Rise

Adara

So many dead, so many wounded. Malik is gone, he died quietly in his sleep after a doctor manages to get the bullet out of his chest. I didn't know the kid for very long, at all really, but the last thing that he said to me still plays in my head. He defended me, believed that I want to change when the rest of his family didn't. Mia in a wreck, it took all of her standing cousins to wrench her of his small, dead corpse. I come to find out later that the boy was only fifteen. Fifteen. So young and innocent. He will never have the chance to love, a chance to live.

Mia was not the only one who was a mess, Jaxson was also mourning the loss of his sister Beatrix. The night before the battle, he and sister had an argument about her being a field healer with him while the rest hide in the trees and help out with their duo abilities the best they can. Jax refused but Beatrix didn't listen. She stayed on the ground, and when she went to help a fallen soldier, she was burned to a crisp.

"They couldn't even bring the body, they had to leave the dead behind," Jaxson speaks softly. He has stayed huddled up in a room on the far side of our refuge. The area is low populated, people only coming and going to shack up or kids trying to hide from their parents. I've spent the last five days bringing him anything that he might need to get better. I know this takes time and he won't heal as fast as he needs to, but I also know he can't do this alone.

"This is my fault... I should have known she wasn't going to listen to me, she never has before." Jaxson closes his eyes and tucking his head into his chest. His sobs are silent but powerful. Even now he looks dejected, sitting on the floor of the bare room. He hasn't said anything to me but 'Thank you' or 'No I don't need anything else.' why he chooses to speak now? I don't know why. I drop down next to him, resting his lunch at his feet.

"Even when we were younger, we knew our father was a deadbeat. Both of our moms worked together and worked hard to keep all of us afloat. So while I couldn't work, I took care of her. I held her when our father came in on late nights and fight with our moms. We would laugh at the kids we would mess with in town and stay up late together reading each other stories. She was such a happy girl for our situation, trying to finding the good in others and always looking for adventure."

"Jaxson..." I want to speak, tell him that things will get better but I don't know if they can. Anything we do from here on out will not be for himself, but for everyone else. I hesitate, but eventually take his hand in my, giving him a small squeeze.

"Those we love do not go away, but walk with us, side by side. You may not be able to hold her but she will always be holding you, helping you through all of your tough times." I sigh softly and rest my head on his shoulder. He leans into my touch and I can feel his breathing calm.

"Thank you, Dara." He says softly. Dara, no one has ever called me that. They are really fond of their silly nicknames, aren't they? A small creeps up my lips but I cut it off quickly, it is neither the time nor the place.

"Though I am beyond happy that you are speaking again, that is not what I came over here for," I say, clearing my throat and letting of Jaxson. He turns to me, his face once again brooding and dark.

"Harper and Zander want us all to gather in barracks one. She didn't say what so you better eat up and meet us in about twenty minutes." I stand quickly. He nods and stands as well, gently cracking each finger one by one, almost like it relaxes him.

"I guess my wallowing is over. I just want to tell you thank you for coming here every day trying to cheer me up, it means a lot to me." He mumbles quickly before wrapping his arms around me for a hug. I gasp, shocked by his sudden burst of affection before wrapping my arms around him. When he lets go we say our quick goodbyes and I leave the room and travel down the long corridor.