Mind of War (On Hold)

Kai's Conscience

Kai lay in his bed wide awake. He felt like a sinner, caught between a rock and a hard place. The rock, his promises to Bliss; the hard place, loyalty to his friends. Today he could not shake the feeling that Song no longer trusts him because she no longer trusts Bliss. It's understandable, the only thing that Song can really take personally is trust. She doesn't give it easily, and if you lose it, it would take an angel to change her heart. Each day Bliss is getting sicker, this infection is a little different from the time she was infected by Grief. Whatever she's suffering from now is taking a toll on her health and her judgment.

He didn't know what this infection was, but everyday it has been getting worse. Bliss was his cousin, she had asked him to keep her illness a secret until she knew what her course of action would be. "Is the infection causing her to doubt the team like this?" Kai asked himself. Deep inside he knew that his lack of peace was coming from his divided loyalty. When everything comes crashing down, he will be at the epicenter. That will be the day he loses the last of his family and friends.

Wanting to be the victim of sleep, Kai shut his eyes. The events of the day replayed in his mind. After Song walked away, he scouted the city. He passed Free, but she wasn't with Onyx like Song had said asked of them. He decided to follow her, an hour had gone by and Free hadn't liberated any souls. It wasn't like there was any shortage.

"Following people is not a skill of yours," Free acknowledged him, smiling.

"Song wanted you and Onyx to liberate souls!" Kai growled at her.

"When are you going to learn to read between the lines? Song wanted us to leave the two of you alone."

"Why? What is going on with everyone? Nine months ago we were inseparable, what's happened to us?" Kai asked, frustrated.

Free gently touched his shoulder, her warm brown eyes found his dark brown and caramel ones, "It's hard finding people to trust, that's understandable, but we're a team. Why haven't you told us about Bliss' condition?"

"How do you know about that?" He quietly asked.

"Kai, it's obvious. We all know. If she doesn't get help, it's going to get worse. We want to help you, but when you're not honest with us, it makes it really hard. You make us feel like you don't trust us." Free explained with watery eyes as she let go of Kai's shoulder.

"I do trust you guys! With my life! I promised her that I wouldn't tell anyone. Put yourself in my shoes, she's the only family that I have left and I can't live a life betraying her." Kai exclaimed.

"We-I understand Kai, that's why we are trusting you. If the plan gets to the wrong people, it's over, this is our only chance. We have breakthrough information and we are trusting you. I have to go now, but I will see you tomorrow." Free smiled at him and walked away.

Kai opened his eyes, his mind was reeling. Free made him feel so alive, she reminded him whose side he was on and gave him hope to be better and stronger. Free was right, Bliss needed help. He had been so blinded by love and loyalty to the woman who was a mother figure to him. With this realization, a wave of peace came over him. He knew what he had to do.