Remorse
Laura found herself awake early the next morning, before any of the others were stirring. A vague sense of dread pressed down on her until she remembered the previous day. Her first murder.
She crept out of the tent, leaving the other three soundly sleeping. The sun was just rising and outside was bitterly cold, but she appreciated how quickly the frigid air cleared her head. She walked a short distance from the tent and sat down facing east.
She didn’t feel great about killing Geoff. It had been an impulsive act, but she couldn’t say she entirely regretted it. If she was honest any regret stemmed from the possible consequences. That was the thought forming a knot in her stomach.
If they were back at the base there’d be a tribunal held, most likely resulting in her expulsion, which in this environment was a death sentence. What she needed to do now was convince the others that she didn’t deserve that fate by the time they got back.
The slithering sound of polyester fabric rubbing against itself made her turn back to the tent. She relaxed when she saw it was Anton. Of the other three he was the most inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt and would be the best person to start her campaign with.
No time like the present. She twisted her face into an expression she hoped looked remorseful and gave him a small, sheepish wave.
This is a continuation of Feeling the love and was written for the #365daysofwriting challenge by @mydivathings from the Day 263 photo prompt.
Photo by Patrick Schneider.