UNSCDF Chapter 45- Untold Stories

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
UNSC Richmond Outpost
August 6, 1999
2030 Local Time

            Charlie sat on his bed quietly as he reflected on the events that happened in the past few days. It was so silent that you can hear Charlie’s deep breaths as he closed his eyes. He was in bad shape just from the looks of his face. The bright energetic persona was longer there and was replaced by a sad sulky aura.

            “Why is this happening?” Charlie looked at the ceiling attempting to contact a greater being.

            Charlie wasn’t sure which hurt him more; joining the UNSC and risking his life to find Sarah and to find out later that she’s married or totally missing the opportunity with Mary because he was looking for Sarah, but it was all too late now. Both events equally pierced his heart like a sharp dagger. Charlie didn’t want to think about it because the more he thought about it, the dagger plunged further. He wanted to burst to tears in sorrow, but he held himself back. Only warm tear drops trickled down his melancholy face. Charlie grabbed a tissue beside his bed and wiped his face. He was alone and lost. Charlie had no idea who he was anymore or what his purpose in life was. A little part of him wanted to scream out loud so the whole world could hear his pain. Instead, he held his composure as tears continued to stream over his face. Charlie heard a couple of knocks on his door and slowly got off his bed. He wiped the remaining tears away and stood at the door. He was hesitant in opening the door as he felt ashamed if people saw him crying. The door knocked again and Charlie stood still.

            “Zyrok, you in here?” Casey’s voice spoke from behind the door.

            Charlie thought for a minute and walked a step back.

            “Zyrok? We need to talk, it’s important.” Casey continued to knock.

         Charlie struggled to walk forward. Every step towards opening the door felt like his impending doom. His men wanted to see him and he valued his men. For that, Charlie paced to the door and opened it unaware of his red teary eyes.

            “Sir…are you alright?” Casey greeted and immediately looked at Charlie’s eyes.

            To Charlie’s surprise, it was not just Casey who stood outside his door. In fact, Hawkes was beside him as well.

            “I’m okay.” Charlie lied.

            “What’s up Zyrok?” Hawkes looked at Charlie with soothing eyes.

            “What do you want to talk about?” Charlie attempted to change the focus.

            “It can wait. You don’t look too well sir. Do you want to talk about it?” Hawkes offered his help.

            Charlie froze for a second as he thought if he should tell them his problems. He decided to tell them his pain after help was given to him. People wanted to hear him out and perhaps it was the only way Charlie could face his problems.

            “Come on in.” Charlie waved.

            Casey and Hawkes entered and closed the door behind them. Charlie sat on his bed while Hawkes sat beside him. Casey grabbed a chair and pulled it in front of Charlie.

            “Where do I begin?” Charlie asked.

            “Anything you like.” Hawkes replied.

            “Okay.” Charlie took a deep breath.

            Charlie started off with the story before joining the UNSC followed by the real reason behind joining the UNSC to find Sarah. Both the marines listened to Charlie attentively and nodded their heads followed by warm smiles. He continued on with the relationship he had with Mary and his conflicting interests. Hawkes smiled as he heard the part about Mary.

            “It’s a good story. Didn’t know you were that kind of person.” Casey interrupted.

            “That’s the good part…” Charlie continued.

            “Continue please.” Hawkes nodded.

            Charlie continued with his pursuit of Sarah over various missions. He took out his poem and a picture of Sarah he had printed off. Casey took the poem and photo and examined it.

            “Now, the hard part…” Charlie closed his eyes as he felt tears fill his eyelids.

            Charlie rubbed his eyes and covered his face. It was too difficult for him to tell the truth. The truth hurt and he had to face it.

            “It’s okay mate.” Hawkes put his arm around Charlie.

            Charlie cried a little more and the wiped his face with his sleeves. He stared at the ground and began with the conversation he had with Sarah a few days prior. Every inch of word he spoke felt like a needle poke at his heart. Charlie endured the pain as he continued to talk. His story must be told; it had to be shared. Casey listened and smiled in sympathy while Hawkes grabbed a tissue for Charlie. After Sarah’s story, he felt himself die a little, but he took a deep breath and continued on. It was painful, but Charlie soldiered on. He wanted to finish Mary’s story before he could be at peace. Charlie’s hand turned stone cold and his expression turned to lost and hopelessness.

            “You can do it Zyrok.” Casey encouraged.

            “It will make you feel better. Talk it out.” Hawkes handed Charlie another tissue.

            Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out Mary’s note. Hawkes stuck out his hand and took it from Charlie. Charlie started talking with the note Mary had left for him when she left for the trip to the Scavengers’ Holdout. He paused for a moment when he pictured Derek and Mary holding hands.

            “I was too late. Just like Sarah…” Charlie spoke out loud in thought.

            Charlie rubbed his eyes as he continued on. He talked about meeting Mary and Derek and how any possibilities of anything happening ceased to exist.

            “So that’s my story as I enter my phase of deep depression…” Charlie sighed as he finished talking.

            “Wow, it must be really hard on you.” Casey concluded.

            “Yes, you have no idea.” Charlie held his head down.

        “You are right, I have no idea. I’ve never been placed in that position before.” Casey spoke truthfully.

            “I don’t see a purpose in living anymore.” Charlie placed his hand on his pistol.

            “Woah there mate, easy now. It’s not that bad.” Hawkes assured with a surprised look on his face.

            “I have failed myself.” Charlie pulled out his USP and pointed at his head.

            “No!” Casey and Hawkes both stood up.

            Charlie stood up and backed up to his desk away from the advancing concerned marines.

            “Don’t do it Zyrok.” Casey motioned Charlie to put down his gun.

            “I have lost everything.” Charlie cried.

            “No you haven’t. You still got us. We care man. Put the gun down please.” Casey took a step forward with open arms.

            “I’ve lost more than that. I lost everything! My life! My purpose! My hope! My heart!” Charlie shouted in despair as he pressed the gun barrel firmly to his temple.

            “Put the gun down man.” Casey repeated.

            “Zyrok, you need help. We can get you help. Can you just put the gun down? We can talk this out.” Hawkes spoke softly.

            “It’s too late. I was planning this already. You heard my story. At least I won’t go on knowing my story wasn’t told.” Charlie felt at peace.

            “It’s never too late.” Casey took a small step forward.

            “Step back Casey.” Charlie warned.

            Hawkes slowly walked forward as Casey stood his ground.

            “I’m so sorry guys.” Charlie sighed.

            “No…” Hawkes cried.

            “I’m so sorry Sarah. I’ve failed.” Charlie closed his eyes and tilted his head up.

            The hallway outside Charlie’s quarters was quiet for a brief period as marines walked past the door.

            “No!” Casey’s voice penetrated out the door breaking the silent halls.

            Bang! A loud gunshot pierced from Charlie’s room followed by a loud thump. Marines nearby the quarters heard the gunshot resonate the halls and rushed towards Charlie’s quarters unaware of what had happened. Two marines drew out their Lock 17 pistols while another marine kicked down the door. The room was dark and stuffy. Two figures crouched beside another figure lying on the ground next to a desk.

            “Freeze!” the marines called out and pointed their pistols at the two crouched figures clearly unconscious of what went on in the room before they had bashed the door down and stormed in.