Free Origins by Jambrea Jo Jones

this guy?” Grey pointed to Kir.
    “He’s on our side,” Joy assured them.
    “Thank you, Joy.”
    “Well, Kir, you proved yourself today.”
    The noise was dying down. No more muted screams and the flashes of light had stopped.
    “Joy, you can bring everyone out now. The situation is under control,” Ive called.
    Dji was on the ground sobbing, with Ive wrapped around him trying to comfort and soothe him. Joy ran to Zareb.
    “What happened?” Joy asked.
    “He broke. When the shaman told him he would be repossessed by Dmitri he went mad. There was no way he would let that happen again.”
    “Did you tell him that isn’t going to happen? That we took care of the Vessel?”
    “I think that is what finally got through to him.” Zareb hugged Joy tight.
    “I found the guys.” Joy pointed behind her. “They have a plane not too far from here.”
    “We cannot leave yet.” Zareb looked worried.
    “What do you mean we can’t leave?” Joy backed away, sure she hadn’t heard correctly.
    “Djimon needs to see the place we buried the Vessel. He has to have that closure or we may never bring him fully back. That was one of the reasons he came with us.”
    Joy understood, but she wasn’t happy about it.
    “Can he even make it? It took us a whole day to get there the last time. That would make it two days until we get to the plane and I need a bath, bad. Is there a stream we can use around here somewhere?” Joy was sweating and the stench from the camp couldn’t even compete with the smell coming off her body.
    “We have a bathing area that can be used,” Kir offered up.
    She was beginning to really like that man.
    “It’s settled. Let’s rest for a bit and get cleaned up, then we can make the trek.” Joy crossed her arms over her chest, daring anyone to suggest something different.
    “Ladies first,” Ive backed her up. She looked hesitant to leave Dji, but Zareb was taking care of them and they really did need to get cleaned up.
    Kir led them to a river. It didn’t look safe, but Joy was beyond caring.
    “Fuck.”
    “What?” Ive looked over at her.
    “I don’t have anything clean to wear.”
    “Our backpacks are around here somewhere. They went through them when we arrived. I think I saw some of your things that Zareb threw in the bag before we were taken.”
    “Kir, can you find it?”
    “I’m sure I can. When I do I’ll leave it here by this rock for you.”
    “Thank God.” Joy didn’t even wait for him to leave. She shed her clothes and headed for the water.
    “Here.” Ive tossed her something.
    “Soap, I almost forgot what that was. Where did you get it?” Joy looked around.
    “I spotted it on the way to the bathing area, on a rock.”
    Joy gratefully sank into the water. She would have to wait until she had the proper supplies to deal with her hair. No way could she risk getting it wet now. But at least the rest of her would be clean. She made quick work of washing and gave Ive back the soap. How she envied Ive’s ability to wash and go.
    This trip could not be over soon enough for her. She followed Ive out of the water and back towards the rock. Kir was as good as his word. There was also some cloth there to dry off with and a brush. If it wouldn’t have made her dirty again, Joy would have fallen to her knees and kissed the ground.
    As it was she took the brush before Ive could get it and managed to get her hair brushed back into some semblance of order. She dried off and dressed. It didn’t look like all the clothes were hers, but they would do. Now for a toothbrush, or paste…or something. Hell, even a mint would do at this point.
    They headed back to the camp to find the men pacing. Dji had calmed down. Ive went to him and whispered in his ear. Joy continued on to where Zareb stood.
    “Why don’t you guys help Djimon down to the water? Ive and I will search the camp to see if there is anything we need. Then we can head to the burial site.”
    Zareb nodded and the men took