A PURE HEART

iii

his face is expressionless as he stares at the hotel bed in front of him. he hasn't slept in a comfortable bed in a very long time, he wonders how it feels. cautiously, he sits down on the mattress, his fingers carefully gliding over the duvet. like a little child he bounces up and down, just to test the mattress. honestly, he feels stupid while he's doing it. the mattress feels strange, unusual under his body, almost a little uncomfortable. he decides that it's best if he sleeps on the floor tonight.

the mirror in the door of the room's closet catches him off-guard when he turns around, causing him to jump a little. he finds that he looks strange in civilian clothing, he is so used to see himself in his uniform that seeing himself wearing a hoodie and blue jeans just feels wrong. but he'll get used to it. he has to. because he doesn't plan on ever touching his uniform again, even though it lays hidden at the bottom of his duffel bag.

a loud, yet hesitant knock at his door makes him jump up from the bed that is too soft. he rushes to seek cover behind a wall in his room. his left arm makes a clinking sound when it hits the wall and he curses under his breath. multiple possible scenarios start to play in his mind and he already plans his escape when he hears a soft voice from behind the door.

"hello? are you there? i'm heading down to the bar, i thought you'd might want to tag along," the stewardess informs him. he exhales deeply. she has already slipped through his mind, even though she has been very kind to him throughout the flight, treating his panic attack very professionally. he couldn't say no when she invited him for a drink after he stupidly told her where he'd be staying.