"Why Clover?.."

I approach the outpost, my over-slung rifle hanging on my back. As the chain-linked gate breaks into view from behind the brush, I notice two guards on post. One of the guards spots my approach as I step past the fallen log. He raises his rifle, training it on the unknown foe

Guard: "Freeze!"

The guard's eyes wavered through the rifle's iron sights, finger quaking on the trigger. The second guard fumbles to grab his rifle. With the strap swung over him, the rifle swings and flies around him as he accidentally swats it around. attempting to get a hold of it.

Jack: "Watch your fire, Allen!"

The guard lowers his rifle, looking at his target closer.

Allen: "Jack! You are finally back! Where'd you go for this past day!?"

Guard 2: "Yea Jack! We thought we lost you when you suddenly vanished!"

Jack: "Oh come on Nick. You all knew I'd be fine. I was more worried about you two if anything..."

Nick: "Hey! What's that support to mean!?"

Jack: "Nothing!.."

I throw my arms behind my head as I whistle some random tune. I step forward as they open the gate, granting me access to the outpost. I pause, remembering the question they asked me.

Jack: "Ah, about why I was gone. Did you guys enjoy the fireworks?"

I look back, shooting the two confused soldiers a wide grin before I continue forward. After a second or two, I hear the "OOOOOOHHHHHH!" of Allen and Nick in unison. How have those two survived this long? I smile forms on my face as my stomach roars its plea. Man, I haven't eaten anything since I left... I walk over to the cooking tent, spotting May trailed off in thought while scooping herself some breakfast.

Jack: "Hey May, what's for breakfast?"

Without looking up, she begins to answer the question thrown at her.

May: "It's... beef stew... as nor-...

May's head slowly raises, her eyes meeting mine.

May: "JACK!?!? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"

May drops the ladle, throwing her arms over me with her stained apron.

Jack: "Just been around, you know, the usual."

May: "Where is your helmet? are you hurt? Where have you been? Did you cause that explosion? Oh! you must be hungry right!?"

Jack: "Calm down! what are you, my mother!?"

May: "I might as well be!"

May pumps out her chest, taking pride in her self asserted title. I let out my usual sigh, as we run through this daily interaction.

Jack: "You do check off all the boxes for how a mother acts... But, I am hungry, let's eat something alright."

May: "Sure! I'll make you a bowl. Go ahead and sit yourself down somewhere."

Stepping out of the tent, I leave a single "K!" in my place. I walk over to the hills lookout post. The spot I previously escaped from. Peaking around the corner, I spot another girl looking out to the charred area that was once our rival outpost. She's crouched over, barely peeking over the sand-filled barricades. Stood tall she would easily be taller than May. From my lower viewpoint, she looks to be around the second tallest on base.

Jack: "April?"

April jumps in place. Almost bumping her head on the camouflaged netting above her.

Jack: "I thought May told you not to peek over the barricades like that. Don't you remember the sniper's nest warning?"

April, our second month inspired name on base. April's black pixie haircut lies vibrant with red and blue highlights. To this day we all wonder how she managed to sneak those through inspections. Alongside her highlights, she wears thin-framed, rectangle glasses. The glasses on her nose bearing what seems to be no reflection to them. April serves as one of our grenadiers as well as our handy engineer. One out of the two Humvees we have here at base rarely ever likes to start. Always forcing April to come and MAKE it start. It's always been a constant back and forth battle between the two. She always gets it to start, just for it to break down the next day again. Settling down, she snaps back with a quick-witted response.

April: "And doesn't May tell you to wear your missing helmet?"

My gaze shoots to the ground as I stumble back, surprised by her narrowed attack.

Jack: "Tch, fair play... So, did you enjoy the fireworks?"

April: "... Why am I not surprised... You suddenly vanish mid-fire fight. Then suddenly a random part of the nearby hillside explodes in the middle of the night... What's next? Gonna hijack an enemy fighter jet and rain hell in the skies?"

Jack: "Oh! Good idea!"

May: "April, don't give Jack any more crazy ideas!"

May steps into our conversation. Setting down 2 bowls of stew, she keeps one in her hands.

April: "Oh come on, I'm just kidding."

May: "No! You know how Jack likes to act. He'll try any idea you give him given the opportunity!"

May lets out a sigh of her own as her eyes fall on me. She returns her focus to April as she jesters to the bowl of stew on the sandbag.

"You haven't eaten anything either right? So I saw you talking to Jack and made you a bowl as well!"

April: "Yay... Beef stew, my favorite... I love it so much ill eat it for the past six months... Hurray!.."

May's face turns pouty as April picks up her bowl, munching down on a piece of meat.

May: "You like it! You've never left any leftovers from it!"

April: "I like your cooking May, doesn't really mean I like the dish. Especially if it's a thing only thing I've eaten for almost six damn months..."

April clutches her spork before tossing it to the ground in rage.

April: "When are those bastards at command going to send us something that isn't just leftover scraps!"

May: "Oh come on, don't whine about it that much. After all, this place isn't that important at all. It's very remote and that one assault was the first thing we've seen in a while now. At least we're getting something, right?"

May steps over to the disregarded spork. Picking it up, she gives it a little clean before handing it back to its owner.

April: "I guess your right... But I still refuse to accept this!"

She rolls her spork clutched hands into a fist, shaking it in the air.

Jack: "Alway's gotta be a drama queen huh?"

April: "Rather be a drama queen than a suicidal bastard."

We share a laugh before May intervenes once more.

May: "Let's eat our food now alright? It'll get cold at this rate."

In unison, we both cry out "Riiiiiiiight!" before taking our seats, chowing down on our overly common meal.

The blinding light burns through my eyelids as my consciousness slowly returns to me. I slowly open my heavy eyes, finding two arms wrapped around my chest. I look up, finding Clover fast asleep above me. I let out a quiet voice, allowing my surprised monologue to reach my speech.

Jax: "We swapped places?.."

I check my watch, noting the near 11 o'clock time being displayed to me. Ah hell! we're going to miss out on breakfast! I slowly undid Clovers wrapped arms, sitting up on the short bed. Turning around I grab a hold of Clover's shoulders, gently rocking her awake.

Jax: "Ooooooi! Get up! We're late for breakfast! You want food don't you!"

She remains sound asleep, not waking for any of my gentle, pleas. In response, I shake her harder, dropping my softened tone.

Jax: "Oi! WAKE UP ALREADY! WE STILL HAVE STUFF TO DO TODAY!"

I stop my assault, allowing her a chance to open her eyes. Clover's eyes dimly flicker open and closed as Her eyes meet mine. I greet her with a light smile, her greeting, was falling back asleep. I could feel as a blood vessel popped somewhere as I once more jerk her around

Jax: "This little... GET UUUUUUUUUP!"

How can anyone sleep through this so peacefully!?!? Her eyes lids once again slowly raise as our eyes meet for a second time.

Jax: "Get up, it's almost eleven and we gotta eat something before training. You wanna become a better pilot right?"

The dazed Clover gently nods as her eyes struggle to stay open.

Jax: "Then we can't train on an empty stomach. C'mon, get up. I'll drag you out of bed if I must!"

Clover's eyes fall shut as she raises her arms forward. Begging to be dragged out of bed.

Jax: "Oh come on."

I step out of bed, and at her request, I grab her listless arms. Yanking her seemly lifeless body out of the bed. She doesn't even attempt to stand or catch herself as her limp body crashes into mine. I crash onto the hard wooden floor as Clover once more falls into a deep sleep.

Jax: "Damn it, Clover. Would you please get u-"

My blood runs cold as I hear the click of my door's lock come undone. The door seemingly flies open in slow motion as I feel my life coming to an end with each inch it moves.

Doc: "Hey Jax, arent you coming down for break-"

Our eyes meet as his hand remains placed on the wide-open door. We sit eye-locked with each other for what seemed to be an eternity. Breaking the deadlock, he gifts me with a bright, warm grin as my soul slithers out of my body. I slowly shake my head as I beg him to understand what happened. Finally, after all that commotion, Clover finally decides to wake up. Rubbing her soft eyes, as she looks up at my defeated face meer inches away.

Clover: "Jax?.. What's wrong?.."

Doc: "I'll leave you two be~."

Sending us off with a wink, he shuts the door behind him before exclaiming through the halls "LEAVE JAX ALONE FOR AWHILE!"

Clover: "... Jax?.. What's going on?.."

With my eyes still fixed on the shut door of my future life, I simply tell Clover:

Jax: "It's nothing, Clover... Can you please get off me?.."

Clover: "Oh!.. Sorry..."

Jax: "It's... Fine..."

Realizing her position, Clover hops off of me. She remains sitting by my side as I continue to lay spread out across the floor. My gaze slowly shifts to the ceiling as Clover's perked head looks down on me in confusion. I feel a tear begin to form in my eye as a cold smile fills my face.

Well, Doc... You've lived a pretty good, long life huh?..