(S1) Chapter 8 – Moon

Haywin took the food, and sat on the couch, Picking the food with her fork. She couldn’t help but feel inadequate, the feeling resembled through her face, as it greyed down.

“Hey, don’t worry about it, okay? We all make mistakes.”

Haywin nodded, trying to reassure with Alexis’s words. “Yeah.”

“You’re one of the best soldiers I know, Haywin. You should express more pride in yourself.”

Haywin couldn’t help but feel a spark of determination with the thoughts of the test. The test that would let her prove her worth to her superiors. She knew she had to put her utter best to succeed. The test was infamous for being extremely hard. Well, it was a test for the Special Forces after all, not something to take light of.

The sky started to turn darker, and Alexis took her leave.

“I’ll be back around nighttime, I hope. Take care, Hay.”

“Okay. Stay safe.”

The door closed as Haywin let out a deep sigh looking outside of the window, with the moon shining bright at her point of view. The light shone beautifully over the buildings and the nature that surrounded it.

“I need to bring this book back…”

She was used to borrowing books from the nearby library. This dorm she lived in had everything one could think of, and conveniently, it was situated close to where her family lived. The ideal place to focus on your work knowing your loved ones are not far away.

She went to her bedroom and pulled off her clothing, you could see a few scars run across her body. Her body had a strong development. She was semi-muscular, and was fairly tall.

She dressed up in a grey shirt and a pair of jeans before heading out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Upon arriving at the library, she noticed the soldier she met while on her mission was also borrowing books.

‘Isn’t that 008? I normally don’t see fellow soldiers here quite often… Its mostly just some old people that for some reason are able to enter this place.’

She turned and went to the section her book belonged to, the Fantasy section.

‘I can’t wait to finish End Omega, such an interesting story…’

“Also a fan of that book?”

She turned around, and it was 008. Dressed up in a black shirt and black jeans, holding another book in his hand.

“Yes… Its one of my favorites.”

“It was you, from the mission earlier today, right? I haven’t properly introduced myself yet, I’m Dark.”

“I’m Haywin, nice to meet you, Dark.”

“Likewise. Are you also participating in The Standing’s Test?”

“Yes, I am. What about you?”

“I am, as well. That’s nice to hear. Better do your best.”

Haywin was known to be an introvert. Conversations were not her strongest suit…

But she couldn’t help but feel drawn to Dark. There was something about him that made her feel comfortable, and at ease. It could be because they were both soldiers and shared a common goal. Whatever it was, Haywin found herself engaged herself in conversations with Dark, talking about their favorite books, and theories of The Standing’s Test.

As they talked, Haywin couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Dark. She had always struggled with people, but with Dark it felt natural and easy. Before she knew it, an hour had passed, and the library was about to close.

“Seems like we got carried away.”

“Yeah. I should get back.”

“Me too, maybe we can meet another time before the test?”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind that.”

…

After they said their goodbyes, as Haywin walked off, she felt a sense of relief.

‘I guess its not that hard to talk with other people…’

‘I wonder if Elez is doing okay…’

The day was over for her, she went back into her room, getting in her bed after changing in her night closed. With the moonlit sky beaming over her face, her blue eyes glistering in the moonlight.