shit, I'm sorry." I said as I got up and went over to her, taking her hand "Are you alright?" I asked, checking her finger "You don't have to cook for me, ya know."
-Cole

"Yeah I'm okay. It just stings a little. I just... I wanted to do something nice for you... since you've been so nice to me. It was a stupid idea though, I don't know how to cook, I can't even start a fire. The only thing I've ever made is hot chocolate and it's been years since I've even done that."

"Don't stress about it, you'll learn eventually. It all just takes time. Have yourself a seat and I'll whip something up."
-Cole

I sighed and nodded, getting up and moving to the couch. "You have more faith in me than you should. I think I'm just hopeless."

"Why do you feel that way? You left Kampfer physically but you haven't mentally. You are not hopeless here, Linna."
-Cole

"I left Kampfer because I had no choice," I said softly, looking down at my lap. "I feel hopeless. I feel like... like I can't do anything right. I feel like I don't belong here. I'm not like everyone else here. I..." I sighed. "I don't even know how to explain how I feel right now."

"I'll teach you anything you want to know. I'm your ally, remember? The past sucks, trust me I know. But you need to start rebuilding your life. You are far from hopeless."
-Cole

I was quiet for a few minutes then looked up at him. "Are you ever going to tell me your story?"