Nia POV
The loud and jovial conversations quiet down the second I set foot in the dining room. Everyone looks at me with curiosity, whispering behind their hands. I ignore them and sit beside Master.
The base is small, and everyone knows everybody. It is only natural that people will be curious about the newcomer. By tomorrow, I will be old news, and they will find something else to whisper about.
I accidentally make eye contact with Mandy, and I swear, if she could, she would have me burst into flames. I smile and wave at her, and she nearly breaks her neck to look away and ignore me.
“Did you enjoy your walk?” Master asks, pushing the bread basket closer to me.
“I did, thank you,” I answer politely, hiding the truth that I loved it. The sun on my skin, the wind over my skull – becau
