𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵

'A New Perspective.'

The Incident: Book 6, Part 12.

W/ Karis & The two military men.

Setting: In the foreign landscape, now the sky a darkish blue, little to no stars spotting the sky.

No one's POV/3rd Person:

"..I was." Karis Had spoken, the younger military soldier's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? Now where are they? Why aren't they with you?" The younger military soldier asks. Karis really didn't want to answer that question. Seeing Karis's Reluctance, The Younger military soldier cocks his head where his comrade was. "C'mon." the younger military soldier says and bounds back to the older. "Hey, We've found a kid. Alone." The younger military soldier says to the older. The older narrows his eyes. "I'm karis." karis had said. The younger grins, whereas the older seemed skeptical. "Well, I'm Cpl. Williams."Cpl. WIlliams points to the older, more experienced military soldier. That's MSG. Smith. We don't bite, yeah?" Cpl. Williams seemed more cheery than MSG. Smith. Probably because he was younger. But either way, MSG. Smith's Gaze wasn't exactly welcoming. Karis nods. "Other than that, nice to meet you." Cpl. Williams says. "Who're you with?" MSG. Smith queries. Karis shifts uneasily on her feet. "No one. Not anymore." Karis Finally answers. That only seemed to make him more curious. "Look, Spit it out kid. We don't have any time to play games." MSG. Smith says, getting impatient with Karis's Incomplete answers and riddles. Karis swallows before continuing. "I was with another soldier to go look for our other friends because we've all been recently separated after a capybara attack-" Karis says. MSG. Smith puts a hand out to stop her. "I'm gonna stop you right there. So, YOU weren't alone?" MSG. Smith asks suspiciously. Karis gave a reluctant headshake. "N-No, Sir." She says. MSG. Smith seemed agitated. He turns to Cpl. Williams. "This was a bad idea to bring this kid around us." MSG. Sergeant reaches for his gun. Cpl. Williams put a hand in front of MSG. Smith to stop him. "Aye, Hey hey hey hey! No! Easy on her, yeah?" Cpl. Williams seemed worried. MSG. Smith glared at Karis before he left his gun be. "Anyway, Karis," Cpl. Williams said. "You mentioned traveling with a soldier earlier. Who was he?" Cpl. Williams asked. Karis sighs. "His Name was Benjamin Rudo Otherwise, 'Sgt.' Rudo. No one Used his First Name that much, or basically ever. At Least We'd Hadn't.." Karis Explains. Cpl. Williams And MSG. Smith exchanged a quiet glance that still spoke volumes. "See? This kid can't be a threat.. She Knows Him!" Cpl. Williams Exclaimed In excitement. 'Or KNEW, for that matter.' Karis Solemnly mentally corrected Cpl. WIlliams. MSG. Smith Turns To Karis with a now cold but slightly curious expression. "So tell me, Kid. Where's he now? And Why isn't He with you?" MSG. Smith Asked. Karis's Heart almost stopped. THAT was exactly the question she wanted to avoid this entire time. But there was no hiding it now. She was going to come clean eventually to everyone and to her group, friends, teammates? Whatever they considered each other now. That is If they ever reunited. So Telling these strangers about what happened would only be a good start for now. And She was sure they wouldn't react even half as strongly as the others would. "...He Was Shot and killed." Karis says, attempting to maintain a strong front. No way she would break down. Not now. At this moment, she knew who she wanted to be. She knew what Enzo Had Done To Sgt. Rudo. The person closest to them. She Wouldn't Cry Anymore. She'd Be tougher now. Stronger. If She wanted this to end. This pain, She had to change. And This Started Here. she didn't know what she'd do to get Revenge for Sgt. Rudo. Or If She even ended up doing it all. But She Knew Another thing that would be just as important as revenge, if not better; she had to take control of the reins in this situation. Once she Got Back to her group, She Would Be Their New Sgt. Rudo. Of course; she wasn't the equivalent to a stone faced and hardened military man, but she at least had to be the best version of herself. For them. For herself. And most importantly, for the world. Karis Now wanted to be the One Relied On, not the one relying. The one taking care of them. Not the one being taken care of. And Most importantly.. The leader. Not the follower. The opportunity to stand taller than before was right in front of her, and She just needed to find the courage to take it. And that's exactly what she would do. As 'Sgt. Rudo Would.' The words rang in her mind. '...as Sgt. Rudo would.'

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W/ Corniyah, Enzo & Masoma.

Setting: The air is cold and aggressive , wind whipping past them, as water mercilessly crashes against them and everything else. The sky dark and gloomy.

Enzo's POV/1st Person:

I had grabbed Corniyah, as I turned To Masoma, Expression serious. "Get our supplies." I say. Masoma Stares worriedly but she said nothing, Reluctantly following my orders and grabbing our weapons, food and medical kit alongside with a bunch of other things that were valuable or could be in the future. We headed out, just to make things worse, frozen water droplets that had formed into ice balls painfully fell down on us. Hail. Corniyah Must've Seen that we were struggling. Because she started to stir a little more in protest. I didn't like that. I tightened my grip on her, refusing to let her go. "I can walk," She says. I Stare down at her, worried. Why did I start to care about these girls so much? I was never meant to grow attached to them. I inhale deeply and exhale through gritted teeth, and Albeit wearily, I helped her onto her feet. I turn To Masoma. "Let's Move." I say, As We started to flee. Away from our base. It was Gone. Just LIke that. Things Only just kept seeming to take a turn for the worse. Time was really not on our side now.

. . .

Half An Hour later...

From where we've traveled, The climate seems calmer here. We Had no true place to rest yet, and it was becoming harder each day to settle and relax. Ever since this whole ordeal happened. We saw about three or four capybaras up ahead. And it was best if we Laid low until they passed. 'Looks like they're struggling, too.' Corniyah said from behind Masoma and I. And She was right about that. Even the threat was suffering in a world like this. It Made me wonder If there was a reason why these things turned out the way they did. But now wasn't the time to think about that. But I'd be sure to keep that on my mind once we're in a well, more controlled environment. All of our clothes were drenched, and We Would Get sick if we remained in these clothes. Which was exactly why we needed to quicken our pace on this one. A stoic expression masking everything else, I cock my head towards the still continuous acres of green. The blades of grass which would stand a proud, bold shamrock green, now dusted and dulled from the lighting of the cruel moonlight with its dehydrated soil due to the harsh climate and the invasion of those weird mutant capybaras... or whatever they even were. We had a lot on our plate right now. We just needed to figure out how to deal with it. If that'll even be possible.

To be Continued.

Word Count:  1277