The Pause

Chapter 12

Every night since he arrived at the facility. Nathan had the same dream, a dream so real he could feel it and all its warmth. He sees his sister outside, not afraid of anything. Playing with other children, running in grassy fields and play parks, his father standing and watching from a distance with a cup of coffee. Actually smiling. Putting his arm around Nathan "I'm proud of you son". He says, and Nathan smiles. They stare up to the light above gleaming over them, filling the them with joy and benevolence. Nathan sees his father begin to cry at the sight of this light, soon he does too. Not in despair but in peace, as the light takes hold.

But every dream has to end sometime.

Nathan heard someone knocking on the door of their dorm. "Answer it dirtbag before I smother you with this pillow" Mike mutters, barely audible. He opens the door to find Andrews staring at him, yet not as he expected. His eyes, there was no condescending look in them, there was. Fear. They wondered out into the courtyard, trying to keep a low profile, Andrews had no equipment on him, unusual for a man of his status. "So what are you here to lecture me for this time?" Nathan asks snarkily, "is my behaviour inappropriate? Did you catch me and Emily in some sort of act? Did you-" but then he stops,  expecting to be interrupted but, it didn't seem to be happening. Andrews wasn't himself and it began to scare him. "Nathan I need your help" Andrews said wearily. This was where Nathan knew it was serious, as far as he was concerned Andrews hated him. Now he wants help from the guy that refuses to study, talks back to authority, failed the obstacle course and (Most importantly to Nathan) has a connection to the daughter of program leader. WHATEVER HE WANTS ME FOR IT MUST BE BAD Nathan thought to himself. "I know this isn't the visit you were expecting but I have a lot on my plate and I feel that you are the one person I need right now". This seriously left Nathan confused. "What the fuck is going on?" Nathan pressed. "Alright listen. Things aren't all what they seem here. I'm beginning to have my suspicions that our 'great General isn't telling us everything. But the only way I can find out is by getting close. That isn't a one man job". The two of them stare at each other, both realising the weight of the situation. Could this all be a lie? "Nathan I need you and your team to try everything in your power to get through these challenges and put on this recon mission. Because I'm starting to think these 'traitors' we're after are more than Sykes is letting on. I need people I can trust on the operation whilst I get info from the inside and report to you". Nathan takes a step back, in shock of what he's heard I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. CAN I TRUST HIM? "Wait. If this is so important why don't you go to Emily with this?" Andrews sighs "because if I get caught and they find out she knew. She'll be in serious danger, they'll kill her". Silence hangs over the two of them "but she'll be in danger anyway" Nathan interjects. "True. But with you on the job, nothing bad will happen. Isn't that right Nathan" Andrews voice shifts, he becomes more serious, more threatening. Nathan looks up to him, confident in himself "That's right sir. I won't let anything happen to her". They smirk at each other and proceed to shake hands. "I'll keep you informed as this proceeds. But right now your focus needs to be on making it through this". Andrews walks away

I PROMISE YOU SIR, I WONT LET YOU DOWN