Unit 22

Love Is Real

Jack's POV

I was walking around with Tyler and Bob. I explained to them that I wrote a poem based on my mother. She was a wonderful woman and I wanted to let my friends remember her. It may not be the best or most amazing way to remember her... but it's how I saw it the night she died.

"It's about my mother..." as I said that, Tyler unfolded the two sheets of paper and the two began reading.

On that night my mother still saw the light. She waited for her son to finally have fun. When she sat alone she looked at the moon and only wished someone had known. She wished they had known she feels so far away. Her son could always find a way. The missiles flew. The fear only grew. Her life on earth is long passed. Though she will make sure her son will live last. She hoped her son would love. She knew he could love and should. Dwelling over her loss was not right. The cost of her life was so her son would fight. She tried to tell a story by loving heartlessly so her son could finish his mourning. Turning back time would be acceptable. Even if it was filled with nothing but unpredictable lies. Hearts break and scars bleed. Love is like a snake and sadness is like a bat that feeds in the night. Her pity soul is now taking a long rest with the harmful weight still on her chest. She is rotting in the ashes and coal inside her new home.

They looked up at me and hugged me. Tyler handed me the papers but before he could say anything, we heard rustling in the woods behind me. I got my knife out and so did Tyler and Bob.

"You're not a really good spy!" I shouted, picking up a rock and throwing it harshly.

I heard a thud and a familiar groan. The person stood up and before I could talk, he threw a jagged dagger at us. I dodged it, but caught it. Mark was wide-eyed and ran away. I chased him as the siren sounded. Mark was fast, but I was faster. As soon as he reached the gates, I slammed him to the ground and pinned him down as soldiers and General Kjelberg surrounded us.

"Let me go!" Mark shouted but I held my grip tighter.

"What are you doing here?! Traitor!" I yelled darkly.

"I'm sick of that place! The Province is NOT the good side! I want to turn my life back around and be with you again! General Bisognin is evil and she threatened to fucking kill me if I didn't get the plans from you and kill anyone I see... I just couldn't kill you Sean." Mark said.

"You didn't seem to think twice about throwing a knife at us... but you're a traitor so why would you care?" I whispered the last part so only Mark could hear.

"I was scared. I wanted to come back. I haven't killed anyone on this side and I never will. I belong here with you and the good guys." Mark explained.

"You did belong here. But now... how can we trust you?" I asked in a hurt tone.

"Sean I'm sorry!" Mark cried out.

"My name is Jack!" I yelled, tears flooding down my face for some reason.

"I need to tell you something I never got to before.." Mark said quietly.

"There's a lot of things you never told me!" I flipped him over and pinned his arms above his head.

"Well. The most important thing I've never said was that I loved you. I still love you and always will." Mark's words shocked me and I looked deeply into his loving eyes.

Somehow I felt like he was TELL omg the truth. I felt like I needed him back. I lost him once causing me to have trust issues worse than before... but if he was anyone else...

He would be dead.

"I-I love you too." I said and stood up, helping him as well.

"Welcome back Mark! I know you might be committing treason in the Province... but nothing is ever happening to you. Unless. You seem to be a liar and steal the plans. In that case you will be cleaning the bunkers and doing the laundry, cleaning, washing dishes, cooking, and taking out the garbage. If that's too much then Jack will help you." General Kjelberg whispered in my ear, "Don't let him out of your sight. Guard those plans with your life!" He whispered then walked away.

"So... wanna catch up?" Mark asked.

"We can catch up while we cook dinner." I said as we both walked to the kitchen.