A good soldier never gives up

Trouble in Paradise

  "William, it's not considered a flaw to be incapable to love. You can always learn how, just like everyone else in the world," Juliet said as she caught up to me.

I shook my head, but stayed silent. I was no longer in the mood to speak about something I will never understand.

"It's not a distraction to fall in love, you know. It's actually a great thing to experience with the right person." With a frown, she grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop. "I can prove it to you. Love is what really makes the world go round."

I shook my head no again. "Miss Peterson, I have orders to escort you to your family where you will then be taken to a safe house. There is no time for any delays."

"Will, I know your scared to fall in love. I know so many people had hurt you over the years, and I'm probably one of them, but you have to give others a chance." She sighed before saying, "Love is scary. It can either destroy you or change you, but you'll never know what your missing unless you go out and try to unlock your heart."

"You just don't understand. I choose not to love because it makes the lives of those around me safer. Millions of men and children have died by my hands. I am a dangerous man with only fear to give to the world."

"Your right. Maybe I don't understand. But even when life get's rough, when it seems like your whole world is falling apart at the scenes, you have to stay strong. You have to face whatever life throws at you head on, because whether you like it or not, it is your life. You have to live it for everyone around you."

I looked back at her before asking, "why does it matter to you if I refuse to love? It doesn't affect you in any sort of way."

She stayed silent due to lost of words. I watched as Juliet suddenly paled before she shook her head no. "You don't understand, do you? Maybe I'll explain it eventually, but not today. Not right now."

I studied her before saying, "follow me, Miss. Peterson. Your family is currently waiting for you to be returned to them."

"Yes, Mr. Ashton. I'll follow you," she said sadly.

We walked silently, passing several hallways, rooms, and several of my fellow soldiers, until we finally came up to the door with several rescued hostages behind it. As I opened the door, Juliet and I walked inside. All the children grew quiet as their eyes landed on me in a most unnerving way. I tried to ignore it as I walked Juliet over to her family, but once I turned around, the kids were all surrounding me. One boy pointed at me, causing the other children to point at me, and shouted "death is coming for you!"

All around, multiple voices were shouting at me about death. I have to admit to the fact that I've never been in a position like this before, and it's nerve-racking. "Death! Death! It's coming for you! It's coming to claim you, William Ashton!" the voices sang. I tried to get out of their little crowd, but could not. The voices had gotten too loud that I wanted to cover my own ears. "It's coming to take you, William Ashton! Your time has come to an end!"

"What do you mean death is coming for me?" I called out. "Kevin! Alicia!"

It wasn't long until Kevin and Alicia entered the room only to be shocked as they saw the children all pointing at me. "Death! Death! It's coming for you! It's going to take you away! Death! Death! No, it won't be long!"

"William, get over here now." Kevin ordered as he began to push away some of the kids. With the help of Alicia, Kevin was able to free me from the surrounding youths.

I glanced back only a second to Juliet before leaving the room. I could still hear all of those voices even as I put more distance between us. Death is coming for me. It has been since I was an infant, living with a man I had called father. I've been preparing for it for years, to die a proud man knowing what I have done.

Times have changed. I'm not the same man I was back then. I'm not living in a desert, constantly training with my best friends anymore. I'm not fighting side by side with any of the people I have grown up to know very well. It's time to face the facts. I'm finished fighting. There's no purpose to it, although there is nothing else I know how to do.

"Don't give us that look, kid. We know that look very well," Alicia said as she looked back at me. "We've seen it on several soldiers before they retired. Some of them were killed in battle. My point is, don't loose your will to keep fighting. Times are going to get tough, they always do, but your job is to be strong enough to get through them."

"Don't listen to those creepy kids. No one knows when their going to die, and neither do you." I couldn't tell if he was trying to reassure me or if he was just stating facts, but decided not to think to much into it.

"Those children are right though. I have been fighting off death for years. It will come for me eventually," I said as I looked up to them.

Alicia shook her head no. "That's not anywhere near now. You still have your entire future to look forward to before you die. I bet your going to die an old man with a wife and kids, even grand kids, watching over you. None of us are going to let a young man like you die so young."

I shrugged, unsure of what I should say. Alicia can make anyone feel great about themselves with simple words, unfortunately, I can not put my trust to her right now. I have to fight to survive, and for the sake of everyone I care about, I have to keep fighting, even if I wish to stop. There's no turning back for me anymore. My fate, my destiny, has been set for me long before I was born. It is unchangeable.

"I'm not going to tell you again, William. Stop thinking like it's your job to save the world. Your just one kid, a stupid but lovable kid who needs to focus on what is going on now. Don't worry about a future that hasn't happened yet."

"Yes, Alicia."

She pulled me into her as she wrapped her arms around me comfortingly."Your shaking. That must have been a scary thing to experience, huh?"

"Yes, Alicia," I answered realizing she was right. My body was shaken, and I have shown my first hint of weakness in so long. I was frightened as easily as a child would be. "Do you think it would be possible for me to take some time off and visit my mother? I have some questions to ask her."

"I see no reason why not. Your grandfather is the general and you are still a minor. You can leave this place whenever you'd like if you asked him."

"I don't mean to slack off, but I need to see her as soon as possible. When I return, I am willing to take on extra assignments you may have for me." I shook off the fear I had felt just a few seconds ago before asking, "would you mind telling him for me? I must prepare for my trip."

She shook her head no. "Of course I don't mind. As long as I can come too, I'll ask. You haven't forgotten that your grandpa left us in charge of you, have you?"

"No mam. I have not forgotten."

"Good. Go ahead and get packing. I'll handle everything with your grandpa," She smiled kindly at me before taking off in the opposite direction.