The Soldier

“Did you see that chick that walked in earlier?”

“Yeah, she looked pretty friggin’ weird. That other guy that was standing with her seemed creepy too.”

Jonathan froze, clutching a bowl with numb hands as he cut his eyes across the room. He wanted to get closer, but he wouldn't dare to appear that he was eavesdropping.

“She wants a personal soldier, apparently. Preferably one that's a bit younger. I guess she wants ‘em impressionable. Boss promised her one of the twelve year olds.”

That's us! Jonathan thought, sweat gathering on the back of his neck. This is my chance to get out of here!

He stared down at his food, choking down a frantic breath. He thought of Jürgen, his vacant eyes and failing health.

He needed this.

Jonathan slipped out the door of the dining room, abandoning his meal on the counter. He rushed into the barracks, finding Jürgen sitting on the bed, Morena crouched nearby.

Jürgen’s cheeks were flushed, a byproduct of the fever he had the entire morning. “I thought you were bringing me food.”

“That's not important right now! We need to-”

The door cracked open, a tall, barrel-chested man entering the room. He was some type of demon, his eyes dark yellow and his black hair textured like feathers.

Jonathan’s eyes widened. This had to be the man they were talking about, he certainly appeared creepy enough.

“Good afternoon, children.” His voice was deep but affable. “I was assigned a young man by the name of-”

“It's him,” Jonathan said quickly, taking Jürgen by the arm. He jerked him off the bed, pulling Jürgen towards the man, “This is who you want.”  

“Jonathan?” Jürgen said, his voice cracking, “What's going on?”

The man nodded, shaking Jürgen’s hand. “You're going to be coming with us. Mistress Melody felt that we needed an extra hand.”

“No!” Morena cried, standing up. Jonathan caught her with an arm across her chest, clenching his jaw tight as he struggled against him. “You can't take Jürgen!”

The man took Jürgen by the shoulders, holding him still as he started to fight, crying out for Jonathan and Morena.

“Jonathan, Morena!” Jürgen sobbed as he was pulled towards the door, “I don't wanna leave you! Please don't let him take me!”

Jonathan stood almost stoic, with the exception of his trembling bottom lip.

This was for his own good.

----

Jürgen had been blindfolded. The man, who introduced himself as Xander, led him into a car, only shutting the door once another figure sat beside him.

Jürgen went stiff, smelling the woman’s perfume and feeling her body heat beside him.

“You're going to be very useful to us, child,” the woman murmured. Was this Melody?

Jürgen felt her fingers touch his cheek, sharp, cat-like nails grazing his skin. His heart thudded faster, the hair on his arms standing on edge. She put off a dangerous aura, a presence that made him shrink into his seat.

“From this day on, you're going to be apart of something much bigger than you can imagine.”

Author's Note- for reference, you should probably check like 7:23 (?), and pay attention to umbras last flashback :D