Love and War

“So, you guys don’t just want to keep helping people. You want to start a war?” Charity’s eyebrows raised.

“Don’t you?” Uzziah replied, “It’s not like we want to fight. We just want a peaceful life where people don’t get killed simply because they disagree with the so-called ‘benevolent’ king, or like in your case, get almost killed because of who you’re related to. Every day, we see more children without parents, more wives without husbands, more families without homes. And it’s all because of Abaddon and his need to maintain a facade of peace, power, and benevolence. I don’t want all of these people to have to live underground anymore. I want a free Exoneron.”

Charity sat quietly. Uzziah’s resolve was truly admirable, and she could not say that she did not at least somewhat agree. While she may be new to the life she now had, she could see the struggle and the heartbreak many faced, the desire to return to a normal life beneath the actual sun instead of a glowing cave, no matter how captivated those cave lights may be. She could understand why people like Uzziah may see war as a necessary evil to attain the freedom and peace so many desperately craved.

“What do my dreams have to do with this?” Charity inquired.

“Your dreams were given to you by a reve,” Uzziah answered.

“A what?”

“A reve, an invisible immortal capable of communicating with humans through dreams and visions. Because of their fascination with the mortality of man, they’re attracted to people near death and often listen to their last wish. Then, they deliver a final message to whoever that dying person thought about in their final moment.”

“S-so, my mom?” Charity choked, swallowing the ball in her throat.

“Your mom,” Andrew’s tone was soft and comforting, “in her last moments, thought of you.”

A lone tear trickled down Charity’s face. Her mind flashed back to the horrid vision of her mangled body lying in a pool of blood, and she flinched. All the pain she must have gone through in those final moments, and she only thought of her? Her heart ached, and a pit grew in her stomach. How she wished to see her mother just one more time.

“Is it the same location every time it happens?” Uzziah asked after a moment.

“Yes,” Charity whispered.

“If you were to see this location in real life, would you know?”

“I think so,” Charity replied, finally gathering her composer once more.

“We want to actually find that place, and we need your help to do so,” Uzziah explained.

“But this is all your choice, Charity,” Andrew reassured. “You don’t need to do anything you’re not comfortable with doing. We will never force you into doing anything.”

Charity sat quietly for a moment, wondering what kind of selfless act drove her mother to the mountains that night. How important was that map to Rose? Surely, her mother knew the risks, and she considered this map well worth it. Charity felt she owed it to her mother to do the same. “I’ll do it.”

Uzziah nodded. “We’ll start working on getting a team ready for that, but for now, it’s best you get some rest.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Leah stated. “I’ll get the wheelchair, so I can help you to your room.”

“No need,” Andrew said as he gently picked up Charity without waiting for a response from either of the girls.

“Whatever, I’m going to bed,” Leah’s tone was full of frustraiton. Charity knew she had upset Leah, but she did not care. She had to do what she felt was right regardless of what Leah may think. She was her own person with her own life and her own ability to make decisions.

Leah rolled her eyes as she passed Andrew, but he paid her no mind. He focused on Charity and made sure he laid her in bed as gently as he possibly could. “How are you feeling?” He asked as he set her down.

“As okay as I can be,” Charity smiled. “It’s a little frustrating not being able to walk, and it hurts when I breathe. I also don’t have a house anymore. I almost died. My car is totaled. And I’d keep listing things that are wrong, but I only have one working hand.”

Andrew laughed, “Your optimism amazes me. I honestly can’t think of anyone but you who could still smile after everything you’ve been through.”

“My mom used to always say that life was too short to not be happy, so we should always make an effort to focus on the good we have, no matter how small it may be. I guess after so many years of always focusing on reasons to be happy, it just became a part of me.”

“What would those reasons be?” Andrew asked, kneeling by Charity’s bed.

“Well, I’m not dead for one,” Charity laughed, “this new place is twice as big as my old one, and I didn’t even have to pay for it. I’m safe. I still get to live with my best friend, and I have… you.”

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Andrew cleared his throat and got up to walk away, doing his best to hide his red face from Charity. “I should go.”

“I saw the way you looked at me when we were in the atrium. You have feelings for me, don’t you?”

Andrew pivoted to face Charity. He fumbled over his words as his mind raced for an answer. “Y-Yes, but it doesn’t have to mean anything to you. I can get them under control, and nothing will ever come of it. I’m… I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean for you to find out, especially right now.”

Charity bursted into laughter and clutched her side, “Don’t make me laugh so hard. It hurts.”

Andrew rubbed the back of his neck, unsure of what to do. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“For what?”

“For making you feel uncomfortable.”

Charity laughed again and winced, “I told you not to do that.” Some tears began falling from her eyes, and Andrew rushed back to her side to help her.

“Charity, are you okay? Do you need more pain medicine?” Andrew asked.

“No. I just need you to stop being dumb,” Charity smiled.

“What?” Andrew furrowed his brows.

“You were too focused on taking care of me, you didn’t even bother to ask how I felt or what I wanted. I don’t want you to get your feelings under control.”

“You don’t?”

“No, dummy. I don’t. I actually like you, too,” Charity smiled. Andrew just stared at Charity, too stunned to speak. Charity laughed again and then winced in pain.

“Stop hurting yourself,” Andrew said, grabbing the hand that was just clutching her rib.

“Stop making me laugh so much,” Charity retorted with a smile. “Look, I don’t know how much I care for you. I don’t even know that much about you yet, but what I do know is that you are selfless, compassionate, a great leader, and someone I find myself very attracted to. I would like to see where this road takes us. And if we both feel the same way, why not travel it together?”

Charity fiddled with their intertwined fingers as she waited for Andrew’s response. She wished she could know what he was thinking, but his icy blue eyes left her guessing. She became anxious as the seconds grew longer.

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine, but could you at least-”

Charity’s words were silenced as Andrew’s lips crashed into hers. It was gentle and soft yet full of passion and a yearning that removed any questions from Charity’s mind. She tasted the mint from his gum, felt the gentle pressure of his hand against her cheek, and breathed in his pine-scented cologne with a soft sigh. Andrew pulled away slowly and placed his forehead on Charity’s.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I just couldn’t help myself,” Andrew’s thumb traced over Charity’s lips as their breaths mingled in the charged air.

“Oh, shut up and kiss me again,” Charity giggled. Without waiting for a response, Charity grabbed Andrew’s shirt and pressed her lips against his. This time, the kiss was deeper, more urgent. He cradled her head in his hands, his fingers tangling in her hair.

When they finally broke apart, Charity kept her hand on his shirt as if afraid to let him go. “I do have a request, though.”

“Honestly, you could ask me for my kidney right now, and I’d probably give it to you,” Andrew joked, his fingers stroking her flushed cheeks.

“Could we keep this between us? At least just for now,” Charity asked.

“Sure, but why?”

“Leah can be a bit… worrisome. I love her dearly, and she means well, but she nags me about my impulsive decisions, which is honestly helpful sometimes. But I just don’t want her to do that with this. Plus, I’d like for us to test the waters to see if this will even work before we put it out in the open for everyone to know.”

“Okay, but Joshua is going to know,” Andrew said.

“How?”

Andrew laughed, “He knows everything. I don’t know how, but he does. You can’t hide anything from him. Ever.”

“That’s kind of frightening,” Charity replied.

Andrew just shrugged, “I don’t mind.”

“Okay, so just Joshua for now. We’ll keep it under wraps from everyone else?”

“Sure,” Andrew smiled as he stole one more quick kiss. “I should probably go. If you need me, call me. Or just yell really loud. Uzziah and I are next door.”

Charity laughed and playfully hit him in the chest. “Get out of here, you dummy.”

“Goodnight, Charity.”

“Goodnight, Andrew.”

As Andrew closed Charity’s door, he was sure he heard her squeal gleefully. He couldn't help but smile, a sense of giddiness bubbling inside him. He couldn’t imagine a happier moment, and he was already excited for tomorrow to come just to see Charity again. But a flicker of unease accompanied the joy. Keeping their relationship a secret, especially from Leah, felt… complicated. Nevertheless, he pushed the thought aside as he entered his own apartment where Uzziah was waiting for him. His arms were crossed, and one eyebrow arched in a knowing smirk.

“So, how was it?” Uzziah asked.

“How was what?” Andrew said.

“Come on, bro. Don’t play dumb. Your shirt is wrinkled, and your face is as red as that tomato on the counter. You kissed her, didn’t you?”

Andrew rubbed his hand over his face, “For once, can you pretend to not notice something?”

“It’s my job to notice things.”

“Okay, it was great. She’s great. We’re together, but she doesn’t want anyone to know yet, especially not Leah,” Andrew said.

Uzziah laughed, “All these years of women pining after you, and you pay them no mind. Charity is here for a day, and you’re already head over heels.”

“She’s… different. I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I’ve never really felt like this before.”

“Happy for you, man,” Uzziah said as he hit Andrew’s shoulder. “I won’t say anything, but you know you can’t keep this a secret from Joshua, right?”

“I know. I already told her that.”

“Did you tell her I’d know?”

“How was I supposed to know you’d guess it the minute I got home?”

“I’m offended you didn’t realize how good I was. It’s like you don’t even know me,” Uzziah joked, throwing his hand over his forehead as though he may faint.

Andrew rolled his eyes and playfully shoved his friend. “Okay, enough about me. Joshua is going to be back any day now. We have a lot of work we need to do.”