The cold air pricked Isla's cheeks as she stepped outside, waiting to be picked up. It was almost perfect timing, as she noticed the blue Volkswagen turning into the street from the corner of her eye. As the car drew closer, the big smile that waited for her became easier to recognise. Claire.
The car pulled to a stop and parked beside the curb on an angle, and within what seemed like a millisecond, Claire was out of the car and running around the other side to engulf her friend in a firm hug.
"It's been so long" Claire spoke into Isla's brown hair that was tucked behind her ears and draping down her back. Isla blinked back tears that were forming as the memories of the last time they were together flashed in her mind. Before everything was ripped from her. Little did she know, Claire was doing the same.
After a few seconds, they pulled away from eachother and Isla said "I know. Thank you for coming" earnestly.
They exchanged more small talk before Claire turned back to walk towards the driver side door. "You can just put your bag in the back" she said as she ruffled through her jean pocket to grab her car keys.
Once the bag was placed in the back seat and Isla had buckled herself in to the front passenger seat, they drove off. Isla's mind was swirling with conflicting emotions, happy to be reunited with her friend, worried about what she would be able to share with her as she knew she would have questions, and unease about the destination they were heading to.
Claire had heard the reports about the Aurela pack being hunted down and culled 2 years ago, and she thought that Isla and her family hadn't made it out. The news was obviously devastating, and she didn't want to accept it at first. Claire and her family searched for Isla and the others, but all they found was evidence that suggested they didn't survive. It was gut wrenching.
It wasn't until a week ago when she received a call from an unknown number, but a very familiar voice. She couldn't believe that Isla was alive and making contact after so long, she had so many questions and she tried to ask them, but Isla was quick to tell her that she couldn't tell her everything yet as her safety was not guaranteed.
After some pleading, Isla agreed to come and stay with Claire at the Flyleaf pack which happened to be an hour from where she was currently staying. It seemed like she had been travelling for awhile, and she didn't have a pack she belonged to anymore. Claire was saddened at the thought of everything that Isla had endured. Part of her had hope that if Isla survived, maybe others in her family did too.