Malia’s mind drifted back to her dream as she waited for the two Striders to join her at the growlers. What if they really did lose the war, what if she really did lose...everything? Though she was quick to shake that though as she felt Carson pull her into another hug. She didn’t end it quickly, her arms wrapped tightly around him as she rested her forehead against his shoulder, memorizing his warmth. She looked up, placing a soft kiss to his lips, running her hands across his arms before letting go and climbing on the growler behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his back as he pulled away and out into the open.<br/><br/>The drive wasn’t long, and being pressed against Carson the entire ride made her dream fade into nothingness. As they rolled to a stop, she stepped off the growler, her feet crunching against the leaves. She followed Carson towards little lake, and took notice of his icey exterior. He just seemed different, was all. She raised her eyebrow at him as he spoke, them approaching the gates. She simply nodded as the gates were opened for them, one of the runners waving at them from up at the tower. “Okay, I’ll meet you back here, then...”<br/><br/>She watched him take a couple steps to what they once called home,  it then grabbed his wrist, stopping him for a moment. She studied his eyes, noticing them hard and nearly empty, and she simply kissed him, before letting go. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” After parting from him, she made her way to Luke’s home, where he was sitting outside. He smiled widely when he saw her, standing and crossing over before wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.<br/><br/>“It’s nice to see you, Lia.” He pulled away with a smile, tilting his head. “What are you doing here?”<br/><br/>“Just stopping by, are you guys leaving to Central soon, though?”<br/><br/>“Yeah, we’re leaving in a couple of days. The chapters keep falling so we’re getting out as quick as we can.”<br/><br/>She nodded, rubbing her fingers through her hair. “Okay, good. That’s good.”<br/><br/>She spoke with Luke a bit more of what they found at Runner headquarters, and what they have to offer at Central before parting ways with him with anther hug. She walked towards the gates again, holding tight to her backpack. She glanced momentarily at her mother’s house, then shook her head. Once she made it to the gates, she waited for Carson just inside the walls, leaned against the wood. She was ready, and there was no way she wasn’t joining them to conquer the huntsmen.