Soldier

Chapter 40: Alex

I couldn't have ever remembered everything if I didn't have a real reason to. I couldn't have let go of all those painful memories if I knew I didn't have to. I forgot. I was just a helpless kid back then. Now, now I am a soldier. I tried so hard to forget who my brother was. I lied to myself on why I wanted to come to the academy. I told myself that a soldier had just visited that day, and inspired me to become a soldier. But that was me trying to forget a true hero. Please, watch over me, Redrick. I'm sorry I ever tried to forget you. Now it's my turn to be a hero. For you, and for Kairi, and for every one of my friends. Whether I'm a clone or something else, I will push forward. Thank you, for everything Redrick... I won't let my past destroy the future you saved me for.

I watched Willis glance to the door and nod his head in that direction. Guess we should go...

I pushed away from the wall. I took a few steps towards the door and stepped in the pool of blood on the ground. I stopped for a moment. I stared down towards the red ooze. A cold shiver ran down my spine. I guess, I haven't exactly completely gotten over it...

I shook my head. Heh, I'm an idiot as always. I took up my pace again as I followed Willis out the door.

Into a white hallway. Just like the room, the roof, and the walls were all made out of a white rock like material except the floor, which is a pearl color. It seems like a scene from a creepy horror film though. Just more... different somehow. All of the other doors are open. Yet there isn't any signs of fighting at all. How did Willis and Nattily make it in here? Weren't there any guards? Something's not right...

I stopped thinking all together, when I saw Kairi laying against the wall with her arms crossed, and a stare down at the floor.

I guess, I guess I should apologize. Her hair is still fuzzed up and untidy. Her cargo pants are stained red, torn around her shoes, and has a deluded version of its original camouflage color. She is still wearing my jacket, even though it was also stained, bloodied and ripped, over a red stained white workout shirt.

I stared at her for a few seconds and swallowed hard. I walked close to her and said,

"I'm sorry, Kairi. I-"

I stopped when she shook her head and smiled at me, before she frowned and said,

"Why are you sorry, Alex? I should be the one who's sorry. I didn't know that you watched Redrick die all those years ago, I only found you- I never knew that-!"

"Kairi... It's fine. I'm sorry because I failed to remember what's important. After I to-took another life I could have just snapped. But I didn't, memories that I tried hiding for so long had resurfaced, and you understood that and tried to help me. I refused. I'm the one who's sorry. Kay?"

I smiled at Kairi. Kairi smiled gladly.

"So that mean were okay? I still-"

She stopped her sentence as I grabbed her hand in mine, and tightly squeezed it.

"Please, just say I forgive you. That's all I need you to do. I love you Kairi. Please, just forgive me. I'm sorry... I'm sorry for what I did." Kairi blushed. She moved close to me and softly said

"Idiot. I forgive you..." before we kissed.

I held her for what could have been forever. A kiss, right now, considering all that's happened is one thing that can really lift your spirit. Considering she's an 'Angel', or at least the daughter of one. (Apparently.) Hell, I don't care whether or not she is. She will always be my Angel. My reason for fighting in this world, and in this life. Especially now...