Precious Metals

I set Mikey down on my cot once we had finally made it back to my place. He sunk into it almost immediately, turning over to face the wall. Is that really what he thought of me? A murderer? I carefully placed a thick blanket on him, he was shivering from the draft that blew around from seemingly nowhere.

I walked into the kitchen, opening up a squeaky cupboard. I had enough food to last me through the week and then some. That was one of the advantages of being a guard on the Wall. More rations. Higher status. I grabbed a can of peaches,splitting open the top with a knife I had on hand and emptying it onto a single glass plate. I took in a deep lung full. They were heaven. I can't even remember the last time I had peaches... I poked at them, pushing them around in the syrup they came with. A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts... The peaches felt slimy, full of sugars and artificial crap that I didn't even know. The sweet taste dulled. Mikey is right...I did get his brother killed. I ruined everything. If it wasn't for me being so stupid, he would've been here. He deserved to be here, not me. The pangs in my heart only deepened. Like small earthquakes, readying themselves to finally shatter me. If it wasn't for me, Mikey wouldn't have a reason to drink until he couldn't stand. He wouldn't have to be peeled off the floor almost every night. He doesn't need me. He needs-no, wants, Gerard. All I ever do is remind him of that. Hell, I'm not even a second-best. I can't replace him. I can't...

I throw the dishes in the sink. Maybe it would all be better if I just left... I glanced at the door. Its so tempting... Just to walk out, and leave. Just disappear. But where would I go? I can't leave the city. That isn't even an option....

I fall into the old couch next to Mikey. A heavy sigh forces its way from my lips. I run my fingers through my greasy black hair, pulling on the knots and trying to untangle some. Its no use.... I'm just as trapped as anyone else is in this world... Or whatever's left of it. I can't shake this feeling.... This feeling of helplessness.... I was only fifteen! How could I have known? I wasn't strong enough.... Tears pricked at my eyes. I was never strong enough to save him...


"Frankie!!!"

It was Gerard. How?.... Everything was happening so fast. Like a blur. Before I could register what was happening he jumped in front of me, going still just before slumping over. I heard a sickening crunch, followed by wheezing, short gasp.

That thing- that monster had lodged the knife in between his ribs. "F-Frankie?" Gee whimpered, looking up at me, before going still. His eyes glossed over, pupils dilating as he shuddered out his last breath.

A sob ripped through me, starting somewhere deep in my lungs. Shaking its way through me, turning into screams and tears. The blood....There's so much..... It had pooling out onto my feet, and made its way onto my hands as I sank down, pulling him closer. I held him close, shaking. No....No- he can't be... He can't be dead

I smacked at his face. "Gee? Come one. Stop messing around." My voice was a cracked, shaking mess. I grabbed his shoulder, jerking him around. Willing him to blink, to breathe. "Gerard-c-come on. I-Its not f-funny anymore! Get up! Just fucking get up!" The blood was pounding in my ears. My heart felt like it was ripping itself from my chest. Footsteps neared me. I don't care if I die too... I don't care if my dad kills me too, just as long as I get to be with you, Gee. I held onto him tighter, almost willing him to become a physical part of me and closed my eyes.

I give up.... "Just do it already" Tears spilled their way from my eyes. "Kill me!!!"

I jolted awake. Damn it..... Its the dream again... I glance over at the cot, Mikey must have already gotten up and left. Perfect. I took a cold shower and changed into my uniform, and left for the Tower again.

It was muddy outside. Huh....I guess it did actually rain... The air for once smelt fresh, instead of being laced with the smell of smoke and harsh chemicals. The sunlight had filtered its way through the extra thick clouds, shining a few precious rays onto my back as I neared Tower Eight. It was beautiful. I could taste the dew and moisture in the air on my tongue. The day after it rained always lit me up with nostalgia... Memories of sitting behind a window and watching the skies cry their blissful tears, holding a cup of hot chocolate. And more than occasionally snuggling with Gerard until it had stopped.

I climbed the ladder up to the rusted shelter on top, that was now shinier and new looking... I guess it was just dirt or something before... Ray hadn't arrived yet, so I just let both of the other guards go instead of making them wait. It must have been hell yesterday with all of the rain. Jesse looked sick, his red hair was a soppy mess, trickling water down his face every time he moved.

His eyes were bloodshot and puffy. "Thanks Frank." He smiled sheepishly, before climbing down to get some long awaited rest. Poor guy. I settled into my usual seat, taking a rifle and looking through the scope. A thick fog blanketed everything, it was beautiful, but a little creepy. It gave off this wave of energy, like something off of a Stephen King novel. It sure is beautiful though... For a place that it supposed to be dangerous... I just wanted to jump down, sink into the fluffy pillows of mist and sleep. Yeah right, I'd just end up splattered on the ground.

It was really quiet. Strange.... No gunshots or shouts echoed over to this side, no typical shrieks or anything...

The radio crackled to life. "All teams to tower one! All teams to tower one! O-Oh God- they're-" The connection went dead. Shit. That's when I heard it. The loud boom of what sounded like metal scraping on metal. I grabbed my gear and headed across the wall.

Notes

Cliff hanger-ish? I wanted to make it up to you guys, so here it is :)

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