As I opened my eyes, I found myself at an unfamiliar location. It was a coast leading to some sea. I couldn't recognise the place. Then I noticed Angel standing near the shore, looking toward some boat... Or rather it was a raft, sailing through the sea.
"What are you doing here?" I called out to her.
"Huh?" she seemed surprised as she turned around, "Ohh... It's you." she said.
She then turned around, pointing toward the raft, "My parents... They are leaving."
I could now make out a couple on the raft. I couldn't make out anything else about them. My eyes soon filled with tears as everything blurred and I woke up.
She was still asleep. When I got out, the sun was only just rising, the area still only dimly lit with the yellow sun light.
I went ahead and caught some more fish. Then I wondered if I could get a larger water container, so far I had been using only my water purifier bottle to store water, but if we went away from the river, that may not be enough.
I only needed to catch fish for 10 minutes this time. I got 7 edible ones.
I searched the pile of trash again, finding 4 10 litre plastic bottles. I filled them with river water and stored them in the back of the truck. I'll transfer them to my purifier bottle before use, so that the water is purified before we drink it.
Doing all that took about 45 minutes. I decided to take a rest for 15 minutes before waking up Angel.
As I sat there my mind drifted into thoughts. I normally don't see dreams, just darkness that'd stretch on for 3-4 minutes.
I would see a dream once a week? A month... Or even a year, even then they were brief. A dream like today's... I don't think I have had one after she... My sister... died.
She... My sister... I miss her... A lot.
She had trouble with expressing herself. Her voice sounded cold... Dead, even. However she was expressive. Her face just couldn't show it, and her body language was subdued.
Looking at Angelica, I couldn't help but remember her. She looks so much like her... Maybe too much.
Whenever I held her hand while sleeping, I'd have weird dreams... Like the one today... I was holding Angelica's hand. As the thought crossed my mind I shook my head, sitting in silence for a moment, before continuing my thoughts.
My sister was born when I was six. Seeing her small figure, I couldn't help but want to protect her.
But then... A month after, We were going to... I don't remember, but we were going somewhere on bus. And then, an accident. Eerily similar to the one Angelica described, both my parents died. I was holding her tightly.
I carried her. For maybe a few hours. A truck driver would find us. When I explained everything, he'd take us to the city of riches. There I was able to find some labor job, allowing me to provide for the two of us.
Then a military major took notice of the two of us. He initially tried to adopt us, which I refused, wanting to take care of my sister by myself.
At the time, there hadn't been many wars. So he asked me to become part of military. If you were an orphan the military would get you all your expenses and then some if you were taking part in training to become a soldier.
I joined immediately. Physical labor wasn't enough to properly take care of my sister.
A year and a half would pass before the next war. And even though I was only 8, Major was given orders to take me to the war. He protested to no avail.
At this point, my sister could walk and talk a little. The nursery took responsibility to take care of her while I was away.
In that war, 20 soldiers were deployed. By the end, we won... But only 3 survived, including myself and major.
After, Major tried to get me into other divisions. My interest in sciences gave him an idea to have me be in the submarine division, since they were rarely deployed during war. He had me take classes for that. It took 10 years before I'd complete the studies.
I was able to pass the exam to enter the division. However since I had to be in the submarine for 6 months before I get to stay home 6 months I initially refused to go to the division.
A month passed peacefully, before a terrorist group attacked my locality. I called major, and while help arrived I had to defend the place myself, taking my private gun and going after the terrorist. I was able to kill almost all of them one by one. But one managed to get in my house.
...
Tears were already overflowing from my eyes, just thinking that much. I couldn't continue the thought.
After wiping my tears I gently shook Angel to wake her up.
She was awake almost immediately. I looked at her for a moment before holding her hand and taking her to the truck, without a single word.
It took a few twists of the key before the engine finally started.
While driving, I asked her, "So... How was your dream today, Angel?"
She looked at me for a moment.
"It wasn't like most days." she explained with her usual tone. "Some bad guys were chasing me, but then you came and saved me. And-And then we were walking, we met with my parents... But then you... left with my parents. Then I woke up."
She paused for a moment, looking down at her lap. Then she continued, quieter than before, "You won't leave me... Will you?"
I shook my head. It was better than witnessing the accident again... But only slightly.
"No! Why would I?" I answered.
I wasn't sure how long I could actually stay with her... But she didn't need to know that.
"Really?" she asked, sounding happy, there was a slight smile on her face. Just like how my sister was used to smile.
I couldn't help but smile and nod at first... Then I sighed. I couldn't have her be too attached to me... There is no guarantee what happens next, if she becomes too attached, after I am gone she... Wouldn't make it far.
Even then, I couldn't help but relish her smile.