Soldier

Chapter 46: Alex

A lot of things have happened. I watched Willis die, I learned about what I am, I discovered who my parents were, and many others I knew have died... Yet there was almost nothing I did to stop it from happening. I tried... but it made no difference...

I also learned something even more frightening... our government used us as offerings for peace. We are not meant to go back, ever. They gave that man, that fallen angel, exactly what he wanted. Now, all of us are stuck here... and I'm haunted with thoughts about what I could have done. The sad stories don't seem to end either...

I learn about what Willis had learned after me and Kairi were captured. Celina died, Willis's partner had been killed by the fallen angel. Willis... Willis watched her die over one of the security tapes he uncovered in Castle oblivion.

I remembered their daughter, Celia. She's an orphan now... Her parents are dead, and now she's... she's all alone. They left too soon, and Celia's-No. No she won't be. I don't want her to end up like me. I won't let her end up in some orphanage somewhere. I know how horrible those places are... I refuse to let her end up in an orphanage! I met that little girl; I could see how much she loved the world around her, and her parents. Her parents were good people, but they died for what? What reason did anyone have to die!? I don't know, but they're memories will live on...

I have to stop him, that man. This time... I will protect everyone. Kairi, especially. Without her, I'd probably have died by now.

A pain crept its way around my chest. Right now, I guess I should just focus on what's going on at hand. Maybe I'll stay distracted for a while...

Its pitch black outside, except for the lights that we set up around the houses and the roads, with old oil lit lanterns that we had found. It's like were in an island in the middle of an abyss, since there is no other light around us, only darkness. We are in a mountain after all, and the moon doesn't shine here. Most of the other students are patrolling around the very edges of the light, almost all of them paranoid that something is going to pop out at them. It's really eerie, terrifying as I really think about it. Just about lunch too... were we'll have to decide what our next course of action is. I guess I'm taking Willis's spot on the chain of command. That only makes me feel worse. But...

I held onto my stomach as it growled. I didn't notice how hungry I was. Thinking about food is only going to make me think about how long it's been since I've eaten... which has been about two or three days? Something like that. So I think lunch will be really nice, considering everything that's happened.

I sat up and scooted myself off of the bed I was laying on and stretched my arms. Kairi is standing against the door as she held onto her stomach and stared at me angrily. Was she waiting for me?

"You could have gotten up earlier, you know!"

Kairi pouted. Her stomach growled loud enough for both of us to hear. Kairi blushed and looked away bashfully.

My own stomach started growling and I held onto it, just the same. We both stared at each other for a moment. Kairi giggled and rolled her eyes. Guess I made that a little awkward. Thankfully I'm the only one who thinks that. I think...

I stood of the bed and walked to where Kairi was as she opened the door.

Light came into the room as we stepped into the dining room. It's kind of strange that there is a bedroom connected to the dining room...

Food is set up around a long wooden table. A small chandelier looking object brightening up the room enough to see, hanging over the center of the table. Eight seats exact, filled with people, other than two surrounded the table. I took my seat, and Kairi took hers next to mine.

I looked around at everyone around the table. Almost all of them are wearing an identical Academy uniform. They don't seem to really notice me or Kair and it's really quiet... Too quiet.

The only one I know is Regi. (Kairi's teacher back at the academy, if you remembered.) He's still in his white lab coat unbuttoned to reveal the white T shirt underneath that has a logo on it; the cross and snake, with the words Medic written underneath. He looks depressed, but he also looks lively and unconcerned at the same time. His glasses tipped slightly to the edge of his nose, shading his eyes in an ominous light. Sending shudders down my spine.

Two of the others caught my eye, the one sitting across from me, and the other at the end of the table. The one across from me is big and bulky. His oily black hair spiked upwards, and a big grin on his face. A scar being his most defining feature that covers most of his face, from his forehead to his chin, over his left eye. Other than that and his masculine muscles that bulge from his arms, which he seems to be proud of, since he's flexing them every other second, nothing more really stands out about him.

The other guy at the end of the table is sitting up strait as a board, wearing a button up collared shirt. He has a serious look on his face, relaxed eyes that appear to scan everyone around him. His sleeves rolled up, and his arms crossed as he stares at his food. He also has combed yellow hair that seems a little too perfect, adding onto his look of seriousness.

I don't know if I'm going to enjoy diner since there is a heavy feeling of dread around the room...

My stomach growled to contradict me. The smell of the hot food on my plate brought water to my mouth. I looked down onto my plate to see a bowl of soup, a sandwich, and some chips. Not much, but right now I could care less... I turned to my right, to see Kairi happily devouring her sandwich.

Regi suddenly asked,

"This is everyone, right? Were all the high ranking soldiers and officers?"

Someone answered back from the other end of the table,

"Yes sir."

"Good."

Regi suddenly slammed his hand on the table, and grabbed everyone's attention, including me and Kairi, with her sandwich still in her mouth. Regi cleared his throat as he nodded at us.

"Alright, time to get to business. But before that I must explain that Alex and his partner here have been promoted to take Willis and Celina's place. Any complaints?"

No one opposed. That's a relief... I guess...

Regi nodded in approval.

"Well, to get to the point then... What do we do? We have to decide here and now what our next course of action is. Before... before the enemy we have decides they don't want to play with us anymore."

No one answered. The kid at the end of the table stood up to yell

Regi bit his lip.

"All of you know that we can't just sit here on our asses and do nothing."

Everyone stayed silent.

"What are we going to do? Any of you have anything to say?! What do we do!?"

The student at the end of the table stood up and slammed his hands onto the table.

"Nothing!"

Everyone other than me and Kairi, who is still munching on her sandwich, stood up in protest.