"Damn nerd!" The disgruntled hero of Shadow Moses cursed upon Doctor Emmerich's lackluster gift. His brittle gloves gripped the rigid handle for a third time, hoping the charm would awaken the empty mobile. But with no luck, he slapped the handles before removing himself from the seat. His boot leaves a dent on the snow mobile before showing his thick gloves into the tight pocket of his sneaking suit. He rolls his neck, loosening the intense knots of yesterday's battle. He breathes heavily through his nostrils attempting to calm himself as he gave the snow mobile one last cutting look. Snake glanced at the dainty rookie who remained seated on the snowmobile, obviously feeling uncomfortable by the new formed pressure that should have died hours ago. She leant forward breathing out puffs of cold air. Her hair frizzled from the harsh force of the Alaskan air during the ride from Shadow Moses. Meryl looked exhausted and with every right to be. 'The girl probably took more bullets than a veteran solider like me has taken during my war years,' Snake mused.
"Hope you're up for a walk to Fox Islands."
The sigh she gave was as irregular as an asthma patient's wheezing. She huffed, "Nope." Meryl clutched her injured leg to pull it over the seat. Reaching the other side of the mobile, her brown leather boots clucked against each other when they met on ground. She stretched her arms; the pulled muscles easing against the cold weather. But after the brief moment of content, she did nothing but sit. Her null gaze focused on the bandage wrapped around her thigh. She was sure the blood was expanding itself.
Snake's codec beeped, a transmission coming from number 140.85. He stands idly with a hand on his hip before responding, "Colonel."
"What island are you heading for?" Roy questioned.
Snake observed his surroundings with squinted eyes. "We've passed the glaciers. I'd say we're near Akun."
Campbell hummed. "Alright, Akun Island it is," he reported to his men. "See you there Snake."
"Roy, hurry," he spied Meryl's dreadful behavior. He spoke fiercely behind his teeth, "She can barely make it in this temperature."
Campbell gasped with uneasiness. "Right."
The transmission was over and Snake readily reached his hand out to the girl. "Come on Meryl. We don't have a lot of time." She take a hold of the hand pulling her from the mobile; gently though when she nearly stumbles into him. They began their unpleasant walk to Akun of Fox Island. She had no idea how far it was, but the entire vibe was uncomfortable without the loud motor engine of the snowmobile that allowed comfortable silence. Meryl wished for an ounce of wellness to hold a conversation with her savior. This was finally their lonely moment of peace after all, and she could barely muster a word from her dry throat. Goodness she was freezing. Rubbing her arms was as futile as rubbing ice together.
But Snake persisted his attention to the dreary Meryl. He rolled his eyes trying to find the appropriate words to lecture her. "Damn it Meryl, should have brought a jacket."
"Sorry Dad," She gripped his arm, nearly leaning on his broad frame. Her knees were ready to give out. The wind was prickling at her skin, making the flesh of her skin absolutely raw and calloused. "How long do we ha-"
She didn't realize she was tugging on Snake's arm, slowly preparing to bring him down with her. Meryl was swept into his arms before she could finish her question. She could hear waves of water push against rocks. Snake's boots crunching on rocks and grass. His body suit was her only source to whatever warmth it could offer. To Meryl, this was peace and mature at best.
Snake roughly shook the drifting girl in his arms. "Stop. Wake up," he ordered. She only mutters that she was tired and tires again to sleep to sounds of nature. She couldn't help it that she was supported by strong benefactors for a well rest. "Meryl!" When she awakes, her eyes are glistening and as huge as a frightened baby. "Look at me. Just look at me," She does so with eyes pleading for rest. "Almost there."
Snake finished his walk near a sea cave. He bends down to support Meryl's neck on one knee. 'Roy, it's your niece. Get the helicopter here now!' Snake inwardly fumed. But none the less she stayed awake; eyes flickering like a bored teenager during a lecture of class. He offers a stare with eyes full of poise and comfort. Another moment they shared identical to the one on top of the giant walking mecha.
"You're a strong woman," he reminds her. She whispers a soft "thanks" when his thumb draws an invisible line from the corner of her eye to the edge of her jaw. He inspects his new friend: the rough skin, the cracked lips that stung when the salvia on her tongue licked against the cuts…
Not a single blemish mattered, and not because he was used to such consequences of war. This was simply a true beauty inside and out. The grass beneath them swayed in directions when the helicopter Campbell promised came to settle.
"We here Snake?"
He smirked and said, "Yeah."
"Can I go to sleep now?" Meryl whined. She was truly young, and with such little current life to her at the moment, she had enough spark to make him feel younger and content about it.
A solider bearing a great resemblance to the previous men that destructed his cabin came near the duo. Outreaching his arms, the solider was ready to steal the bruised girl from the old mercenary's hands. Snake swatted the soldier's hands away, still bitter about before and equally cautious for the girl. "I got it!" he bellowed. The solider grumbled before hurrying off, avoiding any potential wrath from Snake.
"Your uncle is waiting for you, Meryl."
"Joy," Meryl groaned.
She was carried to the copter, being settled on the hard bench with her head perched on Snake's thigh. Campbell was seated opposite of the pair. Nothing was said as the helicopter took off. Meryl's eyes remained half opened with her fingers tapping Snake's arm. Snake calmed himself, leaning his head against the cold interior of the copter. His eyes became heavy, but remained alarmed of Meryl's touch. Campbell watched his friend slowly drift into relaxation, inappropriately caressing his niece's jaw.
Ssssh, Ssssh
The sound of Snake's feet whishing on the snow was a nuisance to Campbell's ears. But Roy's apologies and many thanks were falling deaf upon Snake. It was about thirty minutes earlier when Snake and Meryl arrived near the Discovery submarine. Campbell looked of relief when his niece showed enough strength to walk herself into the submarine for a physical checking. The old man attempted to wrap his bulky arms around her delicate frame. Though Meryl wiggled out of his grasp like a child being forced to gussy up. Campbell pondered whether she was embarrassed, which did cause of tinge of ache in his heart. Snake obviously didn't care enough to look at their interaction, drifting elsewhere to dangerously lean against the helicopter for a smoke. Campbell figured she was simply in a rush to get inside. It was selfish of him anyway. The poor girl was freezing with wounds slowly opening. Campbell followed suit to Snake after Meryl escaped Campbell's out of character antics.
"Where will you go now?" Roy asked, diverting the discussion from his apologies.
Snake halted his tired feet. His eyebrows furrowed together. "Home," he responded, stubbing out his cigarette on the snow.
Campbell chuckled for a moment. He questioned Snake's expression of deep thought. 'Our relationship hit a low blow. It'll take time,'
"You look terrible," Campbell frowned. "You're in to go back home just yet."
Snake clucked his tongue. "I got here in one peace didn't I? I think I'll manage."
"There's a doctor in the submarine. Perhaps-"
"Where's Naomi?"
A salty question. It was only an hour ago when...
"She was arrested, Snake. There was nothing I could do about it." Naomi's betrayal was the last thing he wanted to talk about. Hunter was so cunning and deceiving; she fooled everyone. Foxdie-what she injected into Snake; worried Campbell. Liquid died in a heartbeat, but Snake was given time. Campbell found himself questioning what Snake would do with his new found freedom. Retire off again?
"Has Doctor Emmerich made it out yet?"
"A rescue team should be on the way for him. Snake, please see a doctor. There will be a helicopter waiting for you once you're done."
The man opposite of Campbell grumbled as usual. He raised his hands in defeat, "Oh alright!" Snake steered in aim for the Discovery, kicking the snow while trudging and huffing. Campbell stood hunched in his thoughts.
Making several rights and lefts, the medical room was found. Entering the room, Snake plop himself on the thin bed, facing the doctor who was fidgeting around with his medical supplies.
"Codename: Solid Snake. Still hanging around I see," the man spoke. Turning away from his accessories, Snake caught the tag name "Kent" on the doctor's jacket pocket.
Neck stretched out and eyes squinted, Snake questioned the doctor, seemingly already in defense, "Hanging around?"
Kent barked a chuckle. His head hung low for a moment to halt his stifles. "You just can't get away from the war and conspiracies can't you? I thought you only occupied yourself with the four corners of your home. Take off your vest please."
Snake pulled both strings on each side and removed the heavy piece of article. "Once you gradually welcome war with open arms, it will never leave." He removes his tight fitting shirt, revealing the many cuts and bruises.
Kent brought a bottle of alcohol and cotton balls near Snake. Snake snatched the items before Kent could put any use to it. Dabbing the cotton ball into alcohol, Snake brought the near tear jerking ball to his bullet wound and various cuts. Kent smile, "You're a cursed man. Any pain?"
"Nothing too deep. Dr. Hunter provided me with aspirin hours ago," which reminded him he could go for a few more. He rolled the knots from his shoulders. "I'm not cursed. I'm grateful for my talent."
"What talent are you grateful for? Carrying the skills of a perfect soldier?" Kent hands him a small first aid kit containing band aids and Neosporin.
Grabbing a few band aids, Snake threw the box past Kent. Wincing when he applied the band aid onto his wounds, he became annoyed with the conversations direction. "The talent to make things right."
Kent's smile broadens and cheerfully states, "Oh I believe you. I don't think you've broken anything."
"I don't think so either, doc." Leaving his vest to reside on the floor, Snake pulls his shirt on top and re-zips it closed. He sighs before getting up. "Tell Campbell I'll pay him a visit."
"Snake you're leaving? I haven't even spent more than eight minutes with you."
Snake smirked. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He trundles out of the office, opening to the door to meet nose to nose with a beauty with flamed hair. She's playing with her hands and her mouth is slightly ajar. He notices that she's blinking her eyes way to fast. Batting? He was attracted to this innocent side of her.
"Wh-where ya goin'?" 'She seems better than before. Where is all this shyness coming from?'
He lifts his chin and studies her appearance. She changed from her ill fitting clothes. The loose tank top and wet pants were substituted with a white hospital gown. She wore sky blue Capri fitting cotton pants to hide the embarrassing marks on her legs. Meryl's skin looked drained with milk, but it was much better than the raw reddish look. She supported her frame on grey crutches. Snake considered that she was probably irked at the idea of being portrayed so weak. She'd walk without them, but the consequences were already near. He left her questioning hanging for the longest. She calls his name, trying to hide her red cheeks behind her hand.
"Home."
"Oh," there's disappointment in her voice. "Where do you live?"
He scratches his head and yawns. He speaks to her, ready to get off the submarine. "Twin Lakes. Nothing special."
He disappears behind a wall. Meryl hangs her neck to look above before breathing, "Dense asshole."
Already out of the Discovery, three jeeps that weren't previously near the helicopter were lined next to each other. Refusing to be escorted to his cabin with a helicopter, he brushes aside many men in aim for one of the jeeps. He hops over the car door, toppling into the seat. Checking the back seats and passenger, he rummaged around for car keys. Nothing was the glove compartment except for a glock and a pack of cigarettes. "Lucky day I guess," he dryly joked. Opening the pack of cigarettes, he placed a stick in his mouth and checked his pocket for a lighter. "The hell?" It too, was nowhere to be found.
"Need a light?" Snake turned around, for the third time being sneaked on. The lighter burned the tip of his cigarette. "Still not home yet? You rushed out in a hurry, I'd think you'd be gone," Meryl sarcastically said, unfolding the car shade to have the keys fall on Snake's lap. He snorted, picking up the keys to start the engine. Meryl was already at the passenger side, shoving her crutches in the backseat.
"Where you think you're going?" Snake asked harshly.
Meryl paid no mind. Opening the car door to awkwardly slide in, she clucks her tongue and speaks playfully, "Duh. Start of a new life, remember? Almost left me there, bastard."
Snake continued to peeve her, "Meryl, go back inside. I'll visit you and your uncle, I promise."
"Look, I'm sure you ditched a few women over the years, but it won't be me," she leans closer to his face. Her eyes are blazing blue as she speaks in an unrelenting manner. "I'm coming with you, where you like it or not." He gives her a long fixed stare, noticing her attention drop from his eyes to his lips. The soldiers were around though. He'd assume they wouldn't hesitate getting the word around about Campbell's teenage niece exchanging spit with the much older relentless killer. It was easier to get away from Holly, but this one? He figured that he had no choice but to drive the both of them home.
It was not what she had expected. Alaska never looked more beautiful. No kidding. The cabin hid beneath a dark cloud. The trees were withering with each leaf meeting life's end. The cabin looked small enough to be rented as an apartment loft. The door was already opened; broken with splinters near the lock. Meryl gave Snake a puzzled look, grabbing a hold of his arm. "Someone here?"
"Your uncle's boys forgot how to use a door," he reminisced with a touch of annoyance. He removed her grip from his arm. "It's alright, come on."
The leaves crunched underneath their boots as Snake began to feel a tinge of regret. There was no way his cabin could hold a pair of two; especially rooming with a woman.
"It's quite here," she spoke.
He laughed, hoping her mind would be changed. "It's fairly unpopulated. People hunt here. News come slow too."
"You're the only one here?!" He ushers her inside and she scopes her surroundings. A huge linen rug is caught underneath the deep blue recliner. Surprisingly she didn't find a fireplace in sight to support the cabin theme. "Not so bad. I was never into pop culture out there in the city anyway. Besides, we can make all the noise in the world in here." Her mouth was left agape when she slowly closed her eyes to slap her forehead. 'Stupid, stupid pervert,' she cursed.
"Sit," he offers before exiting through the back door. A frenzy of barks erupted what she assumed was his wolf dogs, vividly remembering that he was a musher. She rubs her shoulders as she tries to make herself comfortable on the plush recliner chair. She looks to her left and catches a glimpse of his open bedroom. The door was broken. She assumed the door next to his bedroom was the bathroom. She unzips the jacket she equipped from the Discovery. A door creaks open and she whips her attention to her behind. The two made brief eye contact before he disappeared into his bedroom. His fingers brushes the door, swinging it shut behind, though failing to notice the split of view Meryl was given.
"Thank God for broken doors?" she thought to herself. She's leaning, eyes following his every move. He stops just in front his chest of clothes; hands on hips with his head hung low. He remains there for while before pulling his shirt off. An uncontrollable force jerks her back against the chair. Her cheeks become reddened and hot. She doesn't understand though. But, on top of Rex! It was all the same…almost. Now they were alone, away from harm's way. But Meryl didn't accept this new school girl feeling.
She feels controlled now and cold with goose bumps. She could always close her jacket, but her clothes felt ill fitting against her skin. Her teeth began to clatter, and she finally realizes how cold it was. No fire place and the front door allowed the harsh weather to seep in. She pulls herself up and her feet direct itself to his room with tiny steps.
Her knuckle slapped against the door as an attempted knock. "Hey," she pulls herself in and he's already stripped to his briefs. He is hunched over his chest drawer in apparent deep thought. She inspects his figure. She feels an ounce of guilt for the man. She knows some of the fresh bandages and scars were because of her rookie screw ups. Then the vibe became awkward. She rushes, "Shower?" He turns to face her. "Me...shower?"
He opens his drawer to pull a wool jumper out and toss it over his shoulder. "Bathroom is next door." Only a nod and she leaves. He doesn't move. The bathroom door closes and he could hear the beads of water falling on the tub. He couldn't shake how surreal all of this was. A woman, young in fact, was showering in this bathroom.
He's frozen as he listens to her movement. He hears a cough, a sniffle, and a knob turn. There is no more water, no more tears, and there is no more inspection to be made. He is fully clothed now and enters his living room. He grunts at the view of his broken front door. His entire cabin was brutally cold now. He ought to make a bonfire in his living room. Today he'll sleep on the chair, and tomorrow, and the next day. "Guess I should have brought the sneaking vest." There was no furniture strong enough to keep against the door, but he'll be fine; he was trained for this. He adjusts himself on the chair, arms crossed. His eyes became heavy again. They're closing shut until a door opens with hot steam welcoming the living room.
She's standing in front of him. Her skin is flushed and hair slightly waved from the stream. His oversize jumper looks nice on her. Her capris are still on, because he didn't even bother to offer...
"Need any pants?"
She waves him off. "No I'm fine." She tries to tug on her pants, but they were skin tight against her skin. "They're warm now."
"Mm," he only muffles out. "You have the bed."
She's not staring at him anymore. He watches her talk to herself. He's ready to speak. "You don't mind?" Meryl's attention is focused on him again.
His eyebrows are uneven from the expression of curiosity. Lips slightly parted, eyes squinted. "No."
It was a feeling he hadn't felt before. Her back is touching his chest, her head is on his shoulder, her hands are entwined with his. "Now can I go to sleep?" she jokes referencing their walk from hell earlier.
He wants her to move. It was uncomfortable, yet this compelling urge wanted to keep her there and savor the warmth.
The door was broken, but he was just making excuses.
(A:N) So, I'm rewriting Dream World. Expect scenes to be heavily revised, removed, or extended. After reviewing through the reviews, I want to make the story less cheesy, more believable, and expandable. Think of it as a Director's Cut. Constructive criticism is the greatest!
