|Chapter 25|

                                    

                                          
Greg / Guardian's POV
                          
...
                          
It all happened to fast. 
                          
We were just walking to take a look at an abandoned building where they heard there could be information about Noo Noo's plans. Me, SGT.Miles, Anne, Conor and some other soldiers. 
                          
Miles and Anne were chatting in the front, the soldiers behind them but me and Conor right behind all of them. We didn't talk, we didn't talk much at all.
                          
We didn't hate each other though, Conor was a nice guy. He helped me a lot with stuff. I could never hate him. He understood that I saw a lot of stuff that really has stressed me out. So he hasn't pushed me or anything. He's a kind person. 
                          
We were just walking, in dead silence between us. I wish I said something though.
                          
The next thing was a huge surprise. 
                          
Conor heard something from behind the bush. He stopped, walked over and suddenly Announcer appeared. He couldn't scream, run or fight since it was so fast. 
                          
The next thing that happened was Announcer putting his blaster to Conor's head. Then boom.
                          
He flew back while blood got everywhere around him. All of his face, hair, ground and upper clothes. There was a straight hole right through the top of his head. He was just shot right in his face. 
                          
Anne screamed his name and ran over to him, pulling him into her arms while Announcer just walked away. The blood from his face went on Anne, covering a lot of her shirt. He was bleeding so much. 
                          
I stood there, not doing a thing. I didn't know what to do. I was scared. 
                          
I could hear Anne and Miles.
                          
"Miles! What do we do?!"
                          
"Stay calm! Anne!"
                          
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! We can't lose him too!"
                          
"Conor you son of a bitch! Stay here with us!"
                          
"Conor!!"
                          
Miles, Anne and other soldiers were checking Conor. But I already knew, he was dead and never coming back. It was too late.
                          
And I failed him.
                          
...
                          
I gasp while waking up. I immediately sit up on my bed while my breathing is out of control. I can feel tears start to pour of my eyes. 
                          
It was another nightmare, but.. Conor.. I didn't want to remember! I want to forget it all, I just want peace and quiet in my life for once and to not fail at everything. 
                          
I get up off my bed as I notice the room is dark, other then a small shine from an alarm clock that's not on but is showing the time. My eyes can't adjust to it properly so I walk closer to it. "3:24 AM.. Fuck.." I whisper to myself as tears still but slowly fall down my face and drop off onto the floor.
                          
I look at my door and for a second I see a white smile, but I blink and there's nothing. I feel like I'm stressing myself out so much I'm making myself see things. Maybe that could be happening. I have no idea anymore at this point.
                          
I open my door and walk out, also making sure to be quiet since the others seem to be asleep. I also must've fallen asleep in the car and they brought me inside. 
                          
I walk down the dark hallway to the stairs, I look down and feel myself to start to panic a little. It's so dark, like at any moment some infected can come and attack me. But.. I also need to remember that I'm in a human world away from them. I just need to stay calm, this night is already terrible too.
                          
I take a deep breath and walk down the stairs. I look around at the darkness and sigh quietly to myself. "I'm gonna be okay.." I mumble to myself quietly. 
                          
I pay more attention to the things around me and I immediately hear sounds from the living room. 
                          
I walk into the living room to see the others asleep. Well.. except for Nicolas and Adrian. They must be asleep upstairs. But the trio is here too with the other four. It's still so weird for me to see them again, after everything that's happened.
                          
I look at the TV to see a movie playing, no idea what though. I also don't feel like staying around to see what it is, it's probably not worth it. 
                          
I walk back to the hallway and to the front door. I open it quietly and walk outside, closing the door gently behind me. I then walk out onto the grass and lay down, looking at the sky.
                          
I lay there in silence. Just me, the wind, grass and stars. Also the thoughts that race through my mind, never ending cycle of pain and terrible memories. Some I wish I could never remember, some I wish I could just forget forever and ever. 
                          
I just wish it all never happened. I've lost all the ones I loved and I fear to lose more too. 
                          
"You've failed to save them. You'll fail to save everyone else too."  
                          
I lay there as more tears fall from eyes. Though I don't do anything to wipe them away, they just fall. 
                          
"He'll be dead before you know it, you have no chance."
                          
"They all hate you. They'll give you away to be tested on. You can't trust them."
                          
"Stop trying to go back, it's not worth it. You'll fail again anyway."
                          
"They don't care for you."
                          
"Greg!" I suddenly hear Nicolas say as I can also hear the door open. I sit up and look behind me to see Nicolas with Adrian at the door. I also didn't realize but at this point I was sobbing.
                          
"It's okay." Adrian says as they both quickly walk over to me. They sit down beside me as Nicolas hugs me and Adrian places his hand on my back. 
                          
I couldn't help but cry more, it just felt so nice to have comfort. Something that I didn't feel much when I started to lose everyone.
                          
"Shhh.. it's okay.." Nicolas says as I lay my head on his shoulder and continue to cry. Adrian also places his hand on my head, taking my beanie off and brushing his fingers through my hair to calm me down. 
                          
"I know, it's really hard right now. But it'll get better. We'll be here for you." Adrian says as Nicolas nods, agreeing with him.
                          
"We love you kiddo. It's gonna be okay." Nicolas says as I continue to cry.
                          
We stay like that for a little bit longer till soon I start to calm myself with their help. I look
up again as Adrian wipes the tears away from my eyes. "It's so hard." I mumble while also sniffing.
                          
"I know kiddo, but it's okay. It gets better. It just takes time." He says as he smiles a small bit. It makes me smile a bit too and Adrian also smiles. "Let's go back inside." Adrian says as he stands up. Nicolas let's go of me and also does so, then lending out his hand for me to grab.
                          
I do so and he pulls me up. I let go of his hand and put my hands in my hoodie pockets. "Sorry.. about all that." I mumble and Adrian pats my back. "Don't apologize. It's all fine." He replies and I nod in response to him. Adrian also hands me back my beanie and I immediately put it on my head.
                          
We walk inside and Nicolas closes the door behind us. "Want any sleeping buddies?" Nicolas then asks, making me chuckle a small bit. "Thanks, but no thank you. I'll be fine." I reply as Adrian looks at me and nods. "Alright, if you need us you know where to find us." He says as Nicolas walks away to the kitchen.
                          
I nod and Adrian looks around for Nicolas. "Nicolas?" He says but get no reply back. "Here!" Nicolas then says and walks back to us. He then hands me a water bottle which I take.
                          
"Have a nice sleep kiddo!" He says and pats my back. I smile a small bit at him again. "Thank you, you too." I say back to both of them and walk to the stairs.
                          
I walk up them and immediately to my room. I close the door behind me and walk over to my bed sitting down on it. "What a night.." I mumble to myself and open my water bottle, then taking a drink from it. 
                          
I close it and set it down beside me on the night stand. I then lay down and snuggle right underneath the blankets. 
                          
Hopefully no more nightmares.