BREAK FREE [TPN X Male!OC]

Worried

"I'll leave first then."

The team was in a meeting for the outcome of today's harvest. They discussed how many children are saved and died despite it being the topic Zan doesn't want to talk about, and Nigel's modified weapons and him becoming the squad's official mechanic. 

The squad watched as the 11-year old Zan picked up his things and was ready to leave. "Why the rush, Zan?" Paula asked. He gave her a gentle smile he could muster, "There's a child in need of my attention, I had to go." 

They all nodded, but Zack, "I'll come by later." 

They saw how Zan's movements stopped, like he was hesitating but answered nonetheless. "Sure, I'll be in the room that's at the end of the hall." He then made his way out of the room. 

When the door closed, Nigel had to speak up, "Did something happen?" 

"Well, he's always the first one to leave but not this early, we haven't talked about our next move yet. Perhaps, he wanted to check on Gillian." Sonia replied as she unflips all the papers on her hands. "He takes too long on his daily check ups and the fact that they are too many.. he had to finish them all." Zack puts his arms on the back of his head. "That's our medic for you." Oliver sweatdropped. 

"That's why I'll be catching up to him later and make sure he gets some rest, though that's all I've been doing recently and he's being adamant about it." Zack sighed, "I'm worried."

Oliver took a glance at what Zack said and frowned, "Me too." 

"Gillian, are you still awake?" He whispered. The familiar voice did wake the little girl up, "Y-Yes?" 

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you up?" 

"I can't really sleep well.." She fixed herself and sat up for Zan. "I see, ah right. My name's Zan, sorry for the late introduction. By the way, are you still bothered by what happened earlier?" Zan decided to sit beside her. Gillian nodded as she gripped both of her hands tight. 

Zan took that as a sign that she's still terrified of what happened. "Can you.. tell me what happened before you found us?" 

Gillian trusted him but remembering what happened is too.. "Uhm, if you're not comfortable right now, until you feel better- I can wait. Take your time to rest." He reached her head and pats her gently. He slowly laid her back down and tucked her in, "Have some rest for tonight, Gillian." He then stood up from sitting beside her but her hand was gripping on his cardigan. The grip made him stumble back a bit, "Gillian?"

"Can you.. stay?" 

Of course, how could Zan refuse? Without hesitation, he sat back down beside her. Without saying any words, he caressed her hair gently, massaging her head to lull her to sleep. Gillian unknowingly leaned into his touch and smiled a bit, it reminded her the peaceful days back at Glory Bell. 

Zan laid beside Gillian as he leaned on his arm so he could see her still. He caressed her head as he continued to lull her back to sleep. "I lost my sister from the monsters earlier. She was the only family I had and cared for me. To think she just disappeared from me that quick.. I.." Zan knew enough, he's not gonna let her continue remembering it. "I'm sorry.. you must've had it hard. Losing someone is like losing a part of you, and it takes years to pick ourselves up again. Those monsters- no, demons had taken everything from all of us. Gillian, what you are feeling right now, keep it. However, you must move on. There comes a time we will strike back at them." Zan tried to consolidate her feelings. 

"We?"

"Yup, we. Me and the others are forming a group that will strike them back one day but we needed more people. If you desire, I will avenge your sister for you." Such words came from someone who can barely even kill but Zan will try his best to avenge her in a way only he can do. "But.. that won't do for my sister, to have someone else instead of me to do it.."