The Keepers

Cat- Tuition

I wake up suddenly. Images of fallen kids fill my brain as I sit in the darkness of my room. Tears roll down my cheeks as I sit and think about them.

The clock next to my bed reads 2:30 in the morning, but I know there is no way for me to fall asleep again for a while. I stand up, wrapping my blanket around me and walk out of my room. The blanket drags at least 5 feet behind me on the ground, but I don't care.

I walk into the bathroom and wash my face, just to try to get rid of the redness from crying. Then I leave my room, still wrapped up like a taco. I look up from the floor and jump back a bit. Miller sits on the couch, watching an old war movie.

The realm hasn't had time to make new movies, so we just watch old ones. From before the attacks.

He looks up at me, "Sorry... You scared me." I say quietly. "Nightmare?" He asks, I nod slowly and sit down on the other side of the couch. I pull my legs up and hug them to my chest. "Figured. I have them a lot too. Always after missions." He says calmly. Then his eyes go back to the screen.

"You don't mind me being out here, do you?" I ask. "I don't mind. And either way, this is your place too now." He says, keeping his eyes on the tv. I feel myself starting to doze off again.

I wake up suddenly again, light peaks through the window this time. There isn't a window in my room though, I open my eyes fully. My head is on a pillow on Millers lap and my feet rest on the arm of the couch. His head rests against the back of couch and the main menu of the movie he was watching replays over and over.

The door to Seths room opens up and he walks out. He sees us and I can tell he is slightly confused. I slowly get up and walk over to him. I try to hide the slight pink in my cheeks. "Morning, C." He says, referring to both my rank and my name. "I don't know how I ended up like that." I said to him, "I just walked out cause I had a nightmare, he was there, I sat on the other side of the couch, and I guess fell asleep." I explain to him quietly, to avoid waking Miller up.

"And I don't know why he didn't move." Seth says, focusing on his Coffee. I look at him, expecting a followup response. "I have never seen him so quickly comfortable with another person." Seth adds, answering my question. I nod, "Oh."

I get myself a cup of coffee and sit back down on the couch. Only because Seth took the chair, not because of any other reason ok? And I know what your thinking about right now ok. But just shush.

Seth grabs the remote and switches to the news again. I frown a bit but he doesn't notice. I'm not sure why I stay quiet and don't ask him to change it, I just don't want to seem weak.

Half an hour later my 'lone G' story comes on. I squeeze my eyes shut and cover my ears. I don't want to hear the screams and gunshots. "Are you serious, Seth?!" Millers wakes up and yells, Seth looks at him and Miller points to me. Seth instantly changes the channel. "Sorry Cat..." He mumbles. "Idiot." Miller says. He stands and walks into his room. I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye. Then grab the blanket, "It's fine Seth." I whisper and walk into my room.

       I hear Rachel come out of her room, "What is happening?" She asks Seth. "Nothing, Rach." He replies. She mumbles something to herself, then I hear her door shut again.

      An hour later, there is a knock on the door. "Come in." I say and the door creaks open, it is Rachel -I'm guessing-. "Hey, Miller wants to take you to train. So you should get ready. That means clothes that you can work out in... And your armor in a duffel bag. Just in case." She says, "Ok, thanks, Rachel?" I kinda ask. "Yup. No problem." She smiles and closes my door.