#pt 51

@waveydnp

Hey waves. Loved the new chapter of linger on!

And @alittledizzy (idk if she will see this but) I loved the last part of Phil feeling guilty . I relate to that a lot. It doesn't go easily . You guys are so good at putting emotions into words, really.

051 For the welfare of thy soul

Art grinned.

He was in the prime of his life, in the academy, and, he had the girl of his dreams. Things were going great for him. Passing in his final assignment before the big test the next day he made his way through the hallway of the sky police academy. Waving to his superior he made his way out of the building. Sure enough....

"There you are! I was thinking you weren't going to show up." She snorted.

He grinned, leaning down he pecked her lips. "Sorry, had to pass in my final"

She grinned grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers. "I passed mine in yesterday."

"That's right you passed at the top of your class right?"

She nodded smirking, "looks like I won." She teased.

He rolled his eyes. "My results will be in tomorrow then we'll see who wins." He taunted.

She laughed. "Come on," she tugged on his hand. "We should celebrate." He tilted his head to the side.

"Usual place?"

She nodded and he laughed brightly. Pulling on her hand he led her to the bar across the street. Although they were underage, most academy students were let in. As a good grace to the school. After all, not just anyone got to be part of the army.

Once they were seated at the mahogany counter, Art waved the bartender over. "Hey there Erik, how are you?"

Erik grinned at them. "Not bad, how about you Artemis? Or you Valerie?"

Valerie smiled, "I passed!" She squealed.

Erik smiled, “I’m proud of you! Both of you!”

Art smiled, squeezing Valeries hand slightly. Things were going great for them, he was so excited for the future. He could imagine it now. Him being head of the army, Valerie at his side. They would do so many great things together.

Art suddenly heard a shriek. He turned his head to look at the front of the bar. Only for his eyes to widen. What was happening?

One of his fathers friend, a man of high command in the army was stalking toward them. The scream had come from a woman on the floor she had been pushed away.

He looked at Art, with hard eyes only to shake his head and look at Valerie.

And Valerie…

Valerie was pale, and she looked ready to bolt.

“James? What is-” Art started.

Art didn't get to finish as James whipped his hand out grabbing Valeries arm, and dragging her of the barstool.

“Valerie Sun, You are being arrested for attempted rebellion against the capital. You are hereby sentenced to death.”

Art felt his breath leave his lungs. His Valerie was going to die? He stood, his face a mask of fury. Only for a scream to leave his throat. “No don’t!”

James raised his gun, as Valerie struggled. She screamed one last time as the gun fired. As she fell to the floor, Art fell with her. Scrambling over to her fallen frame he tried not to sob. Valerie, his Valerie.

James pocketed his gun, with no words he left his crumpled form, and told the men behind him to clean up the mess.