The Mundane and the Magic

3270 Words

Wandering aimlessly seemed to be the only cure for boredom. Entering almost every building, traipsing down long corridors, going from room to room, yearning for something, no matter how minuscule, even if it were simply a picture on the wall, to pique her interest and deter her mind from the persistent stress she suffered. But she's seen it all numerous times; nothing sparked anew.

Restless, she was. Nights lacking adequate hours of sleep soon turned entirely sleepless, not just for one, but sometimes days in a row as the apocalypse was daunting on her. Thoughts of dread and fear, like a plague attacking her ability to sleep, wondering if she'll even see the coming day through to the end.

The boys had tired themselves out just the same, if not worse. Each of them had willingly taken it upon themselves to be resourceful and contribute to a better chance of survival by restoring barricades, albeit a little poorly, but the chances of being ambushed were lessened at least. Nikolai had salvaged some wood to build a small fire in the empty courtyard for extra warmth and heat up what food they had salvaged. Even Richtofen made a few spotty appearances, sometimes his arms full of supplies whenever he came by, with food or blankets for them to use for makeshift beds.

While the men had resided to lying low in a room tucked away from danger, surprisingly not demolished nor were the walls painted a mucky red from blood and dirt, (Y/n) felt a dire need to separate herself, hoping to allow her train of thought to run smoothly for once.

Finding herself miserable as she stared at the dullness of the room she stood centre of her glassy eyes roamed the walls, seeing posters and papers crooked and some barely hanging on. She squinted upon noticing the clock. 2:45 it reads.

Could it just be mere coincidence, but that would be the third time she had seen a clock stopped on the same time. Although with every clock she had come across, every so often the hands would twitch, ticking exactly 5 minutes ahead before returning to 2:45.

(Y/n) convinced herself that it was ridiculous to be pondering on the thought of a mere clock having stopped working, but even the giant one she noticed on the side of the central facility had done the very same. She wondered if the boys had noticed.

Finding her posture slumped slightly, she stands upright, feeling almost every nerve in her back twinge, virtually crying for a rest. She attempts the shake away the cloudiness in her mind, and heads towards the door, finding nothing more of interest in this room.

Shoving her hands into her coat pockets, (Y/n) steps into the corridor, moving herself along and passing rooms nearly at snail's pace, headed for no destination. There's nothing to catch her eye here, not even a window to overlook the lands. She had already passed through once; nothing was bound to have changed. Instead, she kept her head bowed, finding more interest in watching the way her feet dragged along the gritty floor.

It could be deemed as strange that not one of the boys had come to seek her out, despite how obviously watchful and attentive each of them was becoming towards her. (Y/n) recalled the way Dempsey, Nikolai, and even Takeo had offered to accompany her, but she politely refused.

At the same time, Richtofen was present, his attention only pouring into the book he was reading, or from what it appeared it be. His ears were tuned into everything around him, even the way he heard Dempsey rise from where he sat on the floor, his intentions set on accompanying the girl. Little did (Y/n) know that Richtofen's eyes flicked up to peer over the top of the pages, staring blankly at the American, finding himself infuriated with his persistence.

She had not intended to take her leave so hastily, but her patience seemed to be wearing thin. If she could not be granted time alone to collect her thoughts she most definitely would drive herself insane.

Not realising just where she had carried herself to until the strong daze she was enveloped by had subsided, (Y/n) stopped under a doorway that opened to a balcony.

Icicles like daggers hung from the railing, like an imposing threat of the winter air beyond the walls of the buildings. Snowflakes continued to flutter by, however in no way could be seen as a beautiful scene when they littered on frozen bodies of zombies. A hazy glow graced the lands as the pale moonlight beamed through thin clouds passing by swiftly, adding to the ghostly atmosphere.

She leaned against the wall just before the doorway, arms crossed tightly across her body to try and retain some warmth, exhaling deeply seeing her breath catching in the air as a frosty mist before her eyes.

Ruminating again, she was. Thoughts of the past, the present, and even the future dawning on her; a persistent anchor weighing down her very soul. Everything seemed to be an unanswered question. She had even considered soliciting Richtofen to perhaps gain some peace of mind, but as smart as he presented himself to be, she was certain that even he wouldn't have any legitimate answers.

(Y/n) tried to convince herself that it was purely the freezing air stinging her eyes as they glazed over with tears threatening to spill.

She imagined the now still, empty land once bustling with life. Or even in any corner of the world there were once people working jobs, raising families, carrying out a normal life oblivious to the devastation to befall once a global war was announced.

Blinking her watery eyes, she leaned her head against the wall, allowing her eyes to rest when she couldn't bear how heavy they were.

The volume of her thoughts had her failing to recognise the man standing still at the end of the corridor, his gaze reflecting a sense of disquietude.

With no pure intention of stumbling across her location, Richtofen couldn't help the way he loitered for a moment. He felt a pang of guilt strike a nerve for he could almost see the gloomy, downcast aura enveloping her. Beyond any control of his own, it was almost like he was being guided by an unseeable force in her direction.

Wary as to not startle the girl, Richtofen added subtly heavier emphasis to his footsteps, earning her attention as he neared.

Richtofen seemed apprehensive while he tried to read beyond her blank expression, remaining completely silent when she eyed him up and down. Although unbothered by his presence, (Y/n) made no indication to speak when her attention returned to the outside world.

Clearing his throat quietly, the German spoke up. "Are you alright, (Y/n)?"

She heard the concern lacing his words and dared not meet his gaze, fearing that he'll notice the twinkle of tears lingering in her eyes.

"I'm okay." She assured softly. "Just thinking."

The German observed her drowsy state. She was barely supporting herself, instead relying on keeping on her feet with the help of the wall her body leaned against. Unable to find the will to leave her be, Richtofen shoved his cold hands into his pockets and inched closer.

"Would you like some company?" He gently offered, albeit apprehensively.

Richtofen's unexpected offer caught the girl off guard, for she eyed him sceptically. Never had he shown, let alone asked off his own back, any want stay in the company of another.

"Sure." She replied.

Taking place on the opposite side of the doorframe, allowing some distance between them, Richtofen subconsciously mimicked the way she leaned against the wall with her side, examining the outside area she gazed longingly towards.

"How're the others?" (Y/n) broke the silence, never reeling her eyes away from the clouds.

Richtofen hoped she couldn't sense the way he continuously glanced at her.

"They seem... fine." He answered, somewhat unsure of his own observation of the three in question.

"They're getting along without arguing at least?" She added, her tone of voice flat.

Immediately the German tilted his head in confusion, squinting his eyes in her direction. (Y/n) turned her attention to him when he never responded.

She huffed loudly, body slumping slightly. "It's all they do. You haven't been around much to hear it all."

The only instance of bickering Richtofen had been a witness to be the moment before the girl had decided to separate herself from the group for a while. Although, that dispute, on the boys' behalf, seemed petty from his point of view. He was beginning to feel a little nosey, but part of him just desperately needed to know what sparked them to be so differential, almost for her sake. Just in case there was something he needed to settle to take some stress from her shoulders.

"About what, may I ask?" He asked softly, not wanting to seem as intrusive.

Shaking her head, (Y/n) bowed her head, eyes falling shut.

"Everything." She told shortly, lazily wiping a hand over her face.

Chewing the inside of his cheek, Richtofen nodded in acknowledgment, despite it going unnoticed. She kept her head down, almost like the feeling of tiredness was pulling her to the floor.

However, awkwardness hung heavy over the German. Ever since the crew came to be, there had only been rare instances when Richtofen had been alone with (Y/n), but those were times of hostility and sheer threat, on her side. The girl had not shown any signs of trust, nor has she let her guard down enough to merely take her eyes off him for a split second.

That was up until now.

Richtofen believed he was staring at someone new. With their guard let down, and entirely drained of life above all...

Peering to the man standing a foot from her, (Y/n) caught a glimpse of the worried glint in his eye, and the way his brows levelled. The odd sight stuck a nerve in her. Usually he was so stern, perhaps even bitter, in his expression.

Once again, she wiped a hand over her face, as if trying to clear the exhaustion visible on her features.

"What are we doing here, Richtofen?" Words lazily tumbled from her lips, barely able to put effort into speaking.

Richtofen swallowed hard, clearing his throat before words began rolling off his tongue with ease. Rightfully, he knew that she was owed a clear explanation, after the sheer anguish and torment they're suffering daily. She was deserving of some peace of mind, above all. He couldn't stand to see her fighting tooth and nail, practically throwing herself towards death, and being clueless of what the purpose of their mission is.

The German had her attentive stare locked on him all the while he spoke, never uttering a word to allow herself to absorb every detail. In the back of his mind, Richtofen sought his clarification to be ridiculous, there were small moments that stared at him like he was a madman. Nothing of which would ever be believed to the ordinary person. But in this case, after the grief, torment, and superficial encounters she had been a witness to, (Y/n) believed every word.

Finishing his long-winded explanation with an exasperated huff, Richtofen gave her an awkward smile.

"I don't expect you to believe any of it." He said, looking at his feet.

(Y/n) turned to him with all sincerity and spoke, "With everything I've witnessed, I believe you, Richtofen."

A little smile curled the corners of his lips when he looked her way meekly, making her heart flutter.

"Have you explained everything to the others?" She quizzed.

Instantly, Richtofen was overwhelmed by anxiety, his had reaching to the nape of his neck.

"Well, I feel they might have a more... conflicting opinion on the matter." He confessed.

(Y/n) took a moment to ponder and surmised that his guess was most likely to be correct. Dempsey had struck her as the type that was willing to argue and make a flamboyant dispute about the latter. While Nikolai and Takeo simply not in favour of a word he had to say about their mission.

She let a hand perch on her hip. "Perhaps I can tell them somehow. Maybe they'll believe me."

Richtofen hated to know that her voice would at least be heard of reasonably, but he could understand the simple reason that she speaks less with an authoritative manner, but instead humble in her softer tone. He knows that he has a will to prove himself as above them with his intelligence.

"You may be right." He answered. "But I can't expect that of you."

"But you can't leave them in the dark forever." She quickly but into reason. "Days are passing by, and they don't know what their purpose is here."

Richtofen run a hand through his hair, like he always did when he began to feel dread washing over him. "In time, I promise."

The girl studied him, sensing him becoming restless.

"I just need to figure out a way of telling them..." He drew in a deep breath, thinking for a moment before he continued. "Without them thinking I've completely lost my mind."

The girl was swift to counter his words. "They already think you've lost your mind."

She quickly earned herself a scoff and a look of annoyance from the German when he shook his head. Although his expression quickly turned bitter when an icy gust of wind whisked through, his teeth threatening to chatter as tried to contain the way he shivered.

Seeming like she was immune from the freezing cold, Richtofen watched as (Y/n) moved further out under the doorway, the moonlight striking her features with a milky glow and the glint to her eyes twinkling like that of the stars above, utterly captivated by the way snowflakes collected delicately atop her shoulders and in her hair.

She spoke. "Do you remember this place before the apocalypse?"

Snapping himself from his daze with a small jolt, his heart pounding as he was caught off guard.

"I have a vague memory of this place." Richtofen answered shortly.

The girl kept her focus on her surroundings as she hummed in acknowledgment. That was until she peered over her shoulder at Richtofen, brows raised and arched acutely, eyes rounded and staring at him in wonder. Richtofen believed his heart stopped for a minute.

"What was it like?" She asked softly.

At that moment in time, Richtofen seemed to have lost all ability to speak, taken aback by her question, and the sincerity in her voice above all. His gaze followed her own when it landed on the dead space of the courtyard.

"It was busy." Richtofen simply responded. "Although I did not visit often."

"You weren't stationed here? But I thought you were a scientist." She quizzed.

Around the site, (Y/n) had stumbled across multiple rooms filled to the brim with scientific equipment; test tubes, odd looking tools, papers with hastily scribbled words of (presumably) chemicals on them. It was no ordinary construction facility, despite the couple of odd ones dotted around. It could easily be presumed the place was for research purposes only.

"I am a scientist." Richtofen stated. "But the German army have numerous research sites."

She nodded. "I see."

An exasperated huff fell from her lips, pulling herself in from the cold, but suddenly her knees buckled, exhaustion finally overpowering and making her topple, her arms flying out to catch herself against the wall, as well as Richtofen's when he swiftly braced himself to catch her.

The German inched closer, riddled with concern.

"When was the last time you gave yourself a rest?"

She slumped, shaking her head. "I don't know. It's been a day or so, I think."

Attempting to stand upright, feigning a composed manner, she gave Richtofen an assuring look. However, he could see through her bloodshot eyes, easily reading that she was bound to fall asleep where she poorly stood.

"But I'm fine." She countered, waving a hand.

"My dear, you're barely standing." Richtofen told truthfully.

He stayed close, fearing that her ankles would give way and she would crumble to the floor. It truly pained him to see the girl so fatigued. And given that his focus was solely on her well-being, Richtofen had completely dismissed the endearing name that slipped past his lips until (Y/n) met his eyes with a faint look of surprise adorning her face.

Richtofen gulped nervously upon realising, averting his eyes as he wiped his palms awkwardly on his waistcoat. But she smiled warmly, subtly easing the tension.

"You know I'm surprised you're out here." She spoke. "It's freezing."

Despite his thin attire, the German had numbed to the freezing temperatures long ago, for the heat rising within him due to his nerves was enough to keep him warm.

Richtofen answered. "You get used to it."

"I guess." She shrugged.

Her inability to keep her eyes open did not go unnoticed, for she often rubbed them to somewhat rid herself of tiredness.

"We should be heading back." The German declared. "I'm sure the others are wondering where you are."

(Y/n) thought about the trio Richtofen spoke of, secretly pleading they had taken advantage of the opportunity to rest, but sensing deep down they were probably wide awake, stewing on idea of where she had gone. They all seemed to fret more over her recently, and she wondered why, but only surmised that they were merely cautious of her safety. Much like she thought of them.

"You're right." (Y/n) agreed, pushing herself away from the wall.

Weakly standing beside Richtofen, she took a step forward, feeling her ankles almost roll inwards causing her to stumble. Fortunately, the German had caught her hand in his to steady her. She knew at this rate that her weary state would have her headed in the wrong direction.

Feeling the warmth fade from her hand in his, Richtofen instead let his hand float a small distance from the small of her back, his other subtly outstretched to guide her.

"Come now." He prompted, moving forward as she followed suit. "We can't have you like this."

Traipsing lightly alongside him, (Y/n) felt unsteadiness overpower her ability to walk straight. She side-eyed Richtofen, seeing his focus directed down the corridor they trekked through, and cautiously linked her arm around his to aid herself. She felt the faint way he jolted at the unexpected contact.

Richtofen almost brought himself to a halt if only he hadn't met her bleary, bloodshot eyes pleading for rest. His heart skipped a beat, lips pressing into a thin line.

"Sorry." She laughed awkwardly. "But I'll crash here otherwise."

His opposite hand reached over, instinctively landing atop her own that clutched his arm gently.

"It's alright." He assured.

She inched closer, sensing the warmth radiating off him. "Thanks, Richtofen."

(Y/n) hadn't seen the way his Adam's apple visibly bobbed up and down when he gulped axiously.

"You can call me Edward." He said, nervously adding, "If you like."

She hummed, smiling softly when she glanced at him, her eyes drooped from excessive fatigue.

Rounding a corner, they saw their route leading them outside. The sight of the wisping snowfall sent a chill