The Shadow

Chapter 12

   (Another point of view this time! I hope you guys will enjoy it)!

   Aldo's POV:

   Frances hasn't been the same for the past few days. None of us have any idea what happened to her. Not even Donny knows and he talks with her practically all the time. Stiglitz too. It all started when she wanted to get in contact with her aunt and uncle. Since then, she's been distant.

   "Frankie, are you ok? You've been distant the past few days." I asked, making sure I was away from the others. "Aren't I always?" Frances muttered. "No, this is different. You're usually very talkative and you hang out with us. You always like to play around with Omar and Utivich and teach Stiglitz some stuff. What's going on?" I asked. Frances rarely ever spoke to us about her personal life. But sometimes she did. What's the difference now?

   "Ok. Truth is, I've been upset. My aunt and uncle died a few months ago due to the flu and I just feel like shit." Frances revealed. "I'm sorry about that. But it's not your fault so don't blame yourself." I tried to reassure. "I just feel guilty. I hadn't spoken to them since I left Boston. They were extremely worried when I left, which is why they wrote my name on Donny's bat. They probably died thinking I was dead. If I knew that they would die, I would've contacted them earlier." Frances ranted. I can see tears forming in her eyes.

   I can tell how much she loved her family. She was devastated and traumatized when talking to us about them and how she saw them die. She was 11 when it all happened. Just a year ago. "It isn't your fault. We haven't spoken to our families since the war started. It fucking sucks. We don't know how they're doing and vice versa. The only way they'll know about us is if they get letters about our deaths or soldiers come to them to tell them." I explained.

   Tears escaped Frances' eyes. She had no one to go to when the war was over. I just hope the war doesn't kill her. She's the Basterd that I care the most about. Not that I don't care about the rest. Frances is just way too young and doesn't deserve to be in this position. She lost her entire family at only 12.

   "Aldo, promise you'll never leave me. Please do not get yourself killed. I can't lose anyone else. Please promise me." Frances pleaded, clutching at my arm. She was crying really hard and it broke my heart. She never cried in front of us, as she thought it made her look weak. But it didn't. I did not wanna break that promise if I make it. I don't want Frances to be in any more pain than she already is.

   "I promise." I uttered. Those two words definitely made her feel a bit better.

   Frances' POV:

   I knew Aldo was making a promise that was impossible to accept, but he still did it. I know death is inevitable and it could come for him. Why did I ask that promise if I knew that? To feel comforted? The only way I'd feel comforted is if death doesn't come for the ones I care about. But I know it's impossible.

   Death is inevitable anyway.

   (This chapter was kinda short. I hope you guys enjoyed this! See you soon)!