Maybe Today is New?

Chapter Auxiliary 03. The Bar House.

He stumbled upon a job as a bartender at a local club, hoping to pass the time and forget about his troubles for a while. One night, while working behind the bar, he met a woman named Alexandra. She was a regular at the club and struck up a conversation with him. They talked about music, movies, and other small things.

Over time, Luke and Alexandra became friends. They enjoyed each other's company and would often meet up at the club to chat and have a few drinks. Luke appreciated Alexandra's easygoing nature and the fact that she didn't pry into his past.

One day, while they were hanging out at the club, Luke mentioned that he had lost his father and two of his closest friends in the war. Alexandra listened sympathetically, but didn't press him for details. Instead, she offered him a friendly ear whenever he needed to talk.

As their friendship continued to grow, Luke learned that Alexandra worked at a large corporation in town. She didn't talk much about her job, but Luke could tell that she was a hard worker and very dedicated to her work.

Despite the pain and loss that he had experienced in his life, Luke found solace in his friendship with Alexandra. He also held onto the hope that someday, he would find a new purpose and direction in his life. Perhaps with her help, he would be able to leave the past behind and start anew.

Luke knew he had to get away and find a new path in life. He packed up his belongings and decided to travel to a new city, hoping to start fresh.

As he settled into his new job as a bartender, he began to meet new people, including a group of musicians who played at the club. They quickly became his friends and bandmates, and Luke felt like he had finally found a new sense of purpose.

But as time passed, the memories of his past began to creep back into his mind. He thought about his father, who had died on a mission when Luke was just a young man. He also thought about his comrades Roy and Rhea, who had died in battle alongside him.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he had let them down, that he could have done more to protect them. And he couldn't escape the guilt he felt for not being able to save them.

One night, as he was closing up the bar, he found himself lost in thought. That's when Alexandra walked in.

She had become a regular at the club, and Luke had seen her around before. But they had never really talked until that night.

"Hey, Luke. How are you doing?" she asked, taking a seat at the bar.

"I'm alright," he replied, forcing a smile. "Just closing up shop."

Alexandra nodded, sipping her drink. "Mind if I sit here for a while?"

Luke shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Alexandra spoke up again. "You know, I've always admired people who can play music. It's like they have a secret language that the rest of us don't know."

Luke chuckled. "It's not really a secret language. Just a lot of practice and dedication."

"I guess that's true," she said, twirling her glass in her hand. "So, what made you want to start a band?"

Luke hesitated, not sure how much to share with her. But something about her kind demeanor made him feel like he could trust her.

"I don't know," he said, looking down at his hands. "I guess I was looking for a new direction in my life. Something to help me forget about my past."

Alexandra nodded, understanding. "I think we all have things we'd like to forget. But sometimes, it's important to remember where we came from. It helps us appreciate where we are now."

Luke looked up at her, surprised by her words. "You're pretty wise, for someone who comes to a bar."

Alexandra laughed. "Hey, even wise people need a drink every once in a while."

They continued to talk for a while longer, and Luke found himself opening up to her more than he had to anyone in a long time. He didn't tell her everything about his past, but he shared enough to let her know that he had been through some tough times.

As she left the bar that night, Alexandra turned back to him and smiled. "I'll see you around, Luke. Take care of yourself."

Luke watched her go, feeling a strange sense of longing. He didn't know what it was about Alexandra, but he felt drawn to her in a way that he couldn't explain. And he wondered if, maybe, she could help him find the closure he needed to move on from his past.

While asleep Luke woke up again with a start, sweat pouring down his forehead. He had been dreaming again, the same nightmare he had every night. But this time, something was different. In the dream, he saw Sophia again, the love of his life. They had shared some good times together, but Sophia had also tortured him to the extent that he almost closed his heart to love again. She was a soldier just like him, and they had met on a mission. But she had died, and he never got to say goodbye or give her a proper funeral.

Luke tried to push the memories of Sophia to the back of his mind, knowing that dwelling on them would only make it harder for him to perform his duties. But as he lay in bed, he found himself unable to shake off the thought of her.

In his mind, he started to remember a conversation he had with her before she went on her final mission.

(DANGEROUS MISSION).

"Sophia, I don't want you to go," Luke had said, his voice laced with worry.

"I have to, Luke. It's my duty," Sophia had replied, her hand on his shoulder.

"But what if something happens to you it's a dangerous mission and lack of information?" Luke asked, his voice cracking.

Sophia smiled softly, "I'll be okay. I promise. Just remember that I love you, and that will always be enough for me."

Luke was snapped back into reality, tears streaming down his face. He missed Sophia so much. He wished that she was still alive, but he knew that it was impossible.

He wiped his tears away and took a deep breath. He had a mission to complete, and he couldn't let his emotions get in the way to be normal again. But deep down, he knew that he would always carry a piece of Sophia with him & others, and that would never change.