Soldier

Chapter 37: Kairi

I heard two gunshots as I stared at the wall. I turned around quickly to see Alex standing over the man he killed. He still has the gun in his hand; pointing it at the dead body in front of him... he only stared at the body.

I can't believe Alex just... he just! I stared at him as he fell to his knees. He looked at his hands and started to cry. He looked down at the floor, where blood started to stain the white floor, red. The man lied against the wall, lifeless. Two bullets inside his chest. His eyes still open, fixated into the expression of surprise.

The gun is still in Alex's hand. He looked it shakily and threw it against the wall next to him. It hit with a loud crash, banged against the wall before it smashed onto the ground. Alex didn't move. He stayed on his knees, and cried.

I can't help but feel this was my fault. Did Alex kill him because of me? Why didn't he just... why didn't he... listen to me? For a moment I felt like he was a different person. Someone else... Why!

"Alex... Alex!"

I tried talking to him but he stayed where he was and stared at the dead corpse. I tried walking towards him, only a few steps from where he is, before my feet splashed into puddles of newly formed blood. I backed away.

I looked at Alex again. Alex... I can't just ... she can't just leave him like this. I mustered up all the good memories I had of Alex. This wasn't Alex's fault, he didn't want to do it. I knelt down beside him and tried to look into his face.

He looked away from me.

"I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry Kairi... I..."

He stopped his sentence as I put my arm around him. He looked at me teary eyed. A few tears ran down his cheeks as he stared at her.

"I thought you... I..."

I know where he is going. Doesn't he understand? He's supposed to be the one who doesn't cry... Alex.... I'm the one who doesn't understand. How could I have felt like he....

"Alex. How could I ever hate you! You did-you did what you thought was right, Alex! Please stop crying... you're not the one who's supposed to cry..."

I tried to comfort him, on the verge of tears myself.

Alex leaned into me, still crying.

"I... Kairi I..."

He couldn't finish. What do I say? What do I do? I never thought I would be trying to comfort someone else! What do I say?!

I held Alex close to me.

"I-It's going to be fine... you'll see. Please just... just stop crying..."

I tried sounding as comforting as I could. How could I have felt that way? It makes me feel like I was the one who shot the man. For a moment I thought Alex was a monster. I never once had seen him like that before. He had the gun in his hands and he used it. I only made him stop long enough for the man to make his last words. But he did it for me, to ensure my safety... So how can I feel that Alex is the monster? I can't imagine life without him in it...that's how I feel. He did what he felt was to protect her... even if he didn't want to kill someone... I can't make him feel like this. He is the good guy, even if it's only to me... he didn't have another choice.

I held Alex by his shoulders and had him look at me. I stared him in his eyes.

"Don't cry Alex. You did what you thought was right. I... I will never lose my faith in you again, Alex. I'm sorry..."

I felt better that I said that. I expected Alex to straighten himself out, smile and say that she was wrong or that it was his fault. But he didn't, Alex stopped crying and only smiled at her. He didn't say a word. Kairi is actually surprised about it.

"Aren't you going to say something?"

I waited for what seems like an eternity. Please just say something already Alex!

Alex raised a hand and patted her on the head. Softly, he ran his hands through her hair before he pulled his hand back. Why did he do that? I stared at him confused. Alex kissed me on the cheek.

"That's why you are the strong one, Kairi. No matter what happens. You can look past the bad, and see the light. You can forgive and find the best in everyone. To show my feelings, how angry or sad or depressed I can be, I never can show it. You, you can forgive, Kairi, your heat is pure. You can let go of what's going on... while I can only hide my feelings. I love you Kairi. Never forget that."

Alex is back. Glad he's back...

"Don't ever... just-don't die on me Alex... don't do these things because of me...."

I stood up, holding out my hand for Alex. He only stared at it, before he realize what I meant and grabbed onto my hand. I smiled at him as he grabbed it.

Something came from outside the room. It sounds... like someone is running. Each time they hit the floor we can hear the sound of boots hitting metal. I glanced towards the wall to see the gun. Quickly I grabbed it off of the floor and pointed it at the doorway as I helped Alex up. The gun feels heavier than I thought...

My hand shook because of the weight. A familiar face peaked inside the room. Her dark brown hair is fuzzed everywhere and her face covered with oil, but I know who it is. Once she stepped in the doorway she raised her hands in the air.

"Whoa, whoa! Don't shoot! I'm not that bad!"

Her camo jacket is unzipped to show her white shirt, stains with some black sludge, tucked in her camo pants.

I lowered the weapon in my hand. I didn't notice right away, and pulled Alex, a bit too hard as we crashed into each other and fell back onto the floor, splashing into the blood. Surprisingly she landed on Alex's lap. I stared at Nat. Who laughed as she said,

"You two get any action yet?"

With a sarcastic ring in her voice, until she noticed the body and blood. Her face went pale and she swallowed hard.

"I guess... you guys have..."