𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵

'Its A Cold World.'

The Incident: Book 7, Part 4.

W/ Karis, MSG. Smith And Cpl. WIlliams.

Setting:  The foreign landscape appears, now broad daylight.

No One's POV/3rd Person:  

After moments of silence, Cpl. Williams spoke up, looking at Karis Reassuringly and comfortingly. "Hey, Kid, how about you just try and rest?" Cpl. Williams says, gesturing to a tent they had set up nearby. "You seem like you've been through alot. Just get some sleep. You're safe with us." He pats her on the shoulder then allows her to hopefully get some sleep in the meantime. As she disappears into the tent, Cpl. Williams worriedly exchanged a glance with MSG. Smith, who sighs. "I know what you're thinking." Msg. Smith deadpans, Cpl. Williams looks at him pleadingly. "Christ, Mason. She's a  teenager that just so happens to be alone, knows THE Sergeant Rudo, and is pretty Damn Timid from what I've seen. She's better off with us, instead of sending her back off." Cpl. Williams seems frustrated and MSG. Smith glares furiously. "Yes, but that means  we're plus one on everyone, one more mouth to feed, one more person to keep warm, and one more person to look after. And All in the name of what, 'Being considerate and looking out for others'?!" MSG. Smith's tone slightly shifted to a louder octave. "Hell, she's a teenage girl, what damage is she gonna cause?! I seriously don't see the problem!" Cpl. Williams' tone started to match his now.  "There could  be people looking for her, and that'll give away our location if they find us! We're here to survive on our own, at least  until we safely return back to the  base. I Still have a daughter back there that's being watched and taken care of by random people that I don't even trust!" MSG. Smith became even more agitated. Cpl. Williams throws his hands up in the air and scoffs  in disbelief. "Well If you're so worried about your 'daughter' then why did you come with me in the first place! You knew you had a family to look after, no matter how little, yet you still made the choice to come along! How stupid and foolish is that?!" Cpl. Williams snaps. MSG. Smith shuts up. Though he looked livid, he didn't say anything else. And Cpl. Williams starts back up again. "And your Son, You didn't even bother mentioning him! Is your Daughter the only Child Of yours you care about?!" Cpl. Williams says. MSG. Smith drew in a deep breath, before sighing.

.

.

.

W/ Karis, In The Tent.

Karis' POV/1st Person:

After a while, I started to wake up. It was actually pretty comfortable sleeping here, actually. the first time I can actually recall resting in a while. I honestly haven't felt so grateful to have a quick nap in my life. Only if I could do this in my bed again.. I thought to myself.  Starting to feel a little– or alot. Homesick. I really just hope The world can return to normal or even half as normal as it used to be.I really wasn't sure if I wanted to get out just yet. I hope they won't mind. 'Like they really want to see me anyway.' I muttered to myself, scoffing lightly. Shifting onto my back, I look up at the roof of the tent, the bright sky slightly peeking through the  subtly see-through material. Though this all would be a bit more enjoyable if I were to have my 'friends' with me here, It feels good to feel like you're alone, even when there are two soldiers standing outside their tent they allowed  you to sleep in. I started to feel like I owed them. They took me in with little to no questions asked, and they seem pretty nice. I tried to not focus on that, but then my thoughts were immediately put to a stop as I saw one of their shadows from outside approaching the tent. The tent slowly unzipped. To my surprise, It Was Master Sergeant smith. He was crouched as he ducked his way into the tent, expression stoic. I would have expected Cpl. Williams Before him, giving how MSG. Smith seems to hate me. He sat across from me.    And we just stayed there like that, for a couple of minutes before he broke the ice. "...Hey. look. We got off on the wrong foot." he started, looking away. I looked at him in surprise, not that I was complaining or anything, but I didn't expect for him to say anything, that he just came in here to cool off from whatever happened. "I usually do that with most people. I get that you're just a Kid, but.. Things have been rough and all." He says, though I had no idea what to say, or if I should even say anything at all.  MSG. Smith looked towards my direction, awkwardness and stoicism in his eyes. "..I get it." I Decide to mutter, shrugging. "It's been hard." I add. He only nods. "Where's your friends?" he questions. "They alive?"  I shrug, shaking my head and letting out a long and heavy sigh. "I don't know. Especially with Sergeant Rudo.. And all-" I say, emotions starting to overwhelm me as I recall the encounter. "..I understand." he put in his two cents. You don't, really. Is what I wanted to say so badly. But I only let him talk. "I Have a young daughter, and a Son." MSG. Smith says. That was a little weird, how he was opening up about his personal life to someone he barely knows. "Lost him as soon as this whole crisis started." He sighs. "Dead?"  I ask. Though I shouldn't have. He casts a quick side-eyed glance at me. "Wouldn't prefer that. No parent would. But there isn't much hope to hang onto that he's doin' fine."   MSG. Smith says. "Hey... do you mind telling me his name?" I ask hesitantly. He inhales sharply before sighing. "Julian. You see, he was  in highschool, sophomore. Soon to go on junior year with the rest of his friends.... They were close." He nods my direction, gaze averted. "You remind me of one of his friends."  my blood ran cold. No way, was this really the Julian I was thinking? "I-..." I say. He looks at me, increasingly confused. "You okay, kid?" he says reluctantly, unsure if he should say anything else. "I... Think I might know him."

To Be continued.

Word Count: 1074