A/N Another update! Let me know what you think.

It's been a very long week.

Between catching up on all of my school work and socialising with Cassidy, I'm beginning to become mentally and physically exhausted. Which is something that doesn't happen to me very often "Amelia. Did you hear what I said?" asked the orange haired girl beside me.

Sitting down at the usual table in the cafeteria, I'd yet again been stuck with the incessant talking of Cassidy. If the topic of what she's bothering to talk about made any sense or if it was in any way relevant, I might find it easier to answer. But as always it's nothing I could fathom to relate to. Which is why I'm internally groaning with a headache. No matter what I do, Cassidy always keeps talking and I'm starting to doubt whether or not she'll ever stop.

Nodding my head to whatever the up-beat teen had said, I watched with disinterest as the pale girl gave me a wide smile "Thank you so much! You're the bestest friend in the world" she gleamed. There's another thing I dislike; people using words that don't exist. Obviously Cassidy doesn't do well in her English classes either.

Chewing on my food, a flyer of some description was suddenly shoved in my direction "Excuse me. I'm Shay, the school sports captain" looking up, I follow the girls mocha coloured hand all the way up to her face "Were trying to recruit members for the summer sports team and you look like an athletic person" she placed a flyer down on the table "The sport is netball and we need a few strong players. If you're keen, get your parent to sign the form. Try outs are on Friday second period" after explaining the details, the girl walked away.

"Are you gonna do it?" asked Cassidy as she gestured to the form with her plastic fork "It's not a bad idea"

"I don't know" glancing at the piece of paper, I wondered if I should give it a go. It's not like I'm a busy person, and I don't have much of an outside life apart from Cassidy and the Soldier.

"Just watch out for Mister Baygov. He used to be in the military. A drill sergeant or something. He's a bit on the rough side and not to mention, he bellow when he talks" spoke the red head with a wince.

I looked around to see that Shay is greeting other people with the same speech and flyer. Folding the piece of paper, I shoved it into my bag as Cassidy stuffed another large piece of Lasagne in her mouth "I'm sure I can handle him"

Blowing away a loose piece of hair from my face, I continued to lift another set of plastic grocery bags into the house. Placing them on the counter, I started putting away some of the items; knowing that the Soldier is doing the last round of grocery bags. Grabbing two cans of tinned vegetables, I placed them in the cupboards neatly when I heard familiar footsteps getting closer.

"You didn't tell me your friend would be coming over" spoke the Soldier as I turned around to see him putting down the bags.

I looked in confusion "What?"

"Yeah" he said while nodding to the front door "She's waiting outside for you. Said something about you agreeing to something" I moved past the Soldier to see Cassidy standing on the porch with her back faced toward us while rocking on her heels "Go ahead" he said from behind me. Putting his hands on either side of my shoulders, he squeezed a fraction "I'm sure it'll be fun. I know close you two are" he teased knowing that it's the complete opposite.

"I could say the same thing about you and Miss Harrison" I retorted. Shrugging his hands from my shoulders, I walked over to open the front door "Cassidy" I greeted and she turned around.

Watching her smile turn to a frown, she looked me up and down "Oh, you're not ready. Did you forget?" she went on to elaborate "In the cafeteria today, you agreed to take me running with you"

Mustering up a smile, I nodded my head. Perhaps I should start paying attention instead of ignoring her "Right. I'll get dressed" leaving her at the door, I jogged upstairs and redressed. Coming back down, I closed the door behind me and walked with her down the driveway. Stopping, I started to stretch my arms and legs for a quick warm up "How come you're doing this?" I questioned curiously.

"Well" she said while copying my movements "I'm not exactly skinny like those other girls, and the other day one of the guys, well the one that I like – he made a comment about my weight. It upset me and I didn't like it" she said "I thought of going to the gym but I'm scared everyone's going to laugh if they see me, and then I remembered that you always go on runs"

I glanced up at the sky and took in a deep breath before nodding to the path up the road "Do you ever exercise in your spare time?" I asked.

"No. No, not really" she said hesitantly "I like to read books"

"Alright" I nodded, the information was no surprise "We'll start off slow, but try to keep up"

Heading off up the street, I kept an even and steady pace to get us both adjusted. However, it wasn't long when I had to stop as I realised that Cassidy had vanished from my side. Turning around, I tried to find where she'd disappeared to when I eventually spotted the familiar red hair as it caught the sun light.

I jogged back a few paces to reach her "Cassidy?" I questioned.

Staring down at the slumped over form, I could see sweat had drenched her hair and body "I can't do it. I can't go any further" she heaved out while trying to catch her breath "I'm dying" she breathed out.

I watched with an amused glint in my eye. I can't believe the site before me. Listening to her heave for oxygen, she'd completely slumped down to sit on the middle of the footpath. Sighing, I glanced around to see passer-by's giving us odd looks. Ignoring their watching eyes, I crouched down in front of her "Cassidy" I said "We've barely run two blocks"

Waving her arms in the air, she pointed to a woman across the road; jogging while pushing a pram "My legs are on fire" she cried out "How does anyone do this for fun?"

"For some it's not necessarily fun. We do it to keep ourselves fit and healthy. It's not good for the body to be so immobile" I explained to try and reason with her.

"Oh god" she whimpered while rubbing her calves up and down "I don't care anymore. I'll be fat. It's fine, really. I'll become a millionaire and be like one of those people who get their fat sucked out instead"

I grimaced and shook my head "No, you won't. And how do you expect to become a millionaire when you give up so easily? Fortune comes to those who work hard for it"

Groaning, Cassidy waved me away with her hand "I'll find a way. Just, leave me here. I'll get up when my legs top burning. It's okay" she said before adding "Go on"

It was tempting to say the least. If it wasn't for the fact that the streets in this century are not exactly safe, and that I also simply refuse to give her the satisfaction of giving up, I would have left her. Reaching over, I gripped Cassidy's arm "You're getting up whether you like it or not. I'm not going to leave you here" I managed to haul the red head up onto her feet and I gave her a nudge "Come on. I'll take you home"

After much protest and groaning, I'd successfully gotten Cassidy home and upon her return it didn't surprise me when she said that she isn't going to exercise again. The girl's statement made me annoyed with her. I wanted Cassidy to not give up and to do what she's supposed to do, not huff because it's too hard.

At times I found my odd friendship with Cassidy to be too much. It makes me wonder several times whether or not I should cut our ties, but I could never bring myself to do it. Instead, I found myself thinking back to what she'd told me when I asked her why she wanted to do this in the first place. I felt a pang of anger toward the boy who'd insulted her at school.

Cassidy is a handful, but she'd never harm anything or anyone. She's a kind young girl that doesn't deserve to be treated that way and I very much wanted to find out who exactly this person is "Right on time for dinner" called the Soldier from the kitchen as I entered through the front door. Following the sound of plates, I went and sat down at the dinner table "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine" I replied, not wanting to go into depth "What did you make?"

Coming over with two plates, he settled one down in front of me before placing down his own "Risotto. You'll like it, trust me" he said while taking a scoop and placing it into his mouth. Looking over the dish, it definitely smells delicious. Taking a mouthful of the creamy rice and chicken, I hummed in satisfaction. The Soldier gave me a quick smirk before turning serious "Before you left" he started.

"I'm sorry" I apologised immediately. I know what he's talking about; my snarky comment about Miss Harrison and himself.

"You know it's nothing like that, right? It won't happen" the way he said it made my stomach churn a little. What does that mean it won't happen? Does it mean the Soldiers doesn't like her, or that a relationship in general is out of the question?

"What won't ever happen?" I questioned while putting down the spoon "You and her, or in general?"

"I'm just trying to tell you that there's nothing to worry about" he said with a sigh "Nothing's going to happen between me and your principal. It never was, and I'd never do that to you"

It was silent for a moment "And what if you didn't have to look after me. Would you do it then?"

I can't forget that the Soldier could have a life if it weren't for the fact that he has to worry about me and my safety. He could find someone that could fill the hole that I know I never could. I feel guilty knowing that I'm what's in that way of him and everything else. It's all because of me.

"Where did that come from?" he questioned with a scoff while raking his metal fingers through his short hair "What's with all the questions? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong" I replied with a huff. Getting up from my seat, I took my plate over to the kitchen. The turn of conversation had deflated my appetite once again. Putting the plate down on the bench a little harder than necessary, I leant against the counter with my hands as I heard the Soldiers chair scrape against the wooden floor "I'm going to bed" I announced before turning around.

Not having a chance to move, I was met with the solid chest standing a molecule length away from me. Taking in the warmth of the Soldiers body, he swiftly bent down to pick me up and set me down on the island counter bench "Why are you always lying to me?" he asked while looking at me firmly.

"I'm not lying"

"You're doing it right now" he interjected "You're lying to me and I hate it. I loathe it so much you have no idea"

"I'm not the only one in this house that lies" I snapped. I knew from the moment I'd said it that I shouldn't have, but I'm angry. He'd accused me of lying when he does the very same thing "Your always in your room doing god know what. You leave for all hours of the day without telling me, and you're keeping me from something that involves my life. You think lying's bad? Try having the man you're supposed to trust keep secrets from you"

I leant away a hair fraction "How long did you know?" he said referring to the times he's left the house.

"Long enough" I sneered "How about you tell me something for a change"

I watched the Soldiers face morph into unrecognisable emotion "I said that I would tell you when the time was right" when is the time ever going to be right? What's so terrible that he has to keep it away from me?

"I'm ready. I want to know. I need to" it was quiet for a moment before the Soldiers lifted me up from the bench to stand on my two feet again.

I heard an anxious sigh "Just promise me you won't do anything stupid"

I nodded my head and we slowly made our way up the stairs and down the hallway. Unlocking the door, he held it open for me and I stepped inside where a soft glow from the lamp barely brightened the room "I had to find out why you were so special to them. Why Krupin wanted to keep only you" glancing around, my line of site landed on the same map; covered in a web of red strings and photo's "I found your parents along the way"

My throat went tight "My parents?" I questioned. The Soldier found my parents. What could possibly be so secretive about that? They'd most likely be dead by now. It's been seventy-nine years since I was born. If anything, they'd be holding on with their last breath.

Walking over the desk, the Soldier picked up a thick brown envelope. Standing still just a step through the threshold of his room, I didn't dare take another. I feel that if I did, I might end up in a deep dark void that I wouldn't be able to come back from. Standing in front of me, the Soldier held out the package.

"Remember what I told you" he said, referring to me not doing anything stupid

Gently clutching the envelope, I took it from his hands and began to unwind the brown string at the top. Flipping the lid open, I slipped out the contents; a manila folder. Flipping the cover open, my eyes landed on the two picture that revealed my parents. The people that had given me life. What I found – it shocked me.

Doctor Abram Krupin.

Galina (Madame) Grekov.