~•Garte•~
The shock pain in my head lasts two seconds.

I shut my eyes quick and then open them back up to another place. Beautiful, waterfalls covering grey and brown rocks, bright green grass surrounding flowers of several colors.

Then I realize where I am.

I drop to my knees, slamming my fist to the ground. Tears spill out of my eyes and I resist the urge to scream.

"No! This wasn't supposed to happen! God, why?!" I scream, choking and hesitating on my own words.

I told all my boys that I'd be home. Zianna, too, and I will never be able to forgive myself for this.

Vylad, he's not going to even remember me. He's six, and I haven't been around for half his life.

And Zane, he's something. True, he wasn't a dad's boy like Garroth. Hell, he's the opposite. Always a mom's boy. But I'm still his father, and he's still my son.

And Garroth, I left him alone. In a coma. He won't wake up to see the smiling faces of his parents, only his mother.

Zianna, the beautiful woman I married who gave me three beautiful boys. I told her I'd come back. I told her nothing would happen.

But I can't keep promises, I guess.

~•Garroth•~
The light comes toward me in this bare white room.

I slowly walk towards it, extending my arm out to it. The tip of my index finger barely touches it until I take a deep breath and open my eyes.

The hospital. I'm back, safe and alive.

I look up to see my mom's bright green eyes. She smiles, tears flooding her eyes. She looks so happy to see me alive and well.

"Hi, Garroth," her voice shakes. She kisses me on the forehead.

"Hi," my raspy voice says. I smile.

"Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything?" She asks. I shake my head, though it hurts.

"Okay, I love you," she says.

"Love you, too," I smile.

I look around. Though it feels like it should be overly familiar, it's not familiar. I feel like I've been out forever.

"Mom?" I ask, though my throat hurts."How long have I been out?"

"Three weeks," she says.

"Jeez... anything happen?"

"Not really. Vylad misses you a lot and your father can't wait to talk to you. Zane's just Zane," she looks out the window with concerned eyes.

Just then, we hear a knock on the door.

"I'll be right back," she says quickly and rushes out the door.

"Okay," I say, though she didn't hear me.

I think about what she said:

"Your father can't wait to talk to you."

I smile wide with so much excitement, all of it bubbling I side of me. Hopefully I'll get to talk to him today, as he's probably been waiting a long time.

~•Zianna•~
"Mrs. Ro'Meave?" a formally dressed soldier says.

Deja vu.

"That's me," I say.

"I... regret to tell you this information, but Lieutenant Ro'Meave was shot. He died on the scene," he looks down, his breath staggered.

Then, my whole world turns upside down.

"Mrs. Ro'Meave?" The soldier said outside of the room.

"That... would be me," I say.

"May I come in?" I know I can't refuse, so I motion for him to come in.

He walks in and takes a look at Garroth, "So this is the little one he talks about."

I smile, "Yep. He means the world to him."

"I bet," he smiles and clears his throat. "Back to what I came here for. Mrs. Ro'Meave, I habe bad news."

At that moment, my heart dropped.

"W-What?!" I exclaimed, but not too loud. I didn't want to wake Garroth up.

"He's in critical condition. He was shot in the right side of the chest, left arm, and a bullet grazed the back of his neck," he said.

"I-Is he going to be okay?!" I asked.

"I don't know... if it helps, I know he's here." He paused. "Excuse me."

He left. Garroth woke up as I picked him up. He seemed to have noticed that a soldier was here.

"Why he here?" His baby voice asked me.

"He needed to talk to me, buddy." I said, trying not to lie.

"He's dressed like daddy," he said as he rubbed his eyes. I was impressed that he knew what a soldier was dressed like.

"Yeah, little man. They work together." I said.

I was thinking for so long that I didn't realize that he left. I got out my phone as tears spilled down my cheeks. I decided to call Garte's older brother, Tobin.

"H-Hey, Tobin," I said when he answered.

"Hey... what's wrong? Are you okay? Is Garroth okay?" He anxiously asked.

"Just... come over, okay? And bring Zane, Vylad, and your parents. Its important," I say.

"Okay...?" He slowly says and hangs up. I walk back into the room, scared half to death, trying not to cry.

~•Garroth•~
I look up at my mom. She wipes her eyes with a light blue tissue and tear stains run down her cheeks. My mind runs with fear.

"M-Mom? Are you okay?" I ask.

She shakes her head, "Uncle Tobin's gonna come over. You'll figure out then."

I look at her extremely confused but then turn my head the other way. I look out the window. Three weeks without being outside, Jeez.

After a few minutes, a knock is heard on the door. Mom opens it and everyone swarms in. Mom sadly smiles at them and let's them in. Uncle Tobin comes over to me.

"Hey, Garroth," he puts a fist out for me to fist bump him. I weakly do it as he gives me a concerned smile.

Vylad runs over to me, "You're awake!"

"Yeah," I smile at his excited attitude.

"What did you dream about?" He asks.

I shake my head, "I dunno." I pause, "Big, big, scary monsters."

"Woah..." his eyes grow wide.

"Yeah," I nod.

I look at mom. She whispers to the family about a bunch of things. Their faces drain of color.

"Okay, everyone, I have bad news," mom says. She looks like she's fighting back tears.

"What's wrong, mom?" Zane asks, sounding sympathetic.

"Boys, take a deep breath." She tells us.

I inhale and exhale, ready for what comes at me.

I'm ready.

"Garte is dead."

••••••••
Heyyyy guys... uh...

Um...

If you haven't read the book of random things there's an important announcement mentioned there!

Thanks for reading! Bai!
••••••••