Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 123 – The start of something better.
Zeta's POV. The next morning.
Opening my eyes, I found I was still laying on the ground inside this truck. Focusing on my surroundings, I saw Raptor was still with me.
"Raptor?" I whispered as it was clear he was still asleep.
Taking my hands off his sides, I sat up and listened. I heard nothing. That only meant one thing.
Turning over onto my hands and knees, I reached for the window that held my vest. Grabbing onto the straps, I pulled and shut my eyes as it came out and nothing but sunlight began to come through and into the truck.
"Ahhhh." I groaned as I had to readjust to the feeling of light. After a few seconds of wiping my eyes, I pushed my body against the door and pushed it open. Feeling the warm sand under my hands as I crawled out from out of the truck. I stood up to stretch and look around. Despite the storm we only managed to go maybe a few meters away from where we once were. I couldn't see any remains of the battle previous, but I spotted the bike I drove in still on the road. However on it's side. Looking back to see Raptor still out, I decided to run and look at the bike. Right now it was the only way back home, besides walking.
"Come on please." I begged as I saw the bike had been covered in sand. Lifting it back up, I watched as the sand came off with ease and got on to try and start the engine.
"Please. I said as I tried time and time again. After maybe the fifth attempt my eyes widened as it came through with a soft but steady roar.
"Yes!" I shouted as I quickly set the kickstand up to get back off. Looking back to the truck, I ran back to see if I could wake Raptor. We would be better getting back as soon as possible. God only knows how worried Raze is after all this.
"Raptor." I said as I crawled a few feet in to get around his front side.
Grabbing onto the side of his face with my palm, I came in close to say.
"Raptor wake up. Come on."
His eyes began to flicker as I softly blew into his ears. After a few seconds of that he opened his eyes to see me sitting there with a smile.
"What is it?" He asked in confusion as his voice was groggy.
"The storm passed. We're safe."
In seconds he yawned wide. I kept smiling as he then asked.
"We got a way back? Are the bikes still there?"
Nodding I replied.
"Mine is. I got it running. Come on we need to get back to the city. Your people are probably worried sick."
Nodding back, Raptor then urged.
"Fine. Help me out of this thing. My legs feel like jelly."
Quickly getting back to the door, I crawled a few feet out and reached for his good arm. Raptor held his breath as I dragged him out and onto the sand.
"Jesus." He mumbled as he got blinded by the sun.
Laughing I replied.
"I know. Can you move?"
I gave him some space and in time he replied.
"Yeah. Just give me a second."
Standing back on my feet, I waited and watched closely as he struggled to stand on his own two legs. I saw his left leg was still not going to work perfectly from the bullet he took. In concern I asked.
"Can't you just heal that? Like you did with your arm?"
Using the truck to balance, he replied.
"It takes a lot out of me to do that shit Zeta. I'd rather not till I know I have more energy. By the way...?"
Locking eyes, I listened as he said directly.
"I want this kept between us. Not a word to the others. It'll be easier that way."
"But Raptor...?" Cutting me off again, but with a stronger tone he said.
"Not a word Zeta. I'm trusting you with this."
"And Raze?" I then asked as he tried to stand without using the truck.
"I'll talk to her. Hopefully she kept her mouth shut about what happened at the capital."
"I'm sure she's too concerned with where we are to worry about telling the world about her experience with watching me nearly die."
Raptor nodded as he caught his balance. After which he began to walk. He wobbled at first, but in time he got a pattern going towards the road.
"Come on then." He urged me as he saw the bike waiting for us.
"Okay." I replied as I followed to suddenly have him stop.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I looked to where his eyes were now focused.
Raptor went silent and I watched as he approached something dark that was hiding under some sand. Reaching under the mound, Raptor pulled out a jacket. It was shredded, but he let out a sigh and soon placed it under his vest. I knew what that was to him. Even if we got back; his people might not believe him that Hannon is dead. It's proof. Nothing more.
Soon continuing his pace onto the road, I watched from behind as he got on to look at me.
"Hop on. We need to get moving."
"Are you okay?" I asked one more time as I got behind him to sit down.
Looking back at me he replied.
"Yeah. Just a little foggy. Hopefully the fresh air will gas me out. We need to get back anyway. Just like you said. I need to know what happened with the battle. I'm hoping to god they got safe before that storm came. No telling what might have happened when it hit."
"Wait Raptor before we get going." I said as I watched him look back at me again.
"I just want you to know that last night was something special to me. I never cried before. At least not with someone to listen. I'm not saying anything about what you showed me. I just want you to know I'm thankful. Even if I don't understand you yet."
Smiling he replied.
"I doubt you ever will. Comes with the territory."
Letting out a chuckle, I held on tight as he hit the gas.
Raptor's POV. An hour later.
Zeta had herself around me as we were nearing the border. Coming up to the main battlefield, it was clear the battle was done. Bodies lingered all over the fields. Covered with nothing but more bodies and sand. I got the bike to a stop near the very edge of it all to take in the sight. Zeta pulled herself back from me to widen her eyes.
"Oh my god." She said as I just clutched my hands together using the handlebars. I was mad to say the least. This kind of things shouldn't have to happen to secure freedom. It shouldn't have to happen at all. Not here or anywhere for that matter. I could see cleanup was occurring among the field. Rebellion soldiers by the dozens were out picking up the pieces.
"Raptor?" She said into my ear as I got the urge to step off the bike. Zeta kept herself on as she looked at me directly from behind.
I just went silent and began to walk. G.U.N was here too. I could see them on the other side of the field. Two trucks piled up on one another. Picking up their comrade's bodies. This is what I was talking about. Both sides walking among each other. No words. No more fighting. Just gathering their dead. Walking away from the bike and nearly down the first hill, I soon caught the attention of a few of my men. They were a good hundred meters away but they stopped to stare at me as I just had my focus on the ground. Staring at the faces of each dead soldier I passed. Zeta by this point got off the bike and was coming behind me. She kept herself quiet as I reached another G.U.N body. This time however I stopped to see his fingers moving. Getting down on a knee, I leaned in to see his eyes were opened. Bullet holes in his side as we locked eyes.
"Please." He begged as I placed my hand on his shoulder.
The kid couldn't have been more the eighteen of age. This was the kind of shit I wanted to stop. Looking towards the direction of G.U.N soldiers who were near a half mile away, I looked back at the kid to ask.
"Can you move?"
"No sir." He replied as I looked back at Zeta who now watched feet away.
At this point I was more concerned with the enemy then my own self. Placing my hand on his side, I focused and did all I could with what energy I had. The kid shut his eyes as I shut the open wounds. After a moment of silence between us, I let out a deep breath and asked.
"How about now?"
With wide eyes of disbelief, the soldier moved his body an inch up off the ground. But falling back he replied.
"I can't!"
Keeping my eyes locked, I then said while going for his arm.
"I'm gonna lift you. Okay?"
"Please. Be careful." He begged as I then got under his arm to slowly and carefully raise him to his feet. He was limp. But I knew I had the chance to get him to safety.
"Hold on." I urged him as he had his left arm around my neck.
Going under his legs, I lifted him up into a cradle.
"Aghhhh!" He shouted as it was clear he was still in pain.
"I got ya." I told him as Zeta said with a lost tone.
"Raptor?"
I ignored her as my men near the border all watched. I could even see the men on the walls all gathering to watch as I carried the young kid to his friends. Among my men, I saw Dom by the gate. Him and many others were starting to gather from inside the city to watch from the main gate. But everyone was silent. All that could be heard was the wind as I began the trip across the blood stained battlefield. Zeta followed behind and stopped halfway back as the men from G.U.N all now saw me coming. They stood there. Maybe in disbelief of what they were seeing. But in time three of the men began to come forth. None of us said anything as we got within feet of one another. These men were all covered in sand and muck. Showing the signs of war between us. With one of the soldiers getting close he put out his arms and I transferred his comrade. Our eyes kept locked as I lowered my arms back down to my sides. With his friend now safely in his hands, I nodded and turned to leave. While I was walking away the injured soldier shouted.
"Thank you!"
I just kept walking. Zeta had her rifle down at her waist just in case. But I knew it. They knew it. Nothing was going to happen. Not now. Not after all this. Maybe another day. Just not today.
After the men began to walk back to their trucks, Zeta turned to continue following me. It was a long walk. Everyone still watched from the gate as I soon neared the halfway point. At that moment I stopped and took a look around. All around. Its been years...since I've seen this kind of death. Taking my rifle off my back, I grabbed onto it from the just under the scope, holding it at my side as Zeta approached to place her hand along my shoulder.
"Come on." She urged me as I let out a deep breath. Her eyes began to look around as I just shut mine to the pain of knowing one true fact. My actions caused this. This all happened cause of me. In the end I'm the one responsible. Not even Linnen. It was all me. This didn't have to happen.
With Zeta still holding me, I soon nodded to myself and walked away from her grip. But she kept close as we soon reached the gate. Dom had been patched up by the look of things as he stared at me. Everyone there was hurt. Bandages among a lot of them. As I stopped in front of them, Dom said with respect and power.
"Commander."
Everyone stood up straight as the word left his mouth. I slowly looked around. Everyone was holding their places. Even the men on the gates above as I then ordered.
"At ease."
With everyone going back to normal, I pressed on and walked into the city. Everyone still stared at me. Most looks showed respect. But I could read faces. A lot of these men, especially the young ones. They looked at me in ether fear or disbelief that I was alive and walking in this condition. Not like I could blame them. My body was broken and shredded from the battle. My eye and all the blood still held my face together as I passed looks around. Not to mention my uniform was in a crippled state. My armor which looked brand new before all this now barely held itself together. The fabric ripped and torn from the blast Hannon sent himself out with. From my head down to my toes, everything looked this was. But as I stood here, I looked down to see some pieces of metal still kept themselves sealed in my body. I could count at least ten pieces just from my chest alone. I did all I could to recover, but I even had a piece in my right cheek. It was small but everyone could see it as blood still came out fresh from the skin underneath the tear. What was I to do? This was who I was. I had no issue commanding respect out of fear. If that's part of what I have to do then so be it. Even if the fear comes from me looking like a battle torn survivor.
Reaching under my vest, the men watched as I pulled out Hannon's jacket. With wides eyes opening all around I said with a strong voice.
"General Hannon is dead. Afghanistan is ours."
Utter silence engulfed me as I ordered.
"It's time to rebuild this city. Our homes. Pakistan can wait. I want all of you to know I'm sorry." Dom approached as I said.
"This war is my fault. Your friends and family are dead because I couldn't accept the world we live in. I can not bring any of them back. This war and all who die are on me and me alone. I'm not asking for you to go out there like you did and die for me. I will not force anyone to do such a thing."
With Dom soon a foot in front of me, I listened as he said.
"Commander this is about freedom. No one is here because you made us. We are here because we believe in what you believe. We are willing to die for that."
Putting Hannon's jacket back under my vest as Dom went silent. I then asked.
"What's the difference between you and me Dominic?"
He was at a loss for what to say as I nodded and pointed at his chest.
"Not a god damn thing. I'm just another man like you. Like all of you." I stated as I looked around the border.
"I'm happy to call you all my family. That's why no matter what happens my mind can't be switched. This war is on me. If not me then who?" I asked around as no one answered the question.
"The weight is on my shoulders."
"As long as we are standing commander, we will do everything we can to lift at least some off you. You have my word. Even more a promise. I speak for us all when I say that is nothing more then the truth." Stated Dom as I smiled and replied.
"Thank you. Thank you all." Without saying a thing, everyone raised their arms for me. Zeta smiled as I just looked on in some surprise. Hannon said my men were weak. That my rebellion was different. That it wasn't Shadow's rebellion. For that he was right at least. It's not his rebellion. This is better. And so long as we keep strong this is how we will survive. How we will move on. How we will become one of the first to break free from an evil grasp that's held us for years. For that I am proud.
With my eyes going back to Dom, I ordered.
"Carry on. All of you. Smile and celebrate. That's an order."
"Yes sir!" Everyone said that with power behind their voices as I turned to leave. As I turned the officer I met before running into battle greeted me with an extended hand. I took it as he said with a smile.
"Let's get you home commander."
Shaking his hand I replied.
"Sounds good. Lead the way."
"Yes sir." He replied as Zeta got close to follow. Soon finding ourselves in a humvee and on the road, I looked over to her to say one last time.
"Thank you."
With a smile she stared into my eyes to reply.
"Don't mention it."
With us both going quiet, I now focused on the ride back. The city was torn apart from the storm. Windows and building damaged. Trash all over the streets. Sand covering almost all roads. It would take time, but I knew we could rebuild. We will rebuild. It's who we are. What this country is all about.
It's what I lived for.
Raze's POV.
The amount of people that were hurt was beyond my imagination. Between Gord and myself, along with any medics the rebellion had, we were all working nonstop outside to patch up everyone who got affected by the war. The main courtyard was filled to the brim with bodies. Most alive thank god. But many others were dead. For that I can't not see.
Finishing the treatment to an injured wolf, widened my eyes as we heard a truck enter from the main gate. Everyone stopped to look as it parked near the vehicle depot. I stood up to see what was going on and in no more then a second of them stopping out popped Zeta from the back. I felt everything in my body move and I ran for her. Pushing by dozens to get there, I soon had her back in my arms. Tears formed in my eyes as she held me close. Pulling away from her as I heard the whole courtyard go silent, I looked to the other side of the truck to widened my eyes in disbelief for what I saw.
Raptor with a lowered rifle slowly walked towards the back of the truck to stop and look around. Everyone remained perfectly still as he just slowly turned his head from side to side to look at his men. After a few seconds we heard from the main building.
"Commander present!"
Everyone raised their arms up to their heads as myself and Raptor shifted our attention to where the voice appeared. Out walked Mason from between the pool of soldiers. His face said it all as he locked eyes with Raptor. Stopping feet before him he said.
"Everyone thought you were goners last night. Between the battle and the storm I lost hope. Clearly I was wrong to think such a thing."
Raptor just stared at him in silence as Mason then asked.
"How did it go?"
With all focus shifting one last time, Raptor pulled out a curled up jacket from beneath his vest to reply.
"General Hannon has been killed."
Tossing the jacket to his feet, he then said with a new found power.
"This city is ours now."
Mason with open eyes of shock went absolutely silent as Raptor took a step towards him. Without another word everyone watched as he didn't stop his trail. A path soon found itself formed between his men as he just walked to the main building. Entering without another word, I looked to Zeta who now had her eyes focused on me. She just gave me a blank expression as Mason walked over to pick up the jacket. Everyone else remained standing as he just held it in his arms.
Raptor's POV.
The building was filled with more of my men. Everyone moved to the corners of the halls as I walked in to head right for the stairs. With my leg clearly out there for all to see, I limped my way up. But not a word was said as I looked towards the office to see Pierce and his men standing there. Even they looked at me in shock and disbelief to my condition. But as I walked on, I looked at Pierce to see him smile. With a nod of his head I looked away and made my way to my room.
Blood covered the floor and walls still from the first fight. But with the bodies gone I entered to shut the door. Finding myself engulfed in silence, I approached my flipped bed to toss down the rifle I still carried. Landing on the mattress, I got myself down on my knees to look at the covers on the floor. Slowly leaning in to lift the top, I looked in to see Molly still laying there. Her head lifted as I smiled. With my hand coming forth she followed it as I reached for her head to say.
"I'm back."
Standing up, she walked right to my knees. Keeping my smile, I lifted her up to look at her face. Dry blood on her nose and tears in her eyes as I said.
"Thank god your okay."
Struggling to lift myself back up, I soon had her in my arms. Without another word, I just laid back down on the bed. Molly curled herself on my chest as I shut my eyes. This was the point where I knew to give up. The sun was out, but this was my night to myself. With the battle over and Afghanistan free, I fell asleep with my best friend in my arms.
mT Shadow.