It All Came Falling Down

nine

    On the cobblestone streets, there wasn't another person in sight. Hero had taken me down there, outside, under the street lamps that brightened up the cool path with a golden warm glow.
    "I used to be a dancer," she whispered, holding my hands and looking up with a smile. She stared right into me with her weary, but mesmerising eyes.
    "Really?" I whispered back with half of my lips curled up. "I was a terrible dancer. My date left me at a party once because I was just that bad."
    Hero giggled. "Dancing was something I did as a hobby. It's been a while, but still got moves. Let me teach you something." She pulled me closer and positioned one of my hands on her shoulder and the other on her waist. I could feel her breath as she swayed quietly and happily with me in a perfect rhythm. Her nose touched the tip of mine gently, and her eyes were closed; her warmth seemed to have thawed my cold soul.
    "Wait. Wait," I said softly, but not interrupting the dancing. "I really like this, but we could get in trouble for this."
    "Shh!" Hero blushed and smiled. "Come with me." She held onto my hand and pulled me back into the house. Heading upstairs, she led the way to a bedroom and fell on the bed inside, pulling me on top of her and pressing her lips against mine. Now, with both hands on the sides of my head, she took a breath and a quick peek before closing her eyes and kissing again. I had taken off my uniform coat, and we buried ourselves under the blanket, holding each other tight and cuddling. I kissed her cheek, and her hands rubbed against my back. My fingers ran through her hair, and our toes tensed up in excitement.

    "It's late; I have to go," I said, caressing Hero's face.
    "Yeah," she smiled. "I have something to do too."
    "I... love you." I leaned forward to kiss her lips twice.
She giggled and winked. "Come back later." I nodded and put on my coat and headed downstairs to find my rifle and helmet. After slinging it over my shoulder, I looked back up the stairs to see Hero standing there and waving. I grinned brightly and waved back.
    I looked down at the stone road as I walked through it. For the longest time, I had not smiled, but at this very moment, I could not resist but flash my teeth to myself in happiness. So much time has passed since I felt love or had loved. Truly, this was a beautiful moment. I glanced up at the lamps, burning the vision into my memory and praying I'd never forget it.
    Two Esdrusian soldiers stepped out in front of me from the darkness of a small intersecting street. "Corporal Kanston Wyllis? Where have you and Corporal Dewa Valslian been?" one of them questioned in a gruff voice, startling me.
    I swallowed a hard gulp. "Umm... actually, I've been searching for Corporal Valslian too. She disappeared on me, and I have a feeling she deserted," I lied while looking at the men in their eyes.
    They looked at each other and shrugged. "We'll find Valslian later. Lieutenant Truxin is requesting you. Come with us." A short walk later, we arrived at an occupied building near the forum. Pushing open the front door, the soldiers gestured for me to enter. Inside, the lieutenant sat at a square wooden table patiently, writing something in the moderately bright torchlight that shone from a desk lantern bearing a small flame.
    "Sir," I greeted him with a salute. "You asked for me?"
    "Yes, Corporal. Please, sit," Truxin looked up and gestured to a small wooden chair positioned in front of him with his hand, still holding a pen. "Now, I was informed by Corporal Valslian a little while ago that you were acting strange- like you had doubts about our mission and tendencies to disobey orders. These accusations are serious and bring into question your allegiance to the glorious Esdrusian nation and our beloved leaders. Where have you been, and where is Valslian?"
    "Sir, as I had just told my comrades who escorted me here, I was searching for Corporal Valslian. She disappeared on our patrol, and I fear she might have deserted. She is still missing in action, sir," I lied.
    "Deserted? Perhaps it was really her who doubted her absolute allegiance to Esdrusia and tried covering her tracks by blaming the easiest person- the one closest to her: you, her partner. Nevertheless, after all you have been through in this war, I never did believe you are unloyal. Perhaps you can prove it," Lieutenant Truxin said.
    "Excuse me? Sir, in my defence, I will never betray my fatherland! Hail victory!" I spoke louder, staring at him in the pupils, even though I knew it was not true. I was, in fact, doubting Esdrusia's bloodshedding mission in Ansfaria every new day.
    The lieutenant smiled and chuckled. "Excellent, Corporal! Then you won't have trouble demonstrating that allegiance. Follow me." Truxin stood up with his lantern and waved for me to follow. He took me to the back of the first floor of the house, where there was a stairway leading down to a basement or cellar of some kind. He guided me down, and when we reached the bottom, he revealed a figure bound to a chair, which was tied to a support beam. The stranger was obviously a small male. His limbs were chained, and the head, tilted down, was covered with a dirty black hood. He was completely naked and reeked with a foul stench; his skin was soaked with blood and sweat.
    "I hope he isn't asleep," the lieutenant laughed. "There's no electricity in this building to keep this place bright. Anyway, a patrol caught him at the town border trying to flee. Apparently, he is either Resistance or knows some insurgents. He's a strong one, this guy, and he's taught well. We haven't tried torture yet, to be frank. That's why you're here. You are going to conduct the interrogation."
    "You want me to torture him?" I asked, shaking a little.
    "If you're a loyal soldier, getting answers out of an enemy wouldn't be too hard."
    "Sir, he looks like a kid!" I commented.
    Truxin gritted his teeth. Drawing his combat knife, he held the blade, handing it to me handle first. "Are you absolutely loyal or not? If so, do the job."
    Taking a deep breath, I took the weapon. My heart raced, and anxiety was creeping up my spine with chills.  "Yes, sir," was all I said. Truxin nodded and stood still as I walked slowly towards the subject. In, out; I took another deep breath and shut my eyelids for a second. Finally looking, I reached over and decided to do this quickly. Grabbing the hood over the kid's head, I yanked it straight off. Tilting his head upwards, I got a good look at his face. When I realised who was sitting in that chair, I gasped.