Between 2100 and 0900, the people of Heddison were under a strict curfew known as the quiet hours. They mandated all civilians to remain silent in their tiny cottages while the AAF assigned squads to patrol the area. Until recently, the mandate had not been in effect. A month before the newly dispatched troops, there was a bloody scrimmage between some town folks and a posse of men who claimed to be bandits of the Lesser House. Shortly after the battle, twelve consecutive tsunamis brought in a winter storm that continued to plague the land.

Heddison’s layout of was that of an oval-shaped maze with frosted boarders where lavishly tall shrubs once stood. The terrain was filled with steep rows of inclined hills. Compacted hardened snow covered the ground, which made mobility quite treacherous. AAF designated specific civilians along with military personnel to be supplied with spiked-snow boots. There was rarely a difference between the days and nights, as dense fog and continuous snow flurries blotted out both sunray and moonlight. The eerie scenery triggered fear and uncertainty among everyone.

Savoi found herself in a dilemma, as she first believed her sole mission was to find a solution to counteract the chemical warfare that brought on the cold front. However, as soon as she set foot in the town, dozens of tasks were assigned to her from different departments. When she wasn’t assisting the medics, the culinary specialists called on her to recreate the ingredients she mixed in the plain broth. Her skills were in high demand, which gave her déjà vu of her time at Calvary academy.

Even with all her assignments, Savoi was not excused from night guard. The rotating schedule placed her on duty every third night, along with Yoshida. Teams of six drudged through the perimeter of Heddison’s maze, with weapons of choice at the ready. Only one candlelight post stood in the center of the town square. Yoshida and Savoi crossed paths at the top of each hour. Brief intimate glances beneath the dim light were all they shared.

After four weeks of the tour, everyone had adjusted to the weather and routines of their fellow members. Then one night, an unusual occurrence happened. The fog suddenly lifted along with the snow for a half an hour. The distinct sound of cannons from far off was heard. On the last rotation of the night guard’s shift, Yoshida expected to meet Savoi at the light post as he had every shift before. To his surprise, she was not there. Panic and frenzy took over his mind and heart. He broke ranks to search for her. He also broke the vow of silence, asking team members if they had seen her.

“Where could she be?” he asked himself out loud. Yoshida jogged a quarter of a mile away from the light post. Daybreak had not yet come, though the sky was visible. His adrenaline reached fever-pitch, trying to make out two figures ahead of him in the dark. Broudus stood next to Savoi, holding both their weapons, while she casually rubbed her fingers over his lips. Rage descended over Yoshida and blurred his vision for a moment. Broudus clearly enjoyed Savoi’s pampering, but quickly realized he crossed a line. His smile faded instantly, which puzzled Savoi.

Yoshida waited in contemplation over whether he should beat the young man to a pulp, or asking questions first. His mind wanted to go with the latter, but his heart knew that Savoi was more than likely in control of the situation. As always, she was undeterred by his arrival and continued to rub her index finger gently over Broudus’s lips. Finally, Yoshida’s temper overtook him, and he lashed out.

“What the hell is going on here?” he asked.

Broudus trembled and moved away from Savoi without a word. Savoi darted her eyes at Yoshida, then unapologetically explained.

His lips were grossly chapped, so I offered him some of my herbal balm.

Yoshida never took his eyes off Broudus.

“What, are you a toddler? Do you need your mommy here to wipe your nose and change your dirty nappy as well?” he quipped with a dead stare.

“Haru!” Savoi called to him. “That was completely unnecessary. You need to apologize to Cal at once,” she said.

Yoshida scoffed.

“I’ll do no such thing.”

“Then I’ll do it for you,” she fired back.

Savoi took Broudus by the hand, which he knew would only make matters worse.

“Thomasa, please don’t. It’s alright. Thank you for the balm,” he said, then scurried away.

I wish you hadn’t done that,” she sighed.

Yoshida walked over and clutched her shoulders.

“I thought you were lost—I thought I’d lost you.” Her expression did not show remorse, so he continued. “Thomasa, something is going on around here. The snow is melting and I know you heard the feint booms in the distance. Back at the academy, you were right; real. He pulled her head to his chest. “I don’t want to see any harm to you.”

She paused, relishing his embrace. It was the closest contact between them since they deployed. Then, feeling the need to advocate for herself, she lifted her head up.

“I was frightened graduation night, it’s true. But I have to push past that if I’m going to accomplish anything here.” She leaned on his chest again, then continued. “You know I feel the same about you, but we’re supposed to be helping instead hindering each other.”

Yoshida took her last statement as a dig. He placed a hand under her chin to tilt her face up.

Indignantly, he asked, “Is that what you call what was going on with blondie?”

Savoir smirked.

“Oh please. He is less harmful than you are. Cal is just a regular bloke from Dynsey. He’s sweet, but needy.” She paused, then chuckled. “I suppose that’s what you both have in common.”

Yoshida slightly squeezed her cheeks together, which caused her lips to purse.

“How do you mean by that?” he asked.

Savoir snatch her whole by from his clutches and walked away.

“You’re both a pain in my ass,” she jested.

Yoshida caught up with her, then gave a playful swat on her buttocks. They returned to the central station to sign off on night patrol. Back at their sleeping quarters, Savoi did not bother to remove her uniform. Instead, she fell asleep on her cot watching Yoshida attempt to make coffee. Roudan came in from the shower rack, instantly requesting a cup of hot brew.

After a large gulp, he spit the liquid in the sink.

“Yuck! What is this rat poison?”

Yoshida tried his best to stifle a laugh.

“What? You don’t like it? I made it special for you.”

“Yeah, well, Thomasa’s is better,” Roudan scoffed.

Yoshida sighed.

“Yes, well, she makes everything better.”

“Aw,” Roudan cooed. “Now, aren’t you glad I had us stationed in this safe haven.”

Yoshida took a more serious tone.

“I would say thank you, but this place won’t be safe or a haven for long. Something bad is coming this way.”

Roudan knew exactly what he meant. The signs that occurred early were telling, but Roudan still believed in the choices made.

“I don’t think we should be alarmed just yet. The opposition would have to sack the capital before they can reach Heddison. Our guys and gals have been holding strong for a while now,” he said.

Yoshida wanted to be supportive of his friend and forget all doubts, but there was Savoi to consider. He nodded towards her, then said,

“I’m worried about Thomasa. She going to spiral out again at this rate.”

Roudan chuckled at the sound of Savoi’s light snores.

“I don’t envy you. If Lily were here, I’d be on pins and needles too.”

~The Waring Robins~