August 1st 2076
Anna
There is a searing white pain coming from my stomach. I hear myself let out a groan and try to move without causing myself any pain.
"He fucking stabbed me."
I open my eyes to find Charon sitting on a desk smoking. 'Recent habit' my ass.
"Yeah he did " he lets a steady stream of smoke rise from his mouth then turns to face me "6 days ago."
"I've been out for that long ?"
I have been stabbed before and been knocked unconscious many times but lasting for nearly a week is a new one. Unless you could the Rotunda but I would call that exceptional circumstances.
"Well technically you've only been out for a day."
"Oh."
I don't understand 6 days but only a day. Then it clicks and I understand what has happened. I have a sudden urge to run but Charon's glare keeps me put.
"Care to explain how you fucking disappear after taking a wound for me and appearing 5 days later with the exact same wound in the exact same fucking state."
I can't think of an answer. I don't even know if I can play stupid anymore. Luckily he offers the answer I don't want to say.
"Now forgive me if I'm wrong because I think this is the stuff of books and those bad drive in movies but lets say time travel."
I still don't give any reply and Charon takes my answer as a pretty sound yes. He laughs cruelly and holds his head in his hands.
"So where are you from ? Or when ?"
I sit myself up slowly on the warm bed.
"D.C...a bit away."
"In which direction ?"
"Huh ?"
"Past or future."
"Future."
Charon nods slowly and stands to his full height. He sits at the side of my bed and stares at me seriously.
"You know me. You know about my contract. Why are you really here ?"
I can't help but smile "honestly I didn't know you would be here."
"So you're not endangering the contract holder ?"
Charon brashness takes me back. There is also a part of this sentence which is extremely adorable to me. Even in the very very unusual situation Charon still has his first priority.
"No ! I would never do that. General Nale was your favourite contract holder !"
"Was ?"
I cover my mouth quickly. Fuck. I can't believe I just said that.
"Is."
Charon nods slowly. It is evident how extreme his is training by how well he is taking the situation. He smirks.
"At least I know he continues to show me kindness. So what are you some travel experiment ?"
I can take this. This is a reasonable option if they're trying to make people invisible they could be trying to make them time travel.
"Something like that. You of all people know what the government tries."
Charon nods seriously then looks at me sharply.
"You know too much about me. Who told you ?"
I place my chin on my knees wincing at the pain that comes. I look at him softly.
"You did."
Charon's eyebrows rise up.
"What am I to you ?"
Everything I want to say. The reason I'm alive. The reason I'm happy in the wasteland.
"I took a sword for you. Think about that."
August 1st 2076
Charon
I took a sword for you. I don't understand why anyone would do something for me but I can only conclude someone that is sure of the future can guarantee their own safety. Somewhere in my future I know this girl and she is so substantial that I somehow find myself telling her about my contract and previous holders. According to her General Nale was my favorite. Which means I outlive him. I am slightly disappointed that somehow I will fail another man at some point coming but at least now I know I won't be killed for my mistake. Punished perhaps but not killed. I think of my options. I can only believe at some point she is the daughter of a contract holder. I would never tell a child the harshness of my contract so when we meet she shall be an adult as she is now. So yet again I come to a conclusion that she must be travelling maybe 5 years tops from the future. Maybe I save her father.
Maybe that's why she took the sword to ensure his survival. I yearn to ask but do not wish to know more about my future. I will already be on high alert each time I leave with the General now I know of his inevitable death. I do not know how or when so now I must always watch. I do not trust the girl to keep anything secret. She is too open for me and I do not wish to know anymore.
Too much knowledge is power and power corrupts.
I left her in the medical tent not too long ago. I sit tense on a cold ledge working my way through a packet of rationed cigarettes.
"You'll smoke yourself to death." A feminine voice laughs.
I stand to attention as Mrs Nale approaches behind me.
"Sit down Sharon. I want to know what you know about our guest."
"Is that an order ?"
"Yes."
"She is a time traveller but she is from the government. She is an experiment of sorts."
Mrs Nale nods slowly "at first I didn't believe your story but after seeing her wound and her initial appearance it seems logical. Strange but logical."
"There's more" she gestures for me to continue "she knows who I am. She knows about the contract. Anna says I told her about it."
Mrs Nale snorts "she took on a Chinese stealth fighter for you and in your future you told her about your contact."
"Yes ma'am."
Mrs Nale looks at me seriously then her face softens and she lets out a loud laugh.
"Sharon, dear, sometimes I think you need to put down the shot gun and look around you."
I must have portrayed a look that has amused Mrs Nale as she laughs even more.
"Oh my...men."
August 20th 2076
Charon
Anna, although strange, has became a close friend of mine through out her healing process. I have brought her a meal each meal time and sat with her as we eat. She talks and I listen which suits me well.
"My father was a scientist."
This explains her involvement in government work.
"Have you heard of the enclave Charon ?"
I nod as I spoon rare chocolate pudding into my mouth. It melts in my mouth and I can't help but savour it.
"They're a branch of government very big on the recruitment side of things."
My answer comes out so muffled Anna laughs.
"Don't talk with your mouth full... The Enclave, they killed my father."
I look at her solemnly "Am I there ?"
She nods slowly "you held me back in the tunnel. Now that I think about it you probably saved our lives. If we had been faster we would have been in the Rotunda with him."
I have no idea which tunnel or rotunda she is talking about but I file this information away. At one point I will need to hold her back.
"What's the Rotuda ?"
She opens her mouth to reply then snaps it shut "I probably shouldn't say. A lot happens there."
"That I'm there for ?"
"Yeah. Yeah you are."
"Are you gonna tell me how far ahead you are from ?"
She smirks "I told you a couple of years."
Mrs Nale appears at the entrance of the tent. I salute quickly but Anna is still oblivious and spooning food into her mouth. I have to suppress a laugh.
"Well Anna I guess it's time to go home." Mrs Nale smiles.
I can only frown. I do not want her to leave the camp already. I know at one point in my future we will meet again but I feel as if I am just getting to know her.
"I don't understand."
Anna looks just as shocked as I feel.
"I can't control it."
Mrs Nale laughs "I don't mean literally. I mean where not when. My husband and I have been assigned on a diplomatic call to DC and since my husband is going, Charon shall be. Which means you should come to. Call it paid injury leave. We're leaving for DC tomorrow."
August 20th 2076
Anna
I almost make a major mistake ad squeal. Ill get to see DC intact. I can't believe it. Home will be clean and formed.
"Seriously ?"
Mrs Nale in her uniformed glory nods seriously.
"You'll have duties while you are there. Both of you."
"I understand."
Mrs Nale salutes as she leaves and I give a limp fork holding one back.
"Ready to go home ?" Charon enquires.
"I think I am."
An excited buzz rises in my stomach. DC before the bombs I can't wait. Then a sense of dread over comes me. Exactly, DC before the bombs which means they have still to come.
