I was reviewing some incident logs in the northern wing commanders office when he walked in.
SongMinzhi
The bases medic. Pretty and younger than he looked.
His smile hides secrets which I would never want to know.
His uniform always looks too neat with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing his slender wrist.
And always…always that red ribbon tied at the end of his braid like a gift from a lover.
With both hand he gave me stacks of documents "Quarterly psych evaluations Commander" he said with a smooth voice as he smiled
I grabbed the stacks and went straight to work without even acknowledging him.
"You looked tired this morning Commander, rough night?"
"No" I said my eyes still focused on reviewing the stacks of paper he just brought in.
"Dreams maybe?"
I finally looked up.
His expression was innocent , but....thats how predators look before they bite.
"if you're suggesting that I'm mentally unstable to be a commander, let me remind you I signed your recertification from last month"
He laughed softly "Of course not. Im just making some small talk. You know you're allowed to be tired commander"
"We are humans after all " he added.
He leaned slightly closer just enough to make it obvious.
"If…." He paused "I mean if you ever need something you know… softer, I know where the keys to the infirmary storage are." He smiled voice so soft.
"There's no cameras there" he dragged
I stared at him for a awhile
"You think I'd throw away my chain of command for a warm bed and a warmer body?"
" I think you're wanting something you haven't named yet"
I stood up suddenly, surprised in his eyes. He stepped back slightly "you're dismissed lieutenant"
His smile dimmed but didn't vanish. He bowed and turned to leave but his eyes caught a figure outside the window in the courtyard.
His eyes narrowed as Jiang Shanshen walked past, his long coat swinging at his sides.
Minzhi's smile vanished completely as he looked at me, then back to Jiang Shanshen.
He smiled widely but it did not reach his eyes.
—
After he left, going back to looking at reports is now at the back of my mind. Instead I watched the corridors hoping….No
Expecting, yes that's the right word. I'm expecting to see him again.
That night I dreamed again but it's not like the other dream which is filled with blood and dead bodies.
No. This time is different.
I dreamt of cold hands gripping the collar of my shirt. A soft voice whispering my name and
" Don't forget me"