The Closer to Love

Chapter 1: Confidante

General Sarah Alder strode through the halls of Fort Salem with a sense of purpose, her uniform pristine and her gaze steely. She was a force to be reckoned with, respected and feared by all who crossed her path. But deep down, beneath the armor she wore both physically and emotionally, she was a woman burdened by the weight of her responsibilities, haunted by the ghosts of her past.

Cadet Tally Craven watched the general from afar, her heart clenching at the sight of the woman who held so much power in her hands. Tally was young and naive, a fresh recruit with eyes full of hope and a determination to prove herself. She admired General Alder, but more than that, she felt a deep sense of empathy towards the woman who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.

After another exhausting day dealing with the Spree and Camarilla, General Sarah Alder sat alone in her office, the weight of her responsibilities bearing down on her like a heavy burden. She was the highest-ranking officer in the United States military and the leader of the witch army, responsible for protecting the country and witch-kind from threats. Yet that day, just like all the other days before, she had lost good soldiers, young witches who had looked up to her as their leader. And she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that weighed heavily on her heart.

Despite her impressive rank and power, Sarah felt an immense loneliness creeping into her heart. She longed for someone to understand and share her burdens with, someone to lean on when the weight of the world became too much to bear.

It was then that Cadet Tally Craven entered Sarah's office, a worried expression on her face. Tally was a young witch with immense potential, but she was still learning to control her powers and navigate the dangerous world of military life.

"General, is everything alright?" Tally asked softly, taking a tentative step closer to Sarah.

Sarah looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of weariness and longing. "I'm fine, Cadet," she replied brusquely, but there was a vulnerability in her voice that Tally couldn't ignore.

Tally hesitated for a moment before taking a seat across from Sarah, her gaze never leaving the older woman's face. "You don't have to pretend with me, General. I can see that something is weighing heavily on you. Please, let me help."

Sarah's walls began to crumble at Tally's earnest words, and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. Without another word, she stood and moved to Tally's side, wrapping her arms around the younger woman in a tight embrace.

Tally was taken aback by the sudden display of emotion from her stoic superior, but she didn't hesitate to return the hug, holding Sarah close and offering the comfort that she so desperately needed. Tally's heart ached at the sight of someone she loved and admired so much hurting.

In that embrace, Sarah felt a warmth spreading through her heart that she hadn't felt in years. Tally's presence was like a balm to her weary soul, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for the young cadet in her arms.

As they sat together in silence, the weight of Sarah's burdens began to lift, replaced by a feeling of connection and understanding that she hadn't realized she was missing. And in that moment, she knew that she had found someone worth fighting for, someone who would stand by her side through thick and thin.

General Sarah Alder and Cadet Tally Craven may have come from different worlds, but in each other, they had found a kindred spirit, a soulmate who would always be there to offer comfort and love in times of need. And as they sat together, lost in each other's embrace, they both knew that they had found something truly special – a bond that transcended rank and duty, a love that would endure even the darkest of days.