Liam stepped off the plane. Behind him Freya wobbled struggling, their head lowered, clutching the ice crate. They were visibly struggling, the thing was clearly too heavy for their small, delicate arms, but they refused to show weakness. They held it tight, back straight, pretending not to feel the strain.
Inside the crate, Liam's arm had been on ice for hours.
Nulln said nothing. He fished his keys from his pocket and tapped the button, unlocking the SUV with a soft chirp. Even now, in a secured private airport, his chest carried the familiar weight of anxiety. He knew the area was cleared… but paranoia was a habit he couldn't kill.
This job had given him,too much trauma.
Most people are dead or quit by age 25. And that's IF they make it to Infantry A in the first place.
But I couldn't complain. Out of all the branches in Mr. N's organization I had one of the safest jobs. The air force was even worse. And the water....
"The water."
The only people capable of working the oceans are the people Mr. N scooped up from the Hospitals of the criminally insane.
Either that or the Elite Gaurd.
And I wish I was exaggerating.
But this job is hell on earth, the secrecy even makes it worse.
Liam climbed into the SUV. For a moment, a memory from the prison flickered in his mind, something Mr. N had said, but he shoved it away.
Siegfreed slid into the back seat beside him, leaving the front empty. Siegfreed placed the crate carefully on their lap, offering Liam a worried smile.
Nulln tried to break the tension, as he reversed out of his parking space looking in his rear view mirror.
"So, Freya—or Sig—whatever… how did yo—"
He froze. While asking he saw someone in his rear view mirror.
Deep in the alley beside the airport fence, someone was crouched, sketching. A figure with a pencil sketching something in the palm of their bloody hand? The moment Nulln looked their way, the person slipped back into the shadows and vanished.
Nulln immediately stepped on the gas.
They needed to leave. The base was only 28km's away, once they crossed the narrow bridge, they'd be safe. Or safer, at least.
Nulln forgot his question he just drove.
Siegfreed, nervous and unsure, noticed Liam's silence. They leaned in gently and wrapped their arms around him in a small, hesitant hug. A gesture of comfort.
They didn't let go.
Liam didn't respond at first.
Then softly, without looking at them:
"…I'm sorry, but… please don't."
Siegfreed pulled back instantly.
"R-right."
Silence filled the SUV again.
Until Freya started shivering. Embarrassed and hurt they hid their feelings in deep.
'Why, why cant he just accept me.'
I'd turn into a girl for you. Id do anything for you. So why.
Why cant you just....
As they spiraled they stayed there shaking.
Liam mumbled speaking to Nulln, "I want to drive one day, you think you could teach me. Or is that asking too much.
"Actually nevermi-"
Nulln taken aback smiles. "Na brudda, I got you just tell me when you want to learn, I'm always down to help a friend."
Nulln felt safer now, in his line of work he was always a the driver. He was skilled, years in pilot school, years on the ground too. But because he wasn't a veteran or didn't go on missions directly he was never respected. But to feel appreciated.... felt great.
In the back however Siegfreed stared directly at Nulln through the mirror in the front of the car. 'Liam doesn't like boys, why is he even trying to flirt with him.'
Infront of me too. I have a plan for you. Just you wait.
Siegfreed turned their head away looking through the window in an effort to calm down.
The area was horrible. Almost radioactive levels of waste, dead animals, homeless people everywhere.
The buildings were destroyed. Only a few areas were open and they weren't looking too good either.
I thought America was better than this. This is almost as bad as the south...
So much war, so much fighting must have turned this place upside down.
Nulln said as if PR trained, reading Siegfreed's mind. "Its just a bad area to be honest."
Nulln smiled as he continued, a genuine smile, he opened his suit a little bit. Allowing the cool breeze to hit his chest area. "Mr. N is notorious to lodging in bad areas, in an effort to build morale and recruit desperate people. All in an effort to make a change. Its how he gets majority of his ballot votes."
Siegfreed just ignored him, still bitter.
The ride kept going for roughly 20 more minutes until they arrived at the base. Seeing the giant wall.
As Nulln continued to drive into the private base, he entered through the hidden wall.
"This is as far as I go. You guys tak- AND GIRLS you lot, take care okay.
Liam waved with his only arm as he walked back into the base.
Siegfreed angry followed.
"Wait brudda." As Nulln entered the backseat he picked up the Ice crate running carrying it to them.
"Oh shit." Liam held it in his arm.
Nulln "How are you going to forget your arm bruv?" As he broke down laughing. He walked back waving.
"I appreciate it." Liam waved.
Siegfreed rolled their eyes annoyed.
Siegfreed whispered "I dont think he's going to live very long."
Liam smiled short small smile, "You underestimate the power of hope."