Imagine someone trapped inside a glass tube—a tube with no entry or exit. Only a voidness pool of aqua incases them. They can't speak or they'll drown, but they can hear others. Mummers all at first, then, their pleas of mercy. Men, women, and children, no screams were left unheard. They can only imagine what or who would be able to cause such terror in the eyes to make them scream and beg the way they did. Then it comes. 

They were standing over 7ft tall and covered in black and grey. They can try moving but whatever or whoever paralyzes them, no matter how much they try to fight it. They can try to scream for help, but they just gurgle in the water and start to choke.

Before they can even think of dying on their terms, its bladed fang of crimson blue never misses its target. The choking becomes the loudest and most potent as the crimson blue hits the glass, cutting straight through. Only to realize that they've woken up, only to feel for their body to be still intact. Welcome to my endless loop of a nightmare.

This time around I woke up gasping for breaths of air like I was still underwater and engulfed in my sweat beside my pillows. Every time I make sure to feel myself to be real because sometimes it doesn't. Once I realize this is all reality, my lungs stabilize themselves.

The sun glistens through their front window, flickering my eyes until I rise from their couch. The journal lies on the floor where I left it, and looking around the living room could have been an echoing cave because no sounds fill my space besides my own. I go to receive the flak jacket that I left to air dry the day before. The remaining crusty flake of mud brushes off putting it back on. 

It could be worse.

Only being here for a day, it's hard to come to grip that you wake up to hear the grass and birds singing to a chorus of the rising sun. Any of us back at the base would be lucky to hear a peep from a crow. I can imagine Joltxs trying to keep it as a pet. Only five minutes awake, and I'm reminded of one of their names. 

I would listen to the song of a thousand blaster bolts only to hear any of their voices again over a drink. However, my voice and what I yelled out to my Lincoln last night started ringing throughout my head. The more I sorrow, the less time I'll have to complete my mission.

Easier said than done.

With that, I slowly close the door, and as I do so my ears finally catch wind of a ruckus going on in their kitchen. Reminds me of what I can picture a perfect mess hall to sound like. Ruckus, but nothing beyond that, though where's the fun in that?

I slowly pass the dining room making sure not to enter the kitchen. My head peaks out of the corner to see some of the Foliums. Both Luana and Mr. Corleone sip coffee while reading something through a tablet. To be honest I can't tell who's doing what. 

Luna sits right across from them, eating what I presume is bacon and eggs. I can't tell what's more beautiful. The laugh she does while flipping her hair as Luana tells her a joke, or the eggs and bacon themselves sizzling along with her plate and within the pans.

Loran looks to be the true mastermind as she guides the pots and pans as if she has done so with a blade. I don't know how much my stomach can go without rolling because it just hit me that I haven't eaten since leaving my time to come here. Luckily, Luna waves me over, somehow seeing me before I even know she does. 

There's no turning back now, so I smile and walk toward them all.

"Looks who's finally awake," Mr. Corleone yells as I take a seat.

"Believe it or not, I usually don't sleep that long."

"Yeah, how can I forget soldiers like you need to be up and early." Luna afterward sends a wink my way. I return her a smile and a slight chuckle to myself. 

"You know I'm surprised you still wearing all that soldier garment, Luana says, her eyes finally leaving whatever she was reading. I try not to disappoint her and Mr. Corleone whose heads tilt with curiosity.

"Let's just say I take my role very seriously. So much in fact that what if I told you that these were my only clothes?"

"Then I would believe you," Corleone splits out almost immediately.

Got to hand it to the puppet. That comment had Luna almost choking on her food and my head skating downwards. What's worse is that Luana looks to believe me. Those two are something else.

"Now, let us not try and bully our guest for the whole time y'all," Loran mutters, placing more food on different plates.

I hope one of those would be mine. My mouth is practically drooling over the sight still on Luna's plate. And the smell. Oh man, I wish our mess hall smelled like this all the time instead of one-offs or when someone smuggles some in. The smell of fatting grease becomes so entangling in fact, I almost don't catch the rest of what Loran says as she continues

"Especially since I'm surprised, he could sleep with what he was going through last night."

At that moment my lungs begin to choke on air as they try to let out anything, a single word, but nothing comes out. I knew I always had these nightmares, but it's harder to come to grips with knowing others can see them too. 

Hearing Loran going on to explain how I was slivering and slightly thrashing in my sleep when she and Lincoln returned home, brings that closer to the heart. However, she wasn't the first.

My Lana would comment on how I squirrel up in a defense curl when she comes curling up beside me in bed sometimes whenever she had a nightmare of her own. My squadmates would tell me how sweaty my sheets always were, then Cliff specifically told me in great detail that how I acted in slumber wasn't normal. If anyone knew what he was talking about, it would've been the team's medic. 

Only if I listened to any one of them, maybe now I wouldn't be paused with a ghostly face watching them all look upon me like a trembling puppy. My cheeks faint with red along my bones.

"Now there's no need to be ashamed there, sport. We all have nightmares once in a while. I had one a few days ago and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty."

I wish that was even remotely true. As we all turn and watch him enter the room even in another timeline he always finds ways to save my ass. His white hair is still polished, maybe even more so than yesterday. The retro-looking black and white men's jacket makes it even more noticeable and snazzy.

"Well, hey there baby bro," Luna exuberantly announces. Beating me once again to the punch.

"Finally coming to join your sisters for breakfast, huh?"

"What can I say, there's a time for everything. Especially now since we have a guest in our midst. Hope you don't mind, Joseph."

"Of course not, please do take a seat. Also, may I say you're looking quite fashionable this morning."

"Why thank you, sport. I always do admire the style of our grandparents."

He slides into an empty seat right next to Luana. Her eyes roll at a closer sight of his men's jacket.

"You know Lincoln, there's a reason why that stuff stayed in the 90s."

She tries to articulate further, but Lincoln pays her no mind, seeming to only be looking for what I assume are the eyes of me and Luna. He continues to flutter it around, but we both remain silent because at least for me if I knew anything about Luana's type from Peter, this could get good, real fast.

"Come on tits. He's dressing like me, and you can never go wrong with that."

"See. Mr. Corleone gets it."

Luana folds her eyes. "Hmm I don't know, looking at Lincoln, I might just have to change your wardrobe, Mr. Corleone."

"Now watch your tongue their tits, or I'll have to get Joseph here to take it from you." He then looks at me and nudges his tiny wooden finger toward my metal limb. I nervously give him a laugh not knowing what else to say.

"You're right Mr. Corleone, I shouldn't have been so hasty. I only meant half the things I said."

"Ah, no sweat tits, all in good fun. Though between you and me, if the kid wants to compare to me, he could use some broader shoulders."

"Hey!!" Lincoln yells as if he was stabbed in the back by a trusted ally. Everyone laughs except for him and me, though admittedly, it was hard not to. All I can ponder is

'How much was it a joke?'

"Alright, alright everyone enough with the chit-chat, and now try shoving some food down your gullets." Loran proudly says it as she puts a plate inside Lincoln's hands. 

His eyes start to water as my mouth is on the inside. She has another plate in hand that I thought was for Luana. Because when she places it smack dead in the middle of me, I'm frozen speechless for seconds on end. I only manage to stutter out

"Is...this for me?"

"Of course, it is silly." She smiles while handing me a spoon and fork confirming that she wasn't kidding.

Thanks to that question everyone at the table eyeballs me. Lincoln ever so with one eye as he eats, and the other knowing why I'm so shellshocked. I have told him about the structures that the resistance fighters follow. 

One of those was mainly a vegetable and sly meat diet, or whatever would be able to feed hundreds of hungry soldiers. These types of lecture foods were rarely a part of those. It doesn't help that I slowly lift a spoonful of eggs shaking like a leaf struggling to remain on a tree.

In my defense, present someone with a plate this beautiful to the eye in my time, you would never think of the man the same way again. Because food that has a smell that hits you in the face always comes at a price, no matter who's giving it to you.

However, once the spoonful graces my tongue and slides down my throat, I stop shaking almost immediately. My face goes elastic with anything above my nose line being the most noticeable. 

As for anything below that, my jaw should have dropped to the floor. Using the fork and spoon I begin shoving as much food as my mouth can fit and slowly letting it side down into my stomach.

While doing so I only take short glimpses at them all and they look as expected. Appalled, but still found it amusing towards the boy who looked like he hadn't had bacon and eggs in his life. I only stop once my fork starts scratching the plate. I then quickly glance at the clock above Luana. 

It clocks around 10:30. It's been less than a minute before getting the plate. I would be lying if I didn't feel like a pig.

"I'm sorry about that everyone." I pull in a deep breath. "None of you should have seen that."

"You're all good there, sport. I would be surprised if anyone didn't react the way you did when trying Loran's food for the first time."

"Oh, Lincoln stop, you are making me turn all red over here," Loran vivaciously coy still messing with pans.

Nonsense big sister, you deserve it." He leans across the table my way. "Let me tell you, Joseph, she has been cooking almost all her life, melding her craft, and as someone who has been eating her breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for my entire life, she'll never disappoint. I can guarantee you that."

After he finishes with his glamorized statement, both the girls nod at me in silent confirmation. Even without them, Lincoln speaks the truth-telling by the lick-clean plate in front of me. Though he speaks so highly, his plate is barely empty. He's picking up the pace now, but I still find it quite odd. 

Then to my surprise, another plate of more food replaced the vacant one that had been there for so long. Twice in a row looking back to Loran was difficult for me to find the words. Though like before, I managed to get out a

"Are you sure Loran? I wouldn't...want to oppose."

"Your all-good Joseph. Though I would recommend taking this one a bit slower before you choke."

Thanks to the smile never leaving her face, I take her words to heart.

"You know you can be such a golden girl sometimes Loran." Luana snickers. "Especially given your plate to who's still considered a stranger. No offense."

None taken. However, I still end up stopping myself mid-way through putting a piece of bacon into my mouth. At first, I thought she just had some extra food and decided to give it to me since I was considered a guest in her eyes. Turns out I'm eating her breakfast as my second. I never fought I could feel even shitter while trying to survive.

"Don't worry about me, Joseph." Her smile continues strong. "I'll fix something else for me, really."

As much as I don't want to, I once again take her words to heart and continue to eat. That doesn't stop me from glancing back and forth at her while doing so. She grabs herself a cup of coffee and begins to chat with the rest of her siblings. Maybe it was in my head, but I thought I could hear the tiniest rumbles coming from her waist.

Halfway through my second plate, Mr. Corleone tells a joke about how everyone would have a field day if they were here. While everyone tries busting a gut, I take it as the chance to finally ask what's been hanging like a thread in the forefront of my mind,

"Where is everyone?"

The room drops dead. No one says a word until Loran takes one for the team, not before taking another sip from her coffee.

"Let's just say everyone doesn't come together to eat like that as much anymore. Everyone has their own schedules and whatnot. Heck, Lincoln probably wouldn't be here eating with us if it wasn't for your presents."

I turn to Lincoln who continues eating what little remains. He doesn't counter anything Loran has said.

"Let me give you an example," Luna chimes in. Her blossoming voice almost cracks at points, but, still cute, nonetheless. "You remember Lavender, right?" I nod wishing I didn't. "Well, you see she is always the first to eat. 8:30 sharp. Afterward, she goes on and does her 'training' in the backyard for the rest of the morning.

"Training?" I ask never expecting to hear that word.

Luna giggles, "See for yourself."

She then points to the backyard which for some reason I neglected till this point. There she is throwing punches, kicks, and jabs against another girl. She, compared to Lavender, is stiffer and paler than bone but has the same vigorous movements as Lavender does. They both wear the same white gi with black-covered belts. Straight away my eyes frankly go to the machine. They were away from it and there's no visible damage. 

Thank God.

Being so stuck inside my head, in the background Luna tries to ask me something but I can't hear a single word she says. The only thing I noticed was that she was nervous about asking it. I asked her to tell me once more when the fear of Lavender and her friend messing with my machine for kicks was long gone, but she shrugged it off and told me that she'd ask me another time.

Before I could even ask her again, a skittish buzz ran across Loran's arm. We all then watch as she rushes for the fridge, pulling out a plate wrapped in plastic, and then throwing it into a microwave. Everyone goes back to chatting, except for me.

"It's just for Lisa," Loran explains turning to see the gnawing look gripping my face. "She likes her food prepared a day before and about this time sent to her 'Laboratory' as she wishes her room to be called. So, I'll just be a minute."

"Nonsense," I say springing up quickly to the point where I almost fall out of my chair. "I'll..." I pause, reframing my previously thought words. "I'll be happy to take it up to Lisa for you. It's the least I can do for the extra plate I've received."

The room goes quiet as everyone gives me that look of baffling confusion only shown by their sister Lavender to this point. Unlike her, they don't shoot me down before I could even try to defend myself. Loran looks at all the others, then back towards me.

"Hmm, sure I don't see why not?"

She does her best to hide the lingering concern that comes afterward, but even I can see it run from her eyes to her mouth. I tell her that I just need to ask her something regarding tech problems that she could help me with. That seems to have her face return to normal. I pull out my chair if only to make sure she sits in it.

"Wow, Loran remarks. "To think I should be serving the guest, now they're serving me. Her room is the one with green lights underneath the door. You shouldn't miss it."

Once she took off her apron, threw it across the backside of the chair, and took a fresh sip of coffee that had her lips emotive at the touch, I knew it was my cue to go. To think Lisa might actually have a lab in there. I've seen that green glowing light twice already and Loran mentioning it to me means that it must be a recurring feature in her quarters. No wonder they all looked at me like I was crazy.

Grabbing the plate that steams upon my palms, I nervously give a slight nod to Loran letting her know that I would be going.

"I would be careful there, Jo." Luna's voice stops me before reaching the hallway. "Lisa has a tendency to experiment on unwitting guests who dare go into her laboratory. So, if you become a freak. It was nice knowing you."

The fact that she said that as playfully as she did, I know she wasn't serious. Still, it keeps me there slowly feeling like a lasso is tugging faintly at my leg telling me to stay. Maybe as a way of calming myself, I reply in the same playful tone

"Well Luna, if I do become one of Lisa's experimental freaks, just know I'll go for you first.

All I got to see was Luna's half-gaping mouth as Mr. Corleone erupted into laughter. Everyone slowly starts following in his footsteps. Walking back into the living room, it's now time to prepare myself for what is about to happen. I retrieve Lisa's blueprints that I left hidden last night underneath the couch and quickly glance at them. 

Looking at it for what must have been the sixth time, my eyes barely understood what I must fully do regarding the making of her devices and EMP hard drive. It's as if I wasn't supposed to. If anyone would know where to start with these, it would be Lisa or at least another version of her. 

Right?

Honestly, seeing that smirk embedded within her jawline might not be worth it. How will I explain any of this to her? She already doesn't buy my lie. This will just be enough proof for her to end my whole career in a heartbeat. Then what? Either way, looking at it, there's no better option for me.

I stand still at the foot of the illuminating door. The sweat already starts trekking down my backside with my back wounds becoming a sewer drain. The green feels like it's calling to me. Reminding me of the same light that my Lincoln sacrificed his life for. Then I remember my Lisa's last words echo through my mind. 

Trust me.

'Well, Lisa if your secret goal is for me to make allies.' my hand slowly knocks two taps on her door. 'Why not start with you.'