A last goodbye |Sonadow|

A change of life

•✦──────────────────────────•✧

I didn't have any idea what time it was, but I guessed it was around four in the morning when General Knuckles woke us all up shouting. I was really tired after staying up all night with you. We went to have breakfast, and the food didn't look appetizing at all, I mean, at least there was something to eat but it was nothing compared to what I had for lunch just the day before. Things can change so much from one day to another.

-Alright soldiers, today will be the first day of training for you. If for any reason you fail to train enough, the battlefield will take care of completing what is lacking. War is not easy, it won't be easy for anyone, so I ask you to collaborate since the lives of thousands of civilians are in your hands-. After his encouraging speech, we formed pairs, which seemed childish to me considering we were in the middle of an armed conflict without knowing if we would come out alive or not, but I suppose the reason behind it was that we needed to learn to work as a team, which makes sense. One soldier alone cannot save an entire nation.

To my surprise, you chose me as your partner. Although I had no problem accepting it, I was very surprised since I thought you would choose the blond boy you were talking to the day before. At that moment, I learned his name was Miles, but everyone knew him as Tails. He had already paired up with one of the few women in the camp, Amy.

We were both novices, and honestly, I didn't expect you to have experience in violent situations. However, I was completely wrong; you turned out to be much better than I expected. Our first task together was to fight each other, and that's when I discovered how fast you were.

After the first training session, I was completely exhausted, but I deeply admired you; despite spending the whole day fighting, you seemed to have inexhaustible energy.

After resting for a while, you decided to introduce me to all the people you knew, including Tails and Amy, with whom you seemed to have a closer relationship. You got along with most people there; you had an impressively social ability, making friends with anyone, including me. I wasn't a person with many friends, and people at the camp seemed to have no interest in me, but there you were, the only person who decided to approach me. I was never one to talk much, so I always stayed back watching as you talked with the people there; you always wanted to include me, but I wasn't very good at talking, so I just admired your voice from afar.

✿ ---------------------- ✿ ---------------------- ✿

During the first few days, I found it tremendously difficult to adapt to the harsh reality of the battlefield. The lack of sleep, the lack of food, and the inability to take care of myself properly plunged me into a state of constant exhaustion. However, despite my attempt to hide it, you noticed my physical and emotional deterioration. Your concern was palpable, and I couldn't ignore the kindness and empathy you radiated.

At first, I didn't understand why you cared so much about my well-being. After all, we had only known each other for a few days. However, as time passed, I realized that your genuine interest in me did not come from chance but from a true connection that went beyond the circumstances of our meeting. Your gestures and words brightened my darkest days, and suddenly, the weight of war seemed more manageable in your company. I realized that besides the chaos and destruction around us, I found a ray of light in you. Your presence not only improved my days but also began to heal the wounds that war had left on my soul.

✿ ---------------------- ✿ ---------------------- ✿

I remember one particular day when we were learning to use firearms. You were very bad with them; your fighting skills were mostly hand-to-hand combat. Although you missed all the targets, you never gave up, and at the end of the day, you finally managed to hit one correctly. That was something I loved about you; you never gave up.

You were so happy that the first thing you did was come running to hug me. I hated hugs, I still do but yours felt different, and I accepted them gladly. The truth is that being in your arms or having you in mine was the warmest and most unimaginable feeling, a mix of sweetness and calmness; the turmoil within me subsided with the slight touch I had with you, giving way to a wave in my heart and a flutter in my stomach. There are so many things I regret, and among them is not having enjoyed your moments of affection enough. I would give anything, to anyone, everything just not to love those blessed hugs so much.

Gradually and with your support, I began to get used to the idea that my life from that moment on involved getting up early, eating whatever scraps were available, and facing the possibility of losing my life day after day. My combat skills evolved constantly until I became one of the most competent soldiers on the battlefield. However, it was evident that you surpassed even my abilities because if I was good, you were even better.

•✦──────────────────────────•✧