Peter

I was left waiting on Micky's safe return for days. I filled the time by pacing the, seemingly, ever-decreasing perimeter of my cage. With every slow lap it seemed to take less time to encompass.

I hadn't seen a soul in almost a whole day. The private who was guarding me came by around noon to check on me and the cook would bring me meals but today, the third day, no one had come to check on me and no meals were slipped through the bars. As I laid in the back corner on my cell I remembered what the Private had told me the day before.

"The Colonel has directed us that we should all stay in Chi tomorrow and help. We are not permitted to leave the city until January 3rd, (What would be the fifth day after the bombing.)."

Even the cook was forced to go along. He was needed to supply food and rations for the citizens. I wondered how I would survive. Would they return to give me food?

A voice inside me said that they shouldn't. It told me I didn't deserve it. However my stomach and aching body told me I did.

To keep my mind from dwelling on the lack of sustenance I allowed my mind to wander.

When the private had returned the first day, I asked him about Micky.

"Private Dolenz is doing fine I believe. He is still alive." The younger man informed me.

"Thank heavens." I sighed.

Micky

I couldn't allow Keanu to stay by herself in Chi. As the events of the last week had proven, it was too dangerous. I cared too much for her now. She was the last friend I had here. I couldn't lose her as well.

"Come with me." I smiled to her.

"Where will we go?" She asked.

"To my tent." I informed her.

"Will it be okay?" She asked.

"No one will know." I reassured her.

"I don't want you to get in trouble." She said skeptically.

"We won't. Besides, you have nowhere to stay." I reasoned with her.

It seemed to take her ages to comply and finally seem happy about staying with me.

As we walked arm in arm back to the camp we discussed what the details of her stay with me.

She would sleep in Davy's bed and I in Mikes. She would spend her days in Chi building her home again. Then that night the two of us would walk back to the camp and to our respective beds. She would only allow this "inconvenience" to last until her house was rebuilt.

"Here is a blanket for you." I said handing my girlfriend the cotton throw.

"Thank you." She said nervously.

I plopped down on Mike's bunk and patted the space beside me. Keanu sat down beside me with a smile. I slipped my arm over her shoulder and held her close to me.

"I love you." I whispered into her hair after a long silence.

When she didn't reply I looked down only to see that the poor thing had fallen asleep. A smile blossomed on my features. She looked so peaceful leaning on me and breathing softly.

I sat there with her for a moment deciding if I would leave her in Mike's bunk and take Davy's or if I would sit there with her all night. I didn't want to disturb her. She needed this rest as much as I did. Finally I settled on staying with her in Mike's bunk. I reached up and turned off the light before laying Keanu down and lying beside her. She snuggled into me, and I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her tightly. She was the last tangible thing I had on earth! I had to keep her close.

I could hear her making noises. I wondered if she was dreaming, and what she was dreaming about. I hoped she was dreaming about me, but by the sound of her words it sounded more like a nightmare.

"Dear Lord please calm her." I prayed.

Unfortunately my prayer was not answered. My poor baby. I would have taken her place if I could have.

Wrapped up in the single blanket we slept in each other's arms. In spite of the night being one of the coldest in weeks we remained warm. Heated by the body heat exuded by the other.

In the morning I wondered if it had all been just a dream because as I opened my eyes I realized I was alone. My heart dropped and my smile faded. I sat up to have a better look around the tent, but my efforts were in vain. Keanu had either left already or had never been there to start with.

As I turned on the carnosine lamp I noticed and object sitting on the make shift night stand. A was a piece of paper torn from my note book. It hadn't been there the night before. I picked it up to read it.

Micky,

I left early. See you tonight.

I love you too,

Keanu

So it wasn't a dream. She was staying with me. The thought made me smile.

No longer stressing over mine and Keanu's status I laced up my boots and walked out of the tent. As I exited another private was entering. We rammed into each other in surprise.

"I'm sorry Dolenz." He apologized stepping to the side to let me out.

"That's alright, Dougal!" I laughed. "Did you need me?"

"Uh, sort of. The Colonel sent me." Dougal said, still a bit mixed up from the previous encounter.

"The Colonel? Why?" I asked a bit confused and worried that maybe he'd found out that I was housing a citizen in my tent.

"He said he has something to discuss with you about the occupants of your tent." Dougal elaborated.

Fear burned within me now. I had no doubt in my mind that he had found out about Keanu. He would ban her from coming back to camp ever.