Across The Stars

Nightmares Of The Past

I jolted awake, the sheets tangled around my legs like the memories that wrapped themselves around my mind. The room was dark, but I could still see flashes of the explosion in my mind's eye, hear the shouts of my squad, the gut-wrenching sound of their final breaths. My heart raced as if I were still back in that moment, the weight of survivor's guilt pressing down on me like a physical burden.

Night terrors had become my constant companions since that day. I pushed myself up, gasping for breath, my skin slick with sweat. I could still seen their faces—hear their laughter, their determination, their unwavering loyalty. I squeezed my eyes shut, desperate to banish the images, but they clung to me like shadows.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. The world outside my window was quiet, the soft hum of the night broken only by distant sirens, a reminder of the life I had chosen—one filled with chaos and duty. I didn't know what time it was; I never checked after those nightmares. I only knew I needed to find solace, even if it was temporary.

I padded down the hallway to the common area of our barracks, grateful that most of my squamates were still asleep. As I stepped into the dim light, I could hear the low murmur of conversations coming from a few of the more spirited soldiers who had gathered for late-night discussions. I didn't join them; instead, I settled into a chair in the corner, the worn fabric familiar and comforting.

In the silence, I thought of Boston—my brother who had left me behind. I wondered if he ever thought of me, if he felt any guilt for abandoning me when I needed him most. I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. It had been years since we had last spoken, years since I had felt anything close to a familial bond.

The ache of loneliness swelled in my chest, reminding me of the walls I had built around myself. I had learned to keep people at a distance, to avoid forming connections that could end in pain. Yet, despite my resolve, a part of me yearned for companionship, for understanding.