He had been so furious for the last two days because of Zephyr’s team’s failure to bring back Rhea into their territory. Their informer had told them that Rhea was now in the Council’s care, which will make it harder for them to take her away.
“I want you to summon Commander Phrixus now,” ordered General Roguel.
“General, I met him and a few of his men at the medical facility just before I headed here,” said Nyx.
General Roguel squinted. It seemed that he was feeling suspicious about Phrixus.
“I have doubts in him,” revealed General Roguel. “I want you to stand guard at the medical facility in case he intended too so something to Zephyr. Not that I doubt Zephyr’s ability to take care of hi,self but he’s at his weak point now. Somebody might take advantage on that,” said General Roguel. He was aware that many of the Resistants especially Phrixus was against the idea of promoting Zephyr as captain a year ago.
“I will do as told,” said Nyx obediently, bowing as a gesture of respect. At least Nyx had obtained a formal order from General Roguel to be by Zephyr’s said as long as he was still weak.
****
“What is your intention coming here?” said Zephyr to Phrixus who had just entered his ward room.
“Relax, Captain. No need to be so mean. We are just visiting,” said Phirxus, smirking. He did not sit on the visitor’s chair, instead he just leant against the wall next to the window, just opposite Zephyr’s bed. Zephyr was already on his sitting position.
“As you can see, I’m fine,” said Zephyr, annoyed.
“How does it feel to be attacked by your men?” said Phrixus with an air of mockery.
“You wanna try?” Zephyr replied with the same mockery tone.
Phrixus smirked. He moved closer to Zephyr and spoke to him with a low voice.
“Whatever happened at the beachside, it certainly is strange,” said ominously. “Just so you know, I think something is not right. Not that I want to complain since that at least I got you hospitalized without having any control of it,”
Phrixus was still smirking. Of course it would be his pleasure to attack Zephyr although at the time, he could not control himself.
“I don’t care what you think because I’m the one who is injured now,” said Zephyr indifferently. Phrixus grew furious looking at Zephyr ignorance on the subject.
I swear I’m going to find out, Captain. Mark my word,” hissed Phrixus threateningly, his hand
gripping Zephyr’s injured shoulder tightly. Zephyr remained cool although he felt throbbing
pain on his shoulder.
“Suits you,” said Zephyr simply. Phrixus grunted irritatingly and let go Zephyr’s shoulder before beckoning his men out of the ward with him.
Once alone, Zephyr looked at is injured shoulder. The white bandage turned red with his blood. Phrixus’ grip just now caused the almost healed wound to bleed again. He groaned in annoyance.
As Zephyr was about to open the bandage on his shoulder, a nurse came in. She was very shocked to see blood soaking the bandage on Zephyr’s shoulder.
“Captain, what happened?” asked the nurse, shoving Zephyr’s hand from unbandaging his shoulder to do it herself.
“Nothing. Suddenly the wound bleeds again,” said Zephyr.
“I would get into trouble if my supervisor knows this. She’ll say I didn’t treat you properly,: said the nurse nervously as she clean the blood from the wound on Zephyr’s shoulder, applied antiseptic and herbal remedy before bandaging the injured part back with fresh clean bandage.
“Don’t worry,” Said Zephyr calmly to the nurse when she was about to leave. “If she asked, just say that I accidentally fell from the bed while sleeping,”
The panic-looking nurse brightened up a bit.
“Thank you, Captain,” she said, smiling.
“You’re welcome,” Zephyr replied. The nurse left the room looking a lot more relieved.
Zephyr looked out of the window. The scenery outside was never something to be admired of since ten years ago. The sky was always grey all year round and if it snowed, the snow would also be tainted with grayish debris from the ashes from Vorx Volcano.
It must had been raining this morning judging by the damp looking soil and the raindrops remain on the outer surface of the glass window.
But Zephyr was not really looking at the surrounding. He was only staring at an empty space, wondering whether Rhea was fine under the Council’s care.
*********
Lilian was alone now after the nurse left the room with her empty tray of lunch, which she had finished. The was not really what she had usually taste but it was considerably edible and she was actually starving, so she finished it within seconds.
When Lilian was sure and ransacked its content. Zephyr said he left something for her, so she wanted to find it. But even after Lilian had emptied everything onto the bed, nothing was stranger to her. She browsed again. Her t-shirts and jeans, Jeremy’s wooden chest and novel. She put back everything into the backpack.
Zephyr did say to check the backpack, she thought.
“”I would like to read the novel if I have the chance,” Zephyr’s voice echoed. Lilian’s eyes widened.
She took her ‘The Historian’ novel and flipped through its pages. Zephyr would not just mention it. And she was right. Hidden innocently between the 300th and 301st page was a piece of paper with writings in blue ink.
She lifted the paper from the book and brought it nearer to her eyes to read it because the writing was so tiny and messy yet still legible.
There was smudged ink marks here and there.
“If you’re reading this note, then you’re safe and sound under the Council’s care. Abide to whatever I’m going to tell you to keep yourself safe.
Firstly, the Reader will want to read your mind sooner or later. They mean no harm and don’t protest. But try everything you could to not to think of me while they are reading your mind.
Second, Never mention my name to anyone even if they specifically speak my name.
Never stay out of the Scientists’ territories. The Resistant will always find the opportunity to get to you.
You will need to undergo your trainings. Be hardworking and pay attention. You will need your ability in the near future.
Last but not least, I’m sorry that you have to go through these hard times. It’s just a matter of time. I know you can face the truth. Take care.”
The note ended just like that. No signature, no name written, but Lilian knew that the note was written by Zephyr. Maybe it was written while she was sleeping on the last night they were together.
Lilian reread the note with a strange feeling playing deep down in her heart.
“Err...hi,” a nervous voice floated into the ward. Lilian turned to look at the door where a boy about her age was standing. He smiled forcefully, his dark chocolate eyes tried to avoid direct contact with Lilian’s eyes. Lilian quickly placed back the note between the pages of the novel, closed it calmly and shoved the thick book under a pillow.
“Hi,” said Lilian back, smiling. “You’re one the Legion too, right?” she asked.
“Ye…Yes,” stammered Alexis. “Am I bothering you?” Alexis sat on the visitor’s chair next to Lilian’s bed.
“No,” said Lilian shaking her head. “I’m quite bored actually,” she added truthfully.
“I’m sorry if I look nervous. I never talk to a stranger girl of my own age before,” said Alexis apologetically, fidgeting in his seat.
Lilian chuckled at Alexis’ honest statement.
“Did I said something wrong?” asked Alexis nervously when Lilian didn’t stop laughing. Lilian shook her head, trying to suppress her laughter.
“This is the first time I met a boy who sound so frank and innocent,” said Lilian, smiling. Alexis actually blushed.
“I think I should go,” said Alexis miserably and stood up to leave but Lilian grabbed his hand.
“No, please. Don’t go. I need someone to talk to,” pleaded Lilian. Alexis sighed, blushed even more and sat back. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” said Lilian sincerely.
“It’s not you. It’s me,” said Alexis. “ I have been in the Legion’s Academy since I was thirteen, and there was not many girls there and most of the time I don’t have the chance to talk to them. I just keep in contact with my childhood friends,”
“In short, you also have no girlfriend?”
“You can put it that way,”
“Do you know how glad I am to have this conversation? It strangely feels normal. I had been stuck with serious conversation and weird information for days already,” said Lilian, sighing.
“Thank you,” she added even more sincerely.
“I’m glad you like me being here,” said Alexis relieved. “ I had been visiting you ever since you had been warded two days ago but you were still unconscious at that time,”
“You are worried about me?” asked Lilian.
“Yes, actually. I had been worrying about you ever since Mithra, one of our comrades informed that the Resistant was going to get you. We never met before but I know how important you are to Pleidus,” said Alexis. “ But don’t get me wrong. I really personally worried about you because I was thinking how someone like you who was never exposed about Pleidus would face it,”
“Thank you for your concern,” said Lilian. “But don’t you think the subject is getting darker? Let’s talk about you again,” said Lilian with an air of joy.
Alexis beamed and laughed at Lilian’s carefree expression.
