𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐝 || Phighting

[𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞]

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   The cold blew around the atmosphere, nipping at your already cold skins. Small snow particles hit your slightly cracked snow goggles, making it even more difficult to see.

  “Why does it have to be this way?” you thought, wiping off the snow on your snow goggles and lifting up your mask to warm up your cold nose.

  Being forced at the frontline at a young age takes a toll on your mental health. Your body is worn and tired out from the stress given on you. Hence why you're slow and fall behind from the group that's accompanying you. The tracks that are slowly covered by the snow is a constant reminder that any moment death could take you away.
   “Yo, [Name]! C'mon dude, the gang is going to the second security post.” Hearing the uplifting voice pulled you out of your daze. Their bright horns stood out amongst the dull attires given to the forces alongside the iconic cocky grins, How admirable. The dirty fluff around their neck is a part of the Blackrock coat that's given to us after we're sent out to patrol.
   “Comin’!” You shout back as you begin to run up to the group, Slowing down your pace to match with the demon before.
   The snow lightly scrunches under your boots as you walk side to side with them.

   “What were you thinking back there? You look really lost.” He spoke, glancing at you. “I'm just thinking about the war, Cila. Nothing much.”
   He hums, nodding his head in understanding. “The war eh? Don't think about it much tho.. it could stress you out further." His kind reassuring voice always flutters your insides. The way he spoke always kept you on edge, what an angelic voice.
   “Alright, I.. I won't think much of it.” You're glad to have Cila as your friend. Closest friend even. Maybe because he's the only one you ever stuck around with. The others never linger long enough. How can you tell him these warm feelings?

   Soon enough the crew arrived at the first base. Parking the D7E23 snowcat into the garage reserved for the vehicle. One of the main soldiers in the base greets and guides the crew to a room with many bunk beds.
    The room looks a bit dusty, it seems like no one has used it for a month or so. Some of the bunk beds even lack a mattress.
    Not wanting to sleep on the floor this time. You quickly rush to a bunk bed that only has the top bed and a mattress so you won't bother with a teammate who would get annoyed at you.
    “Looks like we'll be sleeping uncomfortably here..”

    “Yeah dude, that guy is really creepy.. like crazy creepy!” You overheard one of your teammates cutting out your thoughts of complaining. You're not one to eavesdrop, but this one seems to pique your interest.
    “I heard he uses people as an experiment.” The other one replied to their fellow friend. “And he usually buries himself in his room.” “I even heard someone scream from his room and he actually was laughing maniacally!”
    A third buts into the conversation. You wander off to yourself, watching as the group continues to talk about this mysterious scientist. From their story, you assume this person is insane. Thinking of the man laughing crazily as someone is in pain shivers you.

   “Alright all of you! Time to rest, I want all of you to wake up early at 3 tomorrow!” you were pulled out of your terance of thoughts to the sound of the one in charge of the team.
    Some groans could be heard and instantly got dismissed by the supervisor. As the supervisor left, everyone began to get on their bed. Time passed and the soldiers fell into slumber.

     Turning and flipping on your sleep didn't help to calm your mind. Jolting up, your breath is heavy and quick as your eyes scan through the room. The sound of a bed creak was heard from your side as you snapped your head towards the source. It was one of your teammates. Not just teammates.. best friend.
     “[Name]?” Their tired voices call you out, catching your attention. “Why are you still up late?” They question, yawning quietly.
     Your breath shallows as Cila turns to you. “N.. nothing.. I just woke up from a nightmare.” You whispered, rubbing your left arm as you down at the rough fabrics of the blanket.
     “..If you say so.”

     “... [Name]?” The sound of the creaking bed frame reaches your ear as Cila lets their legs hang on the edge of the bed facing you. “Yeah?” my heartbeat.
     “do you.. have any dreams or… life goals if this war is over?” The question caught you off guard. Never have you thought about the future, fearing things won't end well for you and everyone.
     “.. I don't know.. what about you?”
     You responded, your voice sounded unsure. You can't help but feel scared to even think about the end of the war. Will it even end?
     “i.. would dream to have a nice life, maybe a family as an extra.” they sighed dreamily, resting their face in their hands. I wish it was me. “No shot, you can't even get a partner.” you chuckled quietly at him. But you have my heart.
      “hey! Maybe one day, I'll show you and rub it all over your face!” he whispered shouts with glare at you. “Whatever,”
      Silence overtook the cold night air. You never noticed how cold it is until now. Cila shivers as he goes back under the blanket, settling in to stop himself from freezing.
      “Hey, can I tell you something?” you want to confess, you have to.
     “What's up?” He looks back at you, holding that same warm gaze he Always carries. Those courage you carried are all gone, melting to that look he gave you.
     “Never mind.. But do you promise to never leave or forget about me?”
     “.. i promise, i would never do those things...”

     You both stared at each other for a bit. Slowly a pink hue crept up their face before he chuckled, “we must get to sleep or the commander will punish us.”
     Nodding your head, you get comfortable back in your bed. Unaware about the adored gaze given by Cila.

     The same gaze has turned cold, the expressionless face stares back at your Perturbed one. Small sniffles escape your lips as you hold close to half of your friend's body.
     How did this happen? No! It's your fault! You shouldn't have left him! Why? Why? Why!?
    The sounds of explosions and guns fire have gone closer to a silent ringing. Someone screaming your name rings in before you get forcefully pulled by them. you gasped as you let go of the body in reflex.
    You didn't care who had just pulled you away from him, all you wanted was to get out of their grasp. You just watched as the cold body slowly got buried by the snow, slowly fading in the distance as you tried to reach a hand out but the demon didn't show signs of letting you go either.
     In a desperate attempt you hit the demon leg but still, all you could do was watch and slowly you close your eyes, succumbing to the cold.

I'm sorry, [Name]. I ████ you.

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Word count: 1228

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎 𝚒 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚕𝚛. 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚜:𝚙

𝙷𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚢'𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚝! 𝚃𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚘!