Soldier

Chapter 3

I regain my thoughts while sitting on the cozy sofa. I place my sweaty palm on my forehead. The sweat in my palms just start to spread in my forehead and it's not making me feel any better. I breathe in and out, trying to breathe normally. I still can't believe what just happened. Charlie didn't arrive. Why?

I feel someone sit beside me. I look at my sister sympathetically, not managing to give her a smile that means I'll be fine on my own, maybe. I lean on her shoulder with an emotionless expression. I feel so empty. So empty to the point that I feel like no one can fill me right now. I feel hot tears roll down my tear stained face but I quickly wipe them away. I know Angela knows I've been crying for the past three hours. It's hard not to shed a tear when the love of your life could be possibly in a dangerous state right now. It's hard to stay optimistic honestly. 

"Kate..." Angela utters softly. I don't feel like talking to her because I honestly don't know what to say. But she's the only one I have right now and I can't manage without anyone with me at this state I'm in. 

"Angela, how should I respond to this?" I ask her helplessly. I want to be optimistic and believe that maybe Curtis was just delayed or maybe he'll be arriving tomorrow. But it's still not quite possible. 

(Flashback)

I walk as fast as I can keeping my eye on the officer head of the army. I"ve seen him speak with Curtis before and we haven't properly met. I'm hoping he could be the person who can give me the answer I need. 

He stands straight looking ahead at the view. He looks like he's thinking about something deep and complicated. I approach him as my feet bring me closer and closer. I take a deep breath praying to God that Officer George can at least give me some answers about Curtis. Just when I was about to speak to him, he turns back and immediately fixes his gaze upon me. He walks towards me and wears a small smile on his face.

"Officer George, g-g-good afternoon." I stutter. I kept telling myself to calm down but I just can't seem to control myself. 

"Katy isn't it? Can I help you?" He mentions my name. I try to collect my thoughts and make up in my mind what I'm about to tell him.

I take a deep breath and open my mouth to speak. "I've been waiting for Curtis for two hours and I haven't seen him. He told me a few days ago that he would be back today. D-do you happen to know where he could be?" I ask with pleading eyes. 

He pinches the bridge of his nose while his eyes are tightly closed. He seems to look exhausted and stressed. After a few minutes, he finally looks ready speak and let me know what happened.

"Katy, my co-workers spoke to me an hour ago and they told me Curtis didn't arrive. They haven't seen any sign of him as well yesterday. I"m sorry, b-but that's all I know for now." His eyes look pained and sympathetic. He knew I was looking for a more positive answer.

(End Of Flashback)

I prop my knees near my chest and sit quietly in the sofa. I wish that Curtis was just here with me. I wish none of this painful things happened. Him, not arriving today and the fact that nobody didn't see any sign of him yesterday just made my heart throb and make this day distressful. But it already happened and I can't manage to let all the anger and frustration in me take over. 

"Katy this is probably difficult but you need to stay strong." I almost forget that Angela was still with me in the living room. She was right. I have to stay strong, i know I have to but it's so enigmatic. I've been trying but whatever I seem to do isn't good enough. I try and it honestly frustrates me how I fail and end up neglecting what I'm supposed to do. 

Angela and I made our way to our rooms. She gave me a heartwarming hug that made me feel less pestered than I was a while ago. I thank her before giving her an assuring smile that I'm going to be okay for the night. I lay down on the soft sheets of my bed. All my emotions are just full of despair, fear, and worry. 

I sigh heavily as tears roll down my cheeks. I couldn't control whatever I was feeling now. i just wish Curtis would be safe. But I can barely believe he is safe because no one knows where he could be. I  can't manage to lose him in my life. He knows how to comfort me in any way and we promised each other that whatever comes in our way, we will fight it to keep our relationship strong. My breathing becomes short and abrupt. The more tears that flow, the harder it is for me to breathe. My cheeks sting and feel painful from the constant hours I've cried. My eyes feel sore and heavy. As I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard my phone beep. The sound of someone calling.

I pick myself up even if I was extremely exhausted. The number on my phone was unknown. I didn't know whether I should answer or not. I continue to debate with myself until I finally decide to pick up the phone call. 

A low husky voice speaks but it doesn't seem recognizable. "Hello good evening. Is this Ms. Perry?" He asks.

"Yes this is she, what can I do for you?" My voice sounds weak and my throat is dry making it difficult for me to speak and breathe properly.

"Well, Ms. Perry we have something important to tell you. This is about your beau Curtis Ross." My attention is caught as soon as he says Curtis' name. My mood becomes desperate and hopeful.

"Please, I need to know what's happened to him." I plead with the man on the other line. 

"Well er... Ms. Perry t-there's been a war during Curtis' mission and millions of soldiers were discovered to be d-dead. Although there are still a couple more who are missing and Curtis belongs to that group." My heart sinks making me have a hard time breathing. Curtis is missing, my baby is missing. Hot tears pour down in my cheeks as I ball out. I didn't care how the other man in the line was responding to my heavy sobs. 

This was just too much to handle in a day. Curtis could be alive but he could possibly be dead as well. I ended the call, feeling guilty that I didn't say thanks to the man who have brought me the news. My sight was blurry and everything just seemed to collide. I couldn't see anything properly until my sight was filled with complete darkness.