The Summer Forest (A Short Story)

            It was a scorching summer in the countryside where the sun bathed the lands with its stinging rays. There was a clear pond adjacent beside a gravel path in a thick forest that I usually jog home from school. I would sit down beside the small pond and stick my feet into the cold glistening water trying to cool myself down. Fishes would swim so close to the surface that I can almost touch them, but I don’t because they know it’s me. It was my pond and it belonged to me alone.

            This was a special place, a place of calmness and a way out of the hard stressful life. The leaves rustled as a gentle breeze blew from the clear skies. The shadow of the towering trees cascaded over me like a giant standing in front of the sunlight protecting me. It was my home, a second home, which was way better than the one I had in reality. No one knew of this place in this forest, not even my parents. Time and time, I would tell them that I took the paved roads home a few miles beside the forest or that I walked home with some friends. The truth is, I didn’t want to walk in the middle of the road alone and I didn’t have much friends.

            Life was not easy for me, especially when I wasn’t the smartest in the class or the most athletic in gym. I liked the forest, I found peace and tranquility that helped me cope with the reality I had. It was a shame that I had no one to share it with until I met her…

           

            She was dressed in tight jeans with a purple hoodie walking in front of me across the pond. As she walked, her brown hair fluttered freely in the air almost as if they were dancing by themselves. I glanced at her and rubbed my eyes making sure that I was not in a dream. She noticed me sitting by the pond and smiled as she walked closer.

           

            “Hi.” the girl spoke briefly and sweetly.

            “Hello.” I reply.

            “What’s your name?” the girl sat down beside me.

            “Charlie.” I reply.

            “Kaitlin, but you can call me Katie.” the girl introduced by sticking out her hand.

           

            “Nice to meet you.” I shook her hand.

            There was something I remembered about Katie when I shook her hand. Her hands were warm and soft complimenting my cold feet in the pond. And her smile, I remember the smile when she saw me. It was a smile of openness and happiness that I sought for.

            “What are you doing here?” I asked shyly barely able to look at her face.

            “Oh, this is my place. My hideout is over there.” Katie pointed down the pond into a thicket of bushes.

            “Can I see it?” I stared at the bushes and slowly got up.

            “Sure. So, Charlie what are you doing here?” Katie asked me back.

            “I walk home from school through here. I haven’t see you around, are you new?” I replied with a blush and then look at my feet.

            “No, I’m home schooled. Dad lets me leave the house now that I’ve grown up.” Katie answered and blushed back.

            Katie grabbed my hand and then tugged me to her hideout. In the thicket of green bushes, I saw an opening. She led me inside and I saw a cozy little room she had made. A woven blanket was on the ground and a small knapsack settled beside the entrance. The hideout had a low ceiling, but a small gap overhead allowed some sunlight to shine inside and illuminate the interiors.

            “Sorry, it’s a bit small in here.” Katie apologized and reached into her knapsack.

            “No, it’s alright.” I ducked my head to avoid a sharp twig.

            “Here, have a snack.” Katie produced a granola bar from her knapsack and handed it to me.

            In my mind, I was thinking who this girl was and why she was here. I never had a friend who was this nice let alone, a girlfriend. So I graciously accepted her offering of food and slowly began to have a conversation with her. We talked and talked until the sun went down and that we had to go our ways. As I was walking back on the final mile towards home, I stopped and thought if I should ask her to be my girlfriend. She was a nice girl who shared similar interests that I had. I smiled and told myself that I would have to ask her the next day.

            “Hey Katie…” I mumbled trying to find the courage in my words.

            “Yeah?” Katie turned her head and smiled as we walked down the gravel path.

            “I like you.” I said it quickly and then turned my head away as I die from shyness.

            “Aww, that’s sweet. I like you too.” Katie blushed and grabbed my hand.

            This was a moment that I would always remember and dream of if I had the chance. Until that day, I had no purpose and no reason behind life, but now I had found it. It was her, it was Katie.

           Over the next few days, we developed more feelings for each other as we had make-believe adventures in the forest. There was a time, where we went climbing the tall trees and watching the sun settle down. And there was a time I was the prince who had to rescue the princess from a tower. Gosh, the memories lasted for a lifetime. She made me happy and I made her happy. I was a happy person back then and nothing was going to stop me, but I was wrong. Sooner or later, the summer break was over for her and she had to remain back home while I had more intensive studying.

            One day, when we finally got a chance to see each other in the cold harsh winter when the pond was frozen with ice. I held her in my arms and cuddled inside her hideout and smiled.

            “I wish this moment could last forever.” I smiled and gaze dreamily into her eyes.

            “Me too.” Katie smiled warmly.

            I saw the opportunity as she looked into my eyes and I planted a kiss on her cold lips. It was divine and it was perfect. We continued to make out until we had to go before the temperature dropped below zero.

            The next following days before the New Year, I was informed that I was moving into the big city and going to start a new life. My heart was torn because I had to leave Katie in the countryside while I was off exploring the horizons. One night, I stormed off into the windy night with a letter that I had written for her. It was a promise to come back for her and take her with me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to tell her in time, so I placed the letter in her hideout where she usually sat and ran home with tears streaming down my face.

            It had been four long years since I left the countryside for the city life. Four years I held on to the promise I made for Katie that I would come back for her. When I drove my car to where the forest was, it was no more. The rich green forest that I remembered was now replaced with a residential area. My memories, my home, and my Katie were no more. I sighed and walked into the row of townhouses and to my surprise the pond was still there. The builders had turned it into a small park and a play area for children. I sat down on the bench to look at the children play as I held onto a bracelet that she made for me. The words of her name were worn off, but I could still make out the letters by touch. As I examined the bracelet and felt nostalgic, a person tapped me on the shoulder. I turn around and saw her.

            “Hey, it’s me.” Katie gave me the same smile on the day she first saw me.

A Ship Sailed (A Short Story)

“Are you sure about this?” I asked with an expressionless face.

“Yes.” she replied firmly.

“Ok…babe I’m going to miss you.” I embraced her tightly.

“I’ll miss you too.” she kissed me.

“I wish this would last forever.” I felt a tear trickle down my face.

“Are you going to be alright?” she looked deeply into my wet eyes.

“I will. I’ll be waiting for you to come home ok?” I whispered in short breaths.

“Ok.” she smiled with a nod and tightening our hug.

“It’s time to go ma’am.” the officer interrupted.

“I love you so much, remember that.” I kissed her passionately and sealing my words of promise.

“I love you too.” she kissed me lovingly in acknowledgement.

And there she was, leaving me by myself as she walked past the two giant metallic doors where two bulky security guards stood watch. I didn’t have a choice because the choice was hers to make.

“Did I do something wrong? Or did she?” I thought as the doors closed.

In the back of my head, I knew I wasn’t going to see her for a few years nor have any contact with her whatsoever. But what could I do? It was her decision and it was her life. Whether I thought the decision was good or bad, I was going to support her and wait for her until it was all over.

A couple of weeks ago we were unstoppable, we were in control of the world and our joyous lives. Money wasn’t going to be a problem until a few days ago when we discussed about it. We all wanted more in our lives and we knew that, but it wasn’t going to happen with the amount of money each of us was making.

“Hey babe, I think we should consider our options.” I flipped through the newspaper section where the jobs were listed.

“Yeah? What is that?” she looked at me with a raised eyebrow while sipping on her morning coffee.

“Something…business related…” I glanced at the ads without looking at her.

“Honey, if it involves money…it’s all business related.” she placed the coffee down and crept up beside me.

I placed my newspaper down on the marble counter and looked into her adorable brown eyes. She flashed a smile and then kissed my cheek unexpectedly when I was about to talk.

“Don’t start…” she placed her finger over my lips and grinned.

“Fine…” I murmured.

“Don’t forget work.” she pressed my nose with her index finger and walked away from me back to her seat.

I looked at my watch and jumped up from my chair. I was five minutes behind my regular schedule to work and now I was in a hurry to get out of the house. I grabbed my blazer rested on the back of my seat and slung it over my shoulder.

“Honey, when you come home from work I’ll tell you the solution to our money issues.” she shouted as I walked to the front door.

“Alright, sounds good dear.” I hollered back and slammed the door shut heading for work.

The day at work was usual mainly because my desk job had nothing interesting happening each day. I filed some paperwork for the upper management and then went to a long meeting about company financials. After that, I headed straight home on time eagerly waiting to find out what my girl had to tell me.

When I went down the intersection where I make my turn right to go home, I saw a military jeep parked at the driveway. In the back of my mind, I was feeling uneasy and nervous because I had never seen the military enter such a rural part of town. I rushed out of my vehicle and ran towards the open front door where a soldier dressed in combats guarded the entrance.

“Hey!” I shouted as pushed through him to get inside my house.

In the living room, another soldier stood in the kitchen with his back towards the sofa. A military officer of some sort dressed in an olive green attire sat beside my girl with a folder and a laptop down on our sofa.

“Babe, what’s going on?” I looked around the room and then back at her.

“You were not supposed to see this.” she looked at the folder in front of her.

“Pack your things ma’am. We’re moving.” the officer stood up and grabbed the folder.

“What? What’s going on?” I demanded impatiently.

“I’ll let you folks talk it out. We’ll wait outside.” the officer waved at his men.

“Did you do something wrong? Why is the military here?” I questioned her and waved wildly.

“No…” she spoke quietly.

“Ok…ok…tell me what you did please.” I said softly lowering my tone of voice.

“I…enlisted. They needed combat medics on the field. Pay is great.” she answered with uncertain eyes.

“Oh, but why?” I whined.

“Money is good and I’ve got relevant experience which they require immediately.” she placed her hand on mine.

“And they want you to leave now?” I asked and held onto her hand.

“Yes, paperwork’s signed.” she pointed at the officer standing outside the door.

“Babe…I…” I was lost for words.

“It’s okay. I’ll be back before you know it.” she assured me with a light smile.

“How long will you be gone for?” I asked with a frown and brushed her smooth hair.

“Four year deployment, but with breaks in between.” she stood up and walked to our bedroom.

The next few hours, I watched her grab a small suitcase and pack her belongings into it. I was in some sort of trance because I was in a state of shock from what had happened. I asked the officer if I could come and bid my farewell before she left for good. He was understanding and allowed me to hitch a ride in his jeep to the local airport.

“Here we are.” she looked at the metal doors leading to the security screening.

I remember that specific moment when we held on to each other and I gave my word. She did not have a single drop of tear on her face that day. That day on, she became a fighter.

An Angel (A Short Story)

            Do you remember the day when you saw someone for the very first time and you felt like you’ve seen an angel? I have, but that moment was very short-lived.

            It was back in the days when I was when I was still a freshman taking my regular public transit to my school. I always sat in the very front of the bus where usually all the adults were seated and the rowdy teenagers sat in the back. To be honest, I was afraid to sit in the back due to the common stereotype that if you were “looking for trouble”, then you’d go there. Another reason why I sat in the front was that I wanted to see my stop in case the bus fills up and I can’t look out.

            One typical Friday morning waiting at the bus stop, there was someone I met which was still clear in my mind up till now. I got on the bus and greeted the same driver who known me over the past few months. I took my usual seat on the second row behind driver and looked out the window like I always did. Traffic was a mess day even though people were scrambling about in their vehicles heading for work in the rush hour.

            That day, something was different. A deviation had occurred in the daily norms. There was traffic accident in the middle of the intersection where most of the teenagers on the bus got off to shop at the malls. The driver turned left from the traffic under the directions of the police and began to make amends to the regular bus route. People on the bus carried worried looks on their faces as passengers were panicking whether or not they’d be late for work while students looked tense and nervous.

            I, on the other hand, was quite calm and collected. It was weird because I knew I was going to be late for my classes, but I was not worried at all. Everyone else on the bus was gazing out the windows trying to figure out what other means of transportation to take. The cell phones ringing, the texting, the chatting, and the not-so-quiet whispering seemed to blend with the chaotic traffic outside. The loud mixture of noise mixed so melodiously that I tuned out. It was a unique day and that’s what I liked about it. Change, that was the word that I wanted to describe. A change in the daily routine made the day much more interesting and adventurous. Not knowing what was going to happen made my heart accelerate to the unknown thrills of life. The intensity, gosh, it was something that I had been missing out over these few yours.

            The bus halted to a stop to pickup some irregular passengers who were madly waving at the driver. It was an elderly couple who seemed to be tourists for the parade downtown by the way they dressed. Even though the stop was not on our route, the driver gladly welcomed them onboard. I looked at the couple having difficulty getting onto the bus and immediately realized that the bus was full. So, I offered my seat to the couple and grabbed a railing. Just as the bus doors were about to close, a party of children ran up to the bus. The teacher apparently seemed to be taking her students on a field trip because she was handing out bus tickets for the children and doing a headcount. The driver again, gladly accepted the group onto the bus and the children piled into the bus. I had no choice but to move to the back of the bus to make space for the new passengers.

            In my head, I was feeling slightly uncomfortable because I had never moved to the rear of the bus thinking that I’d get into trouble. There were two high school jocks who each took two seats and a girl with purple hair writing on the back of a seat. I turned my eyes away in terror of getting their attention and saw another teenager who had tattoos on his arms. He stared at me looking as if he wanted to pick a fight, so I quickly turned my head to the other side pretending to look for my stop.

            And that was when I saw her. She sat next to the window reading a textbook. What stood out to me was her looks especially in the crowd of intimidating people around me. Like a bright moon in the dark night, she carried an aura. An energy that was lively followed by warmth. Her golden blonde hair gave her a crown marking royalty and her brown eyes complimented perfectly reducing the unnecessary attraction from other people. As I stared in awe of such a sight of beauty, she turned her head and looked at me. She must have felt someone watching her. When her eyes matched mine, I saw something in her eyes that could make any man’s heart melt. I smiled with a blush and quickly turned away before I died from shyness.

            What did I see in her crystal eyes? I saw myself…I saw myself with her and living the happiest days of my life. I saw the pure innocence and the beauty that every man dreamt of…which was a loving companionship. As I turned my head to look at her, she had already got up from her seat and was about to step off the bus. When the bus doors closed and the bus drove by her, she turned her head to me and gave me a warm smile like she had acknowledged my existence on the crowded bus. I smiled back with a light grin on my face and the bus drove away.

            That was it. I never got her name or her contact so that we may meet again. What I learned from that was that from the things you don’t expect or the places you don’t go, you’ll miss out a lot of opportunities. It was by pure luck that the normal chain of events was disrupted and I had been given the chance to learn from this. Although it was a missed connection, I believe angels do exist in this world that are here to aid us and give us a new meaning of hope and insight towards our daily lives.

Sketch of the Girl in My Gaming Group 4

Sketch dedicated to the "Girl in My Gaming Group"
*Exclusive on Memoirs of Zyrok*

Sketch of the "Girl in My Gaming Group" 3

Sketch dedicated to the "Girl in My Gaming Group"
*Exclusive on Memoirs of Zyrok*

UNSCDF2 Chapter 14- Enduring the Pain

Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Fire Team Kilo’s Camp

April 13, 2001

1900 Local Time

            “So why do you have a picture of my wife?” Cookson stared at Zyrok.

            “Sarah?” Zyrok placed the photo back into his chest pocket.

            “Yes, that’s her. Are you her ex?” Cookson crossed his arms.

            “Sure seems like it.” Green added.

            “No.” Zyrok shook his head.

            “Then why do you have a picture of her?” Cookson demanded.

            “I printed it out to look for her.” Zyrok replied uneasily as Green, Frederick, and Cookson stared at him.

            “Are you stalking my wife?” Cookson asked.

            “No I’m not.” Zyrok replied with a blank face.

            “They you don’t need that photo. Give it to me.” Cookson stuck out his hand.

            “No Cookson.” Zyrok said firmly.

            “Zyrok, why would you want to keep a married woman’s picture?” Frederick questioned.

            “Yeah.” Green nodded in agreement.

            “This is awkward for me to explain.” Zyrok felt himself tense up.

            “Just give me the picture.” Cookson took a step forward towards Zyrok.

            “No.” Zyrok stood his ground.

            “Fine, you have no right to have that picture.” Cookson advanced and reached for Zyrok’s chest pocket.

            Zyrok swatted Cookson’s hand down swiftly as he attempted to grab Zyrok’s picture. Cookson felt annoyed and then lunged himself at Zyrok. The two marines fell to the ground with a hard thud as they tackled for the photo.

            “Get off me!” Zyrok shoved Cookson as he tried to get on his feet.

            “Give me that photo! It’s my wife!” Cookson placed a blow to Zyrok’s head.

            Zyrok felt a sting of pain followed by dizziness as Cookson struck again. Zyrok saw another hit coming towards his face and quickly kneed Cookson to his gut. In a matter of seconds, Frederick and Green intercepted and pulled the two marines away from each other. Zyrok coughed blood and tried to maintain his balance as he stood up.

            “Cookson, you attacked an officer.” Frederick looked at a bruise on Zyrok’s forehead.

            “It’s alright.” Zyrok rubbed his bruise.

            “That’s a court marshal right there.” Frederick announced.

            “No, it’s alright.” Zyrok shook his head.

            “I’m sorry for the behavior of my marines.” Frederick apologized.

            Cookson just breathed heavily and spoke nothing as he watched Zyrok with cold eyes.

            “Frederick, don’t court marshal him. He was being a good husband. It’s only natural.” Zyrok brushed some dust off his shirt.

            “Still, he should not have placed those hits.” Frederick stared at Cookson.

            “Look, I believe you all deserve an explanation as to why I have a photo of Sarah.” Zyrok grabbed a seat.

            “Be thankful Cookson that neither Zyrok nor I am going to court marshal you for your actions.” Frederick eyed Cookson.

            “Thank you sir, ma’am.” Cookson rubbed his stomach.

            “Take a seat. Let me tell you the story of Sarah.” Zyrok pointed at the chairs.

            Zyrok watched as Cookson and Green sat down while Frederick remained standing.

            “Please, sit.” Zyrok urged.

            “Alright.” Frederick sat down beside Cookson.

            “The year was 1999…” Zyrok took a deep breath as the haunting of the past buried so deep in his mind now surfaced.

            Zyrok began with the chats he had with Sarah prior to the evacuation of Australia. Then he continued on with his enlistment in the UNSC to search for her. The missions he had done as he risked his life each day in the pursuit to find her.

            “Zyrok isn’t your real name is it?” Frederick interrupted.

            “No it’s not. But I’ve come to grow with it.” Zyrok replied.

            “What’s your real name?” Frederick asked.

            “Let me finish my story first.” Zyrok continued.

            “Okay, sorry.” Frederick closed her mouth.

            Zyrok continued on about the day he had met Sarah online and got the news that she was married.

            “Never thought I’d see the husband right in front of me.” Zyrok looked at Cookson.

            Cookson smiled lightly, but didn’t want to upset Zyrok.

            “That was a painful day…anyways…” Zyrok continued.

            “It must have been.” Frederick replied sympathetically.

            Zyrok told the story of Mary and how he had turned her down because his heart was true to Sarah. Next, he talked about the day he went to find Mary after hearing Sarah’s news, but found out later that she had moved on.

            “The reason my name is Zyrok now is because the past is gone. I’m no longer who I was before. The past had to be forgotten so that I would continue on with my life.” Zyrok sighed.

            “Wow…” Cookson widened his eyes.

            “Quite a past eh?” Zyrok laughed.

            “You’ve gone through a lot.” Frederick smiled warmly.

            “My real name is Charlie Chu.” Zyrok announced.

            “I’m sorry Charlie for hitting you. You keep the picture of Sarah.” Cookson apologized.

            “Thank you Cookson.” Zyrok thanked.

            “Mike, Michael Cookson.” Cookson stuck out his hand.

            “Nice to meet you Mike. Sarah’s lucky to have you as her husband.” Zyrok shook Cookson’s hand.

            “Well, same to you. You are a good guy. Sorry that I thought wrong of you.” Cookson replied.

            “It’s fine.” Zyrok assured.

            “I’m glad you guys are working it out.” Frederick smiled.

            “Me too.” Zyrok answered with a smile.

            Zyrok rubbed his forehead and winced at the pain.

            “Let’s get some ice and get it looked at.” Frederick stood up.

            “Alright, I’m still a little dizzy from the entire scuffle.” Zyrok joked as he stood up and wobbled for a bit.

            “Woah, let me give you a hand Zyrok.” Cookson rushed beside Zyrok and helped him balance.

            Frederick and Cookson walked Zyrok to the medical room and saw May sitting at a desk.

            “What happened?” May stood up and looked at Zyrok.

            “A few hits to the head.” Frederick replied.

            “A fight?” May asked.

            “Yeah, but it’s all sorted out and dealt with.” Zyrok replied as May walked him over to the examination table.

            “Here, put some ice on it.” Frederick took out a bag of ice and handed it over to Zyrok.           

            Zyrok took the ice graciously and applied it to his forehead. The coldness of the ice numbed the throbbing pain as he placed it gently on the bruise.

            “Better?” Frederick asked.

            “Yeah, a bit. My head is still spinning.” Zyrok replied.

            “Let me take a look.” May put on some examination gloves.

            May touched Zyrok’s bruise and checked Zyrok’s heart rate using her finger.

            “You should be fine.” Just rest on the beds and you’ll be better.” May pointed at a couple vacant beds next to them.

            “Oh alright.” Zyrok got off the examination table with Cookson’s aid and lay down on a bed.

            “I’m sorry I hit you.” Cookson apologized.

            “Don’t be. It’s fine.” Zyrok rested his head comfortably on a pillow.

            “Get some rest Zyrok. We can do your work.” Frederick assured.

            “I will.” Zyrok closed his eyes.

            The two marines left the medical room and May returned to her desk. Something in Zyrok was different after the incident. Even though his hidden past was unearthed, he wasn’t as upset as he was the last time. Perhaps he had found closure. Perhaps it was peace knowing that he had found her. She was married to Michael Cookson and now lived in the San Francisco Outpost. Zyrok thought about the facts for a long five minutes and smiled.

            “No matter what happened or the current situation was, I am going to be Sarah’s good friend. It is the least I could do for her.” Zyrok told himself as he reflected.

            With that thought, he smiled as he fell asleep on the soft bed.

UNSCDF Chapter 20- Thoughts, Feelings, and Emotions

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

UNSC Richmond Outpost

July 25, 1999

1130 Local Time

            Charlie walked out of Cole’s office and looked at his watch. He needed a break from thinking about his first mission and decided to eat lunch early. Charlie entered the cafeteria and noticed Mary sweeping the floor.

            “Hi Mary.” Charlie called out.

            “Oh, hello Zyrok.” Mary waved.

            “You busy?” Charlie looked at the broom Mary was holding.

            “Not really, I start work in half an hour.” Mary replied.

            “Can we talk about…?” Charlie’s voice trailed off.

            “What happened two days ago?” Mary asked.

            “Yeah, that.” Charlie said uneasily.

            “Sure, grab a seat. I’ll put this broom away.” Mary pointed at a nearby table.

            Charlie grabbed a seat and saw Mary hurry into the kitchen. He was getting anxious as to how Mary would react when they discuss that night. After a few minutes, Mary walked out the kitchen with two plates of sandwiches.

            “Here, thought we could both have lunch.” Mary smiled and placed a plate in front of Charlie.

            “Thank you.” Charlie smiled and graciously accepted the food.

            “Not a problem. Where do you want to start?” Mary glanced at Charlie.

            “Well, I just wanted to see how you were feeling after that night. I felt so bad.” Charlie spoke his mind as he took a bite of his sandwich.

            “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Mary looked at Charlie and then grabbed her sandwich.

            “Oh, I don’t have a girlfriend. She’s a girl who has been there for me so much and left an imprint in my life.” Charlie explained.

            “So a friend who is a girl? So a girl friend.” Mary played around with the words.

            “You could say that.” Charlie laughed.

            “I don’t understand…” Mary paused in thought.

            “Understand what?” Charlie stopped eating and looked at Mary.

            “You’re not taken, but…” Mary wondered.

            “Look Mary, I like you as well, but I have feelings for this girl.” Charlie put down his sandwich and looked into Mary’s eyes.

            “Is it someone here?” Mary looked at the other female marines eating at the other tables.

            “No, she’s not here. She’s somewhere in Australia.” Charlie sighed.

            “Woah. That’s very far.” Mary looked surprised.

            “Yes it is.” Charlie nodded in agreement.

            “Are you sure she’s still alive out there?” Mary questioned.

            “I’m not sure, but I have faith in her.” Charlie said with optimism.

            “If she’s alive, how do you plan to find her?” Mary asked.

            “To be honest, I don’t have any idea for that. I enlisted into the UNSC in hopes of improving my chances her.” Charlie answered.

            “Wow.” Mary ate her sandwich.

            “Wow what?” Charlie was confused.

        “I can tell that she means a lot to you from what I’ve just heard from you.” Mary clarified her comment.

       “Yeah, she means the world to me.” Charlie took a deep breath and pictured Sarah’s face in his mind.

         “Well, she’s one lucky girl. You really are different from the other guys I’ve met.” Mary wiped her face with a napkin.

            “Thanks.” Charlie finished his sandwich and wiped his face.

            “You are so loyal and faithful.” Mary commented.

            “Why do you say that?” Charlie glazed at Mary.

            “Well, you’re not taken yet you chose to stay true to her even though you’re just friends. We would have probably slept together that night and became closer, but you followed your heart.” Mary gave her reasons.

            “I see.” Charlie rubbed his chin.

            “Most guys won’t do what you did.” Mary smiled and finished her sandwich.

            “In my mind, I feel like cheating.” Charlie replied shyly.

            “But it’s not.” Mary assured.

            “I know, but that’s how I feel.” Charlie spoke out his feelings.

          “You’re unique Zyrok. I’ve got to head back to work. I’ll talk to you soon.” Mary looked at the clock on the wall and got up.

            “Yeah, for sure. Thanks for the meal.” Charlie smiled and pointed to this plate.

            “Anytime.” Mary grinned and walked away.

            Charlie got up and walked out the cafeteria as a group of marines entered for lunch. He saw Casey talking to a young marine in his early twenties with a mustache.

            “Hey Zyrok, I want you to meet Corporal Mike Stewart. He’s our pilot from now on.” Casey introduced the marine to him.

            “Lieutenant Zyrok, Corporal Stewart at your service.” Stewart saluted.

            “Nice to meet you Corporal.” Charlie saluted back.

            “I was telling Stewart how I had to fly a Falcon with no experience.” Casey chuckled.

            “He’s not bad.” Charlie laughed.

            “I’ve been trained in most air assets, sir.” Stewart replied.

            “That’s good to hear. Oh, by the way, there’s no need to address sir to me.” Charlie smiled.

            “Understood, sir…I mean…understood.” Stewart grinned and nodded his head.

            “Zyrok, I told Cole we could either get a pilot or train us to fly. It looks like he gave us a pilot which is better because I really hate flying.” Casey patted Stewart’s back.

        “Alright, good to hear. I’ve got some business to attend to. I’ll let you gentlemen acquaint each other.” Charlie laughed.

            “Alright Zyrok. Let’s go Stewart.” Casey waved and walked with Stewart to line up for food.

            Charlie left the cafeteria and went to his office. He sat in his seat for a good ten minutes doing nothing and decided to download the chat program he used to talk to Sarah. He downloaded the program and installed it.

            “Here it goes.” Charlie took a deep breath and opened the program.

            Suddenly an error message popped up saying that the server was offline and all network based channels were now used by the UNSC.

            “No…” Charlie thought about the slim chances of meeting Sarah.

            Charlie frantically flipped through his desk for a contact list Cole gave him when he first signed his paperwork to join the UNSC. He opened up the book and skimmed the list of departments and numbers.

            “UNSC Communications.” Charlie read it out loud “There’s still a way of finding Sarah.”

            Charlie placed the book into his pocket and walked out of his office. Just as Charlie was about to head over to the Communications Department, Cole walked over and handed him a folder.

            “New mission. Get your team ready in one hour at the briefing room.”

            “Yes sir.” Charlie nodded and watched as Cole walked away.

           Charlie sighed as he looked at the folder and skimmed the documents. He looked at his watch and was disappointed. The Communications Department had to wait. He had a mission to do.

            “Finding Sarah is getting harder and harder.” Charlie thought and headed off to find his marines.

UNSCDF Chapter 9- Sacrifices and Promises

Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, USA

Omega Squad’s Camp

March 20, 2001

1830 Local Time

            Taylor fired his USP at the nearby zombies and ran towards Casey’s team that was firing at the rear of the horde. To his surprise, he saw Forester and her team fighting alongside Casey.

           “This is out.” Forester dropped an empty HK69 onto the ground and then slung over her M16 and fired.

            “Where’s the rest?” Casey shouted to Taylor and fired his Washington 870 into the crowd.

            The grenade explosion had taken out a majority of the horde and the marines had enough firepower to hold the line.

            “Stewart didn’t make it and I’ve lost Zyrok.” Taylor scanned the battlefield.

           “First, let’s kill them all and then we look for Zyrok.” Casey commanded as he put fresh shells into his shotgun.

            “Lieutenant Forester, where’s the others?” Casey looked at Mitchell.

            “Stokes and his team didn’t make it either. They got wiped before we even saw the massive zombie they described.” Forester shook her head with sadness.

            “I’m sorry to hear that.” Casey walked forward to the horde as he continued to fire.

            “I’m just glad we can assist here.” Forester reloaded her M16.

          One by one, the zombies began to fall as the marines advanced forward bringing down a rain of bullets. Within five minutes, the ground was filled with dead corpses.

            “Whew! That was close.” Hawkes looked at the field of corpses.

            “Spread out and find Zyrok.” Casey ordered as he reloaded his shotgun.

            “Do an ammo count.” Forester dropped her empty M16 onto the ground.

            “Twenty rounds left ma’am.” Mitchell replied.

            “Three clips here.” Milo checked his pockets.

            “I’m down to my last clip.” Tyler pulled his magazine out from his SA80.

            “Four rounds left in this USP.” Taylor studied at the USP Zyrok lent him.

            “Ten shells plus another four in my gun makes fourteen left for me.” Casey looked at his ammo belt.

            “One and a half clip for me LT.” Hawkes responded.

            “Seven rounds left for my M16 ma’am.” Stevens checked his gun.

          “Hawkes and Stevens, check the perimeter near the forest. Mitchell and Tyler, check and see if there is an armory nearby here. The rest of you just search this big field of corpses.” Forester directed.

            “Roger that.” Hawkes waved Stevens to follow him to the forest.

            “You got it ma’am.” Mitchell replied and ran off with Tyler.

            “Zyrok?” Taylor yelled out loud across the battlefield, but got no response.

            Forester looked at the trees in the forest shaking followed by a series of automatic guns firing.

            “Hawkes and Stevens.” Forester thought.

         “Lieutenant, this is Stevens. Run and hide. The massive zombie…argh.” Stevens spoke on the RaidCall and was cut off.

            “Come in Stevens. Come in Hawkes.” Forester shouted on the RaidCall, but got no response.

            Forester looked as suddenly a massive muscular zombie and spiky zombie ran out of the forest.

            “Positions everyone!” Forester shouted at the marines beside her.

            “Holy…what the hell…” Taylor ran to take cover.

            “Mitchell, how are you doing with that armory search?” Forester spoke on the RaidCall.

           “We’re here, but there is not much weapons or ammo. It’s just a couple of Lock 17s and grenade ammo.” Mitchell replied with disappointment.

            “Grenades…” Forester looked as Milo fired his gun at the massive zombie. “Get them all Mitchell.”

            “Copy, anything else?” Mitchell offered.

          “Small arms are not going to be effective. We’re going to need a little more firepower if we are to even make that massive zombie bleed.” Forester replied.

            “Roger, we’ll scavenge whatever we can find.” Mitchell replied.

            The zombie approached Milo and swung at him. Milo rolled to the side and nearly dodged the deadly swing. Forester fired her SIC Apollo in attempt to distract the zombie away from Milo.

            “I’m out.” Taylor held up his empty USP.

            Forester looked down the field and saw Mitchell and Taylor running together. She pointed at the direction of the zombie and waved them to go around.

            “Casey, make some noise and distract the zombie.” Forester shouted.

            “On it.” Casey fired his shotgun at the zombie.

            The zombie turned away from Milo and ran towards Casey.

            “Oh shit.” Casey fired and ran backwards.

            Mitchell and Taylor approached Forester with a belt of grenades and two M16s.

            “Milo, find the HK69 I dropped nearby you.” Forester took the grenades.

            “Got it.” Milo dropped to the ground and started searching.

          “Give one M16 to Taylor and leave me the other one. Now go and assist Casey.” Forester slid her pistol into her holster as she looked at Casey running from the zombie.

         Mitchell handed Forester a M16 and then ran off with Tyler chasing the zombie. Suddenly, the zombie turned around and started to engage Mitchell and Tyler. Mitchell fired three rounds into its chest, but did no damage.

            “The spikes are thick and blocking it!” Mitchell shouted in frustration.

            Tyler sprayed his SA80 at the zombie’s feet trying to reduce its speed. The zombie leapt at Tyler and crushed him to bits with its foot.

            “Man down!” Mitchell yelled.

            “Milo, where’s that launcher?” Forester shouted as she looked at a terrified Mitchell.

            “Still searching. Too many bodies here.” Milo shouted.

            Forester ran with her M16 and laid a light cover fire for Mitchell to take cover. Casey was on the rear of the zombie reloading his shotgun as he took of his helmet. The zombie lost Mitchell as he took for cover and saw Milo in the field searching through the corpses.

            “Milo, watch out!” Casey shouted.

            The zombie charged at Milo and took a swing at him. Milo crouched and avoided the hit.

            “Found it!” Milo shouted as he spotted the HK69 lying next to the zombie’s feet.

            Milo lunged forward towards the zombies and picked it up.

            “Take it!” Milo threw the launcher towards Forester.

            The zombie saw Milo at his feet and took a step forward.

            “For the UNSC!” Milo watched as the zombie planted his foot on him and crushed him to death.

            Forester loaded the grenade into the launcher and fired. The grenade missed the zombie by a couple of meters and flung dirt everywhere. Forester reloaded and fired again. This time the grenade hit its arm and blew off some of its spikes. The zombie was now furious as it sprinted at Forester and knocked her over. Mitchell ran out from his cover and fired at the zombie’s injured arm. The zombie turned around to Mitchell and ran at him. Mitchell ran past an unconscious Forester and picked up her launcher and her grenades.

            “This is how it has to be.” Mitchell spoke to Forester and saluted.

            Mitchell fired his gun again to lure the zombie to the center of the battlefield. The zombie approached Mitchell and roared. Mitchell threw the grenade belt onto the zombie’s spikes and charged. The belt got hooked onto one of its spikes on its chest and Mitchell ran underneath the zombie. Mitchell fired the launcher towards the belt and got consumed by a massive explosion.

            “Mitchell!” Forester stood up and shouted as the flames engulfed Mitchell.

            The zombie went up in flames and had serious damage to its torso.

         “What in the world…” Casey ran beside Forester and Taylor as they watched the zombie still standing with flames all over its body.

            “Fire! Give it all you got.” Forester shouted and fired at the burning zombie.

            The zombie roared and charged towards the marines. Suddenly, a troop transport Warthog sped out in front of Forester and rammed into the burning zombie.

            “Run!” the driver shouted and ran out of the vehicle followed by another marine from the back seat.

          The zombie collapsed and fell to the ground. Forester, Casey, and Taylor watched as the two marines ran towards them.

            “Take cover!” the driver yelled.

            Suddenly, the Warthog exploded and blew the zombie to pieces.

            “Hoorah. We did it Brooks.” the marine high-fived the driver.

            “We sure did Powell.” Brooks smiled with relief.

            “Wow.” Forester stood motionless looking at the smoke.

            “That’s for taking out my Pelican.” Brooks shouted at the dead burning zombie.

            “That you Brooks?” Casey asked.

            “Yeah, it’s me. Boy am I glad to see you guys.” Brooks patted Casey.

            “Who’s this?” Forester looked at Powell.

            “That’s Powell from Omega Squad ma’am.” Brooks introduced.

            “Omega? I believe you are the last survivor.” Forester commented.

            “Yeah. Where’s the rest of your team?” Powell asked.

            “We are all that’s left. We’re just missing Lieutenant Zyrok.” Forester looked at the battlefield.

            “Well, let’s go find him. You found me and I’d expect to do the same.” Powell offered help.

            “Let’s retrace steps here.” Forester suggested.

            “Good idea.” Casey agreed.

            “Taylor, when was the last time you saw Zyrok.” Forester questioned.

            “Near that tent. I remember him flying across my face.” Taylor pointed at a large ripped tent.

            “He flew?” Forester widened her eyes.

            “Yeah, one of the specials got him.” Taylor walked towards the tent.

            “Let’s hope we at least find him.” Forester walked alongside Taylor.

            “He could have been flung to nearby tents.” Brooks pointed at some tents laying flat on the ground.

            “Spread out and check.” Forester directed.

            “Got it.” Powell replied.

            Forester walked to a collapsed tent and lifted the tarp. To her surprise she saw a bloody Zyrok with a cracked helmet.

            “Found him!” Forester shouted out loud.

            Taylor ran beside Forester as she crouched in front of Zyrok.

            “Medic! I need some meds.” Forester slowly removed Zyrok’s helmet and checked his pulse.

            Casey ran and knelt beside Forester as she placed her hand at Zyrok’s gash on his chest to slow the bleeding. Casey took out bandages and applied it to Zyrok’s wounds.

            “Zyrok, can you hear me?” Forester spoke softly at Zyrok, but got no response.

            “Give him a dose of morphine.” Forester told Casey.

            “Got it, one dose coming up.” Casey reached into his backpack and pulled out a morphine needle.

            Casey took the safety cap off and tested the needle. Then he injected the needle into Zyrok’s left arm. Forester took off her helmet and laid it beside her knee.

            “Zyrok, wake up. Don’t die on us.” Forester continued to speak softly.

            “Let’s call for a medevac.” Casey suggested.

            “Good idea, call it in.” Forester agreed.

            “There should be one Pelican docked at Extraction Point Bravo.” Brooks chimed in. “Our Pelican got destroyed by that beast.”

            “Extraction Point Bravo…that’s near the plants. It’s going to be a while.” Casey commented.

            “Call it in.” Forester spoke as she tended Zyrok’s wounds.

            “I’m on it.” Casey replied swiftly.

          “This is Echo Squad requesting immediate medevac at Omega Squad’s Camp, anyone copy?” Casey spoke on the RaidCall.

          “Echo Squad, this is Hotel 22. We read you, we’re at LZ Bravo over.” a man replied on the RaidCall.

            “Hotel 22, you have direct orders from Lieutenant Forester to commence medevac at Omega Squad’s Camp, how copy?” Casey commanded.

            “Solid copy Echo Squad, we’re lifting off. ETA fifteen minutes over.” the man spoke back.

            “Copy 22, Echo out.” Casey turned to look at Forester.

            “Fifteen minutes.” Casey spoke to Forester.

            “Understood.” Forester looked at Zyrok’s eyelids which seemed to be in its dream state.

*          *          *

Charlie sat on his computer chatting with a girl. In the background, gunshots fired in the background as zombies pounded on his door.

          “Sarah, the zombies are infiltrating the city.” Charlie typed and looked at the profile picture of a beautiful Australian girl smiling.

            “So is Australia. We are starting evacuation now.” Sarah typed back.

            “Look, I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again here.” Charlie typed with a sad face.

            “I don’t know, perhaps this may be the last time we’ll see each other.” Sarah replied.

         “Look, I promise I’ll find you one day. I’ll come to Australia to find you if it needs be.” Charlie promised.

            “The soldiers are here now and I have to go now.” Sarah typed back.

            “I’ll enlist in the UNSC and work my way up and find you.” Charlie typed frantically.

            “I know you will.” Sarah responded.

            “I love you.” Charlie typed his thought out.

            “I know...” Sarah replied and went into offline.

            Charlie felt tears in his eyes as he never felt so lost in his life. The girl he cared so dearly for was now gone and perhaps he will never see her. He printed the photo of Sarah and put it into his wallet. He was determined to find Sarah and finally meet her in person. He looked at the UNSC recruitment poster on his desk and walked away from this computer.

            “Time to join the UNSC and find Sarah.” Charlie told himself.

           

*          *          *

Zyrok knew he was on the verge of dying as pain spread throughout his body.

“Wake up! Wake up!” a gentle female voice spoke into his ear.

“Sarah?” Zyrok opened his heavy eyelids and saw a feminine silhouette in front of him.

Zyrok willed his mind to ignore the pain and to conquer death as he told himself that he needed to find Sarah. Zyrok slowly felt awake as he saw the silhouette becoming clearer. It was Forester crouching in front of him calling him back to the world. Zyrok felt a new sense of strength as he felt the promise he made to Sarah a long time ago. He will live to see her.