The Ashes of Reach

3.

It's been four weeks since she was brought to the hospital, four weeks with barley any good sleep, the nightmares kept her up at night. It's like every nightmare is just another scenario of her get killed, one night it's from an elite, the next a band of grunts. It was like a game almost, a game where she never wins and is stuck on the same part until the next time she sleeps.

One morning after a night she finally slept well, someone would walk inside her room to visit her. General Edwards of the USNC. The man would tip his military cap to her and say "Good morning, Noble 7. Sleep well?" "For once... yes... what do you need?" Asks Alison as she slowly sits up. She didn't feel very comfortable around him, hell she doesn't feel comfortable around anyone anymore. The therapy sessions she's been taking only helped a little bit, on top of that, the medicine was next to useless.

"We've been setting up your house. Right here on the base. Come, I'll explain more on the way there." He says before walking out of the room, waiting for her at the door. Alison was in better shape than four weeks ago, so she was able to move around, but using a crutch to support her." She slowly sits up and reaches for her crutch and then slowly but surely getting to her feet. She walks over to the door to meet with the general and tells him "Ready to go..."

The general nods to her before walking towards the elevator, keeping a slow pace so Alison can keep up "So what we got you is a nice two floor home, more than enough space for you to do what you want. And... now you don't have to say yes to this. But if you want to do missions again, we'll put you with the UNSC, and no dealing with the cove-" "Stop!" She yells and gives him a stern look. She hated hearing the word "covenant" now. After everything, she doesn't even want to think of them. But as much as she tries to repress the thoughts, they come back. They always come back. "I'm sorry... I should've taken in consideration of your state... please forgive me." He says and thinks to himself, how he should choose his words carefully. He wanted to tell her about the recent events, especially involving Reach. But he knows it's best to keep his mouth shut about it "But remember... you can always come find me if you want to help the UNSC. Anytime." He says in a futile attempt to help her feel a little better

Alison had to think about this, she sure as hell wasn't going back into the field, especially after only four weeks of escaping. But who knows... maybe her mind will change in the up coming months "Okay sir... I'll uhhh... keep that in mind." She says while she hobbles into the elevator. The answer would make General Edwards smile, like he saw hope for Noble 7. The two would soon make it out of the hospital and into the general's Warthog. The two would drive off to the houses of the base, going to her new home room about twenty minutes. Once they arrived, Alison was greeted with a two floor house, with her very own Spade in the driveway. The sight actually made her smile for a moment. Only for just a moment though.

The house tour was what you'd expect, showing her the typical kitchen, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. The rooms were mostly furnished, besides for a couple of empty rooms in the second floor for her to turn into whatever she wants, it really seems the general wants her to relax after this whole ordeal. What she didn't expect is to have a basement as well, when she went into the basement, she was led to a room that was turned into a personal armory. There, her armor is seen on a stand, the Magnum she escaped with was seen on one of the weapon shelves, the ammo for it fully restocked.

The sight of seeing her armor made her walk up to it and touch it again, that's when the thoughts came back for another round. Noble team could've made it, if she could've done something differently, she could've saved them all, her friends and sisters could be celebrating on Reach right now and relaxing, getting back to normal life, she thought. The thoughts started to make her shake and tear up before quickly turning around and slowly making her way up the stairs "I'm going to bed!" She yells in a cracking voice, leaving General Edwards there to stare blankly at her and watches her go upstairs, thinking it's best to leave her alone.

Alison went to her new room and put the crutch leaned against the end table. She would lay down on her side and start to sob to herself once more. She would then look at the empty spot of the queen sized bed and whispers to herself saying "You could be here Jason... we could be laying here together..."