Moving On....

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     Alex was standing outside Roger's door again, only this time Suso wasn't with him. 'This time, I'm here to actually help Roger....' 

     Before he could talk himself out of it, Alex knocked on the door; the loud banging reminding him of how Staff Sergeants would do the same thing to scare cadets. The door opens slowly, revealing what looked to be a scrawny teenager.

     "Huh? Who are you? And where's Roger?" Alex became worried, losing his composure fairly quickly.

     "I'm Aiden, Roger is my Uncle; who are you?" The young male calmed Alex down, making him feel embarrassed.

     "I'm Alexander Franks, I fought with your Uncle in the war." He raised his hand towards Aiden, smiling slightly. "I'm here because I wanted to ask your Uncle a favor, one that will give him something to do outside of this building."

     "I'm sorry, but he died last night; I'm here to clean the place." Aiden opened the door to a stunned Alex, letting him inside.

     "How did he die? I was just here yesterday, but he was alive when I left." Alex didn't move, the young male ignoring him and taking multiple large garbage bags towards the local disposal bin.

     "He killed himself, wrote a note to a "Corporal" beforehand though. Would that be you?" The male threw the bags into the bin before standing in front of Alex, seemingly unfazed by the former O.D.S.T.

     "That was my rank, but there were countless Corporals in the miitary; it could have been adressed to anyone.... have you read it?" Alex was still frozen in place, trying to think of what he should do next.

     "No, although I never knew my Uncle, because of his past, I have always had respect for any and all military personel; I only want this to be read by who it was meant for." The male handed Alex a piece of paper before walking back into the house, leaving the door open.

     Alex hesitantly read the note: "So, Corporal, you were able to cope with your past? I'm jealous, I'm still haunted every second I'm awake; I haven't even seen my family in some time because of my hallucinations.... anyways that's not what this note is for. Knowing you, you were looking for a pilot and came to me for help; well I might know someone who could help you. My nephew always looked up to us military folk, sees us as heroes who fought the nightmares to keep others safe.... at least he was partly right; we've both seen our fair share of nightmares in person. Ask him to be your pilot, last I heard he was trying to be a Commercial-Pilot-in-training.
     And Franks, thank you for visiting; even if it was only because you needed me, I'm glad someone remembered me before I died. This is Senior Airman Roger Menendez, signing off for the last time."

     Alex clenched his fists and breathed in slowly, trying not to lose his composure. 'I'll see you in Hell, Senior Airman.'

     Aiden walked back up to Alex and waited for him to open his eyes before talking. "Was it for you?" Alex only nodded to Aiden before balling up the note.

     "You should know he loved his family, even mentioned you; thanks for giving this to me." Alex then turned around and left, knowing he would not be able to stay much longer without getting emotional again.

     On the way back to his apartment Alex got a call from his house-phone, surprising him.

     "This is Franks."

     "Alex, this is Suso, there are some people outside of your door; they seem angry."

     "What do they look like?" Suso's reason for calling him worried Alex, especially if it was who he thought was outside of the door.

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