The Soldier

CHAPTER NINETEEN

 At dinner, I sit by myself alone. I don't see Leslie, but I get over it. She needs some time alone.

My dinner I barely eat. I'm not usually one to be picky, but I've seem to have lost my appetite. I only nibble at the baked chicken, smoked ham, green beans, a warm, flaky dinner roll. It all... just doesn't appeal to me.

Everyone must be so worried about tomorrow, because even Jon and Lindy don't bother me. It could probably be because Officer Aura threatened them. The worse they do is roll their gloomy eyes, snickering in my direction. I still ignore them.

A few minutes pass and I eventually give up my dinner, wrapping my leftover chicken and roll in a napkin for later. Afterwards I've finish up the ham and beans reluctantly. Then, I place my silver plate in the tray dispenser on top of the trash can by the door, then leave the cafeteria.

Outside, the clouds are dark. Their dark gray forms round. Clashing into one another to make greater clouds. As if they're going to war with one another. Destroying each other. Just like what the North and the South do.

It's going to storm, but I need some time away from the soldier base.

I've never been in City One, but I've always wanted to. I might as well go now.

I head back for House Five. The dorm room I share with Leslie is unlocked, when I come to it. Leslie must be in there, I'm thinking when I open the door, but when I step into our room, I step into an empty space. Her bunk is empty, her covers pulled back...

A tiny flash catches my eye.

Usually, my instincts would tell me to leave it alone, but this time, they tell me different.

I pick the camera up from under Leslie's pillow. A red light starts to beat repeatedly. The sound is so low that I really have to hold it to my ear to hear.

Then it shuts down.

To where I can't ever open it, or find out where pictures or videos it took. All I can do is wonder why it's there.

+ + +

The train ride is bumpy and crowded with civilians and their luggage, and other soldiers on their free time.

When the train stops, we all get off. I try to stay in the back, trying not to draw attention to myself. If anyone gets word that the Jack Castor's daughter is in town, I will never get the alone time that I wanted.

That's why my hair is stuffed into an olive green pauper's hat, and I wear regular city-civilian attire. - Long black jeans, boots that come up to my knees, and an olive green long-sleeved t-shirt, a trench coat.

I see him before I even realize I do. Officer Aura. He's standing at the sides of the crowded, noisy, dark entry to the station. He hasn't noticed me yet, but his eyes are searching for someone.

Probably for his lover, I think.

A pang of jealousy fills my heart that surprises me so much, I shiver.

I fade into the crowd, hoping he doesn't notice me when I pass by. I fail. He notices me right away.

"Hey, Cadet." Officer Aura taps my shoulder.

My voice is caught in my throat. I can't speak.

I thank fate he doesn't ask for an answer.

"I need to speak to you." His stormy gray eyes search the crowd, as if he notices that there's people. "Alone."