What Kindness Can Bring

Chapter 18, Unexpected Ally

Slowly my eyes open, "Probably a dream.. M1 Garand?.. Nah..", while waking up I fail to notice that I'm at the very edge of the bed until I suddenly fall with a thud.

I slowly push myself up and take a look around my room, the dream was not a lie. A M1 Garand is truely in my possession. With the drowsy feeling gone, my arms go to work in putting all my gear on including my firearms and go to breakfast.

Taking my rifle off my shoulder and putting it on the wall, I patiently wait as my uncle cooks breakfast, "It's morning, planning on going to the forest already?"

"Err, guess so." I reply with a unsure voice, "Who knows, hope Rotte is there."

He laughs and almost drops a piece of bacon, "Been a few days and you miss her already?"

My head automatically moves down to use the front slope of my helmet to hide my face, "Not really.. I just sorta wished- actually never mind."

"Here's the food." As he sets the bacon down. "Sorta in a rush so I'm taking some with me." Taking tissue I wrap as many pieces of well cooked beef and bacon then rush out the front door but not before grabbing my rifle.

At a quick pace, I rush towards the forest and find the tree that has been my place since. Whipping my bayonet and attaching it to the end of the gun, I sling my rifle to my back then start walking around the forest.

The smell of the meat is very lovely. Tearing a piece off, I put it in my mouth to savor the juicy tender meat.

Suddenly the silence around me is disrupted by a sound of a twig snapping just feet away from me. I instinctively whip my rifle off my shoulder and switch off safety, with a quick turn I'm face to face with a man standing just 15 feet from me.

"Who are you! What are you doing here!?" I ask, my breath coming out in short bursts. To my surprise the man doesn't raise his hands, "I've seen where you're going, please listen to me."

Swallowing the meat in my mouth, "Go on, this better be worth it."

He coughs, "Look, being in a different world is dangerous. You need someone to watch your back in times of danger."

I raise my eyebrow, "Are you trying to babysit me?" My gun still raised.

"No, no, no. You've got it all wrong." He shakes his head, "I'm proposing to be an ally who is under your command, just let me come with you."

We stand there for a second before I start asking questions again, "Why should I trust you, and how do you know that I'm going to be a good leader?"

He sighs, "Isn't it obvious? You wouldn't have gotten that gun at your age if you acted like a stupid idiot."

I sling my rifle over my back to show him my trust. "So what will you be as?"

"So you want me to be like a soldier from the old days right?" He asks while walking.

"It's better that way, less carrying weight. The realm isn't really a traveler-friendly place, so if you're bringing a weapon I suggest bringing at least 3 magazines depending if you're using a rifle or assault rifle."

He nods, "The names Victor, Victor Müüler."

"I'm Jerald." Introducing myself, "Just Jerald, no need to know my last name."

Victor laughs, "Why? Is that what your girlfriend calls you?!"

Taking a deep breath, I sigh. "Never would be able to get one, look at me. I look disgusting. Better off as a soldier if you ask me."

"Cheer up, there's someone always who would like you." He says while putting his hand on my helmet.

We arrive at his house a few minutes after walking from the forest. "Here's my house, it's small but helps me get through."