The War Inside (Book 1)

19

Please note that I only want this novel published on W@ttp@d. If you are reading this on any other site such as novelhd.com, please know that it was stolen without my permission.

            Hal sat at the front of the warehouse, mindlessly twirling a wildflower he found between his fingers. He allowed his eyes to get lost in the dusty road that led to the Sanctuary, looking forlorn and distastefully empty. He longed to go to the city again, talk to Mom, Charly, Lou, anyone. Listen to their voice on his special day. This was his first birthday he was spending away from his family in seven years.

His grandparents must have moved back by now, and it would be just Mom, the twins and Lou at home. Of course, Charly would drop by often, so much that he would already seemed married into the family. And this time, Hal wouldn't be there, once again just like seven years ago.

Two days, he told himself firmly. Two more days of this frenzied training and sitting around bored and he'd be allowed to visit the city, even if it was to stop an impending crime. His first real shot at doing what he was meant to do. Save lives, do good, make the Sanctuarers proud, live up to their motto.

A sudden breeze flitted past him, breaking apart the wildflower, carrying the petals into the air. He shivered, wrapping Thurston's woolen cardigan tighter around him.

For the greater good—it was a big responsibility. He didn't think he could take on such a burden, nor did he want to. But if it made them happy, then so be it. Yet, sometimes, the way Ingrid or Dr. Rajiv would act around him, treat him, it filled him with dread—they would place that responsibility on him whether he wanted it or not.

His father's legacy. That's what it was. They wanted him to carry on Horan Aldane's legacy.

"Well, someone's started brooding," Ingrid's voice said from behind him. Hal looked up as Ingrid came to stop beside him, sporting a dark blue tank top and denim shorts.

"I don't brood—" He stopped himself when he felt his face relax.

Ingrid smiled as she sat down next to him on the steps. Her top shifted to reveal a tattoo of a small bird on the back of her shoulder which Hal had never noticed.

"I didn't know you were tatted up, too."

"Oh, yeah," Ingrid reached back to pull down the collar, revealing another bird next to it, flying a few paces behind. "Italian sparrows. One for me, one for my sister."

In her hand was a dandelion. She let out a puff of breath, blowing the dandelion naked. They watched the fuzz getting picked up by the wind, taking them high into the sky.

"Do you miss your family?" Hal asked quietly.

Ingrid shook her head. "I never miss, Aldane," she said, making Hal smile. "Not my target, not my family."

"You're depressing," Hal said, pushing Ingrid lightly.

"It's the truth."

Hal turned his face to look at Ingrid's. There was a "but" in her voice.

"Sure, I wonder what she's doing," Ingrid shrugged, "whether she's alive. At least then I would know whether she's and 'is' or a 'was.'"

"Oh, Ingrid," he sighed. "There's really nothing you miss from before the Sanctuary?"

"Of course, there is." She frowned at the sky, leaning back. "I miss stealing into the cellar and eating cake after curfew. I miss sneaking out without permission just to be caught the second I enter the city. I miss playing house with one of the kids in my group. I miss—I miss the Base."