Take Me Home

39. Lost

Roger walked alongside the waitress, his eyes fixed ahead of him as he listened to the sound of her heels clicking on the brick path as he walked her home. It was mostly silent between them, but Roger didn't mind much. The street lamps were still out so along with the silence came darkness. Roger was used to it, though. The waitress walked next to him, her cries had stopped and she seemed more relaxed. Roger stole a look over at her and saw her staring ahead of herself, eyes darting around in the dark. He looked away.

"Well, my home is over there," She pointed to a building a few feet away, turning back to Roger and adding, "Thanks for walking me home."

Roger nodded, running his hand through his brown hair as he replied softly, "No problem." Roger waved, turning and beginning to walk away when he heard her voice again.

"Wait."

He turned around, spotting her figure in the darkness.

"Why did you do that? Really?" She questioned, stepping forward and looking up at him, the blue eyes that hid behind the curls very curious and confused as she waited for an answer.

Roger sighed, looking away as he murmured, "I've had to watch my own sisters get hurt. It pains me whenever I see someone else hurt." It was the truth, he reasoned with himself. A small flame of anger ignited inside of him as he thought about it.

"You were at the bar though. Why?" She pushed. Roger met her gaze, placing his hands on his waist.

"Sometimes a drink is the only way to heal a broken heart." He said in a matter of fact tone. "I needed to get away from reality. It didn't work, though."

He could barely see her nodding in the shadows, the small glimpses of the moonlight the only thing that lit the city around them. "I understand." She said slowly. "But, I want to thank you for what you did back there. I think i'm going to stop working there." She began to take off his coat. "Here."

"That's a good choice to make, and no, keep it. I don't need it." He replied simply. He stepped away, nodding. "Well, see you around." He turned away, hearing her as she walked off.

"Thank you." He heard her say as her footsteps faded.

Relief filled his heart and he set off, feeling a small glimmer of joy as he had the satisfaction of helping another person. It was good to feel something that made him want to smile. Roger walked swiftly, heading in the direction of the barracks. He would find Freya and Axel. He would accept them as they were. A small part of his mind wanted to know if he would be with Freya if only she hadn't found Axel. If she hadn't found Axel, would there have been a chance between them? He doubted it. But, it didn't matter now. He knew that she was with Axel now. He knew Axel would take care of her. Probably better than he ever could.

The sound of distant yelling echoed through the empty streets as he grew closer to the barracks. The sounds of loud, wailing sirens could also be heard as he continued, the noise blasting from distant speakers. He looked around, not seeing anyone, but hearing the yells of men that came from the direction of the barracks.

Anxious, he kept walking, wondering what was going on. Scenarios played in his head but he couldn't figure out what could be happening. Maybe it was a drill at the barracks. Maybe not.

Suddenly he could see tall figures in the darkness, running at him. Roger froze, staring as the shapes moved closer. He could see they were soldiers as they approached him, the sirens hiding the sound of their footsteps.

"Sir!" One of the soldiers walked up to him. Roger blinked, letting the soldier continue. "There have been bombers spotted, I advise you to evacuate the area!" He said, continuing past Roger as he and the other men continued running, entering buildings to alert the others who lived here.