Waveland

Chapter 14

Sun-rays were just now touching the surface. The creaking of the window caught his attention. It was Rose attempting to sneak in.

"Looks like I am not the only early bird." Rose gracefully pushed her body through the window. She stood there standing in front of him. The light of the morning side bore behind her. Xavier pounced out of his bed seeing her face with splashes of red. Blood. A million thoughts raced through his head. His eyes widen, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. Scanning her for any injuries. His mind went completely into doctor mood. His eyes traced her entire body. Noticing the blood sputters on her shirt, the bleed smeared on the corner of her cheeks dried in her hair. There were no signs that she was harmed in anyway.

"Relax." She brushed off his touch. The softest smile stretched on her lips. "I'm okay." She held onto his hands. 

"Rose. Whose blood is this?" Her smile broke at the question. It was like she was shocked at the intensity in his voice. But he wasn't the one standing in his bedroom covered in someone else's blood. Pieces of her hair scattered from her usual tight braid. He noticed the braid she always wore when she was going into combat. 

"I had a few things on my mind. Killed a couple of aliens." Rose was short with him. She lifted her bloody shirt from her shoulders, dropping it to the floor. She stood in front of him relieving her lilac bra. She didn't flinch at the lack of clothes on her chest. She was comfortable in her own body. Xavier wished he could have the same level of confidence Rose expressed daily. Rather that was being a survivor or just comfortable with her inner self. It was something he would never be capable of. Xavier clenched his fists thinking about her bravery that led her outside the walls in the middle of night. She preferred killing a couple of aliens instead of coming to him. Maybe David was right only a dangerous person would seek comfort in violence. Had he been wrong to bring her here? 

She reached her hand back on her ponytail tugging it free. Her wavy dark hair resting on her shoulders. 

"I am gonna wash the blood off me." Her tone was sharp. She exited the room without a single glance back.

He couldn't help to think there was a strange tension between them two. It was like something happened. Something changed. Xavier rubbed a hand through his short hair having no clue what he could have done wrong. He wasn't the one who was irresponsibly escaping just because something was on his mind. 

—----

A few hours later the sun shined bright in the center of the sky. It was around noon, usually Xavier would be heading to eat lunch with his friends by now. Like he did everyday. But he wasn't hungry. He hadn't talked to Rose since early this morning he couldn't help feeling there was more to the tension he felt. He distracted himself with the meaningless task his superior had him handling. 

In the infirmary he organized the new supplies his brother and his unit received. He separated each medical item into their own bin. Tape, cloths, pain relievers. 

"Where's Doc?" A voice he knew all two well. The voice that talked to him over a headset. Back when all he had to be concerned about was football practice and the new Call of Duty coming out. They were best friends and spent nights staying up until the sun threatened to break through the surface, they would laugh for hours while rapidly moving their fingers over the controllers going rounds after rounds on zombie. 

Xavier refused to respond. Tyler made it clear that he wouldn't be friends with him because he was weak. He wasn't one of David's soldiers. He never wanted to be. He didn't think Tyler ever wanted to be either. One day he just got up and joined his brother and David. Leaving Xavier in the dust. 

Xavier continued doing his task but each movement more aggressive than the last. He threw the medicine bottles faster and harder against the plastic container.

He could feel the presence of Tyler approaching him. Each step made Xavier's back stiffen. There was nothing he could do, he never learned to fight he couldn't throw a punch even if he tried. His own weaknesses irritating him.

Seconds passed. He could still feel Tyler standing in front of him. Probably judging him for doing a basic task, unlike the honorably task soldiers were given. 

Xavier froze. The rage bubbling underneath his skin. Veins giving away the anger that lingered in his chest.

He looked up at his old friend ready to yell at him. Say something that would reveal the anger that still was in his heart but the thought disappeared seeing Tyler's face. A bright red mark across his right cheek. Based on the redness it was recent. He hadn't even bothered to bandage it. 

Xavier's eyes shot to Tylers hand gripping his side. He could see a thick white tape wrapped around his lower side visible through his thin green and white flannel. The pathetic excuse for a shirt to small for his overbearing muscles. The shirt barely contained at the seams. Another advantage being apart of David's army. 

Xavier's eyes went back to his face. Blood. Similar to blood that was on Rose this morning.  Tyler's unit haven't had any missions recently there should be no reason blood should be on him. No reason for him to have any injuries. Their missions never put them on any real danger. All they did was do supply runs, so why was Tyler holding in his side like he just survived an attack. Only enemies camps resulting in the soldiers coming back with wounds. Xavier haven't heard from the enemy camp that took him. 

No one was violent here. Fights were rare. People knew their place. Everyone looked to David as their leader to make decisions. Everyone listened to him. Why fight when the real battle remained out there? The Aliens and the enemy camps.

"You left yesterday with Rose didn't you?" He asked the question. Knowing the answer. 

"I wanted her to teach me a few things." Tyler leaned his arms against the table. Xavier peered up at Tyler seeing the fakest smile he had ever seen. Tyler had always had the ability to charm everyone in his presence, he just thought it wouldn't work on her.

"Stay away from her." He gritted through his teeth. His jaw tightening with each word. Nothing  He hated the thought of Rose getting anywhere near him. Xavier blamed him entirely for the reason Rose badly injured. What are the odds that the girl who was able to survive on her own suddenly almost died on a simple mission. The units rarely ever made contact with the aliens. His gut was telling him that Tyler was responsible in some way, he didn't trust him at all where Rose was concerned.

"What is going on here?" A broad voice interpreted them.

"Just looking for you, Doc." Tyler responded without looking away from Xavier. He was trying to rattle him. 

The Doctor placed his hands on Tyler, shaking his shoulders. Xavier watched the interaction hating any person who gave his friend any ounce of praise. Especially where Tyler stood he deserved none of it. 

"How is it coming along?" The Doctor looked at Xavier now. His eyes directing his thoughts.

"All Done." Xavier slide the four bins of the medical supplies visibly organized. 

"Excellent. David wanted to talk to you he is the armory room." The man clearly instructing Xavier that he was no longer needed. He glared at Tyler before making his exit. He was grateful that he had an excuse to get out of the presence of his former friend as soon as possible.