When Given a Lemon

Part 37

We then take all the dry ones we had already unpinned and start to fold and stack them up inside the storage belonging to the medics before heading back to our camp.

I’m holding my breath a little, not sure what I am going to come back to find. But when we return we are faced with all of the stuff from inside my tent piled up on the benches outside of it. And Lemon sitting benignly across the fire pit from it, watching them work.

They look like they don't have a single care in the world and I am even more confused about what is actually happening.

“What are they searching for?” I snap at Lemon as soon as they see me. Everyone stops what they are doing to watch our encounter. I wish they would mind their own business. Especially when all of my business was out on display here. 

“I don’t know?” they answered as if just as baffled by all of this.

“You don’t know?” I say, somewhat exasperated by it all.

“No.”

“Then why were they asking me about you if you don’t know anything?!” They shrug back at me, as if what is happening is not in the least bit concerning to them.

They may believe that nothing is going on, but I absolutely have to disagree! Nothing doesn’t get my tent torn apart!

I collapse back onto the bench, feeling defeated. I'm giving up. On both Lemon and this situation. I can't stop either of them from doing what they are going to do even knowing that my fate is to clean this all up after they're done.

I make the mistake of looking back at Lemon who waggles their eyebrows at me. If they're trying to cheer me up it's a solid fail. I refuse to partake in their game so I turn so that I'm angled away from them. The lieutenant is out here with us while the others she brought thuroughly go through everything of mine, not even leaving the foliage and dirt surrounding our encampment unturned.

In the end those searching my things leave without so much as putting a single thing back and Lemon sticks out a tongue at their backs before climbing inside of the tent, hopefully to try and put it back into some semblance of order.

The lieutenant is still sitting here though, watching the entire encounter; expression still unreadable.

Before the others had left, one had whispered something into her ear. Whatever it was didn't create so much as a flicker across her expression as she stared at me. Her eyes are the type that make your skin prickle, cold like icicles. I don't know how to describe them any better than that. It's not the shape or color of them, just something about them that does it.

Then just as if she's flipped a switch, they brighten along with her smile. It's still not sincere, but less ominous than before. I can't say it makes me feel any better.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Keenah, Lemon.” She rose to her feet, “I believe we found what we were looking for.” I wait, thinking she is about to say what they had been looking for, but she doesn't divulge anything. “Oh, and Keenah, keep an eye on Lemon, okay? From now on it will be your responsibility.”

With that she stepped away from the fire and soon disappeared into the shadows of the night. I shuddered all over again now that she's gone.

I don't know what they’d been looking for nor what they found, and I doubt Lemon will tell me, assuming they know.

“Hand me that,” Lemon's head popped out of the tent and they point at an object stacked on top of my things. I glowered at them.

“What the fuck was all that about?” I demand, ignoring their request.

“How should I know?” They shook their head. “They didn't exactly say, did they?” wagging their finger for me to hurry and do as they'd asked, I have a sudden and intense desire to walk away. They'd have to put their boots back on in order to haul everything of ours back into the tent again. I'm okay with inconveniencing them a little considering everything.

I stay seated and watch them redonn their outside gear before coming out to grab a handful of our things, refusing to offer any assistance. Their expressions only make this feel more ridiculous. Someone walking by would think they are doing us all a favor by cleaning up this mess.

I heave a heavy sigh. I honestly don't even know what I'm expected to do. She said Lemon is my responsibility now?!

I scoff internally at the thought, knowing there's no way I can be in charge of a person like Lemon. What she expects me to do is not feasible. Lemon has never exactly been the most obedient of tentmates nor the most reliable as a squad partner.

I chucked an item they requested at them with a bit of force and they fell backwards into the tent trying to catch it. That's what they get for leaving me to deal with that scary-eyed lieutenant!

I wouldn't be surprised if she personally handles all of the interrogations with how powerful just her looks are.

While Lemon scurried about and I still refused to help, I leaned back with a foot propped up on the remains of an old burnt stump and shit my eyes.

The others gave us a wide berth, though the glimmers of curiosity weren't missed when they passed by. Cayeol was the only one who worked up the courage to sit by the fire with me a short time later. Rather than speaking, for a while he quietly wiped down his boots, buffing one layer after another until the old things actually started to shine. I was impressed. I don't think my shoes have ever looked that clean and shiny, even when they were new. Well, new to me.

“Doin okay?” They asked casually some time later. I know this is what they sat down here for, I've been waiting for it and nod in response.

It's true I was miffed about our stuff and even more so about Lemon's deliberate refusal to provide any answers, but it's not as if one of us had been physically punished for anything. We weren't whipped or locked up for a night without rations. Nor was I acutely blamed for their wrong doings, even if they suspect that I am shielding them. None of our stuff had been broken either. So even if Lemon didn't want to say, I can hazard that it was not that big of a deal. Otherwise we wouldn't have come out of this unscathed. Although, being in charge of that menace may not equal unscathed in the long run if I'm not careful.

“Did they, did they end up taking anything?” He asked hesitantly.

“It's none of your business.” Lemon hisses from the tent. We both choose to ignore it, not that I will tell anyone Lemon's secrets had I known the answer. But I see their question as fairly harmless so I shake my head.

“Not that I could tell.”

“That's good. I would have been a lot less calm had it been my stuff they were pawing through.” He admits with a chuckle. “You're much more level headed than I am.” his chuckle is contagious and I find myself loosening up a little.

“Hm.” I don't know if I would agree with that statement though. Rather than level, I think that I have gotten used to Lemon’s antics by now. If it had happened earlier on, well… that might have been an entirely different thing.

Lemon growls something incomprehensible and disappears back inside the tent. Not before shooting daggers at Cayeol with their eyes. We really need to talk later, Lemon and I. But one thing at a time and I am already here with Cayeol so they will just have to be patient.