A/N I know...it's been FOREVER...but I'm back with another chapter. I'm now finished with my 'Criminal Chaos' story, and if you haven't already read it, you should definitely go check it out and let me know what you think! It's a Suicide Squad story. Also, now that I've got free time galore, I'll be committing my time to finishing this story as well as my 'Passionate Impulse' story - if any of you are reading that story and are wondering. So yeah and anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter if you still even remember what this story is about (cause I sure as hell didn't until I went back and re-read the whole thing) :) Cheers!
Woken up early the next morning, the soldier had quickly packed up our belongings and we were back on the road. Crossing the border of Poland yesterday, the journey was starting to become long and almost unbearable; especially with my leg. He had to help me with almost everything when it came to walking and re-bandaging.
Driving down a dirt track beside the edge of the woods, we had kept off of all major roadways so that we didn't get pulled over and inspected by the soldiers and their barking dogs. Instead we had passed around a small town and were heading to a somewhat remote location out in the abandoned fields.
Looking out into the distance to the left, there was nothing but aches of green grass and clear blue sky. If I didn't know any better I would think there wasn't a brutal War raging on. That millions of innocents weren't being mercilessly killed behind barbed wire fences. The land surrounding us was almost untouched, and it gave me a slight sense of peace and freedom.
Edging further out into the distance, a house blurred into our vision; just along the edge of the woods with a few small crops on either side of it. Driving close, the soldier pulled up at a distance before opening the truck door. Taking out a set of binoculars, he peered around the house; checking for any sort of life. Putting the gear away, he got out of the truck and went to the back. Opening it up, he unzipped the duffel bag full of weapons before grabbing what he needed and coming back around to the driver's side "I'll check if it's safe…stay here" he ordered simply.
Closing the door with a slight bang, the sun was just starting to set as he made his way to the house. Sitting back in the seat, the soldier had disappeared from site and I was left all alone. Looking around, I had an uneasy feeling settle in my stomach. There was just something in the air that didn't feel right.
Taking only half an hour, he was back in the truck "There's no one there" he spoke before starting the car. Driving further down the dirt track, we arrived at the front of the small cottage house. Not much to look at on the outside, it was all withered orange brick and a few broken windows, and the grass was overgrowing and starting to creep up the sides of the house. A small chicken coop was set up out the back. Although from this distance, I could already see it was filled with just a few clumps of feathers. It was clear no one had lived here for a long time from its state of unkemptness.
Waiting in the car, the soldier walked around to my side. Opening the door, he pulled me into his arms before carrying me up the porch steps and into the house. Looking inside, I had to hold back the gasp that threatened to leave my lips. Furniture had been knocked over and glass was on the floor from broken frames with pictures. It looked like a pack of animals had run amuck, leaving almost nothing untouched.
"What happened?" I asked just above a whisper. Although, I think I already knew the answer.
"Soldiers…there's a camp a few klicks out. We'll have to be careful" replied the soldier.
Navigating through the house, the soldier found the small master bedroom. Thankfully the room wasn't as battered as the rest of the house. The bed was still intact with the sheets, and the only thing that had been damaged were a few photos and torn out chest draws. Placing me down on the mattress, I propped myself up so that I could sit – I suppose this is where we'll be staying now.
Eating a strip of jerky as the sun left the sky, I watched as the soldier cleaned the wound on my leg. Propping it up slightly, he wound the fresh bandage around my thigh "It's healing. You should be able to start walking soon" he said as he began to put away the medical supplies.
Nodding my head, I laid my leg back down. That's good news. I hate having him carry me around, it made me feel useless and crippled "Is this where we'll be staying from now on? We won't be moving anymore?"
"Not unless we have too" he answered while packing up the supplies and wrappers.
Sitting back, I looked down at my swollen stomach; a few thoughts had come to mind – I wonder if it's a boy or girl, and I wonder what it's going to look like. Will it look more like me – or more like him? I didn't know. In a way I felt almost impatient and eager to find out.
Watching the soldier get up, he walked out of the bedroom for a few minutes before coming back in with a gun. Clutching the bedsheet a fraction at the site, I then relaxed as he placed the weapon in the bedside draw "If you need me, I'll be in the living room keeping watch" he spoke before turning around.
But just as he reached the door frame, I called out "Wait" pausing, he didn't turn around to look at me, but simply stood still; waiting for me to continue "…can I ask you something?"
Sighing, he turned to face me; his black mask still concealing his features "You just did" letting out an instant sigh at his retort, he took a step forward "yes, you can ask me a question" he then replied seriously.
Feeling a flutter of butterflies in my stomach, I felt my palms sweat slightly as I hesitated. I know exactly what I wanted to ask him, but I didn't know how he would react. Taking a deep breath in, I decided to go through with it "…What's your real name?" I asked "I know it can't be soldier, or asset" glancing up at him, I could gage nothing from his firm blue eyes. They were solid; like a wall blocking out everything.
"You don't need to know-"
"You keep saying that, but shouldn't I?" I asked whilst cutting him off "we've been travelling together for months…you don't have to tell me everything about yourself, just a na-"
"I don't remember" he suddenly snapped. Watching his fist clench by his side, he glanced down at the ground; staring off into a world unknown. Taken aback by his reply, I was speechless as for what to say next. How could a person not know their own name? How could they forget?
After a few moments pause, I spoke just above a whisper "How?"
Dragging him back to reality, the soldiers eye snapped to mine with a stern look "That's enough questions" he said before turning around and leaving the bedroom. It was clear the soldier was irritated. Sighing, I stared at the entrance before slumping back. I shouldn't have pried. I shouldn't have even asked.
Adjusting myself on my bed, I looked outside to notice that the sun had now disappeared fully, and I was starting to feel tired. Lying down on my back, I pulled the covers up halfway before I gazed up at the roof. Everything had gone quiet, besides the odd cricket noise every now and then. Slowly closing my eyes, it didn't take long for me to drift off to asleep.
Waking up the next morning, I stretched my arms before rolling over to hug the pillow beside me. Humming in satisfaction, for a moment I had forgotten where I was. Smiling, I expected to hear the voices of my mother and brother along with the scent of freshly cooked breakfast, but instead I was met with torn curtains and a room that was barely familiar. Feeling the smile leave my face, I rubbed my eyes before sitting up. Glancing around, I listened intently to pick up the sound of rustling from the soldier in the next room.
Pulling the covers off of me, I inspected my thigh. It's looking much better these days, and as the soldier had said – I'll be able to walk on it soon. Lifting my legs to hover, I spun to dangle them over the edge of the bed. Slowly rising my injured leg up and down, I tested my pain and mobility. It didn't seem all too bad. I admit it was tender and somewhat stiff from lack of use, but I think it should be alright.
Just as lowered my leg back down, the back of my ankle had collided with something under the bed; the object making a slight rattle. Almost jumping from fright, I furrowed my brow as I leant over to feel underneath. Coming across a cardboard box, I slid it out before picking it up. Wiping the dust off of the lid, I jiggled it slightly to hear the things inside sliding around. I wonder what it was.
Making myself comfortable on the bed once again, I position the box in front of me before opening it up. Taking a peek, I slight gasp had left my lips at the content. Inside was almost pristine, not a speck of dust, and the box was filled with black and white photos and small trinkets. Collecting a few of the photos, I stared at the first to meet my eyes – It was of a middle ages woman and man. They were both smiling, and the man was holding a large white chicken; a ribbon with the number two wrapped around its neck.
Continuing to flip through the other photos, the same man and woman kept appearing in almost every single one and I soon realised – it must be them. The people that used to live in this house "What are you looking at?" questioned the soldier as he stood in the door way, his arms crossed.
Feeling a sense of sadness and guilt wash over me, I placed the photos back in the box "It's nothing" I replied "just photo's…" glancing away from the soldier, I looked down at the box to see the ribbon that was once on the chicken in the picture, was now stored away in this container.
Walking forward, the soldier held out a familiar silver package "Now that you're awake, you should eat" taking the package from his hand, I leant back in the bed. I didn't at all feel like eating. Instead I peered through the tiny gap in between the curtains; a small sliver of blue skies and sunshine. It looked so inviting.
Turning back to the soldier, I asked "Can I go outside?" shaking his head at me, I sighed while feeling the cool and plastic texture of the silver meal package.
"What so interesting you want to go out there?" he nodded.
"The world" I replied "…I just want to lay in the sun and feel the grass. I don't want to sit inside this house like I did the bunker"
"It's dangerous outside, you know that. There could be soldiers everywhere. They could see us" he justified.
"Then I'll stay close and out of site…there isn't a single person around for miles. Just for a few minutes" I pleaded as I looked up at him. I really wanted him to say yes, just to this one thing.
Eyeing me for a moment, I could tell he was thinking about it. Then he took a step forward and scooped me up into his strong arms. Shocked, I clutched tight to the fabric of his uniform "What are you doing?" I asked as I took a quick glanced to the floor and back up.
"What you asked…I'm taking you outside" he replied as we entered into the cluttered and damaged living room. But as we reached the door of the house, he stopped "But only for a few minutes" he clarified.
Nodding my head, we proceed to head outside and I was met with the fresh open air and the smell of earth and tree's. Even after all the time of being on the road heading to Poland, this somehow felt different. As if I hadn't been outside in eternity. It was almost an overload to my senses and I found myself smiling because of it.
Lowering me to the ground, I stood up on one leg whilst holding the soldiers arm for support "You might as well use the open space to your advantage. Start getting used to walking again" spoke the soldier as I glanced up at the sky. Not a bird in site, but white clouds a variety of shapes. It all reminded me of a game that me, my brother and almost every child would play; where you would try and make animals or objects out of the shapes of the clouds.
Once I had finished taking in the small thing, I focused on putting weight on my leg. Feeling semi-comfortable, I let go of the soldiers arm to stand on my own. Slightly wobbling at first, the soldier didn't move to help me but instead moved further away to stand in the sun. Watching me from the distance, I was now independent on keeping myself up and not falling over into the mud.
Taking one step at a time, I winced at the first few as they hurt the wound on my leg and the sensation of walking again was odd against the uneven ground. Pushing past, I continued to hobble less with each other step "You're doing good" encouraged the soldier "better than I was expecting" heading to the wear the sunlight shone down, I lowered myself to the ground before collapsing to sit. Sighing with a smile as I sat in the patch of dry grass, I threaded my finger through the green blades. It felt soft, warm and tickled. Laying on my back I stared up at the sky – it was a completely different world up there.