The Ashes of Reach

5.

— PRESENT DAY —

"Wake up Alison!" She would hear those words right next to her. The words were make her wake up and look at the empty spot next to her. It was just a glimpse of hope. She thought that maybe, just maybe, Jason would be right next to her. Even she knows that's pretty unrealistic at this point. Hell, she can't stop hearing her voice, hearing the voice of her fallen comrades. It always gives her a glimpse of false hope.

It's been two months since she started living on the base. People come to check on her, especially General Edwards. Edwards shows lots of care towards Alison, he makes sure that Alison is stocked up on supplies, has been keeping up with her medicine, and even being there when she starts to have one of her breakdowns. He was almost like a father to Alison. But Alison barley talks to him when he's over. Quite frankly, she doesn't speak much anymore. She likes to try to keep everything to herself, but is too antisocial to refuse any help.

Alison would look over at her alarm clock to see it's almost 9 in the morning. Well she has to get up sometime. Might as well not sleep through the morning like she always does. She stood up and went downstairs to make some breakfast. She doesn't really have breakfast anymore, but when she did, it was merely just some toast. After breakfast, she would get herself dressed and go into one of the previously empty rooms, which was transformed into a workout room. The first half of her day consists of running on the treadmill, lifting weights and such. Really she does that and watch TV or practice her shooting to pass the time. She never goes outside, unless to get supplies and such.

She was midway through her workout when her doorbell is rung. She would drop her weights and walk downstairs to the door. Upon opening it, General Edwards was seen at the door, not surprisingly though. This was a weekly routine for him. "Hey, Alison! Just... checking on you again!" He says in his usual positive tone "I'm fine..." She says, which was always her response. Clearly she's never fine, but he doesn't want him to worry. Him worrying would mean she'd have to talk to him more. "Well okay. Sorry if this is out of nowhere but... remember. That offer is still on the table if you want to rejoin the fight! We'd love to have you!" He says, seeming to get nervous as he didn't want to upset her

Alison would just nod before saying "I have to think about things still. Whenever I have an answer I'll get back to you." She says while forcing a smile "Well okay... if you need anything else, feel free to call me!" He says and walks off and letting Alison close the door. She then thought about his words, for the first time in a while. Then she thought about her friends, all the people she's lost along the way. The tears came back. The visions came back. Everything was being thrown at her at once. Jorge, Kat, Carter, Emile, and Jason. What would they want for her? Would they want her to ignore her fears and continue the fight?

She slowly made her way into the basement and into her armory, and found herself staring at her armor once again, tears filling her eyes and blocking her vision. She could die, she thought. She could fail again like she did on Reach. She'll be a hinderance like she was to her team. She couldn't stop thinking these thoughts. That is until she thought of Jason, the light to her darkness.

He knows better. He always showed that she had what it takes to survive, he taught her the meaning of being a soldier. Not just a soldier, but a spartan. It's time to make a decision, she thought to herself. It's time to decide.

Back at the main base area, General Edwards was in his office, looking at a couple files. He would read them until he hears footsteps behind him. He would turn around to see Alison, finally wearing her armor again after three full months, her DMR on her back and her pistol at her side. All she would say to him is "What's my first mission..?"