Supply Run

In a narrow alley, hidden from the pale blue light of the moon, stood Samuel, leaning his back against a building and feeling the cold concrete through his hoodie. As his remaining strength faded, his chin lowered, resting on his chest as his eyes closed and his breathing slowed.

Without warning, Samuel felt a cold damp surface press against his face. Shifting from semi-conscious to high alert, he heard a faint chuckle followed by a quiet voice call out to his left.

“Sorry, Sam, couldn't help myself,” Joseph said while suppressing his laughter.

Following behind his friend, both boys were bathed in moonlight as they left the alley’s shadow and began walking down the street, trying to minimize the echo of every step.

“You gonna tell me what we snuck off base for?” Samuel asked, turning to face Joseph. Even with his hood pulled over, he could still see the bright glow of Joseph's blue eyes.

“Already told you ,Sam, supply run,” Joseph answered as he raised his arm to hand Samuel a small glass bottle. “A small thanks for sacrificing an hour of sleep.”

Taking the bottle, he twisted off the cap and took a slow sip. With a heavy sigh of satisfaction, Samuel continued to drink as they walked.

“Haven’t grown out of liking that stuff yet huh?” Joseph asked as he flashed Samuel a playful smile.

“You just haven’t grown to appreciate it like me,” Samuel retorted after finishing his last gulp.

Following a soft chuckle, “You’ve been saying that since we were kids. I didn't like it then, so I doubt I ever will.”

Reaching the corner of the city block, they looked up and down the desolate street before quickly crossing towards tall stone walls that encircled a newly built training facility. Following the wall up the street, they reached the western gate where they could see a guard sitting inside a booth by the entrance.

Without pause they continued forward. Peering through the booth window, both boys saw that the guard was completely asleep. With a deep sigh, Joseph stepped around the side towards the booth’s entrance and gave the chair a small kick, causing the guard to wake up in confusion.

Prying open the window and poking his head in, “Joshua, you know if Sergeant catches you sleeping at your post he’ll add more night duty to your schedule right?” asked Samuel.

“Just had to rest my eyes for a bit.” Stifling a yawn, Joshua stared at them both in surprise. “You guys actually did it?” he asked. “Swear I thought you'd get caught.” Standing to stretch, he exited the booth and checked his watch, “So, how’d it go?”

Digging through the paper bag in his arm, “No issues,” Joseph answered, pulling out a can of hot coffee and tossing it towards Joshua. “Try to make that last the whole night.”

Waving the boys goodbye as he took a large sip of coffee, Samuel and Joseph continued further on base. With their barracks building in view, blissful thoughts of laying in bed filled Samuel’s mind.

Without slowing down, Joseph took a sudden right turn away from their barracks. Confused but still following, “Where we going?” Samuel asked. “You got your supplies.”

“They aren’t for me,” Joseph replied quietly.

They continued walking in silence, pausing to hide whenever a roaming guard passed. Slowing down as they reached a row of abandoned one story dorm buildings that stood in the shadow of a different barracks. Hidden in the shadow between the dorms, Joseph turned to Samuel.

“I’m dropping this off in that corner window there,” he said. “Just wait here for a bit, won’t take long.”

With a silent nod, Samuel agreed and watched as Joseph left the shadow, making his way towards the closed window. Sitting down on old wooden stairs that led to a dorm's front entrance, Samuel glanced down at the now empty bottle he was carrying with a hint of sadness.

From a distance he could see Joseph reach the window and give it a few gentle knocks. The window slowly opened and a figure covered in darkness spoke with Joseph before disappearing back into the room. Following a small pause, a new figure appeared, sticking their head outside.

In the faint glow of the moon, Samuel could see that it was a girl with curly, dirty blonde hair that fell to her shoulders. He couldn’t clearly make out her face but immediately recognized her from her hair. Finally able to make sense of everything, a smile grew over Samuel’s face.

He could make out most of her expressions as they changed. From half-asleep to confused, then recognition and back to confusion. Speaking to Elizabeth with his chin held high, Joseph raised the bag for her to see. She covered her face and shook her head, before using the same hand to smack Joseph, loud enough for Samuel to hear.

Through a slight wince for his friend, he watched as Joseph rubbed his cheek and gave her an apologetic smile. Turning to where Samuel was sitting, he raised his arm and pointed as Elizabeth’s eyes began to scan the shadows.

Hesitantly, Samuel stood up and took a slight step into the moonlight. Elizabeth’s eyes widened, raising her arm to wave hello with a warm smile before returning focus to Joseph. Sitting back down, he watched as they spoke. Reluctantly, she accepted the bag from Joseph, gave him another hard smack, said goodbye and closed the window.

Quietly walking back to their barracks, Samuel broke the silence, “I can’t tell how that went,” he said. “What was in that bag?”

“Some snacks, cans of coffee,” Joseph answered. “Doubt she knows what I brought, was more focused on us having snuck off base.” Rubbing his cheek with a smile, “I picked out all her favorites.”

Slowly opening the door as they entered their room and changing out of their uniforms, Joseph climbed the top rack as Samuel rolled onto the bottom mattress. His body relaxed, with his mind going blank as he fell asleep.

Passing through the gate and towards the guard booth, Joseph and Samuel could see Joshua leaning out the window with his head hung low. Two nights had passed since they first snuck off base. Originally a one time plan, the unsurprising news that Joshua was caught sleeping at his post on the first night allowed for the boys to continue leaving through the same gate for the remaining week.

Pulling out another can of coffee, Joseph placed it down on the windowsill with a loud thud, waking Joshua up in a state of panic.

“Thank the Gods, thought you were Sergeant,” Joshua said while returning to the same position.

“That can’t be comfortable for you,” Joseph said while shaking his head.

“Sergeant took my chair so it's either this or I lay down,” Joshua replied.

Thinking back to the first night, falling asleep while standing in the alley, Samuel pulled out another can of coffee and tapped it against Joshua’s head. “Brought you an extra one. Make it last.”

Raising his head slightly to give Samuel a tired smile, he picked up one of the cans and took a small sip, waving goodbye as the boys walked away.

Taking the same path as previous nights, they passed from shadow to shadow, remaining concealed. Sitting on the same stairs, Samuel watched as Joseph spoke with Elizabeth, taking slow sips from his bottle. Her tone had softened compared to the first night, she would accept the gifts from Joseph right away and despite appearing upset, Samuel could tell even from a distance that she was happy each time she opened the window and saw Joseph standing there.

Watching them speak, he began to reminisce. Having grown up together, many of his memories were filled with scenes like this. Finding joy in seeing his friends together, he could see how much they cared for one another. The lengths Joseph would go to just to see Elizabeth smile were often reckless, but through it all he had been by his side. Even having to endure a few smacks from Elizabeth for not stopping him.

Rubbing his cheek as he recalled the sting, Joseph returned from speaking with Elizabeth. Taking the last sips from his bottle, both boys returned to their room.

Fully reclined on the stairs, staring up at the night sky with his arms outstretched and hanging off the sides, Samuel’s breathing slowed, keeping in loose rhythm with the cold winds that passed. Regretting not having bought a coffee for himself, his eyes grew heavy. Turning his head to the left, his friends came into view.

Despite still being able to, tonight would be their last time sneaking out. Elizabeth’s unit would begin field training for two weeks. Having already finished the training themselves, both boys pitched in to buy extra supplies for her last night.

Since leaving their room, it wasn’t hard for Samuel to tell how upset Joseph was. Sparing little time as they passed Joshua, he walked with a haste that almost got them caught before reaching Elizabeth’s barracks. Finding comfort in the cool withering wooden stairs, Samuel watched his friend standing confidently, wondering how he looked so calm.

Not noticing his eyes had closed, Samuel woke as he felt a gentle kick on his boots. Standing over him, Joseph signaled that it was time to leave, extending his arm to help Samuel stand.

Climbing into bed, Samuel’s body sank. As his eyes closed he pictured his friends talking.

“Sam? You asleep?” Joseph quietly asked.

With a low groan, Samuel’s eyes opened.

“Thanks for coming with me. Sneaking off base wasn’t as scary with you there.”

With a faint smile, Samuel raised and gently knocked his fist on the bottom of Joseph’s bunk, “How you feeling?” he asked.

“Think I’m good, lost feeling in my legs bout an hour ago, but still hanging in there,” Joseph responded.

Picturing the wide smile on his friend’s face made Samuel chuckle, “Don’t know how you do it. Poor Joshua and I are running on fumes. Practically fell onto the stairs as you left.”

“I’m right there with you both, believe me. But I can't stumble my way to her window or shake as I stand, would've given her another reason to be upset,” Joseph answered.

Recalling the countless smacks Joseph had to already endure sent a small chill over Samuel’s body. He was never able to brush them off like Joseph could, playfully smiling without any complaint. He wondered if that’s why they got along so well, and why Joseph continued putting on a strong act as he spoke with her. Enduring daily training was a choice they had each volunteered for. A chance to be chosen. To receive a blessing, strength, power. A way for the weak to protect the ones they love. When training ended, they would be sent outside the city together.

Staring at the delicate traces of moonlight shining through the drawn curtains, Samuel’s eyes closed as he pictured all three of them at graduation. His soft smile fading as his mind drifted to sleep.

Samuel awoke to the sound of banging on his door, quickly rolling out of bed to answer. Outside, the sky was beginning to show traces of the approaching morning sun. As the door opened another recruit quickly passed word, the Company Commander had arrived and was calling for a formation, before quickly running to knock on the next door.

Turning to get dressed, he threw on his uniform before peering at the top rack and seeing that it was empty. With no time to spare, Samuel left his room and joined the countless other recruits, fixing their uniforms as they ran down the hall. Bursting through the front entrance, they filed into separate columns, standing at attention.

Samuel, peeking between other recruits, was able to see a tall, stout, grey haired man exit the barracks and approach the formation. Calling for them to be at ease, he began to speak.

“As you all know, our growing influence outside of the city has been met by opposition of all kinds. Each of you has volunteered with hopes of becoming—”

From behind the CC, Samuel was able to see two figures exit the barracks. As they approached, he could see that it was their unit leader, pulling Joseph along by the wrist. Taking places behind the CC as he spoke.

Quiet murmurs broke out as Samuel struggled to think of an explanation. Fearing that their time off base had been discovered, a chill ran down his back as he looked towards his friend.

Joseph was standing beside the unit leader, matching his motionless stance, keeping both arms crossed behind their backs. With his chin held high the unit leader’s full focus was on each word the CC said. To his right, Joseph's eyes were drawn to the ground, catching no glimmers of light and painting them navy blue.

“—standing behind me, through his own efforts, has been chosen. Following his reevaluation—”

The formation froze and became silent, questions flooding their minds with every word that passed. Feeling that all the air was pulled from his lungs, Samuel’s eyes widened with shock.

“—to you all. Report to your unit leader for the plan of the day. Dismissed,” the CC announced. He turned to shake Joseph’s hand before leaving.

As soon as he left, the formation broke into a mob, swarming the pair with excitement and questions. Quickly passing word, the unit leader placed his hand on Joseph’s shoulder before making his way inside the barracks. From the rear of the crowd, Samuel began pushing his way through, catching glimpses of Joseph, smiling and speaking with the others. Fending off the crowd as he led Joseph to their room and locking the door, he turned to see him sitting on Joshua’s bed facing the window.

Filled with awe, Samuel stared at his friend, trying to notice any changes. Slowly calming himself as he decided which question to ask first.

“They’re transferring me today Sam,” Joseph said without pulling his eyes away from the window.

With those few words, Samuel’s mind went quiet before trying to process what he’d heard.

“Can’t stay a candidate after being chosen. Stupid rule if you ask me,” he continued as he looked towards Samuel with a faint smile.

“But you actually did it. You were chosen!” Samuel exclaimed. “It’s why we’re here. You’ll be sent out before us.”

Staring out the window, Joseph’s smile vanished. “But I won't be here. To see you or her.” He turned away from his friend with glossy eyes, “We won’t graduate together,” he said, wiping his eyes. “I won’t be here when she returns.”

Struggling to find the right words, a silence filled the room as faint rays of light began to shine through the window.

“Do you think we’ll see each other again?” Joseph asked as he faced Samuel.

Without a chance to answer, the door swung open with Joshua stumbling into the room, his eyes filled with excitement.

“Joseph, Holy—You were chosen?” he asked while trying to catch his breath. “Of all the—I can’t believe it, congratulations,” he said as he leaped onto Joseph, pulling him into an embrace.

“What can I say, training paid off,” Joseph answered with a wide smile as he pulled Joshua’s hands away and placed him in a headlock.

Watching as Joshua tapped out, Samuel could almost imagine that their conversation never happened. Joseph was full of life, with a smile so bright it almost completely hid that sadness in his eyes.

Helping him pack after Joshua fell asleep, Samuel carried Joseph’s bag as they exited the barracks. Both boys walked slowly, taking the same path they used nights before. With the gate coming into view, Joseph stopped to give Samuel a tight hug before saying goodbye. With one bag thrown over his shoulder and another in his hand, he turned away and walked towards the gate.

Watching the distance between them grow, Joseph’s question echoed in his mind. Taking hurried steps forward, he called out to his friend. Placing one hand on Joseph’s shoulder, he stared into his friends somber eyes.

“We’ll see you out there in no time,” Samuel said. “Before you know it—” Struggling to calm his trembling voice, he paused, feeling a lump form in his throat.

Reaching up and resting his hand on Samuel’s, “I’ll be waiting,” Joseph said with a faint glimmer in his eye and a soft smile. Turning away, Samuel watched as his friend walked past the guard and disappeared behind the wall.

Heading back to his room, Samuel thought about their nights sneaking out. The image of Joseph and Elizabeth was static, their expressions of happiness brighter than the Sun. Comparing it to his friend's expression this morning, Samuel solemnly imagined how Elizabeth would look after finding out.

Joseph had achieved what they all strived for, and still, his face never showed the faintest trace of genuine joy. Picturing any other recruit painted a different picture. Imagining himself, the happiness, relief, and validation overflowing as the announcement was made. Reaching his goal, being chosen, gaining the strength to protect others were what drove him. Giving him strength when he was at his lowest.

Shielding his eyes from the early morning sun, he came to a stop. As the last traces of the night sky disappeared, Samuel wondered what Joseph was driven by. What gave him strength, and what he must’ve felt after being chosen. Would he feel the same?

With Joseph’s question still playing in his head, he glanced over and towards Elizabeth’s barracks building. Filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions, the faint traces of a smile that had formed as he pictured his friends together slowly faded. Turning away from her barracks, he slowly pulled open the back door and climbed the stairwell to his room.