I Will Be There
1396 Words
ALICE
I quickly walk away so that Helena will not see me looking at him. My heart still hurts for Liam and I wish I could just at least talk to him. I walk slowly back to the other side of the ship, thinking of the emergency I am in right now and what happened on the island that got Liam so twisted in knots. I look over the ocean when someone touches my shoulder. I jump around and see Liam standing behind me.
"Hey…"
I see him standing there with his sunglasses on and I know he hiding behind them because his voice is giving him away. It sounds as if it wants to break.
"Hey...you okay?"
He staggers a bit backward, surprised at my words. He struggles to speak and then he only gives a loud sigh.
"Liam, I know I am not Helena and I have no right....but I think…I think you need someone to talk to. Something horrible happened on the island, didn't it?"
He put his hands on the railing of the ship and stare out over the ocean. I see a slight tremor in his arms. I realize that he did not get any sleep, probably not eaten yet and I see dry blood down his injured shoulder. I wish I could make the hurt go away. I put my hand on his and stand only an inch away from him. I gently caress his strong big hand with my soft small hand. He looks down at my hand and then he turns to me.
"Thank you"
"You are more than welcome Liam...anytime"
He turns away from me and disappears behind the ship. I stand still for a little while just gathering myself. I realize Liam is hurt very deeply and I wish I can to do more for him. Then I shake my head and walk back to the medical station they made on the deck.
"Where have you been?"
Nita grabs my arm.
"I just had to...uhm...get some fresh air"
She gestures to the open air around her and laughs.
"I think there is enough air for everyone?"
"I mean, I just-"
"I am just pulling your socks, I know what you mean this can be overwhelming. The Admiral just announced that we should start docking the boats. Each of us takes a seriously injured patient with us on the boat. We are going first with the patients."
"Yes, that makes sense. Okay"
LIAM
I walk to the Admiral, my legs are working but I do not know what is keeping me upright because my thoughts, all cry out to fall down and give up. I was about to give up when I boarded the ship but when I saw her, some hope bloomed inside me. I keep on walking, not giving up.
Her touch was so soft, so perfect. Somehow she gave me the energy to go on. She gave me a reason to keep everyone safe, to go on and see to it that I perform my best. I do not even know her but when she stands there, looking at me and showing her heart to me...I know she is worth waiting for, worth fighting for.
"Master Chief? Did you clear the objective?'
I salute the Admiral.
"Sir! Yes, sir! The island is ready for occupation, sir"
"Everyone accounted for?"
I look down on the ground and struggle to get the words out.
"No, sir. Sergeant Thomson did not make it, sir"
"I am sorry, Liam. We will make sure he gets the burial he deserves protecting our country and our people. Do you need a minute?"
"No, sir, if you don't mind. I would like to keep myself busy, sir"
"Whatever I need, Master Chief. Let's then carry on with the evacuation"
"Yes, sir"
I turn around and walk back to my men.
"I know it is a very hard time for us now. We have lost one of our brothers today. We will have time to mourn his death but we need to be strong now and get these people to safety, otherwise, he died for nothing. Let's get these people on the island"
They all cheer and then walk to their different stations. I walk to my part of the ship and help the people on the boats. Then I see Helena and she says.
"Hey baby, can you help me with this patient?"
"Yeah of course"
I take one side of the stretcher and Helena the other side. We lay the patient down on the boat. I look at her and she looks at me, then she smiles. It is at that moment that I realize she does not know me at all and that my heart has left her the moment I carried Alice’s luggage. I then proceed to help her with other patients and she gets in the boat.
"Are you coming?"
"No, I should see to it that everyone gets on a boat. Stay safe okay?"
"I will"
One of the soldiers then takes the boat to the island.
ALICE
I let everyone take their patients and I stay till the very last patient is left. This patient also had the most severe injuries and I need to stay by his side. Almost everyone has left and I push the patient close to the boat. I get there and then I realize that I do not know how to get the patient in the boat.
Liam comes walking to me
"Hey, you need help?"
I see him standing there in all his power and authority but I know he is not himself. I wish can help him somehow.
"Would you, please?"
"Sure"
He lifts the patient up and puts him in the boat.
"Just very slowly, please"
"Of course"
He helps me to put the drips back on and the extra medical equipment. I try and get out of the boat again to get my luggage but he stops me with one hand.
"Can I help you? Is this yours?"
He gestures towards my bags.
"Are you sure? I don't have a problem getting it myself"
He looks at me and behind the deep pain in his eyes, there is a hint of pleading.
"Alice...please let me do this for you?"
"If you really want to, okay, and thank you"
He gives me a slight smile, as this little gesture helped him in some way, forgetting his pain. He gets the bags and then he also loads his own bags. He gets into the boat.
"Are we the last ones?"
"Yes"
He starts the boat and we drive to the island. I notice that he is driving slowly and not at the same speed as all the other boats as if he wants to stall. I look at him and he just stares out on the water. I feel his pain radiating from him and I feel his agony. I see how he struggles to keep his composure. Should I dare to ask but I have to know.
"Liam?"
"Yes?"
"What happened on the island?"
He swifts around uncomfortably. He clenches his teeth and his eyes avoid mine. He concentrates on the direction he has to go. Then he swallows hard and says.
"Nothing...nothing happened…"
"Liam, I do not know you that well but I do know that you are not yourself. I knew it the moment you boarded the ship and I saw it on your face. I see it now. You are trying to be strong for everyone but I want you to know that you do not need to be strong for me right now. I need you to be you...for me right now..."
He still stares out in front of him but then he sighs loudly, saying.
"I can not...I can not afford to break down now...I need to be strong, if I break, everyone breaks. I can not...I just can't...I am sorry...I can't…"
I slowly walk up next to him and I put my hand in his. He looks down at my hand. I look up at him.
"I understand and I get it. I just want you to know this...I am here and I will be here when you are ready to break...I will be here"
He clears his throat and squeezes my hand. His voice cracks.
"Fuck...Alice, it hurts so bad..."
- Writer
