Chapter 196 Alliance
On the way back to the campsite, the group hummed a strange tune that was familiar to them. Aleshia did not know what the hum meant, but she enjoyed the melody as a distraction from her other senses, particularly her sense of smell.
After the fourth repetition of the hum, they arrived back at the camp. Just as they reached the door, Tristan, their group leader, spotted another group approaching. When they were within talking distance, the leader of that group announced himself, "Are you with The Alliance?"
Tristan immediately responded with, "Yes." He then performed a complicated gesture, crossing his arms behind his back before smoothly transitioning into a practiced salute. After he completed his salute, the other leader mirrored the motion with practiced ease, clearly confirming their allegiance.
After some friendly banter between the two leaders, he asked, "What did you leave this camp for?"
Without hesitation, Tristan replied, "To engage in some cleaning."
Upon hearing this, the leader nodded and moved on from the subject without any fuss. Meanwhile, the members of the two groups started mingling with each other. They discussed various topics, including their recent experiences, their employers, and how people were in their respective camps. As Tristan and the other leader were finishing their conversation, the leader overheard his group discussing the new girl they had noticed in Tristan's group.
When the leader asked about her, Rey, acting as a vice-captain, answered, "She is someone we picked up recently. We were showing her the ropes by having her do some cleaning work."
After examining Aleshia, the leader accepted Rey's answer. He then turned to his group, spoke briefly, and gathered them together.
While the leader collected his group and left, Tristan's group sighed. Not understanding the reason for their reaction, Aleshia asked, "Is there something dangerous about that group?"
Rey motioned for Aleshia to come closer and said, "Yes, but it's nothing you need to worry about as long as you are with someone from our camp."
"Okay," Aleshia replied. She was directed to the camp's entrance and led inside. A few kids who heard the door open gathered near the entrance, their eyes scanning those returning, including Aleshia.
The group Aleshia had been with dispersed immediately, but two of them remained with her: Em and Rey. They guided her to a living room area, where they sat in a few chairs to rest from their exhaustion.