The Island Boy

Chapter 23- I'm here for you

I couldn't imagine a world where Jake left me; got married; had a family; and died. It must feel terrible. I could feel a tear falling down my face as I drifted away in sleep.

"It is a great thing to love because no one can take that feeling away from you. And I mean no one Lily. Absolutely no one can tell you whether or not you can love. It's something every person will understand, and take in."

"Whether they can feel it or not, it is always there. I promise you." I tapped on her chest. "Because it is all stored here. In your heart, where it matters most."

My hand dropped down to my side. And lily grasped my hand. "MOM!" I could hear her yells, and others. Cedric... "Kai!" He shook my shoulders, wanting me to come back. "Don't leave me..."

I woke up with a gasp. That was...until I figured out everything was fine. I looked up from my lap, and saw the man unwrapping bandages from his chest. I rubbed my eyes. "I see your up." I nodded. "Where's Cedric?" The man pointed at the right side of the bed. Believe it or not, the boy was sleeping on the floor, obviously because he managed a way to crawl over him, and fall off the edge.

I looked back up at the man. "That's how last night went, if you were wondering." I chuckled. "Was it that bad?" He nodded. "He slapped my face three times." I laughed. "Did you push him off?" He smiled. "I don't look that cruel right?" I could hear him groan from pain as he unravelled the last strip. My eyes widened when I saw what was underneath.

Large scars, a bleeding wound as well. He looked over at the night table, noticing that the new role of bandages happened to be across the room. "Shit." He muttered. He attempted to get up, then feeling the pain he sat back down. "I'll get it, don't worry."

Stepping around Cedric, I grabbed the new roll of bandages. "Kai." Cedric called out. I smiled, and placed the bandages back on the table as I put Cedric on the bed. I gently kissed the top of his head smiling.

I could feel his gaze from across the room. But, as I walked back with the bandages, he looked away. I unrolled the first part, starting to bandage his wounds. He moved for a mere second, groaning again. "Stay still." I reminded him.

His face turned bright red. "I can do it myself." He muttered. "Not like this." I responded, moving the roll behind him.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead." I took a breath and started. "Why is everyone after me?"

"Your the strong one. Everyone will want to take you away, and send you back to the Island because they think they don't need someone like you around." I could feel a pang in my heart.

"But honestly, I'm glad the Strong Ones are back." I looked over at him. "What do you mean? Is there another one?" He nodded. "Boy named Jake. He was destined to become the Strong One before he was even born. The first boy of his family was destined to take the next spot, and sooner or later he was going to be born. And then, finally he came around."

"Of course, I was only 2 at the time, and was no longer qualified. However, you were the first in ten generations to have already been born, and be qualified."

"That's one thing that makes you special. You were chosen at a ceremony unlike the others." I nodded. "Even if I wasn't chosen to become the general, I wouldn't be suitable for a title like Strong One." I threw the empty roll into the waste-bin.

He started to put his shirt back on, and got up from the chair. I opened my mouth to say something, and was interrupted by the knocking on the door. The man looked at me, and pointed at the closet.

I did as he said, and walked into the closet, leaving the door open just enough to see through the door. "Have you seen- General!" He bowed, and looked at him closely. "Say, have you seen the Strong One around?" He shook his head. "I can't believe I'm saying this..." The soldier muttered.

"Our leader has given us permission to search through each and every room and home. So if you would allow me-" My heart froze for a second, looking at how peaceful Cedric slept. The man slammed his hand against the wall. "I'm sorry but I cannot allow that."

Another soldier, stood besides him. "Why, are you hiding something?" The man shook his head. "No soldier."

Shocked, I was about to grab Cedric, and drag him with me out of the window. And before I could think of a plan, he then said: "I don't want anyone else to see my naked wife." My face turned beet red, and so did the soldier's. "Sir, we didn't know you were married." He smirked. "Secrets are secrets." The soldiers bowed, and excused themselves without another word.

The man closed the door as soon as they left, turning around to see Cedric sitting atop his bed. He hugged him tightly, afraid of what was going on. "It's alright Cedric. They just had a few questions."

"But they were going to take Kai away!" He nudged his head against his lower stomach. The man gently smiled. "I'll protect Kai, and I'll never let something happen to her. Not as long as I'm here. So when I'm gone, you'll have to take care of her for me."

Cedric looked up, and wiped his tears away. He nodded. "I'll grow up strong so I can protect her!" He shouted confidently. The man smiled. "I'm sure you will." My eyes widened from the closet door, and felt something cold drop down from my cheeks. I lifted a finger to feel what was coming down from my face. Am I really crying?

I wiped my tears and slowly opened the closet door. As it creaked open, I ran over to the both of them and hugged them tightly. "Thank you."

The man chuckled as he realized that Cedric was smiling to their hug. "No problem Kai! Because you're family!" I gently chuckled, getting some tears out of my eyes. I got on my knees and hugged Cedric tightly. "Kai...your crying." I laughed. "It's not because she's sad Cedric. It's because she's happy."

Cedric smiled, and hugged me back. "I've never really had a mom. My mom died when she held me in her arms for the first time. So, I only had a father."

A tear fell on his shirt. Mom... I could still see her corpse by the door, as the men searched for me. The General traced a hand over the back of my shirt. "It'll be alright. From here on out." I smiled, and nodded.