Lenox

Lenox: Just a boy in a big world. (FLASHBACK)

- 3 years back. In a military training base camp -

"Wake up you, lazy child! There's no time to sleep during the war!" - A warden came.

"I want to sleep. Just let me sleep. I don't want to go to war. Please somebody - save me." - Cried a skinny boy, in a bed inside a storage closet. The room is small, just enough for his little body. The heat in the room was hot as it's the summer season. He barely got sleep every day. Surviving life with such a frail body.

-At training field.-

"Get in line, you coward! Now that everyone is here. Give me ten push up for being late! And you, give me 20 laps around the field. Now!"

*Training starts.*'My name is Lenox. I don't know how old I am now. I'm currently living in a war base camp. I was brought here to find shelter and hide away from war. But now, by my own free will to fight like a soldier in this war. I have never wanted to be a part of this war. But the only reason I still stayed was that I have someone who cares about me. And once I'm strong enough, I'll leave this place and just fight my war till I die- '

*Traning ends*

-In a canteen-

'I have been in this place for a month now. And ever since the first day of a decent life here. Everything changes on the second. The general said they will not let any freeloaders live here, so with that being said, I've been put to training every day as rent. Since I'm a child with a whole dorm to myself, many older soldiers mock me and spread some word about the general that let me stay here made him very strict towards me. The general moved me into the storage closet to make space for recruits. I didn't understand why I had to move into a closet instead of other dorms. But I never talked back, not even once. A week passed, and other kids like me started coming here to train here too. I tried to make friends with them, but I get was being bullied for being wake even tho I have been here longer than them. I became skinnier than when I first came here. My life is slowly crumbling before my eyes. The fear of actually fighting in a war is slowly breaking my sanity. But all I had was.' - Inside Lenox's head.

"Hey, you LENOX! You have angered me for the last time! It has been a month since you've been here. Can't you get up in time? Is that too hard to do? Not to mention, we newbie recruits have been dragged by your faults since a week ago. Just go and die in the war without us getting killed too!"

The bully took Lennox's food tray and poured water on his head.*

Lenox cried and ran away. While running, Lenox bumps into the general. * "Umm...I'm sorry to bump into you, Sir! Please forgive me." - Pled Lenox. "You useless boy, get out of my sight before I whip you up to shreds!" - Said the general.

*Lenox fled to his room.*

 A familiar scent caught Lenox's nose. Lenox ran as fast as his feet can run. It came from his room, making him run even fast. As he nearly arrives at his room, there is she was standing in front of his room.*

"Big Sis! Big Sis, your back!" - cried Lenox while jumping into Lyra's arms.

"Are you okay? I've just got back from the battlefield. I wanted to spend time with you before I have to leave again. I didn't expect this when I got back." 

"I've...I'm good but, I-" Lenox faints.*

-After awhile-

'It hurts...It hurts. Please stop hitting me. I'll be good. Please stop.' - Lenox whispered in his sleep. "It's alright. I'm here for you," Lyra tries to wake Lenox up. *GASP* Lenox jumps out, gasping for air as if he was breathless.

 "It's okay, Lenox. You're safe. I'm here." Lyra holds Lenox as he cried in Lyra's arms.

-The morning after-

'I told you to keep good care of him! What have you done to him!' Lenox woke up and looked around, half-awake from his sleep. 

'There's no need to be uptight, Lyra. He's a boy turning into a man. Besides, you might not always be there for him, so what's wrong with some training? - said another voice outside the room.

 Two voices are arguing outside the door. Lenox walked towards the door, eavesdrop on the conversation.

"I'm doing my job, and all your job was to take care of my brother. And this is what I get? My brother's body is cover with scars. He is mentally broken. Shouted Lyra.

"Heh, Your brother will get stronger on his own this way. Trust me. You would be proud of him for making some kills on the battlefield." said the other voice.

" I went to war to keep my brother safe. Not for him to participate in it!" Shouted Lyra angrily.

"I f you keep pampering him like this, wont even survive a day out there by his own. If you want whats best for him, then this is how it is; I'll lend him this room for the whole stay. The fee will be training. He will become a soldier for life. Remember, I don't take freeloaders. He will be a part of this war till everything you both owe paid off." "I have enough of this conversation." - Lyra turns back to the door, slightly twisting the knob. "You will be leaving soon again back to the war. I take it as an agreement. For now."

*Lenox dashed back on the bed into the sheets. Lyra steps into the room.*

She slowly walks towards the bed. "I know you're awake. It's okay if you heard everything. I won't get mad."

 Lenox sits up, head faced down, "I'm sorry for being a burden to you."

"Lenox, how could you say that? Your not a burden. Don't you dare listen to whatever they say about you. Your not a burden to me." 

"But you're risking your own life because of me. How could I just let that slide? I don't want to lose you too. Even tho they keep pushing me to the absolute limit. I'll ignore the pain. I'll train to the limit. I'm alive because of you, and I want to protect you too. Just let me train - " 

"No!" Lenox froze by the sudden reaction. "I'm not going to send you to war. You are going to stay here until I get back. Do you understand!" 

"Can't you tell me why you're so against the idea? His right! If I train, I'll become at least useful for something. If not, I'm just a burden.-" Lenox cries. 

Lyra took a deep breath and hugs Lenox. I love you, Lenox. I care so much about you. I do what I do to protect you from the monsters of the world.