Chapter 17

The soldiers returned to their base and the mission was a complete success. Once there they were treated like heroes by their companions, as they inflicted great damage on the opponent, as they would no longer be able to receive money for the sale of organs. That was a special night for everyone, but especially for the captain's platoon, who ended up taking something more valuable than victory on their journey.

After spending the day partying with friends, Arthur's group gathers around their campfire to enjoy dinner as they chat. Especially that day, the stars and moon were very beautiful.

-So I said to him "how do you expect me to know something that even you don't know man?" Kyahaahahakyahhaha. (Thomas)

“If anyone thought they'd seen it all in their lives, it's because they never heard Thomas laugh. (Mike)

-Hahhahahahhahah. (all)

-What did you say!? (Thomas)

-I'm not surprised that you don't like to laugh, with that laugh I would also be embarrassed. (Mike)

-You stupid bastard! I swear I will kill you one day. (Thomas)

-Hahaahhahaahah. You guys get along really well. (Soldier)

-Never, me and this idiot are completely different. (Thomas)

-Hahahahaha. (soldiers)

The atmosphere was friendly around that fire, but Arthur wasn't paying much attention to the conversation. His eyes were intently watching the stars while his mind was lost in thought.

-Did something happen Arthur? (Mike)

-Huh? No, why? (Arthur)

-We were calling you for a while, but you didn't seem to be listening. (Mike)

-No, I was just thinking too much and I ended up losing myself completely. (Arthur)

-About what you were thinking. (Thomas)

-It wasn't serious. (Arthur)

-You don't need to worry, no one here will laugh at you. (Thomas)

Thomas stares at Mike, who gets the message.

-Yeah man. No one will make fun of what you're thinking. You can talk to us. We are a team that has been through a lot, we are brothers in war. Whatever it is, you can count on us. (Mike)

-Thanks. (Arthur)

Arthur goes back to looking at the stars and while he was enjoying them he was talking about what was going on in his mind. 

-I was just thinking about today. I felt something different that I had never felt before, it was like I was fulfilled. (Arthur)

Everyone is silent, everyone starts to reflect on the things they have gone through so far. In the end, everyone ended up looking up at the sky, being sucked into that vast, endless darkness.

-Do you remember our conversation, about organ donation? I think when I die, I want my organs to be donated. (Mike)

Arthur and the rest of the staff started smiling after hearing that, it was like everyone was thinking the same thing. Thomas in the middle of that climate took a cigarette to smoke, but after lighting it thought a little and ended up crushing it.

-I'm sorry to inform you, but your lungs should already be as black as you. Quitting smoking now won't make a difference. (Mike)

-Shut up! (Thomas)

-Hahhahaaahhaa. (soldiers)

About those contagious laughs, about the heat of the fire and about the vastness of stars that filled the sky that night, Arthur opens a discreet smile, as he enjoyed that moment with them.

After leaving the fire, they enter the hut to prepare for bed. The phone starts ringing and Arthur immediately answers it so as not to make so much noise and end up waking up those who had already fallen asleep.

-Hello? (Arthur)

-It's me Arthur, your father. (Logan)

-Hi dad, how are you? (Arthur)

-I'm great. Today I went to the market and bought a lot of great looking fruits, I also walked around the park and remembered when we used to go there. (Logan)

-What a good father. (Arthur)

-But the most important. How are you? You haven't answered my calls for a few days, did something happen? (Logan)

Arthur is silent for a few seconds which makes his father extremely worried about him as he doesn't know why he wasn't responding.

-Arthur? Can you hear me Arthur? It happened al... (Logan)

-Dad, I'm very happy to have joined the army. (Arthur)

Those words soothed his father's euphoria.

-And even? That's great! What happened to make you think that? (Logan)

Arthur opens a discreet smile on his face.

-I saved a life today. It was the first time I felt something like this. It was like I was finally fulfilled... (Arthur)

On the other end of the line his father was wiping the tears with his fingers, preventing his son from realizing he was crying.

-Father! Are you listening to me? (Arthur)

-Hey! Of course, yes I heard... I'm very happy for you my son. (Logan)

-Thanks. (Arthur)

They remain silent for a few minutes, just grinning like a fool for being too happy, until the silence is finally broken.

-Arthur, do you remember when I told you that your heart beats differently from others? (Logan)

-Yes I recall. (Arthur)

-The one who taught me that was your mother. (Logan)

-Serious? (Arthur)

-Yes, we were at the park while she carried him inside her belly. I remember that day perfectly, she was wearing a blue dress and a hat to protect herself from the intense sun it was making. I was sitting beside her, just looking at her beautiful serene face that didn't stop enjoying the lake, it felt like those eyes were looking into something deep that I couldn't see. I could spend all day just appreciating the beauty of your mother, that was enough for me, admiring her gaze and getting lost in it. I could easily stay for hours without noticing the time pass. (Logan)

-You seemed to really like the mother... (Arthur)

-And how I liked it. But suddenly, I come back to the real world, when I tell or tell she had stopped looking at the lake and was looking at me... (Logan)

"-Did something happen? (Logan)

-What do you think? Will it be a boy or a girl? (Rochely)

-So that's what you were thinking. (Logan)

-Like this? Why did you put it in a way that I was worrying for nothing? Aren't you curious what sex he will be born of? (Rochely)

Logan lies down on the grass.

-It doesn't matter to me. You can in men, women, parrots, etc... I will love it anyway. (Logan)

-Our son will not be a parrot! (Rochely)

-Huh? Why?! (Logan)

-Is that part that worries you? Seriously, how can you be doing these antics without any fear. I'm here worried if he'll be able to grow up properly, how will he make friends, what will he do when he grows up? And you there making fun. (Rochely)

-Hahahaha, I'm sorry. But I didn't know you were so curious about it. I bet these are the things you most want to know in your life. (Logan)

-No... there is one thing I would like to know, above anything else. (Rochely)

Logan watches her looking at the horizon with a smile sparkling on his face, Logans face showing a deep curiosity about what it was she wanted more than anything.

-And what would this thing be?... (Logan)

-I would like to know, what kind of noise would our son's heart make? (Rochely)

Logan appears to be a little confused by Rochely's response.

-Noise? Like, his beat? Isn't it the same for everyone? Like Boom... boom... or boom I don't know. (Logan)

-No, they're different... (Rochely)

-And what kind of sound do you think he would make? (Logan)

-Who knows? I stay here wondering. But I'm sure one day I will find out. (Rochely)”

-Since that day, I've never forgotten her words... what she was saying to me, it seemed like something very far away, something I didn't even understand at that time... (Logan)

-Is it serious that you thought a parrot could be born? (Arthur)

-Is that the part you focused on? (Logan)

-I mean, because you thought it would be like I was born a parrot. Hahahaahahahah. (Arthur)

-Ahhhhhhh, I was just wanting to annoy your mother, do not care what I said. (Logan)

-We're turning off the lights! (instructor)

-Looks like I need to hang up now. (Arthur)

-It's okay, you can go to sleep. Thanks for talking to me, I feel so alone here without you. (Logan) 

-I miss you too dad. (Arthur)

-Okay, now go sleep my son. (Logan)

-He is well. Bye dad, I love you. (Arthur)

-Bye Arthur, I love you too. (Logan)

Arthur hangs up the phone and goes straight to his bed to rest. That really was a busy day for him. Everyone was already asleep at that time, but Arthur couldn't, he was always thinking about several things which made him have difficulties to rest. He gets up from the bed and walks out of the cabin, when he looks at his he is still as beautiful as he was a few hours ago. As he glimpsed the immensity of stars, he noticed that there was a person sitting on a log drinking a beer while gazing at the stars. He walks slowly towards her.

-Captain? (Arthur)

-Ohh... Arthur, are you also having trouble sleeping? (captain)