A good soldier never gives up

The way back home

As the plane landed, we collected our materials and walked over to the exit. Alicia had explained to me that a vehicle would be sent to pick us up, but I wasn't expecting a mini van. An elderly woman was in the passenger seat as my mother pulled up to us.

"Hey William, I want you to say hi to your grandmother," mom said as she climbed out of the van to help with the luggage.

The old woman climbed out and immediately threw her arms around me. The smell of peppermint and roses came off from her as she began to pinch my cheeks as if I were a mere child. "Oh my! Your so big! I swear you sounded just like your father on the phone. Come on, William. I want you to call me grandma."

I glanced over at Alicia, who was trying her best not to laugh in my face, before looking back at Grandmother. "Mam, I am a trained soldier of the United States. Please, do not treat me like a small child."

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Soldier boy. I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of your commanding officer/babysitter." Grandmother smiled before releasing me from her grip. "The deed is done. Can't change the past."

To be honest, I believe I just met the first person that I consider very, very strange. I do not understand how Grandfather could be married to such a person, considering the fact they seem completely different from each other. However, I have learned so many strange things in my life, so this shouldn't surprise me.

The ride was quiet besides the sound of Mariachis singing on the radio. Mother and Grandmother were speaking about going to the grocery store to buy ingredients for my arrival. They wanted to make me a big dinner, but I had refused.

"Well, here we are. Home sweet home," grandmother said as she parked the van in the drive way. "Feel free to explore the property, but please, don't play in the garden."

"Yes, mam." I said quietly, knowing I wouldn't step foot in a garden to play. "I won't enter the garden without your permission."

Grandmother smiled before saying, "please Will, call me grandma. It would make me very happy."

I stayed silent, unsure if I should call her my grandmother. I was still getting used to the idea of having a family of people living in a peaceful part of the world. Instead, I stepped out of the car and took a look of the surrounding area.

The inside of the house was like a fairy tale coming to life. Plants were everywhere and colors exploded on every wall. Pictures of family members that I have never met filled every shelf. It was nothing I've ever seen before in my entire life. I felt strange as if I don't belong in a place so... So magical as this.

"That's your uncle Brian and his two kids, Kimmy and Asher." Mother placed her arm on my shoulder before saying, "maybe you can meet them. I'm sure Brian would like to meet his nephew and his kids would want to meet their cousin."

I thought about the idea carefully. My chances of mother explaining what kind of weapon the leviathon is are very slim. If several of her own peers are in the area, there is a chance that she has told them all in the period of time she was here.

"I am not so sure this is an excellent idea, but everything is still strange to me. Please, do as you wish."

Mother shook her head no, "please Will, your not a guerrilla anymore. You don't have to speak like that."

"I may not be a guerrilla anymore, but I am still a soldier of the United States Military. My appearance has to match my classification," I responded. "Besides I have been speaking like this ever since I was three years old. I don't know any other way to speak."

"It's alright, Will. Go wash up for dinner,"

Later that night, there was a knock at the door. I was asked to be polite with my uncle(?) and his children. As soon as Grandmother opened the door, more relatives than I expected entered the premises, each one carrying a large container of food.