End Of An Era

Chapter Twelve: Thorns

November 22, 2023, Illinois, Genevia, Camp SPEAR, 11:23 Hours

(Ashley's POV)

I walk out into the cold winter air from the mess hall without eating a bite, again.

Ever since I killed that human my stomach feels knotted up like I need to throw up but it never comes, and it's starting to make me feel lightheaded the more I think about it.

I look up into the gray sky and see small specks of snow falling gently down and strangely, it calms me.

I take a quick look around and notice how quiet it is on the base since all the outposts have been recalled under Commander Silvers orders. Apparently other outposts were attacked as they were pulling out with a good chunk of them getting injured or worse.

The thought of the Devils coming here feels like a looming shadow, and the peaceful atmosphere isn't helping.

I jump as someone places a hand on my shoulder and I turn my head to see Amanda smiling at me.

Amanda: "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." She says politely, "Silvers is asking for you, apparently it's an urgent matter." She points over to the command building with the APEX flag waving in the cold air.

"Did she say why?" I ask, confused on why a high-ranking officer is wanting to talk to someone like me.

Amanda's once happy look changes to a serious one.

Amanda: "It's about Phoenix, and if you truly believe he is on our side then I think you should be the one to tell Silvers about it." She tells me and then pats my shoulder, "Hopefully you will get some peace of mind after this." She walks into the mess hall waving goodbye.

Phoenix? Why now?

While I make my way over to the building, I try to think what Amanda was trying to say about telling Silvers about Phoenix.

I cannot come to any idea why Amanda was with Silvers, but then it hits me.

The attacks...

I take a deep breath as the realization mentally hits me.

There is no way in no world that Phoenix betrayed us....He wouldn't do such a thing!

I walk into the building and see a familiar serpent coiled up near an empty seat, and she seems to take notice of me right away and waves.

Sara: "Bonjour!" She says rather excitedly to see me, "It's so good to see you again ami." She pats the seat next to her indicating that I should sit next to her.

I don't say anything as I sit down next to her, I didn't really get to talk with her and knowing what she did with Phoenix could easily be done to me. I look around thinking there is someone I should talk to about Silvers, but it seems that Sara is that someone.

An awkward silence falls between us, but then I notice that Sara has moved herself closer to me.

She bumps into me with her lower half, and I instantly notice how cold her scales feel on the areas that are not covered by her long jacket.

Sara smiles at me in an embarrassed way.

Sara: "My apologies cher, you just feel a bit warm so..." She says but then stops, "Ah, where are my manners? Ashley, right? I haven't forgotten about you, it's just this cold is messing with me badly at the moment." She presses into me again, "Mind sparing you warmth for a little bit? Commandant Silvers said she would be a few moments."