As Fox hides behind cover, I stand up and take another shot. We gotta get out!

Z3R0; Tango! Don't!

I move up and take my rifle out. A guy stands up to take his shot, but I shoot first. Another gets my plate vest before I shoot him, as another reloads, I run up with my knife and cut into his neck. I gag and yank it out. I shoot one and Zero takes care of the rest.

A man with bionic arms comes up to play, A grenade drops at his feet, shooting his blood on me. They run away as I fall to my knees. Is this what war does? Why is it here, at our front door? I look up, a soldier comes out of cover with a rocket launcher. I'm so dead. I close my eyes and relax my body.

I jump as a thunk sounds, then two explosions erupt. Something zooms above me. I cover my ears and turn around. Our Jeep's on fire.

F4XTR0T; I got him, Zero?

Z3R0; I'm fine, Tango? Tango?

Blood's everywhere, body parts, even bionic parts. I sit down in their their blood. Dog tags shine back at me. I...killed them. This is what Zero warned me about. Why does it have to be like this? Bolt kneels down in front of me and holds out a hand while staring off ahead, "Come on. Let's get out of here." I take his hand with mine trembling and he pulls me to my feet. A crew rushes in as he escorts me out while Zero walks Fox out. I look at Bolt. Was this what his first kill felt like?

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

While walking her out, she stares at me while her body quivers except for the firm grip on my hand. She stares blankly ahead. I look down. Now I have to snap her out of it, "Where are you going?" Some soldier stops us, I look at him and smile, "To get a drink, five minutes, tops." "Be quick, Bolt."

He leads me into a shop and sits me down in a booth. "Coffee?" I shake my head, "Tea." Before Bolt gets up, I get up and hug him, his warmth is so hot, it could burn me. "And a glazed donut." He frowns and sits me down again before heading to the counter. When he comes back, he sits down across from me. He frowns, "I didn't want the others seeing you like this." I take a sip as he continues, "That's what my first bloodbath felt like." I stammer, "So much blood-" "Don't focus on that. Why'd you join Peacekeeper?" I frown, "To...make my home safer."

He downs his coffee and looks out the window, "Focus on that. Hell, believe in it." He's like the eye of a storm, the source of calm and rage as he slams the mug down. "Killing won't get easier, but I do it to save others and get rid of bad people, but it's hard." He turns away. How did he do it? Be ok with killing? He puts on a brave face again and wipes his tears away, "Let's head back." I grab his arm before he can stand up, "We have five minutes, right?"

He smiles while looking in my eyes, "Fine, enjoy the break. I didn't get one the first time around." He rubs his chin and stares through me. My eyes couldn't help but be drawn to his lips. I quickly shake my head and down my tea.