7 CHAPTER VI: Curiosity

Back in the cabin, everyone was either nervous, weary, or exhausted, some were even all three. "Hosea what are we gonna do they've been gone for a while." At the sound of his name, Hosea turned to meet the eyes of the one who had voiced her concern. It was a young woman, with long black hair and kind blue eyes.

"I know you're worried, Abigail... but please try and stay calm, panicking won't help the situation."

The woman sighed "I'm...I'm not panicking, I'm just concerned for Jack."

"I know, Ms. Roberts, Dutch, and Arthur will be back soon with supplies, you just have to have faith in them."

Jack was Abigail's young son who was no older than four years old. He shyly went over to Heather, who was currently sitting by the fire. "U-Um.. excuse me?"

Heather looked over at him. "Hi there, what's your name?" The young boy shifted his weight a little

"Jack."

Heather held out her hand "Hi Jack, I'm Heather, it's nice to meet you."

He shook her hand and smiled "Are you...are you gonna be staying with us too?"

Heather laughed a little "I don't know, that will be up to Mr. Van Der Linde."

Jack's eyes lit up a little "You know Uncle Dutch?"

Heather nodded "I do a little yeah, he and Arthur helped me get out of that horrible weather." The truth was that she knew everyone here quite well, but she couldn't say that, not yet.

"If Uncle Dutch knows you, then he'll let you stay! He's really nice!" Heather scooted over and patted the floor beside her near the fire

"Oh he is, is he?"

Jack nodded "Yeah! He helps stop the bad guys from getting us! He's the best!" Heather reached over and gently ruffled his hair

"Well, he sounds like a very brave man."

Little Jack giggled which caught the attention of his mother, Abigail.

"Jack, what have I told you about talking to strangers?" Abigail stormed over and picked him up in one swift movement

"But mama she's nice! She says she knows Uncle Dutch and Uncle Arthur!"

Abigail shook her head "Just because she knows about them doesn't mean she's nice Jack."

"I'm sorry miss...Dutch and Arthur helped me out of that snowstorm, I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I certainly don't mean any harm toward your son." Heather was quick, but kind in defending herself. Now certainly wasn't the time to upset anyone here, especially with someone who had as much pull as Abigail Roberts.

"Well until they both approve of you, don't talk to my son, fair?"

Heather quickly nodded her head "Yes, of course." Abigail quickly turned on her heel and walked to the other side of the cabin.

"Don't take it to heart, Abigail normally isn't like that." Hosea, having heard the interaction between the two women, came over and sat down in front of the fire.

Heather merely shrugged "I understand, she's trying to look out for her son, any mother, of good standing, would do the same." Hosea took in the girl's appearance, she seemed harmless enough, but he wasn't going to judge a book by its cover.

"Arthur said he found you in that barn out yonder?" The girl nodded her head but otherwise kept quiet. Hosea was about to inquire as to why Arthur told him to stay clear of said barn, but before he could Ms. Grimshaw had come up to them both.

"Mr. Matthews, the girls have your room ready." Hosea merely nodded and groaned a little as he stood up

"Thank you, Susan, give my thanks to the girls as well."

She nodded politely and motioned to the door on the right before turning her attention to Heather. "I don't believe I got your name, miss?"

The girl looked up shyly "Heather."

Ms. Grimshaw nodded again and held out her hand "My name is Susan, I'm in charge of the camp, right after Dutch, of course."

Heather shook her hand and stood up "I'm pleased to meet you as well, though given the circumstances another mouth to feed is probably the last thing you need, so I apologize."

This earned her a stern look from the other woman "Don't be ridiculous, you would have frozen out there if Mr.Morgan and Dutch hadn't brought you in here. All I ask is that you do your part to help the rest of the camp and you'll do just fine, am I clear?"

Heather quickly nodded "Yes, ma'am."

"Good, you will be with the rest of the girls, for now, follow me, dear."

The rest of the girls, as it turned out, were using what used to be an old schoolhouse as their room and board. Several desks had been turned lengthwise against the wall to make room for the bedrolls. It wasn't comfortable, but given the situation, they didn't have any other choice.

"We put you at the far end over there, it's nothing personal, it's just we don't know you all that well yet."

Heather raised her hands a little "No, no, it's fine I completely understand."

Ms. Grimshaw looked at her approvingly "Well it seems you were raised correctly, maybe the other girls can learn a thing or two from you, Ms.Heather."

Heather blushed slightly, "I don't think I would be the best mentor, ma'am."

Ms. Grimshaw spoke as she fixed up a bedroll for Heather "Well either way you have more manners about you than most of the people of this camp. Let's hope it rubs off on them, the men especially." Heather couldn't help but chuckle a little at that statement as she settled down on the makeshift bedroll. She highly doubted she could teach anyone manners, especially the men of this camp.