What needs to be done for a better world

Chapter 11

A week had passed since Ray was first hospitalized, and he was finally given permission to return to his own room.

The week had felt interminable for Ray. Aside from the occasional visits from the nurse assisting with his recovery, his days were marked by solitude. Even the time spent with the nurse was far from pleasant, each interaction tinged with a sense of clinical detachment and discomfort.

She made no effort to mask her hostility, often pushing him beyond his limits during exercises, turning each session into a painful ordeal. Despite the difficulty, Ray endured it quietly. Having already resolved to resign after meeting with General Sinclair, he chose to grit his teeth and bear it, for now.

The only visitors he had were his squad mates, who came to apologize after learning the full story of their mission from both Anders and Julie. They expressed their regret for the lack of trust they had shown him, admitting that their distrust stemmed from him being human. With sincere determination, they promised to work on changing their attitudes and to give him the respect he deserved going forward.

Although Ray found their words heartwarming, it didn't change his resolve. He no longer wanted to remain in the army, and their apology, sincere as it was, did not alter his decision.

Lost in his thoughts as he packed his belongings, preparing to leave, Ray was startled by a light knock at the door. He opened it to find Samantha standing there.

He hadn't seen her since she'd bid farewell to Gamma Squad 1 at the base of the mountain and her absence had surprised him. Given the warmth and intensity of her demeanor when they first met, he had expected her to visit. He'd brushed it off as her being occupied with duties around the base. Yet now, standing face-to-face with her, he recognized the pang of disappointment he'd been suppressing.

"Hello, Ray. I heard you were being discharged today, so I thought I'd come by and see if you needed any help," she said, her smile tinged with a hint of shyness. "There are also a few things I'd like to discuss with you, if you don't mind."

Ray hesitated, torn between conflicting emotions. A part of him wanted to cling to his frustration, to let his disappointment over her absence be known. But another part of him, driven by curiosity and perhaps hope, was drawn to whatever she had to say. In the end, he simply nodded, deciding to hear her out.

"As you can see, there isn't much to bring back so I can manage on my own."

Samantha's gaze dropped to the ground as she sensed the tension in the air, her unease growing with every second. From the moment Ray's eyes met hers, she had felt the weight of his unspoken disappointment. She started to wonder if her visit had been a mistake, unsure of how to bridge the distance between them. Just as she was about to excuse herself, Ray spoke up.

"But if you want to talk, we can do it in my room," he added, his tone softer, though it still carried an undertone of hesitation.

Samantha lifted her head to meet his eyes, only to find that Ray had already turned toward the bed, gathering the last of his belongings. His movements were quick and purposeful, as though he was eager to finish the task and move on.

After gathering his belongings, Ray returned to her side. "Shall we, then?" he asked, his voice a little softer than before. Samantha simply nodded, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips, and led the way back to his room.

Their walk was quiet, interrupted only by the occasional announcement relayed through the speakers, keeping the troops on base updated. The hum of the intercoms seemed to fill the silence between them, but neither of them spoke as they made their way to Ray's room.

Ray felt the weight of many eyes on him as he walked, some filled with hostility, others brimming with bloodlust. Their reasoning was the same as Ernst's, a human was a target, not a comrade to work with. The unspoken judgment hung heavy in the air, and though they didn't speak, Ray could feel the disdain in every glance.