Chloe sat alone in her room, nursing her wounds from the fight with Hangman. Her knuckles were bruised and swollen, and a blackeye served as a painful reminder of everything that happened that day. She had always known that being rivals with Hangman would lead to clashes, but she never anticipated it to escalate this far.
As she cleaned her wounds with a damp cloth, then came the sound of a knock at her door . She got up and opened the door, there stood her best friend, Bradley. She led him into her room and could feel his worry. Concern etched across his face, he gently took the cloth from her hands.
"Let me help you, Chloe," Bradley said softly, his voice filled with compassion.
Chloe nodded, grateful for his presence. Bradley carefully cleaned her wounds, his touch gentle yet firm. His comforting presence eased the pain both physically and emotionally, as Chloe let herself lean on him for support.
Once her wounds were cleaned and bandaged, Bradley looked at her with a determined expression. "You need some fresh air. How about we take a walk on the beach? It might help clear your mind."
Chloe hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether she was ready to face the world after the intense fight. But the prospect of escaping her room and the lingering tension was too tempting to resist. Plus having that same day moved into a small house near base, she just needed to get away.
"Okay, let's go," she finally replied, a hint of determination in her voice.
They made their way to the beach, the sound of crashing waves soothing Chloe's nerves. The soft sand beneath her feet reminded her of the calming force of nature, something she desperately needed in that moment.
Walking side by side, Chloe and Bradley allowed the silence to envelop them. It was a comforting silence, a space where words were not necessary. Bradley understood the weight of the situation, and his presence alone spoke volumes of his unwavering support.
The cool sea breeze gently brushed against their faces, carrying away some of the heaviness that had settled in Chloe's heart. The sound of the waves created a soothing backdrop to their thoughts, giving them space to reflect.
After a while, Bradley broke the silence. "Chloe, I know how much this rivalry with Hangman means to you, but at what cost? You're hurting yourself in the process. Maybe it's time to think about whether it's worth it."
Chloe's gaze fixed on the horizon as she contemplated his words.
"I never wanted things to get this out of control," Chloe admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "He was just going after not only my flying but also the fact that I have PTSD. It's scary, I wanted to show him that I wasn't this little girl that can't hold her own."
Bradley placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "And you have proven yourself, Chloe. You're an incredible pilot, and your skills speak for themselves. But sometimes, the battles we fight aren't always worth the sacrifices we make."
Chloe nods then cracks a smile. "Dang that was deep. We got freakin William Shakespeare in the house or something?"
Rooster just rolls his eyes, "Ah yep there goes the moment. You ruined it." He says as he waves goodbye at nothing.
Chloe laugh at his antics and keeps walking. Her laughter was always highly contagious, soon enough Rooster joins in laughing.
Chloe and Bradley walked along the sandy shore, laughing and enjoying the salty air. The sun was shining brightly, creating a beautiful scene that matched their happiness. It was a perfect day to forget their worries and appreciate the simple things in life.
