"I brought him to General Donald Doyle's General Hospital on Chorus as it was the closest hospital to them. I do hope he recovered. I respected him very much, and wondered if he could've help me become human again. He wanted to kill me when he first met me, and I don't think he ever understood my pain, or the help I needed. Washington was someone else, and getting shot in the throat is cruel. I thought if I could just hide away from all that I know, and learn how to be a civilian again on my own, maybe I'll be able to pick up the pieces." Sam concluded, but anxiously awaited Martin's reaction to his entire life story since being kicked out of the UNSC, but somehow with an honorable discharge. His response shook Sam.
"Why haven't you told Marina any of this?" Sam stops, and turns his attention away to where light was beginning to peak over the horizon, thinking it would carry him away from Martin's question. Sam sighed, knowing it was futile, especially under the older man's scrutinizing stare.
"I'm scared," Sam croaks out, looking back at Martin. "I'm fast falling in love with her, but I'm afraid she will see me as this monster, that she will fear me, and leave me. I'm afraid everyone I've ever met in Challenger will fear me and turn me away, because I need you all. You've become my family, my new purpose. I care about her more than anything, but who could ever love a monster who's killed thousands of innocent lives all for nothing but orders? How could she ever love a monster?" Martin simply punches him in the shoulder, causing Samuel to grunt from the sudden contact and force from the man.
"Look me in the eye, Samuel Ortez," Martin stepped closer until he was toe to toe with the taller man. "What are you, a writer for Disney back in the 1900's? You would have to be a blind idiot if you didn't see how much Marina loves you. She will understand, especially with how much of a scumbag her husband was to her and their son. You're the one good thing she has left in her life, and she'd be damned if she let you push her away because you think of yourself as a monstrous coward who doesn't deserve good in his life." Sam sighed, his body shaking as he struggled to suppress his sobs. He buried his face in his hand, breaking down.
Martin didn't think Sam had it in him to break like this, but for a broken man who is struggling to build himself back up, he was grateful Samuel trusted him. He could tell Sam's heart truly called out for Marina, and he wasn't going to stand by and watch Sam ruin it all because he is afraid of being the monster he thinks he is.
"You are more human than you think, Sam. Remember that you mustn't be afraid to do the right thing, no matter how hard it is. I'm not saying return to shooting people mercilessly, but swearing it off is simply running from your problems. No matter how hard it is, face your fears." Sam looks up to the man, suddenly conscious about his tear-stained face and reddened eyes. His smile returns, feeling reassured.
"Thank you, Martin, for being so understanding, and a good friend to me." Their moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of rustling in the shrubs.
---
Sam guided Martin behind him as Martin readied his sniper rifle. Sam brought out his night vision scope as he scouts the foliage.
"Martin, radio for backup, I am picking up movement that is obviously not Moa. I count six if I switch to thermal." Martin nods as he hands Sam his sniper. He held his focus as he rested into a comfortable stance with the rifle, thinking back to when he used to take out targets from afar. Suddenly Sam jerked himself from his lulled trance.
"You got this, Sam. It's okay." Martin reassures the man as if he read his mind. Sam then focuses his first shot, and takes it. He could hear the sound of a young man screaming, and he could see through the thermal scope the target was clutching his knees. Soon the sound of gunfire rang out as his and Martin's reinforcements came from the settlement.
Sam managed to incapacitate all targets with shots to their knee caps as their other 4 militia men shoot to finish them off. What Sam didn't catch on was one that survived his head shot, and he slowly crawled out into the open. He raised his pistol at Sam, and Martin saw what was going to happen.
"Look out, Sam!" Sam wasn't able to react until he found himself being shoved by Martin, a gunshot ringing out, and hearing his friend yell out in pain.
"Martin!" Sam rushed to administer first aid when he heard more rustling which meant the raider managed to stand up, and begin a limped-run away.
"What the hell are you doing, Samuel? Shoot him!" Sam reluctantly pulled out his pistol, and he stopped as his grip shook on his pistol. Tears flowed from his eyes, not wanting to do it, but he yelled out as he took the shot in an attempt to silence the militia men yelling at him. He could hear it crack his skull, and a loud thump which meant the raider fell.
"Sam..." He turned his head to his friend whose color was fading fast. Sam cradled the man close, scared for what was about to happen. "Stay strong, don't blame yourself for me. Promise me you will look after my family, and that you will love Marina till the end of your days."
"I promise."
"Never be afraid to do the right thing. You are not a monster." Sam knew he should've been used to it since the Great War, but it was still painful to watch the soul leave his friend as he passed. He couldn't stop himself from sobbing as he hugged his limp friend close.
---
Marina was standing at the East entrance of Challenger, with a cup of coffee in hand for Sam. She was concerned when she heard gunshots, but worried more so when there was an order to take cover as she heard some other men rush out there to cover Samuel and Martin. There was a small crowd of people behind her, including Johnson's mother, Martin's wife. It was a few seconds later she saw a man walking towards the settlement, and judging from his size Marina knew it was Sam. She saw him look up to her, and the sight horrified her. His eyes were red and swollen, his cheeks were stained with tears. What troubled her most was him walking alone.
"Martin...?" Marina quietly squeaked out as she walked to meet Samuel halfway. What she saw behind him was a gunnery being pulled by the other men, but none of the walking men was his partner. Realization hit her like a ton of bricks, knowing that Martin was the one under the sheet. She could hear the wailing of his wife as she rushed to see her husband, trying some way to wake him up no matter how futile the attempt may be. Tears filled Marina's eyes as she turned her head to Samuel, and she wrapped her arms around him and brought him in, his head resting on her heart. Samuel pulled her in closer for a hug, his body heaving with his sobs as he listened to her heart beat.
"I'm here for you, Sam. I will never leave you." Sam knew then Martin was right.
YOU ARE READING
Running From Your Shadows
Fanfiction(Locus x F!OC, I will address Locus primarily as Sam unless its a situation) Finally, after freeing himself from the toxic partnership with Felix, Samuel "Locus" Ortez has been going about the galaxy in search of himself, of redemption, and a new pu...
