Part One: Loire: The Soldier
Prologue:
Winhill . . . Such a quiet little town. My home in a country called Galbadia, a place tattered by violence. Winhill is the only place in the world that doesn't seem too badly damaged by the Sorceress' War, perhaps because of its small size and insignificance to any conflict. But my spot in such a rabid country is so calm which is why I love it so much. It's always been that way. Humble . . . and timid at times. Everyone knows everyone's name, age, birthday, and whatever else. I've always been here though. I was born here and I'll probably die here. But that's what I want, really. I couldn't imagine leaving this town. I'd like to think that I'm needed here. But I guess in Winhill, everybody depends on themselves. So maybe my role isn't very important. But my pub and Ellone are good enough reasons for me to stay here.
Ellone? She's my baby. Well, not literally. She's like a sister to me. She's not a blood relative, but ever since her parents died trying to protect her, I've made it my priority to take care of her myself. Sadly no one else would. Many of the old folks say that keeping her is bad luck and that I'll regret it. But as an orphan myself, I can't just abandon her and let her be taken away. . . I'd die before that happened.
Nothing happens in this town. Everything is slow and tired and the pace has never changed. All the men are gone because of the war and all that's left are the old people who are set in their ways, a couple of shifty Galbadian soldiers here and there, me, and Ellone, the last child left. It's a ghost of a place compared to what it used to be, but it's safer than other places, and I'm grateful for that. It's a town that doesn't really change and the people aren't really fond of changes either. But I guess I'm not like everyone else. I've been hungry for change ever since I was old enough to know what it was. But I don't have the will to make change happen. All I have is Ellone, my pub, and all the flowers that bloom around this small little town. But I'm happy here. And as long as I have Ellone and as long as we're safe, I don't mind if things stay this way forever.
Chapter one: Vulnerability in the Water
"Raine!" I heard a small voice calling to me as I woke from a short nap on my green sofa. I opened my eyes as Ellone called my name again, her face red because from her shouting. "Raine, this is no time 4 sleepy-time!" she said, stumping her small feet. "I peeked down de stairs and saw 4 min. I tink there's gonna b twouble if we don't feed 'em." I blinked a few times, focusing my eyes on her little face. I sat up and stretched. It was around six in the evening and by that time, business was unpredictable. I groaned as I thought. Sometimes I hate working here, I said to myself. I stared at Ellone as she stood there. But as long as I can provide for Ellone and me, I'm grateful . . .
"Did these men let themselves in?" I said, a bit irritated. "God, people are so rude nowadays . . ."
"They r . . . they r soljers, I tink," said Ellone. "They r wearing bloo . . ." I jumped off of the sofa, letting my hair fall wildly onto my shoulders. I ran my hands through my hair for a moment, fixing it in an instant. I smiled at Ellone and asked, "Alright, do I look okay?"
"Yoor hair is really pwetty, Raine!" she said, jumping up and down. "Yoo look purfect!"
"Alright! Let's go then!"
Ellone and I ran down the stairs, racing to the bottom. Ellone's little feet found a rhythm as she scurried down. I was right behind her, trying to make sure she or I didn't fall. We giggled and laughed all the way down until we reached the bottom.
"I wun!" Ellone yelled, making the victory sign with her little fingers. We laughed until we were interrupted by the sound of the someone clearing their throat. I looked up and saw four stern-faced men in blue uniforms staring at me with displeased expressions. All of them had their helmets off and none of them had anything appealing about how they looked. I could see two mustaches, a beard, and a bald head, totaling in four average looking customers. All the same, they were customers. These must be some of the new patrollers, I said to myself. I don't know any of these people. I nervously smiled at the men and said, " Welcome, gentlemen . . . I hope you haven't been waiting long." They all continued to stare at me, their eyes fixated on my every move. Wow, I said to myself. Four customers all at once? Business had been pretty slow for a couple of weeks so I was happy to finally have different faces in the pub. "I hope the patrol went well . . ." I said as I grabbed Ellone's hand and dragged her behind the pub's counter with me. The four men walked up the counter and sat down, quietly talking amongst themselves as if discussing something that seemed important. "Would you guys like something to drink?" I asked them. They all looked at me at the same time. Two of them snickered at me and the other two said that they wanted some water. As I started getting the water, Ellone started talking to one of the soldiers.
"Hi!" she said. She was jumping up and down, trying to talk to him from behind the counter. The bald soldier looked at her strangely, cocking his head to one side. I discreetly watched the soldiers as they glanced at Ellone and then turned their attention back to me. I don't trust these guys, I said to myself. They seemed a little too into what I was doing and it was quite evident that they were fanatically staring at me. "My name is Ellone." Ellone started dancing, singing and giggling. " E-l-l-o-n-e Isn't that a pwetty name?"
"Yes, Ellone," I said as I passed the two men two glasses of water. I bent down for a moment in attempt to get Ellone to be a bit more quiet. "Ellone, I know you're having fun, but I'm trying to work right now. We'll play later, I promise. "
"O-tay!" Ellone said, giving me the OK sign with her little fingers. "I wil b quiet, I pwom--"
"Ahem . . ." I heard one of the men clearing his throat, interrupting Ellone. I stood back up and looked at the four men in front of me. "I didn't actually come here to eat," said the bearded man sitting directly out in front of me, winking at me. He reached out and made and attempt to touch my face. Scoffing at him, I quickly stepped backwards, appalled at his gesture.
"Raine--" Ellone said. I hushed her up and stepped a bit further from the counter.
"I only serve food and drinks," I said. "If you're looking for something other than that, I suggest you go to Deling City." The two mustached men with glasses of water looked at each other and grinned. One said, " C'mon baby. We just want a little bit of fun while we're on break . . ."
"Yeah," said the bald man that Ellone was speaking to before. "After patrolling this place for a week, we've been noticing your quaint lil' pub. You're da youngest and prettiest thing in dis town . . . And quite frankly, we're all tired of looking . . . if ya know what I mean." I narrowed my eyes, understanding him completely.
"Raine . . ." said Ellone. "Is sumthing wong?"
"Look, it's not like we won't pay you," he continued. He put a thick wad of gil in front me, snickering mischeviously. "We'll make it worth your while."
"What are you suggesting?" I questioned, playing dumb and trying to stay discreet in order to protect Ellone from his innuendos. "I run an honest business here and if you're hungry, I'll feed you . . . But otherwise, I suggest that you all leave!"
"But we are hungry . . ." said the bearded man, standing up.
"I suggest your 100 cooperation on this matter," said the bald man sitting next to him. He stood up too and tapped the gun that was hanging from his belt. I looked at the gun and saw the other three men showing their weapons as well. Ellone grabbed my hand and stood closer to me. I could feel her shaking, a small whimper escaped her tiny mouth. I looked down at Ellone, fear in her eyes.
"Ellone . . ." I said. She looked up at me. I smiled casually, hoping that it was enough to comfort her. "Go upstairs . . . I going to play a game with the customers. And no matter what you hear, don't be afraid, okay?" Ellone's eyes told me she understood. She nodded and scurried away to the staircase. The men watched Ellone as she started off. I walked after her, making sure none of the men would try to grab her. I stood at the foot of the stairs as she ran. When she was gone, I turned back around and nervously directed all of my attention to the men.
"You're a smart girl . . ." said the bald man who Ellone was talking to before. The other two men finished up their glasses of water and stood up. All four of them began to come around the counter, walking toward the stairs where I was standing. My heart started pounding and my forehead began to sweat, showing how tense the moment was. "Don't be scared, baby," said the bald soldier as he neared me. "It's all fun n' games . . . right?" I swallowed hard as I stared at the leering men. I was scared for some reason . . . But I tried to turn my fear into confidence. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. I hope Ellone won't get too scared, I said to myself. I think Ellone knows what to do. I just hope she remembers . . .! I looked up at the ceiling and screamed.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! SOMEBODY . . . ANYBODY! PLEASE HELP! THERE'S A FIRE! A FIRE!" The men jumped at the sound of me screaming. They all looked at each other, panicking. The bald man tried to shut me up, cupping my mouth. I kicked him in leg and bit him and kept on screaming 'HELP' and 'FIRE' over and over again. I punched two of them and stumped on someone's foot. I continued to fight, praying that they wouldn't draw their weapons. I could hear Ellone upstairs, screaming it out the windows too.
"FIRE FIRE! FIRE FIRE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! FIRE FIRE! FIRE FIRE!" Ellone shouted. The four soldiers, still confused, all turned tail and ran out of the pub as fast as they could, three of them dropping their helmets on their way out the door. As soon as they were gone, I started laughing, quietly at first and then more loudly. I thought it was funny, but I was also . . . relieved. Ellone came running downstairs and lunged at me. I bent down to hug her.
"You did a good job!" I told her. "I'm so glad to have you as my assistant!"
"Sumbody has 2 pwotect yoo, Raine!" she said, giggling. I hugged her even tighter, still partially trying to calm myself. Chasing off perverted soldiers was just a precaution, one that I had never had to do before. But I had to do what was necessary to keep my pub safe for me and Ellone. Wow! I said to myself. I pulled it off . . .! I did a small victory dance on the inside before standing up with Ellone in my arms. I looked over the counter, seeing the helmets left behind. Then I looked down at the counter. There, where the men had been sitting, was the wad of gil. I poked at it and frowned. I don't want this, I said to myself. I don't need it. Ellone looked at me and then at the money. "What r yoo going 2 do, Raine? That's allotta jil . . ."
"You mean gil . . ." I corrected her. "And I don't know. I don't want to keep it . . . Maybe I'll offer it to some people around town . . . We don't really need it. . ." I hesitated. "But then again, I can't think of anyone who would take it . . ."
"Nobody shood keep it . . ." I thought about what she said as I looked at the money on the counter. Maybe I should count it? I shook off the thought, looked at Ellone, and nodded.
"You're absolutely right . . ." I said. "And I know exactly where I'm gonna put it now!" I said.
"Where?"
"It's a secret . . . I'll tell when I come back, okay?"
"Yoor going now? Can I come 2?"
"No. You're going to stay with Widow Cooper, alright?" I told Ellone. "It's dangerous where I'm headed and I don't want you to get hurt . . ."
"Be'cus of the monsters, right?" asked Ellone, hanging her head down low.
"When you're older, you can come with me . . ." I said. I put her down and grabbed the wad of gil. "We'll be able to fight together and show those monsters who's boss one day, right?" Ellone nodded and smiled.
"O-tay . . . Let's go 2 Coopo's house . . ." said Ellone. I shook my head and said, "First, we eat!"
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A bit more than an hour later, Ellone and I headed outside to Ms. Cooper's house. I walked hand-in-hand with Ellone and had my sharpened stick that I would only use on monsters in the other hand. I carried the wad of gil in my pocket and it bulged with the size of the money that was inside. How much did they give me? I asked myself. I can't believe the nerve of those guys. I burned at the thought. They'll get what they deserve one day, I reassured myself. Ellone and I walked up the dusty road quietly, saying hello to those that we passed. I ran into two people who told me that they heard my 'fire alarm' and had seen the soldiers running out of my pub. We would laugh about it for a couple of minutes and then Ellone and I would continue down our path. But as I walked on, I couldn't help but think. No one came running to help us, I said to myself. The 'fire alarm' was a precaution that was supposed to get people to help if I can't fight the bad guys off alone. It's so strange that no one . . . not a single person came to check on me afterwards. What a troubling thought, I sighed to myself. I shouldn't be shocked though. I'm always on my own . . . I always will be. I've already accepted that fate . . . haven't I? A little further up the road, I could see a field of white and pink flowers. Ellone let go of my hand and ran up to the field, bending over the flowers to smell them.
"They smel soooo good!" she exclaimed. "Can I pic sum, Raine?" I nooded to her and waited as she picked away. I smiled at her as she hummed to herself. As I watched her, more troubling thoughts came into my mind. I put my hand on my bulging pocket and sighed. What if that stunt didn't work . . . my fire alarm? I asked myself. The fire plan might not work every time and I can't imagine what would happen if it didn't. I intently watched Ellone as she curiously looked at a bee buzzing by. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I'm unable to protect her. Am I strong enough to raise her . . . to protect her? Ellone looked back at me, as if she heard me thinking about her. A little smile appeared on her face, comforting me. She ran over and grabbed my hand. "R yoo o-tay, Raine?" Ellone asked.
"I'm fine," I answered, discarding my uneasy thoughts. "It's just . . . been a strange day . . ."
"Let's go!" Ellone said, attempting to pull me along with her. We continued our walk down the road and I started feeling better. I know I can take care of Ellone . . . I'll do whatever it takes, even if I have to do it by myself. Soon after our flower field excursion, we arrived at Ms. Cooper's house and I quietly walked in with Ellone.
"Ms. Cooper?" I said. I received no response. "Hello?"
"Raine . . ." I heard a old, sweet voice. "Is that you, dear?" I answered yes and ventured deeper inside her residence. Slowly, the old woman came into view, her gray hair shining a bit due to the dim sunlight coming in through the window. Slowly she stood up from her rocking chair and warmly smiled at us. "Oh Raine, how are you, dear?"
"I'm fine," I answered. Ellone let go of my hand and ran to Ms. Cooper.
"Hi!" Ellone said as Ms. Cooper opened her arms to her. Ellone gave her a hug and quickly let go, holding up her hand with a small bouquet of flowers. Ms. Cooper smiled and said, "Aren't you just the sweetest little thing . . ." She looked at me as sat back down in her rocking chair. "Raine, I take it you're going somewhere?"
"Yes . . ." I answered. "I'm heading off and I'll be back within the hour. I hate to do this so suddenly but can you keep Ellone until I get back?"
"Of course, dear . . ." Ms. Cooper replied. "It's my pleasure to help out when I can. And it's not like I'm going anywhere." I looked at Ellone as she sat on a small pink sofa and picked up a book and pretended to read. I walked up to her and bent down to talk to her.
"Now you be good, okay?" I said. "If I get a good report, I'll make your favorite dessert . . ." Ellone gasped.
"Coookys!" Ellone exclaimed excitedly. I quickly followed up her outburst, saying, "But you have to be good . . ."
"I'll take good care of her," Ms. Cooper promised. I nodded at them and made my way to the door. "Raine?" I heard Ms. Cooper say as I neared the door. I turned around to see her standing again. "Are you alright?" she asked, walking closer to me. I nodded. "I heard you and Ellone screaming and I just wanted to know if you were okay. . . I'd hate for you to get hurt by them Galbajan soldiers . . . You being a young woman and all . . ."
"Oh, the fire alarm?" I said casually. "That was nothing. I'm fine and so is Ellone . . ."
"I can see that and I'm sorry that they treated you that way."
"I'm always prepared!" I laughed. "Don't worry about me . . ." Ms. Cooper smiled uneasily. "Is something wrong, Ms. Cooper?"
"Listen, Raine . . . I don't expect there to be many changes in Winhill's protection and the soldiers are only going to get worse and worse with you being such a pretty 17 year old . . ."
"Ms. Cooper--"
"Just listen, Raine . . ." she interrupted me. "The people around here aren't capable of protecting you. You and Ellone are the youngest things in this part of the country. There are no men in the city to protect either of you other than the patrollers, and half of them have made it clear that they are interested in you.
"I'm not looking for any--"
"Raine," Ms. Cooper interrupted me again. " . . . soon, more men will come to patrol here in Winhill after fighting in the war. I'm sure many of them are looking for someone to cook for them . . . someone to come home to . . ."
"What are you talking about, Ms. Cooper?" I asked, not understanding the point of her wordy explanation.
"What I'm saying is that maybe you should start looking for someone to protect you . . .You won't always be able to protect Ellone and I'd hate to think that you'd be overpowered by men that didn't fall for your 'fire alarm' . . ." She paused as she thought of what else to say. "As a woman who is now a widow, Raine, please listen. You need to be protected like a woman should be . . ." she said. "You need someone to marry and take care of you and Ellone . . ." Whatever, I said to myself. I was a little insulted by her words, although I knew she was trying to give me advise.
"Ms. Cooper, I appreciate your concern . . . But I'm fine. Ellone and I are being taken care of somehow. I have faith that whatever we need will come when it comes . . ." Ms. Cooper looked down at the bouquet of flowers in her hands.
"Don't you . . . don't you get lonely, dear?" she coyly asked. "I miss my husband everyday . . . I'm sure you feel lonely sometimes . . ." I smiled at her.
"You're just fine on your own, right, Ms. Cooper? Besides, I'm not alone. I have Ellone, Ms. Cooper . . . In fact, I'm never alone . . . I need Ellone and Ellone needs me and I wouldn't have it any other way. So I have no time to feel lonely." I paused as I thought. "Besides, I don't mind protecting us. It's what I want to do." I walked up to her and grabbed her hands. " But thank you for worrying about us . . . really . . ." She looked at me curiously and then smiled. "I'll be back soon . . ." I bowed to her and walked outside, closing the door behind me. I quietly made my way to where I wanted to go . . .
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I walked and walked, avoiding monsters along my way. I treaded through the grass, determined to get where I needed to go. It was a little scary and all I had was my sharpened stick. Pitiful, yes, but I'd use it if necessary. I took my time going through the grass fields of Galbadia. I needed some time to myself, I guess. I was a little absent minded as I walked . . . yet alert. And I didn't have to fight anything other than small monsters. As I got closer and closer to my destination, I could see the sun in the distance and the moon slowly starting to take its place as sky turned orange and fuchsia. The day had been so normal at first, but now it had me full of doubts and worry. I can't wait for this day to end, I said to myself as I reached the beach.
I dropped my stick on the sand, leaving it there, and then took off my shoes, picking them up and taking them along with me. I walked on the sand, trying to empty my head. The cool sand got between my toes, lightly scratching the bottom of my feet. I can't stay here long, I told myself. I gotta go back as soon as I throw the money into the ocean. I walked further out in the sand and let the ocean breeze hit my face. "I'll throw you in the ocean . . ." I said, patting my bulging pocket. " . . . and we'll let the water decide what to do with you." I stared straight out at the water, smiling. "The water will cleanse this and carrying it will no longer be my burden . . ." I slowly got closer and closer to the water as I inhaled the fresh ocean air. I don't want to leave here, but I can't stay. I looked at the ground and decided that I'd sit down for just a few minutes. "I guess I've been looking for a reason to come here," I said aloud. The ocean's water usually calmed me after a long day when I was younger. So I plopped my shoes down next to me and watched the water as it barely went over my toes. My toes sank into the soggy sand where the water rushed over the ground. I smiled at the coolness of the water. I stared out at it, letting its tranquility take me over.
Ellone would love it here, I said to myself. She could run free for a change. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back. "God, I want to be free . . ." I whispered. I feel like I'm in a box. The world is closed to me and I'm afraid of what is out there, I thought as I looked back out at the vastness of the ocean. Can't I just float away? I asked the ocean. Everything is routine . . . everything is the same. And when something changes . . . when something goes wrong . . . like today at the pub . . .I freak out! But why am I so worked up over this? Other places are so much more dangerous than Winhill. I hesitantly laughed to myself. Maybe it's because this is my first time I've done this drill, I told myself. But still, no one came to see what was wrong . . . What if the drill didn't work? What if they had-- I shook off the thought. I can fight. I did fight. I did a good job, didn't I? I asked the ocean. I'm may not be a man and I know that I'm not as strong as one. But I can fight back. I know I can do that . . . but . . . will that be . . . enough . . .?
The doubts and troubles of my heart weighed down on me. Tears ran down my face as I thought on. All I need is Ellone and the pub, I told myself, trying to reassure myself. I can do the rest . . . I've always done the rest. The water swayed back in forth, reflecting the fiery sun in its crystal blue waters. Let it out, the ocean called to me. I stared out, trying to control my emotions. The breeze rose up and invoked even more tears. My heart felt so weak as I watched the water sparkling, calling for me to let go of myself for just a moment. Then, I just broke down and my heart gave into pain that had been building up inside of me. My vision got so blurry that I couldn't see the place where the ocean and the sky met. Constantly I tried to wipe the tears that just wouldn't stop. I just sat there and cried about anything . . . everything, something I hadn't done since Mom and Dad died nine years ago. I needed to vent. The tears brought more painful memories to mind but, at the same time, alleviated me. After being treated like a whore . . . and then being told that I may not be strong enough to protect Ellone was just too much for me to bare in one day. What if I can't face something more dangerous than that? I asked myself. What if . . . What if Ms. Cooper was right . . .?
No! I told myself. "I know I can do it . . ." I whispered, bringing my knees up to my chest. "Ellone needs me and I need her. I won't let anyone hurt me because I need to protect her . . ." I buried my face in arms and just cried silently as if to stop from embarrassing myself. I felt like a hopeless little girl. There is no one more important in my life than Ellone. She's all the family that I have left, I said to myself. I just need more . . . strength. I whimpered as I thought on. I need the strength to protect her . . . to give her the childhood that she needs. I took a deep breathe and tried to stop the tears again. I'll just try harder to get stronger, I told myself. I'll work so hard that I'll . . . I trailed off in my thoughts as I centered myself once more. I'll be able to find the strength I need to protect . . . us. I raised my face to the sky and opened my eyes, still welled up with tears. I straightened out my legs and felt the water wash over my feet again. "I know I can get through this. . ." I said quietly, breathing in the air. I slowly opened my eyes and saw a puffy white cloud, bouncing along the canvas of purples and blues. The sun was finally fading and the full moon was starting to take over the sky. The sky comforted me somehow and I smiled. I can do this . . . I needed to come here so I could cry today. I felt lighter, as if a burden was lifted. I still have my faith, I said to myself. My needs . . . Ellone's needs . . . they will be met. "Somehow . . ." I whispered. "Whatever I need . . . will come . . . when it comes . . . . . ."
I realized how late it was as I sat and watched the evening slowly disappearing into the night. I wiped away my tears and smiled at the high moon. I wasn't looking at the ocean anymore because the moon was shining through my soul, giving me all the tranquility I needed. I should leave soon, I told myself. I've gotta make those cookies for Ellone! With a renewed sense of myself, I was ready to take on the world. As I began to stand up, I felt something bump my feet which were still in the water. I lowered my eyes from the sky and looked toward my feet. I gasped at the sight I saw. "AHHH!" I jumped back from the dark lump that laid at my feet. How didn't I see that coming? I asked myself, my heart pounding with panic. I guess I was so distracted by the moon that I didn't see it . . .
I observed it from where I was sitting, fearing that it was some sort of sea creature or monster and that it would eat my feet if I didn't act soon. I better do this slowly, I told myself. But something inside of me urged me to get closer. I was drawn to the still figure that laid on the beach at my feet. I might regret this, I said to myself as I got on my knees and crawled closer to the blue figure. I could see legs outstretching into he ocean and two arms grabbing on to a board of some kind. There was a beam of light coming from the sky . . . from the moon. This light allowed me to see . . . a pale face, partially covered by dark hair, eyes closed. The gloved hands of the figure were clasped onto the board underneath it and the other side of its face was pressed against the board as if it were a pillow. My eyes widened as I stared in terror, realizing what I was looking at. "Oh my God! A body!"
I hastily stood up, accidentally kicking it in the right shoulder. I heard a quiet moan came from the presumed dead body. I gasped at the sound of a deep voice. Is it-- is it still alive? I asked, still backing away. The motionless body just laid there on its belly. Still scared, I defied my fear and walked up to the body. I went to its side and looked down at the body. I got down on my knees and touched one of its gloved hands. I put my hand on the back of its head and felt its wet, smooth jet black hair. I carefully ran my fingers through the hair, as if I were trying to comfort it. "Can you hear me?" I said to it. There was no reply. I took my hands out of its hair and reached to pull the board away from the body. It took a minute to maneuver, but I managed to remove to board from the body's grasp. And still . . . the body didn't move, convincing me that the person before me was definitely dead. I don't know why, but even though it was dead, something deep inside told me to handle the body with care. I carefully pushed the heavy body over so that it was laying on its back. Immediately and for the first time, I saw the face of the figure that had been delivered to me by the ocean.
It . . . it was a man. His black hair laid wildly on the ground full of sand and damp with the ocean's water. It was easy to see that he was badly injured. His face was so pale . . . so . . . drained. He looked as if he were sleeping on the beach. I stared at this man, his . . . face. Poor guy . . . I said to myself. I suddenly remembered that he had made a sound before when I kicked him. He made a sound earlier, so maybe he's still alive, I told myself. "I hope you're not dead," I said aloud, my face burning. "It'd be a shame if you came all this way to be dead on a beach." I put my hand on his chest and tried to feel a heartbeat. I didn't feel anything. Maybe I was just hearing things when I heard that voice, I said to myself. I bent over him and stared at his face some more. "A Galbadian soldier . . ." I said. "He must have been killed in the war . . . How sad . . ." I looked at his tattered uniform. His belt, which had somehow managed to stay on him on his journey through the ocean, had a gun on it inside of a oddly shaped pocket. He had cuts on his legs and arms and one of his boots was missing. Even though there were so many things to observe on his beaten and defeated body, I couldn't seem to stop staring at his face. I admired the look on it, although is had a cuts on it. "If you can hear me, sir," I said to him. "You look like such a gentle man," I said to him. "A little waterlogged . . . but gentle, all the same . . ."
I wonder what color his eyes were, I asked myself. I've never seen anyone like him before. I looked down his body again before I got to his face once more. He looked so vulnerable . . . so helpless . . . as if he'd been born out of the water that eventually drowned him. I felt my face get warm at the thought of touching his cheek. I had been staring at him for quite some time when I decided to pull his legs out of the water. I got behind him and hinged my arms under his armpits. Somehow I managed to pull him away from the cold water. I gently put him back down on dry sand and went back to his side again. Why can't I stop staring at you? I asked myself. You're dead . . . and yet your face is so intriguing to me. Now that I had moved him, he was illuminated by the moon and the water on his legs was seeping into the dry sand. Should I touch the dead? I asked myself. Maybe I shouldn't have touched him . . . I should have just let him float away, I guess . . . I tried to get up and leave, but for some reason, I couldn't leave him . . . not yet . . .
"Handsome . . ." I whispered. He's very . . . handsome, I awkwardly continued to myself. I fought the urge to touch his pale face as I got lost in the features of it. I had never seen a man that I had thought to be . . . attractive . . . until now. But he was dead. I reached over his forehead and touched the long part of his hair that was in his face. You may be dead, I said to him in my mind as if his soul could hear me. But everything about you is still very pleasing to the eyes, no matter how tattered you are. I stopped touching his hair and decided to bless the dead man that laid before me. "Rest in peace," I whispered, placing a hand over his eyes, my heart pounding. I said a silent prayer for him as I sat by his side. "May your soul find its place . . . Uh. . ." I stalled for a moment, looking at his name on a tag on his chest. I tried to read it the best I could but I barely make it out because it was so worn away. "And may you find peace in your journey . . . uh . . . Soldier L. Loire . . ."