VI.Through the Cold Front

Part 1 - Brotherhood

It's 19:13 and the two along with others found a place to take shelter. Elis and Zack sat behind a rock for the night, it's not much but because the trainees are surrounded by thick large trees, it somehow lessened the gusting wind. Tired of the long walk, Zack started a fire for heat in spite of the difficulty. Opened their rations and began eating…

While eating...

Zack -"Tell me..." -serious

Elis -"Hmm?" -paused

Zack -"We kinda' forgot to introduce ourselves properly! So tell me what's your name. I'm Zack by the way." -laughs

Elis -"Oh right, I'm Elis, Elis Wake." (Sarcastically...) "Is that how you do it with women?" -both laughed

Zack -"You have a unique name. I like it."

Elis -"Thanks, my father said that I was born in the time and place where peace flourished, like Elysium." "And I can remember mom said that I was like an almond bud that blossomed to meet the first ray of light after a long rain."

Zack -"Woah, that was deep..." "Well to tell you about my name, it means "laughter", which is kinda' messed up you know? Laughter means a lot of things and only one meant good, it's when you laugh when you're happy. Otherwise, someone is laughing sarcastically making a practical joke or something. I mean, do I look funny? Or is it funny when I was born that they all laughed? You know what I mean?" -both laughed

Elis -"I'm sure they meant it for good, or... have you asked them if they even know what your name mean?" -laughing

Zack -"No man, I don't like being dramatic. Haha" "And speaking of 'drama', I didn't join the military anything related to "the good of mankind" or something to tell you honestly, as I see by the way you look at me you're meaning to ask my reason for joining."

"Aahhh... I don't know... but there's something about being great and being known by everyone of what I can do and capable of that drives me." "I don't know about you, but from what I can see is you're all tight up by what you believe in. But for me... being written in history, and having your children's children read about you and what you did, it's what I want..."

Elis silently listened as he wasn't able to speak or explain himself about joining the military.

Zack -"You see, the fulfillment of peace is about to happen, and when that time comes, I don't know if there will be something to be written in history anymore."

Elis -"I see what you mean, you have a point. And maybe our names will be the last written there. Better we make something out of it."

Zack -"Right!" "Let's have some rest tonight."

02:10

"Zack!" -muffled sound

"Zack!" -Elis slaps Zack in the face. "Zack!!!"

Zack is half awake but doesn't seem be able to respond well.

Elis -"Zack! Wake up! You're too cold."

Elis pulled Zack and bear him in his shoulder and walked hastily and look for a better place to shelter but can't find any. He put down Zack beside a large tree for a while and began digging.

Zack -mumbles, tries to speak but inaudible

Elis didn't pay attention and kept digging, when it was about the size that Zack can fit in he stopped. Went back to where Zack is and straight to his kits. He pulled out the gasoline that they used to make fire and took a match. Back to where he dug, Zack seeing what he is doing was surprised to what he did next…

Zack -"Guh...! He drunk it?" -in his mind

Elis put it in his mouth, knelt and sprayed the gasoline from his mouth to the ground again and again. Then he took the match and lit it. He left the ground he dug in fire for a short time then put it out with soil. Elis got back to Zack and and took him and put him on the warm ground, Elis removed his coat and put it over him, took all the blanket they brought and cover Zack to make him warm.

The others saw what Elis did and offered him their spare blanket for his own.

05:03

Zack feels better, but still having a slight difficulty moving around feeling his body aches. Elis is on the side covered in blanket sitting and sipping some coffee with Tyrone.

Tyrone -"Hey, wants some?" -offers coffee

Zack -"Thanks."

Tyrone -"I and the others are preparing to be moving along so we can make it in time at the camp. You better recover fast, the longer we stay here outside, the higher the chances that we freeze here before reaching our destination, let alone running out of food where we can only resupply on our rendezvous. Specially you two."

Zack -"What do you mean?"

Tyrone -"Elis decided to stay here and wait for you. I gotta tell you man, you owe him."

09:00

Weary... Still Elias pushes forward, knees are trembling... Then suddenly...

Wwrroooaaaaaaarrrr!!!!

A raging bear came out of nowhere. Elias just stood still.

<<rewind…

06:12

Dark as night, all that can be heard is the rushing wind...

Trainee -"Hey!!! Elias! You have got to keep up! We need to keep our phase and we can't afford to wait for anyone!"

Elias slows down, his legs become heavier every step he takes... The snow becomes thicker and thicker on the way.

Elias (whispering) -"Can I make it? We're not even halfway... This can't be."

Elias knelt down as his legs grew tired, his hands against the ground.

Elias -"What am I fighting for anyway?"

<<<flashback…

Home, inside the walls, a year after when he was adopted…

Young Elias -"Mum, I want to be a soldier one day."

Mom (giggles) -"Oh silly you. There won't be a need for soldier by the time you grew up. These are peaceful times."

"What made you think that, why don't you become a fashion designer instead, or a model, or having an actor from one of my children would be nice. Your face looks so innocent and pretty, I'm sure it would fit a role."

Dad (passes by, hearing their conversation) -"Or a makeup artist."

Mom -"Right! It would be awesome if you and your dad are on the same profession."

Young Elias by that time doesn't seem to understand why these people say these are peaceful times. Because he himself ultimately saw and experienced the gruesome horrors of war.

Because when he was just about 6 years old, before he came to this adopting family, he was with his real parents outside the wall. And as he can still remember, a band of bandits attacked their camp. It was late at night…

<<<<<at the camp a year before...

Young Elias was waken up by his little sister's cry from her cradle. With a blurry vision and only a candle to light the tent, he looked around and saw his mother drenched in blood, lifeless with a kitchen knife stabbed on her back. A man standing right beside her stares at him with a grim smile, Elias can't move from fear, certainly it's not his father.

As the man walked toward Elias, his father came rushing in and bravely fought the man, but the man was stronger than him, and his father was already injured defending the camp outside.

His father is now struggling for his life as the man overcomes him. Elias pulled himself together, and ran to get the knife from his mother's back, pulled it out and jumped over the man's back. He yelled and without any hesitation slit the man's throat with his knife.

The man tried to escape and ran, tripped over and landed right on his little sister.

A moment later...

Elias just sat beside her sister's dead body and not in himself...

His father crying on a corner of the tent beside the man that he pulled from over his daughter. His wife on his lap.

The bandits were gone, swept away all their belongings and goods. There was no hope for the community to survive, his father decided to take Elias out and travelled a day journey on horse to a place the government has control.

Weak by the wounds and pale from blood loss, his father lead him to the walls.

Elias -"Father, won’t you be coming with me?"

Father -"I'm afraid I can't son... Unh.."

His father knelt down... Feeling all his wounds. Sat down and rested.

Elias -"Father!" -cries

Father -"Elias, my time has come, and I will have to join your mother and sister. I'm sorry that I can't be with you as you grow older. Mother and I love you so much. But before I go, I want to ask you something... Be someone."

Elias stopped crying and listened carefully to his father.

Father -"Don't be like us. Strive to be someone. Be strong so you can be able to defend what's dearest to you. And... If you ever feel the darkness in you. Remember that it's not the only thing that you can depend on. I know you can be strong just by remembering us."

The soldiers opened the gate to meet the child and took him away from his father, the boy last saw his father died with tears falling from the eyes. As the boy's vision blurs by reason of tears... He remembers...

"Be someone. Be strong."

...back to where Elias is now>>>>>

Elias remembered and as clear as day he heard his father's voice. He found strength…

Elias -"For Mother... For Father..."

Pulled himself up... And stepped forward...

...craaackk!!!...

A dried branch where he stepped just cracked and Elias fell into a hole.

Elias -"Aaaaaaahhhh!!!!"

VI. Through the Cold Front

Part 2 - Brotherhood

Elis heard a faint sound of a howl from quite a distance.

Elis (paused) -"...did you hear that?"

Zack (looked back) -"Heard what?"

Elis -"...nothing"

Continued walking, Elis still observes.

Zack -"Hey, back there at the camp. How did you know I was having hypothermia?" "I mean, it's my first time having that and didn't even know what was happening to me. But you... You know exactly what to do." "But whatever man, if you weren't there I might've just waited myself freeze to death, you know? I can't even move, I don't where I'm at and what I'm doing in that place, and I'm sure as hell didn't recognize you for a moment. I would have knocked you out for slapping me in the face if I didn't realized my whole body was numb and aching." "And seeing you do all those things, I gotta say you have gone under some other training for that. Is that from Red Cross or something? Or maybe you studied nurse?"

"Aha! I know what it is! Boy Scout! That's gotta be it! I knew it!"

"Elis... I just wanna say thank y..."

Elis -"Ssshhh..."

Both stopped. But the next thing Elis knew is a punch on the head and his face on the ground.

Zack (angry face) -"Did you... just... shush me?!" "I'm talkin' to you, I'm telling you something and you just shushed me?!" "Are you even listening to me?"

Elis (sits up and touching his head) -"Oooww... Why do you have to do that?"

Zack -"Beecaauuse! You didn't just ignore whatever I'm saying, you even shushed me!" "Man, kids nowadays should learn something about manners... And respect!"

Both heard the faint howl coming from a distance...

Zack was stunned.

Elis -"That's what I was about to tell you..."

Zack -"Why didn't you tell me earlier? And you're just sitting there?"

Elis with a confused face, wasn't able to explain why he wasn't able to tell him earlier because he wasn't sure yet if he heard it right, because of the fact that aside from the whistling blow of the wind and all Zack ever did was talk and talk and wasn't able to concentrate because he was finding a way to tell him but gave him no choice but to shush him... Zack picked him up by his coat and ran.

Zack -"We gotta hurry"

Elis -"Ehe he..."

>>Meanwhile, back to where Elias was...

Elias was last seen running outside from an exit of the hole he fell into...

Elias paused for a while, leaned his hands to his knees and catched his breath. Then a bear just appeared right in front of him. And there, he stood still...

Before Elias was about pull the kitchen knife from his belt. Someone just appeared on his side and joined him to fight off the bear.

Kenneth just rushed in to the bear...

Kenneth (shouted while running) -"Hey! You gonna help or what?"

Elias -"Ah... Right!"

Kenneth threw his knives at the bear. One hit it but the other missed. He got too close to the bear and the bear hit him by the back of its paw and he hit a tree. Elias came right after. The bear stroke a big blow again, Elias evaded, jumped and climbed the back of it, raised his knife. But before he was able to slit the bear's throat, he was shook off by the bear and hit the ground.

Kenneth (wiping the blood from his mouth and stood up) -"Hehe.. Hehehe. I like your style. Kinda reckless, but it's frightening."

Elias -"Could have been better if I finished it."

Kenneth -"Well? Let's try again, shall we?"

Elias -"Ladies first."

Kenneth rushed in again. The bear stood up and made a blow from its right hand. Kenneth evaded. Elias came in and jumped out of Kenneth's back. Kenneth stabbed one of its legs, Elias stabbed to the chest. The bear got each of them on their back, pierced its claws through their thick coats, ripping it as they were thrown off again.

Kenneth (Stood up) -"Come on, son!"

Elias getting tired from all his 'misadventures'. Rolled over from lying down and slowly got back up.

Elias -"I'm coming, dear."

Kenneth -"Aahahahaha! That's the spirit!"

Both yelled and charged back in...

13:48

Elis and Zack rested a while from running...

Zack -"The company that went ahead of us might've stirred those wolves, we can't let them get closer to us or we'll find ourselves cornered by these maniacs."

Elis -"We've got to keep going."

As the two was walking forward, they can hear voices nearing as they go. Two voices arguing.

Couple of minutes ago...

Elias and Kenneth catches their breath as their prey went down... Yes you thought it right... They killed the bear.

Kenneth (inhales... exhales...) -"This bear will keep us warm, we can sleep inside it to recover our strengths, we take out the insides to make a room and make sausages out of it, we carry the meat, we travel by night to the rendezvous."

Elias -"What? That's gross! Sleep inside the bear? Why don't we just set fire beside it to cover us from the hurling wind, that's enough to keep us warm. Besides, we will eat this for dinner, can we roast this with you inside?"

Kenneth -"We can't eat the whole of it can we?! So just chop the legs and arms and leave the body empty so we can sleep inside!"

Elias -"Fine! Take out your tools then, so we can prepare this faster, I'm tired and starving."

Elias noticed Kenneth just standing by...

Elias -"Hey grab your tools and let's get on with this. Or get the fire starting to begin."

Kenneth -"I don't have any..."

Elias (turns around to look at Kenneth) -"What do you mean you don't have any...?"

Kenneth -"I just have these throwing knives and my coat... Can I have my knife back now please?" (pulls out the knife from the bear)

Elias -"How about gasoline and matches to start fire?"

Kenneth -"I just told you, I didn't bring any..."

Elias -"But... But how... Why... How do you... Ugh... Never mind. Help me cut this meat, I'll go start a fire..."

After a while...

Kenneth -"Hey where's the fire? I'm freezing cold here."

Elias -"I just used up my last match..."

Kenneth -"You what?!"

Elias -"I don't have gasoline."

Kenneth -"Why the heck wouldn't bring gasoline, what are you using to start fire? Ice?"

Elias -"Well that's so rich coming from you 'Mr Macho, I didn't bring any'." "Just for you to know I had my colleagues with me, we've teamed up so we don't have to carry everything on our own. That's why I don't have gasoline!"

Just right about the nick of time before the two crazies froze dead. Elis and Zack arrived at the scene.

Zack -"Hey, good thing to see comrades out here. Where are the others and what do you two are arguing about?" -gasps

Zack saw the bear lying down as the two continued arguing. He was speechless.

Elis -"Zack..."

Zack -"Uh...uh...uh..." "Do you see what I see?"

Elis -"Yes"

Zack -"What are these guys..."

Kenneth -"Hey you two! Do you have anything to start a fire?"

Zack -"Uh... Ye yes..."

Zack started out the fire, positioned it behind the bear where they can have cover from the strong wind. Elis helped cutting out the meat.

Roasting the meat, Kenneth was dressing the sausages.

Zack -"Hey, tell me something..."

Elias -"What?"

Zack -"Did you two just actually killed that bear?"

Elias -"Yes, we did."

Zack -gasps... again...

Elias -"We didn't have any choice, it jumped right in front of us from nowhere. And the bear was sure is angry, if we didn't kill it, it certainly would have killed us."

Kenneth -"Aaaa...aaachhoooo!!!"

Zack -"Hey, you can come here and warm yourself."

Kenneth just finished what he was doing and joined the three eating the roasted meat.

Elis -"I think we can't be staying here for long. We got wolves on our tail."

Elias -"You what?!"

Zack -"We picked up grey wolves on our tail. They are still keeping quite a distance. The group that went ahead of us might have disturbed them from near their den. And now they're following us."

Elis -"We have to move together."

Zack -"Now slow down Elis, we need to recover our strengths. One way or another they will overrun us for sure. And we'll gonna need the strength to fight back."

Kenneth -"We rest for now, then travel by night. These are nocturnals, they are more active by night. And this weather is not helping us, for them it's been night for so long that their body clock drives them crazy."

Elis -"We move by 15:00. Any time later than that we will be swarming with wolves."

Elias -"How many are we talking about?"

Elis -"About ten to a dozen."

Zack. -"We just keep the fire lit, take a short rest then we move."

The three went to prepare their beds around the fire. But Zack watched Kenneth as he stood up and went around and inside the bear and gave him a stare as his face slowly hides down behind the bear's body.

Zack -"What's that guy doing?"

Elias (like nothing's wrong with it) -"Oh, he keeps saying he wants to sleep inside the bear."

Zack moved his bedding near Elis.

Zack (whispers) -"Man, this guys gives me the creeps."

14:41

The four packed their things and prepared to move on.

Elis -"If we go earlier and luckily not bump into one of this wolf packs, we'll be at rendezvous by 19:00 or later."

Kenneth and Elias joined the two. Zack went to Elis.

Zack -"I still can't believe this two weirdos get to kill a bear. I wish I've seen them how they did it."

Elis just silent, still observing.

Zack -"This weather drives every creature nuts. You know bears hibernate on the winter to conserve their energy and food because there won't be enough food outside. But because of The Storm, it makes the weather like winter, but the bears won't hibernate. In this case, they won't find a well supply of food, so it gets hungry and more aggressive..."

Elis -"But these two..." "Even though that bear was weakened by hunger, it still has considerable strength."

Zack -"Right. And this two jackass still have enough strength to fight each other, like nothing happened. Who are this two anyway?"

Zack made curious, went to Elias to investigate.

Zack -"Hey, I didn't get to know your name."

Elias -"Elias, and that one over there is Kenneth."

Zack looked at Kenneth and saw his coat covered with bear's blood. Didn't even tidied up before going.

Zack -"I'm Zack and with me is Elis." "Earlier, when we saw you two having a fight, what happened back there?"

Elias -"It's a long story..."

Zack -"Ok, but this one really intrigues me... How the heck did you two even thought of leaving the barracks without bringing anything to start a fire?"

Elias -"Ugh... We didn't really went together to begin with. I was left by my company and fell into a hole, the next thing I know we just bumped into each other in killing that bear."

Zack -"Hm... Well at least that explains why you two are having a distance while walking."

Elias and Kenneth glared at each other. As Zack fades away and get back to Elis.

VI. Through the Cold Front

Part 3 - Saved by the Arrow

Eating biscuit rations while walking, the four did not waste any more time to reach the rendezvous.

Zack -"It's just been over 24 hours since we've left but I'm already missing the city."

Kenneth - "Why?"

Zack -"What? How can you even ask me why?"

Kenneth is confused.

Zack -"Ugh... The look on your face just now, I can't help but be amazed."

Kenneth -"Hehe. Thanks!"

Elis and Elias hearing their conversation, look at each other, then at the two talking...

Zack -" That's not a compliment, you creep!"

Kenneth looks at him with a confused face...

Kenneth -"You lost me there... Then why would you say that?"

Zack -"Because you know how to kill a freakin' bear, and yet you seem to be ignorant of the overwhelming facts of why a person would want a city rather than this damn particular cold and dark outdoor scenery!"

Elis -"Seriously man, that's a no brainer statement for a normal person."

Kenneth -"Hey, say what now?"

Zack -"Whoa man, I didn't thought you can say that as a serious type person you are..." (started laughing) "But that's kinda true for this one! Aahahahaha!!!"

The three laughed but Kenneth still is having a hard time understanding what's going on.

Zack -"Look at him, it looks like his already having a headache!"

Elis -"Oh come on, Kenneth. The warmth? The shelter?"

Elias -"The food?"

Zack (interrupts) -"Ah come on man, do you really have to mention that? I'm starting to get hungry now thanks to you." "Man... They say the food there is delicious. The parma ham... Cullatello... Bollito misto... (drooling) Mmmmoortadellaaaahhhh..."

Elias -"What's a mortadella?"

Zack (stomach rumbles) -"It's a special sausage recipe."

Kenneth -"So you're excited to reach the city just for a sausage?" "Why bother waiting, I got sausages here and I can sure share some for each of you if you want."

Zack -"You mean the sausage that you made from bear's intestines that's poorly prepared?"

Kenneth -"Hey! How can you say it's poorly prepared? I've been doing this since I was a kid!"

Zack -"Because Kenneth, you were dripping blood when you came out of that bear's belly, and you just let it froze on your coat! And I wouldn't think that you didn't sanitize before preparing that bear's intestines?"

Kenneth -"Ooh... I think you're right."

Zack -"Because I am!"

Elias -"Kenneth, when was the last time you used your logic?"

Kenneth -"I don't use logic... I use Instinct."

Elis -"I'm pretty sure those two have correlation..."

Kenneth -"Logic most of the time is irrelevant. Logic can only try to take control of events. But instinct... survives."

Zack -"Hah! Where on earth did that came from?"

Kenneth was reminded of his past picturing in his mind like a kid standing, head bow and surrounded by a shadow of a happy family.

Kenneth -"...from where you guys know nothing about."

The atmosphere got serious. The three were speechless.

Elis -"It's too quiet..."

Zack -"Well that's because Kenneth here became too dramati.."

Elias -"No Zack, it's too quiet..."

Zack (sighs)-"Ah man, you guys really need to learn about manners. Don't worry, I'll teach you when we get there at the camp... " -continued speaking

When Zack was still mumbling about, a wolf dived in toward Elis' back. Kenneth took it down.

Kenneth -"RUN!!!"

18:18

The four ran as fast as they can. Elias looked behind and saw the wolves one by one coming out of the dark. Kenneth can see other wolves coming from their side.

Kenneth -"They're trying to corner us!"

Zack being in front of the others can see the lit fires that lights the city.

Zack -"I can see the city, Let's head straight!"

Just before they come near the exit of the forest, a wolf overrun them and attacked Zack.

Right on time an arrow went straight to the wolf's neck right under its jaw saving Zack.

At the end of the exit two comrades are standing and aiming arrows. It was Tyrone and his brother Rigoran.

Tyrone -"Nice shot brother."

Rigoran -"Tss... big deal."

Tyrone (to the four) -"Right here, quick!"

Joining the two, they all prepared to fight. The four drew knives and began fighting the wolves.

18:56

Dead wolves shot by arrows and sliced by knives all lay on the ground.

Rigoran -"I think that's all of it."

Tyrone -"Let's head to the camp."

Leaving, Elis heard movement. He looked behind and can barely see distantly in the dark, a wolf with eyes fierce as a blazing flame fades out of sight.

Elias -"What are you guys doing here outside?"

Tyrone -"We waited for you. Because one of the group discovered their den, and we know the wolves being disturbed will be following whoever was left behind."

Zack -"You mean you knew we're gonna make it here?"

Tyrone -"No."

Zack -"Gah! You what?!"

The trainees that arrived were led to a hospital in Castel San Pietro that is now being used as a military camp where they will spend the night to rest, eat good food and recharge for the morning.

At the campsite.

Kenneth and Elias has been lazying at their quarter. Elis came in after washing himself and figured Zack wasn't with the two.

Elis -"Where's Zack?"

Elias -"He said he couldn't wait for you and went to the dining."

Elis -"Oh, he must be that hungry."

Kenneth -"Hey Elis, are you two like, together?"

Elis -"What? I'm telling you Kenneth you gotta see a psychiatrist. Your mind is wild as a Hyena. How did you even get past neuro test with a messed up brain like the one you have?"

Elias -"What made you think they're together Kenneth?"

Kenneth -"Well maybe, because they're always together, isn't that obvious?"

Elis -"You two were together when we met you out there too."

Kenneth -"We're different."

Elias -"No, YOU are different."

Elis laughed.

Elias -"And how did you even found me back there? I didn't even saw you with us at the barracks."

Kenneth -"I was there."

Elis -"Then how did you two met each other?"

Kenneth -"We were left behind."

Elias -"No Kenneth, I was left behind. You, I don't know where you came from."

Elis -"Haha!!! What's wrong with you Kenneth, you mean you don't even know how you two got together? Man, I really doubt you passed that test."

Kenneth -"Of course I passed it, how the heck would I get here if I didn't!"

Elis -"Now I'm confused."

Kenneth -"Why?"

Elis -"As to how, Kenneth. How did you passed the neuro test."

Kenneth answered so faint, none of the two heard what he said...

Elias -"What?"

Elis -"I sure didn't heard what you just said."

Kenneth -"What, you guys became deaf all of a sudden? I said I cheated!"

In their surprise, as the two still trying to comprehend what Kenneth just said, and more importantly, HOW did he even do it... Zack barged in.

Zack -"Yo! Guys, look at what I've got! Hahah!"

Kenneth -"What is that?"

Zack -"I got good rations for continuing our training tomorrow! I got there first so we don't get to ran out of choices. You can thank me later."

Elias -"Wow! Thanks Zack! These really are good food!"

Kenneth -"Not just that, I didn't know they were also giving government issued cigarettes for rations, so when I saw them I got a couple for each of us. Hah!"

Elis -"Zack, you know the three of us are under 18, right?"

Zack -"Well in that case, more for me! Hahahaha!"

Zack's stomach rumbles...

Elias -"You haven't got to eat yet?"

Zack -"No, I saw the rations first and thought to get us those while the other trainees hasn't made a long line yet."

Elias -"That's kind of you Zack, thanks. Let's go get something to eat."

The four went out their quarters now and went straight to the kitchen to eat. Arriving at the kitchen Zack was speechless with his eyes breaking tears.

Zack -"Oooooohhh!!! Hahaha!"

Elias -"Wow, I wasn't expecting this kind of good food here."

Zack -"Am I dead?! Elis, can you wake me up?"

Kenneth slapped his face so hard his hand shaped in Zack's cheek.

Zack -"Oh come on, man! Do you have to hit me that hard?! I wasn't even talkin' to you!"

Kenneth -"You're acting weird..."

Elias -"Look who's talking. Haha!"

Elis -"Hey, enough of that, are we eating or what?"

The four lined up with the other trainees to get dinner. While waiting for their turn, a woman just passed by them, so attractive it made Zack turn his head. Following her with his eyes, he saw Kenneth just right behing him also looking at her.

Zack got the chance to hit back. Hit Kenneth at the back of his head with his palm that got him off balance.

Kenneth -"Gah!!!"

The woman turned and look at them hearing the two, Zack and Kenneth quickly settled themselves back in the line like nothing's going on.

Seeing her sat down and begin eating her dinner. Kenneth and Zack argued with whispering voice.

Kenneth -"Hey, you hit me!"

Zack -"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't noticed. Of course I hit you! You dumb creep!"

Kenneth -"Then why'd you do that for?!"

Zack -"Because you hit me earlier... and you're looking at her." -pointing with his face

Kenneth -"So what?"

Zack -"Because I like her.You don't get to like who I like. I'm eldest here, you listen to me... Besides, look at her, she's too old for you, boy!"

Kenneth -"You mean you're old?"

Elias -"Hey, what're you two up to now?"

Zack -"Nothing!"

Kenneth -"Zack says I'm too young for her."

Elias -"Her? Who her?"

Zack -"That woman."

Elias and Kenneth looked at the woman.

Zack -"Hey, you can stop staring at her now."

Elias looked at Zack... then at Kenneth.. back right at Zack...

Elias -"Oh... I see now."

Zack -"You better not be liking her too Elias, or you two get a piece of me. She will love me, and you two better not get in the way."

Kenneth and Elias stacked their food like they heard nothing.

At the table, while eating their food...

Elias -"These food are sooo good!"

Zack -"Maybe because they know how hard is the training we are going through. That's why they prepared us foods like this."

Elias -"Yeah, like you were just talking about this earlier. Now I too got to taste this Mortadella."

Zack -"Hey Kenneth, how was your food?"

Kenneth -"I don't wanna be disturbed right now."

Elias -"Better than his bear sausage for sure!"

The three laughed but noticed Elis has been silent for quite a while now and hasn't touched his food. Looks like he's daydreaming.

Kenneth -"Hey, you don't like your food? I still got room for that."

Zack -"Hey, watsup man?"

Elias noticed Elis looked at someone in the corner.

Elias -"Who is she?"

Elis -"Just don't mind me."

Finished with their dinner, the four went back at their quarters. Elis went in first, opening the door. Immediately turning off the lights to get to sleep.

Everyone got to their beds and settled.

Elias -"Hey, Elis?"

Elis -"Yeah."

Elias -"If you don't mind me asking, who is she? If you know that girl, why weren't she with you and Zack?"

Zack -"We don't know her Elias. It's just this kiddo here has a crush on her."

Elis -"Hey, it's not what you think it is Zack. It's not that I like her... well not that I don't. But there's something happened from before you saw us in the kitchen back at the barracks."

Kenneth -"Well, what happened then?"

Zack -"Whoa! I thought you're already asleep. And how come you have interests in these kind of matter?"

Elias -"Well, he's been interested with Elis' story, I can tell."

Zack -"And how's that?"

Elias -"He's been asking Elis since we got here."

Zack -"Asking what?"

Elias -"Well, he was asking if you two were lovers."

Zack -"You what?! You jackass!"

Elias -"Haha! Looks like Kenneth's been observing each of us. But I don't know exactly what for with the way he observes. Hahahaha!"

Kenneth -"Enough of me. Hey Elis, what's your story?"

Zack -"Yeah man, I too don't know what you two love birds are about."

Elis sighs as he lay down with his side and facing the wall. And begin telling them what has really happened.

Elis -"It was our first night at the barracks and I can't get myself some sleep. I decided to go outside for fresh air. And there I saw her practising with her axe. When I went closer to watch her, she saw me hiding. It was dark but the sky was clear with the moonlight, and I can swear she got very angry at me. And without saying anything she just left. I just wanted to apologize, and tell her I didn't mean to stalk her."

Kenneth -"You stalked her?"

Elis -"I said I didn't mean it."

Elias -"Quit it Kenneth."

Kenneth -"What?!"

Zack -"Hm... I see now. I thought you were just trying to get her. You know what I mean?"

Elis -"Now you know, at least you can stop teasing."

Kenneth -"Why don't you just get her name for starter. Then try to talk with her."

Zack clapping...

Zack -"Bravo! You surprised me Kenneth. I thought you really don't have social skills. Why don't you show Elis here how to do it."

Kenneth -"Well, I don't know how to do it. I just see how they do it."

Zack -"See who?"

Kenneth -"Everyone. You know, when they like someone..."

Elias -"So you mean you haven't done it?"

Zack -"Don't give him false hope Kenneth. If you don't know, just tell him. I can see Elias here is interested in courting too eh?"

Elias -"What?!"

Kenneth -"Hehehe."

Elias -"Ugh..."

Zack -"I tell you what, I'll teach you a lesson or two while we're on our way to the next rendezvous tomorrow."

Kenneth -"Well you show us first on that chick earlier before you teach us, smartass."

Elias -"Ugh... not interested."

Zack -"You're damn right I will."

Elis -"Come on guys. I want some sleep."

Just before everyone get to sleep. They heard a faint sound of instrument, a ukelele playing and you can see Kenneth's face emerging from behind Elis' back as he sings...

Kenneth -"Wise men say, only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in love with you..."

Zack -"Woah man, I didn't thought you can sing, with the rough, psycho voice that you have. And you even play a ukelele! And that song, I only heard that once or twice from my grandpa when he was still alive. And where did you get that ukelele from?"

Then suddenly someone just opened the door and turned on the lights.

Zack -"Whoa! Hey! That's rude. Can't you guys knock?"

Rigoran and Tyrone-"Hey, what are you guys doing here?"

Tyrone -"This ain't your sleeping quarter!"

The they realized it wasn't their room when the brothers turned on the lights.

Elias -"Uhh... I guess they're right guys."

Zack -"Oh sorry man."

The four got out of bed and went outside to go to their own quarter, Kenneth went out last still holding the ukelele and smiled at the two.

Tyrone -"Give me that!"

The four went to outside laughing.

Zack -"How the heck none of us didn't notice we're on the wrong quarter?"

Elis -"It was dark 'cause I turned out the light after I came in."

Elias -"One thing I'm sure, Kenneth should have noticed that. He's holding a ukelele that's not his and didn't even noticed where it came from. Hahahaha!"

While the four are on their way to their quarter, they saw the woman they saw at the kitchen passing by them. They all looked at her and noticed that she was staring at Zack. The three was laughing as Zack thought that she like him. You can see how Zack feels, so proud standing out with women from the three youngsters.

When they all got to their quarter, Zack went to the bathroom first and thought to wash his face. There he saw his face purple with the shape of Kenneth's hand.

Zack -"Keeennnneeeth!!! You son of β!@#€%!!!!"

つづく...