Immortality (English)

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        I lost three captains and almost fifty good men on yesterday's attack. I winced at the thought that I'd be next one to die. I know some would judge me if they'd be informed, I killed one of my Captains because he was bitten. He was screaming with the vampire venom killing his humanity, making him like them. I had no choice but to kill him. It was protocol to dispose anyone who's been bitten. And I am the one who should kill my subordinate if they got bitten. As their Higher officer I am responsible for their safety and their death. 

        "Major Franchette, the general saw what you did with the captain. " The debriefing officer said slapping my shoulder, "It was a good thing that you made his death private." 

        "It doesn't matter how I killed him, I lost a good man in my team and that doesn't make it any better."  I said standing up. "I'm going home, you men can either stay here or go back to your wives and children." and with that the hall of mostly men became chaos of those eager to go home and those who just wanna party and get wasted. 

        I walked towards the gate and waited for the military shuttle to bring me into the city. There was nothing much new to see. It's been a month since I went home. I missed my mother, my brother and the kids so much. A smile played on my lips when someone sat beside me. 

        "How are you? " He asked with his husky voice. He was Henry Jetser, the marine who tried to kiss me in our training.  

        I smiled weakly at him, "As always. And you?" he's been my regular seatmate in our military shuttle bus ride home. 

        "Still thinking you're the most beautiful woman in the military. "he said grinning cocky when I snorted with his remark. 

        "Spare me the adoration Sargent. Haven't you seen the latest scar yet?" I said pointing at the cut on chin. "Another one of my collection. " 

         "That's the beauty of you Fran, rugged and sexy!" he said with a wink. "And you can kick my ass but you wouldn't do so cause you know I'm right!" 

         "Sargent, you're cute, but not that cute! " I grinned at him. "Now shut up and that's an order." And I enjoyed the rest of my bus ride in peace. He wouldn't try to piss me off. I'd hate to break his pretty face. Come to think of it, Xed said he hated the man who made me blush in one of our shared dreams. Even if he denies it, I know he was able to access my memories.

            My mother was in her kitchen mandating some older kids what to do. She's been trying to be busy now that Jim is in college and me busy with the military. She is a great cook ever since and she adores children. Gemma was helping with the cooking as well. My mother works in the agriculture section of the shelter but she also works at the orphanage. She cooks for them on her time off, if she's not breathing on Jim's neck or mine. 

            I knocked at the kitchen's door and got greeted my the kids' hi's and hellos..I kissed my mother's cheeks and hugged her from the side, she was busy kneading some dough. I inhaled the scent of her, she always smelled like home. It was reassuring and calm, like our lives were never taken from us out side this shelter.

            "I missed you mom." I murmured whilst burying my head on her shoulder. 

            "I'm glad you're back." she said unable to hug me back cause her hands are full of flour. "Jimmy would be here in a few, you go on ahead I'll be finished soon. It's Pizza night." She winked at me. She sure know how I love pizza.

        I went inside the orphanage, tables were being set by the kids. They greeted me like one of their big sister. "Wow they really prepared for this." I murmured to myself.  

        "Yep! They did!" Al said standing beside me. "the kids have been quite excited to meet some heroes tonight. I hope they'd want to be just like you guys when they grow up." 

        "Hey, Al, how you been doing?" I asked him slapping his back playfully all smiles. 

        "Well still head of the area's orphanage. " he said scratching his neck. "I heard about the battle yesterday. They said many died. New orphans came in about a week ago. They'll need some therapy to cope." 

        "I'll see what I can pull from the budget to help you out here, and I believe there's a psychiatrist residing on a nearby village. I can also ask for a recommendation for kids." I said smiling. I'd always want to help out with his efforts from keeping these kids off the streets. "Yesterday the bats pull back before most of our troops got kicked hard. My battalion suffered being the first line and everything." shrugging I grinned at him. "How's Mushka? Heard you two went on a date last week." He instantly blushed making me laugh. "So you now had the guts to tell her aye?" I slapped his shoulder again. "Good for you. Hope to hear church bells ringing soon." I winked at him. 

        "Listen, about that." I frowned at his tone when which was suddenly all serious. "It wasn't Mushka that I love all this years Fran. It was you." You can never imagine how shocked this revelation made me. All I did was open my mouth and close it like a freaking goldfish for Pete's sake!  

        'Talk to him Fran!' My imaginary self was kicking my butt to talk but I was speechless. Who wouldn't? 

        "But I know you'd never give me chance." he grinned at me. "Xed's too perfect to compete with...even if he's gone and all...I could see that you still love him now more than ever." 

        "I don't know what to say Al." I said seeing the hurt in his eyes. 

        "It's okay. I just wanted to tell you and I expected this rejection." 

        "I guess you know my answer now." 

        "Yea." he sighed leaning on the banister. Come to think of it, I never really looked at him as someone who'll be more than a friend. He's a friend. A good friend, who deserves better than someone who is still broken. 

        "Mushka deserves your time Al, I don't. I'm too wrecked for that." I grinned at him. 

        "Well you know what I think?" I gave him a questioning look. "You just can't move on what happened with Xed." his words stung like a bee. Hey, who would move on if you're stuck with a vampire ex who'd pop up in your dreams every once in a while?  

        "There's a lot of responsibilities here. And I don't want to deal with boys, especially military men." shrugging as I smiled at him not thinking about what he said about my ex. 

        "Responsibilities can be shared. It's so hard to carry the burden on your own." He said, "You've been carrying us all this time, but you know all too well that we can take care of ourselves."

        That's when we heard a thundering sound coming from the shelter wall. The village we are assigned in was nearest to the agricultural part of the shelter, it was part of the western out skirts near the wall. Al and I looked to where the sound was coming. It was like metal being ripped as we saw it beginning to crumble. Betsy then jerked my arm as she communicated with me with alarm. The wall was being attacked. 

        "We're being breeched!"  I said to Al in a hushed tone. "Evacuation protocol to the undergrounds bunker." I saw him nod and he acted swiftly. He took the youngest orphan in his arm and then instructed the children to walk to the house's access. I can't believe it was happening, I thought I have another month. But I guess, s**t happens, plans change. Come and get me. I'm ready for you.