The Dead May Rise ✓ (GxG)

Two

    Valeryan had stiffened when that was said. His shoulders seemed to scrunch up as if he thought that would protect him.

     Aedona placed a comforting hand on his shoulder after standing up from her kneeling position.

    "You know what that means." Lieutenant Vladimir Kotlinsky's voice seemed to echo. He looked around at the men who surrounded him. He swallowed. "Be ready."

     "To your stations!" Another higher rank soldier shouted.

     "Do-" Valeryan began. "Do I have to report to my station?"

      Aedona sighed. "Well," she began. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth lightly. "Probably."

       Valeryan's eyes grew wide at that comment.

       "Not right now though," Donnie quickly added. "Your reporting officer will probably be expecting you...later." She paused for a brief moment. "But for now, you can stay here."

    Valeryan said nothing--instead, he looked up at Donnie with glassy, pleading eyes.

      "Besides," Aedona started. "The sun hasn't even come up yet. It wouldn't be very safe for a child to wander a battlefield in the dark."

      "No it would not." Pyotr laughed, leaning against the pole in the middle of the tent.

        "Pyotr," Aedona began to say. "When did you get here?"

        "Just a few moments ago," Pyotr responded, adjusting his arms that were crossed over his chest slightly.

        "Can I help you with something?" Pyotr's younger sister asked, some what amused.

         "No... Not really," Pyotr started to say. "Unless you could tell me about the mark on my arm." He started toward his sister, who turned away, moving some medical equipment.

      Donnie laughed a little. "I've told you already, Pyotr. It's a scar. You must've gotten it while playing with your friends."

      "I'd remember getting it," Pyotr said, quickly adding, "if I got it like that." He huffed. "Why does it burn then?"

       Donnie stopped what she was doing. "What?" She questioned.

      "It burns... Hurts like hell too," Pyotr told her.

       "Show me," Aedona commanded her older brother.

       Pyotr uncrossed his arms, rolling his left sleeve up. Right on his inner forearm was the scar-like mark that he had for as long as Aedona could remember.

        Donnie grabbed her brother's arm, gazing at the mark. She ran her fingers across it. "Does this hurt?"

       Pyotr yanked his arm away. "Of course it does, you heretic."

        Donnie sighed to hide her small amounts of laughter.

       "So..." Pyotr started. "What's the diagnosis, doc?"

      Donnie shrugged. "I don't see anything different than before..." She trailed off before continuing. "I honestly can't say what that thing is."

     Pyotr sighed, dejectedly, rolling down his sleeve and returning to his usual position of having his arms crossed. "Well... I guess the mark remains a mystery."

      Yulia returned to the mouth of the tent moments later. "Aedona?"

       Aedona raised her head, her face feeling warm.