Pax Lysander

CHAPTER I

Pax Lysander

“I’ll name him Pax...” a woman said, her sweet ginger hair falling onto her shoulders as she held her son. She then looked up at her husband and smiled sweetly. The baby looked adorable and calm, sleeping dearly within her grasp. Thin lips, aw I’m spotting that he’ll have freckles in his cheeks just like Kruze. She thought, imagining the memories they’re going to remember their whole lifetime.

“Well, welcome to the world little Pax Lysander.” he was sitting next to her as she lay on the hospital bed. He touched his son’s forehead and gave it a soft kiss. His smile, existing in her watery beautiful eyes.

“Oh, he is going to be a great kid, Kruze. I already see it.” The baby slept peacefully in his mother’s arms. It was the greatest thing the couple had ever encountered.

“Fawn, sweetheart, I assure you he will be. He’s gonna get it from me.” Kruze chuckled, squeezing his son’s cheeks, later gazing at Fawn’s eyes, her nose, her lips, he then smiled. “He’s got your eyes, your nose, your lips.

Forgive me if he gets my charm, it’s the only one I have left.” the couple laughed. It may have been a day they ought to look back on.

***

As time passed, little Pax turned into three, Fawn carried him, while blowing his candles. People cheered, he was just laughing, not knowing what was going on.

“Happy Birthday Pax!”

“You are so cute Pax!” People greeted him.

The couple gave them a smile as they carried him into another room. This time, this was just them. Just the threeof them.

There, he opened the gifts. He received lots of toys, and action figures, clumsily grabbing and playing with them. Little did little Pax know, Fawn and Kruze’s gift was a bit different.

“Time to open our gift! We hope you like it!” They said, sitting next to each other, handing an average sized, neatly wrapped box to his tiny hands. He tore the wrapper out excitedly, giving them a perky grin while his eyes stared at his parents confusingly.

“Go, open it.” Kruze said, Pax opens it, he finds a bunch of pictures with him and his parents in it, and surprisingly, a wooden nutcracker. He smiled and put the nutcracker out of the box, gleefully letting it walk along the wool carpet with his arms out all the while looking at his parents who were smiling at him vividly,

“We hope you like it darling”. Kruze brushed his son’s messy ginger hair. Reflects on his. Just the same. It was like staring into his own reflection in the past; a moving photograph that was currently laughing with them, happily, he hoped everyday was like this. From then on, Pax played with his nutcracker and kept the box with pictures close to his heart.

***

Now, Pax was six, and since he already started school, he had an interest in one specific subject, Science. He was bought Laboratory Tools by his parents, and his room was full of bubbly, fun experiments he was enthusiastic to work on. His optimistic personality he also brought in school, where when the bell rang the third time, he knew he would go learn something different in Science. Yet, as of today, he were to start again in the first

period.

“Bye, Pax! Enjoy classes! Make friends! Don’t forget your lunch! We love you!” they waved happily as he ran into the hallways. It was like a dream come true, watching Pax grow up. Everything was fine, everyday started with a smile and ends with a kiss. Until this one,

“Sweet, I was wondering... We should surprise Pax with a charming Lab Gown, after all, he deserves it, his grades are leaving me speechless!” Kruze said, he was sitting at the sofa reading newspaper, the living room echoed with his own voice. Wondering why his wife nowhere to be found, he said loudly,

“Sweetheart?” he asked, but there was only Loud Silence. “Fawn? Where are you darling?” he heard nothing, he dropped his newspaper and let it lay open on the sofa, he rose up to his curiosity, that’s odd. She might be in the bathroom though. Although if she is, I’d hear the shower and she’d also hear me. She’d answer me.

“FAWN!?” he yelled, he looked at the kitchen, dining room, living room, upstairs, bathroom, and finally, he saw her in their bedroom, lying on the floor, unconscious. Kruze was dismayed and perplexed at the same time, is this a p-prank? He thought again. Of course, to find out, he ran to where she was.

“No. Fawn, you can’t do this to me right now.” He kneeled next to his unconscious wife. With too many worries in his head, he reached out to his phone and called an ambulance. He felt a pain in his chest due to emotional stress.

“Fawn, if this is for laughs, don’t just d-don’t.” Allowing himself to tear up, he brushed his thumb on Fawn’s skin. Feeling each texture he has known since what he felt like forever.

At the hospital, Fawn lying at bed leaves Kruze hopelessly sitting in a chair all alone. The hallways were quiet and empty with echoes of frequent footsteps made by nurses, and employees pacing from right to left. There was a loud bang, he stood up, and looked right, then left. Kruze was surprised to see his son Pax running to him for a

hug. He looked at Pax’s teacher who sent him to the hospital and mouthed to her “thank you....”.

“What happened to mom?” Pax said sadly.

“I am sorry so much Pax, I was supposed to surprise you and give you a Lab Gown...” he explained,

“REALLY?!” Pax said excitedly,

“Yes, but... Instead of surprising you with a Lab Gown that you’ve been dreaming of, you were surprised by this. By your mom being at the hospital...”

“Don’t be sad Daddy. Mommy will get better soon, just be patient” Pax said, the words that he has spoken made his father hopeful, he hugged him tightly knowing the reassurance that he and Fawn have such a whole-hearted son. The hugs made him feel warm and fed his brain faith that they will make it through this.

Kruze and Pax were quiet after, sitting next to each other. Pax’s hands in his lap, with his legs swaying about. Kruze’s in his face, his elbows pressured to his knees. Suddenly, The Doctor came out and faced Kruze, he stood up from the chair with a worried croak,

“Doc? Are there results? What’s wrong with my wife? Please.” he said nervously,

“Yes sir, I have. I’m so sorry to announce to you that your wife has a Cardiovascular Disease, which may lead to heart attacks, chest pain, or stroke. But... We can suggest treatment for her, it may be a bit expensive but it will contribute a lot to your wife’s health. It’s your choice sir. Just let us know.” The Doctor gave him a thin piece of paper, and ran to the left. Doc has many patients, I guess. Pax thought, looking up at his dad who read the paper.

Treatment - $18,200

Only $17,500

P.S – I gave you a discount since I felt sad for you and your son =(

Don’t worry I’ll just charge credit and you’ll need to pay only a year later.

A few weeks after thinking of a resolution, Kruze went inside a crowded, lit-up, noisy bar. He went up to the front, to the bartender, he felt like he was having a hang-over already without even actually drinking much yet.

“Can I have beer please?” Kruze said, sitting at the bar, with his palm on his forehead.

“Here you go sir, you seem stressed. I guess you picked the perfect drink.” the bartender said.

Suddenly, a man sat beside him and ordered the same, Mason. Kruze thought, great timing. Mason was a dark-toned man, a professional well-maintained one, he was the complete opposite in high school. He looked at him and gave a crooked smile, 

“Long time no see man, what’s wrong?” he said, “You look like you’re toast.”

“Mason, my wife has got a serious disease, I need a huge amount of money, I searched for jobs, I didn’t get hired by any of them. In short, I’m fucked, and I don’t know what to do.” Kruze ranted, he wanted someone to talk to, he just gave in.

“We didn’t meet each other for like, so long. You don’t even know I’m in a good position in the government Kruze!” Mason said looking happy, Kruze noticed he had new glasses. Wearing a shiny black tuxedo. He changed so much.

“Wow... congratulations man, you deserve it. You have such a wonderful, relaxing life Mason...” He said, but, why don’t I have such a laid-back life like you? Kruze asked himself, looking frustrated.

Mason was his high school best friend, they got each other’s backs since then. Kruze noticed Mason tilting over his hip, putting his hand on his pocket, to his surprise, handing him a crumpled paper.

“As I said earlier, I’m in a good position in my career right now, seeing your situation, I badly want to help you with this, c’mon we’ve been friends since high school! Look man, before you open it... I just want you to know, if you’re going, just text me, because I’m going with you, If not, then text me too. It’s your choice, Kruze. You can do it for your family.” Mason said, he stood up to leave and left Kruze sitting alone staring at the drinks displayed across him. Kruze was curious enough to open the crumpled paper. For obvious reasons, he found the content of it quite shocking, it read...

JOIN THE MILITARY!

be a military soldier now

Reward : $2,000 per month

Register now! Call : 0903-061-4824

Kruze thought about it for a moment, he remembered his friend’s words... “Do it for your family”. He took a sip from his glass of beer, expecting it to calm him down.

He returned to his house, all tired. “Good evening, did you find a job yet?” asked his wife. She was sitting on the couch, watching TV.

“Yeah...” he said frowning,

“Well, that’s good isn’t it? Why’re you all gloomy then? I see, I know that after-drink look, Kruze. I understand. Must be hard for you to find a job. Good thing you already did then! But with that look...” she stood up to go to him, and kissed him lightly, “I’m guessing you don’t like your job?”

“No – you won’t like it” he replied, he went to his bedroom with nothing left to say.

The next day, he was sitting in the living room, staring at the television. Fawn went and entered the room. Holding a warm cup of coffee she just made.

“Dear, is something wrong? I’m sorry, it’s all my fault our family’s not normal—” questioned Fawn, giving him the hot coffee.

“look darling, there’s something I need to tell you—” The sentence was cut out by Pax going out from his bedroom to eat breakfast, the couple stared at each other once again,

“I’ll tell you later darling, stay there and rest while I take care of Pax.'' Kruze stood up from the couch and went to the dining room to greet Pax with a smile. Seeing Pax with his messy ginger hair, he had awoken up with a Frown,

“Daddy, is something wrong?” he asked looking up to his dad,

“Nothing’s wrong dear, just have breakfast.” Pax stared at his father, sad to not know what’s going on. “I’m going to make pancakes if you’d like!” It made Pax smile, he nodded as a response. Kruze prepared him his food and sat next to him while he began eating.

“Daddy, thanks for loving me and mommy.” Pax said sweetly, “You’re the best daddy ever...” he hugged his father, who suddenly began to tear up, “It’s fine daddy, I know you love me so much—I love you too...” Pax muttered as Kruze wiped his own tear.

After a few hours, Kruze sat next to his wife, who was currently lying on their bed, staring at a wall engraved with thoughts. He stared at her pleasantly,

“Sweet, we were just starting to have a wonderful life of our own, I’m sorry I ruined it.” She said with tears rolling down her cheek,

“Darling, don’t say that. I’m so lucky to have you, I’m so lucky to have a sweet, amazing, loving, beautiful wife such as you... I just want to tell you something...” he said,

“I won’t like it, won’t I?” she replied, staring at his husband’s gaze, seeing her blurred reflection in his eyes,

“Sadly—yes. I—I’m...” Kruze said, unable to make up his words, he sighed. “I’m—I’m going to work in the army.” Fawn looked down with more tears visible through her eyes,

“You don’t have to do this Kruze... You’re being indisputably indecisive and risking your life for me! Your future with this family, just for my situation!” she yelled,

“Dear, I wanted to say, there’s going to be a war soon... I want to protect you! I want to protect my family!”

Kruze replied, and cried along with his wife, “Just protect Pax p-please. He’s our only hope!”

“Just r-resign! This is just some stupid disea—” Fawn suddenly stopped talking, she held her chest tightly with a dull expression in her eyes.

“F-fawn? D-dear?” Kruze worriedly said, “No! D-don’t! N-not now!” he said, holding his wife in his trembling hands.

Kruze was then again, waiting for her wife at the waiting area, beside the room she was admitted in. His cheeks still wet off of crying, his eyes swelling. Suddenly, Pax came running through the hall with his teacher once again, which gave Kruze a flash of memory when this all was new to them...

“I am so sorry Pax, I was supposed to surprise you and give you a Lab Gown...” The words came flashing through his mind.

“REALLY?!” He remembered, leading him to discern much more sorrow,

“Yeah, but... Instead of surprising you with a Lab Gown that you’ve been dreaming of, you were surprised by this. By your mom being at the hospit—”

His thoughts were interrupted by Pax’s shout, “DAD! DADDY!” he said, running straight to his dad for a huge hug. Kruze thanked the teacher once more.

“Mr. Lysander, I am really sorry for what has happened to your wife. If I were you, I clearly don’t know what I'd do... I hope this doesn’t affect your child’s future...I do hope she’ll be alright soon.” The teacher said with a faint smile, they waved each other goodbye while she left.

Pax was beside him, also waiting for Fawn, and hoping she would get well. Kruze, has both of his palms on his forehead, with thousands of thoughts occupying his mind.

“I do hope she’ll be alright soon” words echoing in his head “Do it for your family”

REWARD : $2,000 per month

I could use this for my wife...For my family’s sake he said to himself.

But then another train of thought came rushing to him. He had imagined his wife protecting Pax from other people surrounding them, weapons pointing at the only two people he loves. Pax’s loud cries, his fingers holding tightly within Fawn’s grasps while he hears her shouts echo,

“Take me instead! Just don’t take my beloved son...” The thought was then again cut off by him realizing...

There is going to be a war...