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The Luke who smiled confidently while disarming bombs,reassuring me.
The Luke who teased me at the hospital,grinning so gleefully after seeing the blush on my face.
He should've been proud forever,always holding his chin up,a real hero.
He deserved to return home in glory,to bathe in praise.
Not like this.
Never like this.
A week later,Luke's death was reported.
He was gone.
...
After Tiger's death,I sat motionless,eyes looking down on the ground,silent,unnervingly docile.
My shaken state must've worried Nathan.
He kissed my hair,soothing,"It's okay,it's over."
He brought me before his men,having me seated on his lap,declaring I was his woman and only his.
Anyone who touched me would end up like Tiger.
Tiger's head was severed,displayed as a warning.
Nathan's behavior almost made me believe I mattered to him.
But it still wasn't enough.
I needed to matter enough for him to marry me.
Only then could I give him the end he deserved.
But soon,Claire returned.
She toyed with a knife,blade against my face,smiling."Your face does look like mine."
Then,clinging to Nathan's arm,she cooed,"Nathan,I haven't practiced shooting in ages.Can I practice with Sarah?"
Nathan,smoking,patted her hand."Sure."
Claire's"practice"was me balancing an apple on my head as her target.
I looked to Nathan for help.
He knew I feared gunshots the most.
He'd always covered my ears during gunfire.
But now,cigarette in mouth,he smiled."Sarah,Claire loves this game.She's a crack shot—won't miss.Don't worry."
I stood still,eyes closed.
I couldn't resist or lose my temper.
I had to stay meek,keep up my act as the perfect canary,to earn his trust.
As Nathan said,Claire's shot was precise.
The apple shattered,the force knocking me down onto the ground.
My elbow scraped,bleeding.
The gunshot's roar left my ears ringing.
I bit my lip to keep myself from crying.
I thought of Luke.
He'd given me a gun for self-defense in war.
He taught me how to shoot,holding me from behind,guiding my hands,whispering steps.
Our bodies were pressed close as he whispered in my ear, I could feel his hot breaths.
One of us blushed first.
He said,with him,no one would hurt me.
But Luke,you're gone. I’m all alone now
Claire cheered,putting am arm around Nathan's neck."Nathan,my aim's still perfect!"
Nathan,doting,smiled at her,ignoring me."Had enough?."
Claire's eyes gleamed."Not yet!"
This time,she made me hold the apple by my face.
I knew she had hated my face for a long time.
Nathan glanced at me and swallowed unconsciously,as if he was about to speak up.
But he only said,"Fine,play how you want."
This time,Claire missed.
