My eyes fluttered open. I was greeted with a bright light which caused me to instantly shield my eyes with my hand. My eyes soon adjusted to ceiling light, my hand lowering. The first thing I saw was the white ceiling, then the white walls and white sheets. The sound of beeping and distant chatter filled my ears. I felt discomfort as I looked at my arm, the tube of an IV drip running into the vein in my wrist. It didn't take me long to recognise the familiar surroundings of the medical facility. How the hell was I alive?
I tried to sit up but pain immediately shot through my chest. I groaned as I leaned back against the hospital bed, breathing heavily. I looked down at myself, noticing that my chest and biceps were wrapped in gauze. My chest ached the most. Really fucking badly.
I turned my head to the side and noticed a bouquet of flowers on the bedside table with a card sticking out. My eyebrows furrowed as I continued to glare at the sight. I had been out of commission countless times but no one has ever gone out of their way to get me flowers. Why now? What changed?
I forced my arm up and stretched it towards the bouquet, grabbing the card. The front read "Get Well Soon" with a bunch of tacky doodles around it. I flipped it open to see if anything was written on the inside.
"I heard you're in pretty bad condition and you'll be in remission for a while. I don't know how Squad D will operate without you but I'm sure we'll come alright! Rest easy and try not to scowl as much as you do!
TO: Commander Maxwell
FROM: The ballerina, Alexander"
I stared at the card for a bit longer than I should have. I scoffed softly as I placed the card back on the table. I was kind of touched by the stupid card but that didn't mean that I didn't hate it. I hated how such a simple gesture gave me this warm feeling in my chest. I hated how I let her get under my skin. I was supposed to be the commander, the one who didn't need anyone's help, let alone some ex-ballerina who had no business being in Squad D. Yet here I was, lying in this damn bed because I tried to protect her. Like a goddamn idiot.
I clenched my jaw as I continued to stare at the ceiling. I wanted to shove away that feeling in my chest, bury it under the weight of every mission, every mistake, every person I'd lost. It wasn't supposed to be there. I didn't have room for it. Not now, not ever. Especially not for someone like her.
But no matter how hard I tried, it stayed. That feeling lingered, like an itch I couldn't scratch. I wasn't supposed to care. I shouldn't care. She was just another soldier, just another name in a squad I commanded. So why couldn't I let it go? This whole situation was frustrating.
I sighed deeply as I closed my eyes, suddenly feeling very tired. Probably all the drugs coursing through my veins. My eyelids grew heavy as I began to feel sleepy. Maybe I needed to sleep it off. Maybe even sleep forever.
Word count:552
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Mistakes Made
Ciencia FicciónIn a world destroyed by a mysterious outbreak, Max, the reclusive commander of Squad D, battles with the death of his parents. His life alters when Alexander, a cheerful new recruit, transfers to his squad. The two stumble upon a dark secret threate...
