Underneath (Foundation/Pre-write)

Chapter 9

I couldn't sleep that night. I tried to lay with Kota, but guilt ate at my heart. So I wondered around in the halls. It was dark as always. The air was thick with exhaustion. As I let my finger trace down the concrete wall, I watched the path ahead of me. 

I saw a shadow trying to get into a room.  "Excuse me, do you need help?" The girl turned. 

"Kaity?" She whispered. 

"Y-yeah, who are... Oh my... Samantha!" I ran up and hugged the girl. We both laughed as we hugged each other. Frantically I hushed her. "Sorry girlie, it's like 3 am." Samantha was an old friend of mine from my Quadrant. 

"Hey, this is the right room?" I look at her key chain. I nod and unlock her room. 

"How did you have so much issue with this?" I chuckle as I run a hand through my hair. 

"Hush it." She pouted and entered her room.  She pulled her now short, light brown hair to one side. She used to do that a lot when it was longer. "This place is really creepy." She said turning back to me. 

I leaned on the doorway. "You'll get used to it. Promise." I smiled as she flopped down on the uniform bed. 

"You know, the day you left... I watched. Then your mother came out... so I ran inside.  She made it seem like you were going somewhere bad. This place isn't bad, right?" I chuckled at her question. 

"Well, with all the war... a little bit. But I'm pretty happy down here." 

We chatted for hours until I realized that it was morning time. Kota would be up in about 30 minutes. We said our goodbyes, then I rushed to my room. 

When I got there, Kota was already in the weight room. I panicked a little bit inside. Usually he tries to get all the sleep he can. I moved to the weight room door and knocked to signify that I was coming in. I wasn't planning on telling him anything about Xavier. It meant nothing!

"Good morning soldier." I teased, sitting behind him on a bench. He simply nodded. I pouted a bit, as if he could see. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, breakfast is in 30." He said, getting up and leaving. I sat there confused. A couple seconds later I heard the shower turn on. 

I walked about three feet behind Kota. I didn't want to make him more mad at me than he is. I saw a digital clock in the hallway. Oh yeah...

"Today is my birthday." I said lightly. He didn't react in any way. So I crossed my arms at my chest and looked down. 

When we got to the cafeteria, I didn't bother sitting with him. So I moved to sit with Samantha. She had a couple of friends with her that I remembered a little bit. I silently ate while listening to chatter. I didn't feel like working out today, so when Kota left for the cardio we usually did together, I went back to our room. 

Back in the room, I switched into a pair of shorts and a black sweatshirt. The moment I flopped onto the bed, there was a small knock on the door. I suspected that Kota couldn't get in, but the first thing I saw was Xavier smiling brightly. 

"Happy Birthday!" I heard a voice say, I looked down to see Arey holding a small pink envelope. I had taken this as a hit that they had made up.  She shook the envelope, signalling for me to take it. I smiled as I carefully took it in my  hands. I gave a playful pout, obsessing over how small it was. 

When I managed to carefully open it, there was thin metal chain visible.  I lifted it out of the packaging, looking at what was on the chain.  An oval locket with dainty decorations on it.  It was small, but I flipped open the locket to see it contents. 

There was a picture of my mother,father and older sister, from years ago. My mother had me in her arms. I looked about 4 or 5. So this picture felt ancient. I looked to the other side and saaw Kota, Xavier, and Arey, surprisingly happily smiling together. 

"Aw, Arey! This is amazing!" I chuckled and scooped her into my arms. 

The ground suddenly shook and alarms blared. I looked at Xavier with wide eyes. 

"What's happening?!" I looked to Xavier.  I heard people scream in the hallway.

"No not again!" Someone shouted. 

"Get under the beds!" Xavier shouted over the rumbling noise. He pushed me towards Kota and I's bed. I let Arey drop down and crawl under the bed. I slid under after, and then Xavier. As we sat under the bed, I kept my eyes on Xavier. 

Around two minutes later, the ground froze. It was so quiet that I didn't want to breath. I looked at the now shut door. Hoping that nothing else would happen. 

"Just wait for the bird call..." Xavier whispered my way. I didn't know if this was a good or bad thing.. but once the call rang through the halls, he hissed, "Shit-". 

"What does that mean?" I asked, my breathing sharp, yet light. 

"Intruders have somehow found their way under." I shivered as he spoke. I laid my head on the ground, letting the cold concrete cool my anxieties. My neck ached from holding it up at an awkward angle. 

The door swung open and hit the wall with a loud thud. We all flinched at the noise. Arey panted quietly. She knew better than to make noise. I rubbed circles on her hand as three pairs of feet entered the room. In a panic, I grabbed Xavier's hand. 

A pair of feet strolled over to the bed. By their shoes I could tell they were men of the military. He ripped off the covers and grunted as they landed on the floor. 

"All clear. Let's go. Make sure no one ran off." The feet moved out of the room and slammed the door shut. 

I began to cry, the stress finally slipping out of my veins.  Xavier tightened his grip on my hand.

"What do we do now?"  I asked through sobs. 

"For now we wait." But then his leadership kicked in. He softly mumbled to himself. "Next we will probably send out the strongest and most ready to fight." I awkwardly looked away.

The call rang once more. Xavier slid out and immediately moved to the door. As Arey moved onto my bed, I followed after Xavier. 

"Xavey, please don't leave." I grabbed his wrist.

"I- I can't Kait." He looked at me. "I have to help find out who we're sending out. We will be the first bunker to get fighters from." He pulled me close and kissed me on the forehead. He walked out and softly closed the door.