Soldier

Chapter 29: Kairi

My head is still pounding from running through the forest. I leaned against a cold metal wall, and watched Alex as he pounded the wall with his fist. If only I could help him. But how? What can I possibly do, when I'm the one who needs all the protection? I never felt more helpless then I do right now... More pathetic than ever.

Why can't I be strong and confident like Nattily, or my teachers, or... or Alex!? Why do I have to be the weak one? Everyone around me is dying... all of my classmates... while I...

I whispered to myself,

"Why? Why do I have to be so... so weak! If only I! If only I had...!"

I didn't notice as Alex had stopped his punching session and came over to her. He placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him for an instant. Alex grinded his teeth and slapped me.

My face tingled hot where he hit me. Slowly I felt it with my hand. Surprised. At the fact that he, had just slapped me. Why did, why did he do that?

Alex grabbed me by the shoulders.

"Kairi, don't ever say you're pathetic!"

I looked at him more shocked then before. Why's he-

Tears fell from Alex's eyes.

"Don't say that... That you aren't brave or that you are weak! You have more heart than I do! You are what I believe in, Kairi!! My beliefs, my ideals revolve around those I care about! And I know people can die.... I understand that! But we live together as friends, as family, and we will always look out for each other! There isn't a strong and there isn't a weak! There are only us! We fight for those that died and we never let their memory fade, even if we knew them only for a little while! I will fight for what I believe in, Kairi, and we will go home! Never say that you are weak, because I know that everyone's strong, it's only if they have the courage to show it. And you have more courage than I ever had Kairi! Never say you don't matter, because you sure as hell matter to me!"

More tears ran down Alex's cheeks, as he swiped them off his face and onto the floor. A small splash when each tear hit the ground.

Alex fell to his knees and stopped. I never knew that he... why did she say she had more courage than he ever has? Alex...

I put a hand onto his shoulder. Don't do that... He should know that by now. But it did make me feel better...

Idiot! Don't ever do that again! He doesn't know how that felt, to be told by the very person I love how I am not worthless and how I am stronger than him, even when I knows I'm not. How he would just risk his life for mine. I don't want him to... but... Alex...

Alex shook his head at me and smiled. He patted me on the head like when we were younger.

My heart started to beat out of my chest. I can hear my own heart beating in my ears.

I smiled

"Alex... I promise I won't doubt myself anymore. Thank you. I'm sorry... I just..."

Alex lit up. He took in a few deep breaths and stood from where he is. The others turned all their attention on him, not like they weren't already, even Willis and Regi.

I'm glad they all made it here... Wait... Who's gone? There were more than just.... one, two..., four, five, six... nine, ten, eleven, twelve... fourteen, fifteen, sixteen? Only sixteen of us made it? There were thirty of us. That can't be right!

I tried to recount with my fingers, but I ended up with the same number. Only sixteen made it... what happened to the others. Did they...?!

Alex spoke up and grabbed everyone's attention.

"Okay. I know a lot has happened. But our only goal right now is to survive. We may have lost a lot of our friends or ally's, or whoever they were to you, but we can't let them have died in vain. We have to find out what's going on; we've been in the dark way to damn long. There is something wrong with this whole damn thing. We need to figure it out. Are you with me?!"

Alex waited for someone to answer him. I raised my hand and smiled at him as he smiled back confidently. Whatever he's doing, he's back to being Alex. Just like him to bounce back like that...

Willis and Regi both raised their hands. The others followed right behind them. Alex smiled at all of them before he walked back to where I am and sat down next to me.

"Thank you guys. Better get some sleep then... before anything happens. Been a long day, and I'm sure we need our rest. We'll talk more in the morning."

Alex leaned against me and yawned before he fell asleep. Guess he's tired. Willis agreed with him,

"Yea. Your right Alex. Just sad though... but I bet everyone feels the same way. A lot of good people died today... but all we can do now is... well, just hope for the best I guess. We're on our own."

He lied back down on the floor and whispered something to himself before he sat back up again.

"Robertson!"

A kid stood up from his seat in attention, salute and all. He's kind of a pudgy kid, his clothing wrinkled and untidy, some freckles on his cheeks, biggish grey eyes and red hair. Though, I can't really say that he is big either. Hmmm.

Willis stared at him for a second.

"Roberston, you have first watch. Stand guard and wake us up at the first sign of trouble, understand?"

Robertson grabbed his gun from the floor and shook his head,

"Aye, sir. I shall oblige."

Robertson walked close to the center of the room and sat down with his legs crossed. His eyes focused on the door. Even if no one has heard the wolves scratching at it for a while, it seems like there is the paranoia of them coming back throughout the room.

But, probably it's best not to think of that right now. I yawned before I leaned into Alex who fell soundly asleep on my shoulder. Funny... I feel so much warmer next to him. He's just like I remember...