Gone

Gone

It was a dark, and stormy night in Trightewaite. It was wet, and mud was everywhere on the ground. Darkness surrounded the area every night. Without the moon, nothing shines bright at night except for the spotlights that were set up all around the place. I didn't think that things would be this way, I never even asked for such thing. But the thing is, the Shellshockers haven't returned ever since we liberated Earth. There are times where I speculate when I have to return to combat and leave Thistle. I love her so much. I really hate leaving her, especially after I kept a serious promise to her. She says it's fine, but really, it isn't. I get worried about her every single time I'm far away from her. I just care about her, and her safety. If I lose her, then... it's over for me. But at least I'll be there with her every night, cuddle up in bed with her, and tell her I love her. Thistle means the world to me, she may be different, but difference doesn't matter. Nobody can judge. I was standing outside in the rain when I heard footsteps. I turned around and noticed that Thistle was standing right behind me. "Hi, Thistle." I said as I walked towards her. "Hi, John." she spoke with a soft voice. I put my right hand on the side of her face, then kissed her. Thistle was soaking wet, but she didn't seem to care. "What are you doing out here?" I stared into the darkness and replied, "Nothing important, just thinking about the new world." I noticed a tear coming from Thistle's eye, she must've missed the old world when everything was normal. I miss Earth, I miss my home, I miss my family. But it's all gone. I only have the good people of Preotunia. I took Thistle back inside the cabin to dry off. "I'm sorry, I'm just not used to all this." she explained. I wasn't either, to be honest. I can't get over the fact that our worlds are being terrorized by aliens. I hugged Thistle to comfort her, then she nuzzled my neck. It was raining hard outside, and it was thundering as well. After we both dried off, we got into bed. It was always the same order, Thistle on the left side, and me on the right. I don't know why, she always likes it when I'm on the right side of the bed. As I tucked us in, Thistle wrapped her arms around me, and we cuddled. She was so warm, it's because of the fur and feathers. I always feel a sensation of happiness when I'm around her. It's like I was meant to be with her. I just wonder what she thinks about me.
I woke up the next morning, Thistle was still asleep. But I was stuck, because Thistle had a tight grip on me while I was sleeping. I was like a plush doll to her, you curl up in bed with them. I always had to lift her arms up slowly and get out before she could wake up. I opened the front door, and took several steps outside. I just let the warmth of the sun warm me up. The ground was dry, the sun is shining, today seemed like a good day for Thistle and I to spend some time together. Thistle and I only spend time together when there's no battle going on, which is rarely. The Shellshockers put up a huge fight making them worthy opponents. Worthy opponents equals longer battles. But with the new technology that SHEL has, we can take them down. I turned around to see Thistle walk out of the door. "Good morning, Thistle." I said to her as she rubbed her eyes. "Hi, John." she greeted. "Want to spend some time together, just you and me?" I asked. Thistle had a huge smile on her face, I knew that she wanted to. "Sure, that sounds fantastic!" she replied. I smiled as well when she agreed. I just returned from the war yesterday, of course I'd want to be with Thistle. I really hoped that I wouldn't be chosen to go on ops or battles. I just wanted it to be about me, and Thistle.
The two of us went to Dunbryde, the hill where I was betrayed by Thistle. Of course I forgave her, I loved her so much. I decided to let her save her mother. "John, I'm still sorry about what happened." said Thistle. "It's been twelve years, Thistle. It's okay." I explained. I knew that she couldn't let it go, it affected her so much. "I know, b-but I just… nevermind." she stuttered. Sometimes, I wish that we could leave the past behind us, but we can't at some points. I can't stop remembering everything that happened twelve years ago. It was stuck to me for a long time, and I can't get it off. But as long as I have Thistle, then I'll always be happy. I sat next to Thistle on the top of the hill, I would always lay my head on Thistle's arm, and she would lay her head on my chest. We told each other some funny stories, played some tag, but what happened at the end of all that was what made me feel truly happy. "Hop on!" she exclaimed. As I got on her back, she began to run. She ran faster, and faster, then she leaped into the air. She deployed her wings, and the next thing I know, I'm in the air. I could see the cabin, the village, and the base. Thistle then took me above the clouds. I could feel the wind flowing through my hair. "I love you, Thistle." I said. "I love you too, John." she said back.
Thistle took me around Trightewaithe, Qruluhsh, Goucote, and Lanerost. We returned to the cabin right before it began to rain.. I was so glad that I could spend time with Thistle. That was all I needed, especially after having to fight in a war. I hugged Thistle, and kissed her. Just after she went into the cabin, I hear the sound of a vehicle. It was Clinton on his jeep. "John, right now, you need to head back to Earth." he informed. "Wait, why?" I asked. "Shellshockers planned out their attack on Earth. They're hitting them tomorrow. We need to set up some defenses" he explained. I was in shock. I didn't want to leave Thistle again. "Go, tell Thistle you love her, it's another four years until you see her again." he added. The rain started pouring as he said that. I went into the cabin, and called Thistle. She came down, then I began to talk.

"Thistle."

"Yes, John?"

"I'm… I…" I stuttered at that moment.

Thistle seemed confused, but had to tell her.

"I'm sorry." I bursted into tears as I said that. I really didn't want to leave her.

"Why? What did you do?"

"I'm leaving."

"What?" Thistle looked at me with a sad face. As much as I don't want to, I have to.

"I said, I'm leaving." Telling her this was so hard for me, I knew she didn't want me to leave, I didn't want to hurt her either, but it happened.

"John, you can't… not after what you said when we came back."

I knew what she was talking about. I promised that I would spend time with her for the next 4 days. I never break a promise, but this is going to be the first time that I do.

"I'm sorry."

"I don't want you to go." She began to cry. I walked over to her to comfort her. Clinton walked through the door and saw what was happening. Clinton patted me in the back. It began to thunder outside.

"Please, don't go…"

"Don't want to… but I have to."

Another four years since I'll see Thistle. Not again. I can't stand being far away from her. I kissed her, and told her one last thing.

"Thistle, please, I have to. It's not like I asked for this. I love you so much, I don't think I'll ever get over you, but I just want you to stay strong. You can live without me."

"No, I can't!"

"Yes you can… Listen, I love you, I will always love you. Don't forget that. Stay strong, because if you're strong, I'm stronger on the battlefield. My chances of dying are very little, I'll return in one piece. Trust me on this."

"Okay…"

As long as Thistle is strong, then I'm strong. Thistle is my happiness, my courage, and my strength. We're fighting a war together, and we're going to win in the end.

"I love you, John." She nuzzled my neck.

"I love you too, Thistle." I kissed her on the beak.
f
The time for departure is now, I can't help it. I'm trying to fight tears, but I end up letting it out. Clinton took me to the jeep. As he started the engine, I looked at Thistle, she was still crying. This was really hard for all of us, including Clinton.
We drove off. The rain fell harder, as we went down the road. I really didn't want to leave her again. But I had to, and nobody could stop that. "Tell you what, after this, I'll let you spend time with Thistle for as long as you want." Clinton had a good offer, so I accepted it. I just wanted to make up for the time that was taken away when I was out fighting. But still, I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that Thistle is going to have to live without me a second time. But either way, I'm returning, but it's such a long time. I'm just glad that I told her, I loved her.