4 Before and After: General König

When they arrived at their destination, many people started to hesitate.

"Should we even be here? I heard bad rumors about him."

"Let's just stay here, at least we have food and comfortable place to stay."

"Yeah, I heard the general is really cold and will all people who betrays him."

"Oh my goodness, that's horrible." Says one woman.

The General building was big enough to fit all people. There was a cafeteria for the soldiers and for other people, a kitchen behind the counter. Upstairs are the doctor's office and our rooms. Basement is where the weapon maintenance is. Top floor is where the General is.

"All frontline nurse, please follow our guide."

When Erika and few other frontline nurses were outside, the guide started to explain.

"This is where medical personnel lives. All frontline nurses and frontline doctors. It's only few seconds walk from the General's office. We will dispatch you guys when the General gives a yes. For today, you guys can rest. Remember, when the General gives a command, no hesitation is allowed, you must say yes. Got that?" We all nodded and some nurses were clearly frightened.

After he gave us a tour, he showed us our room and medical supply room.

"When we dispatch you, all of the medical supplies are provided for you when you get to your destination." We nodded as he explains.

"That's it for today. Make sure to rest well and come to dinner on time."

After he left, we finally took a deep sigh.

"Hey Erika, that was scary. Even he is scary... he gives me the chills. Don't you feel it?" Sarah was clearly scared.

"I don't think it's that bad. Even if the General is a big meanie, he must have a heart." Another nurse said.

"What do you think, Erika?"

"Well, how about we unpack our stuff first then talk about it." Erika tried to switch topics but failed.

Erika wondered if the General is that bad or he's just a cold hearted person with no sympathy.

"Well, to be honest I don't know. Those were just rumors but I didn't even meet him yet so I don't really know much about him." Erika said as she unpacked.

Erika remembered what her father said before they got seperated.

"Erika, be careful when you're at the front line. Dad won't be with you all the time. If you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me." Her dad gave her a big hug before they said goodbye.

Then, there was a knock on the door. A young woman came in with a huge smile on her face.

"Erika! It's me, Helen!" Helen gave Erika a huge hug and kiss.

"Oh my god, Helen, were you assigned here too?" Erika was shocked to see Helen.

"Yes, initially I was suppose to work for the opposition but my father disagreed because of how they treat their employees. I heard a lot about the General. My father said the General is actually a kind person but something tragic happened to him years ago. That tragedy made him the way he is now." Helen sounded solemn.

"What kind of tragedy?" Sarah asked.

"Come here, I'll tell you." We huddled in a corner and Helen began talking.

"I only heard this from my father. He used to work with General's advisor. General König is the general's name. No one is allowed to call his first name. He was an orphan from a young age and he was abandoned by his real parents. After few years, his foster parents adopted him. All was well but one day, his foster parents left him as well. After his foster parents left him, a man took him in. My father said that the General was tortured before. He was forced to work with the Oppositions when he was at high school. Since he was quite young at the time, he met up with another person. That person promised him to give him the future he wanted. But everything comes with a price, General König was forced into hypnosis which they blocked his emotions and memories. After a few years when that happened, General König became a great leader. After he was brainwashed, he didn't care about anyone. He killed his previous secretary and previous advisor because they were found guilty of sharing confidential information about him and his group. But that was not shared. It was only noted that he killed his previous advisor and secretary. No one knew about the confidential information that was shared. That's all of the info I heard from my father. Those were confidential before but almost everyone heard about this but no one knew about his tragic past." Everyone was shocked to hear all of these information.

"Damn. That's too much. A person can only handle that much stress." A nurse said

"To be honest, I am still scared." Sarah said.

"Well, I'm speechless." Erika finally said.

As they settled down, Erika asked about Dr. Julian if she has any updates.

"I don't have any information about him. But I can ask my father since he have access to the Oppositions (rival)." Erika was disappointed but understood. She cannot leave now otherwise it's bye bye to her life.

"Erika, I didn't want to tell you this because I didn't want you to get worried. Dr. Julian is working for the General as a spy. He's not the same person as he used to be. If you see him, just pretend you don't know him. That's all. He is okay for now at least. I understand you like him but it's best if you break up with him."

Erika hugged Helen, "Thank goodness he is okay. But what happened? If breaking up is the best, I will break off with him since I don't want him to become distracted." Helen hugged back and whispered, "You deserve someone better. Dr. Julian is working for the General but not for a good cause. I overheard someone saying that Dr. Julian being a double agent in secret. You know the consequences if he betrays the general right?"

Erika understood but was brokenhearted since he was the man that Erika fell in love with. She missed his gentle smile and his embrace.

"Helen, how did you know this much?" Erika was kind of suspicious but waited for Helen to answer.

"To be honest, all of this, my father shared them to me because he knew if I work here... I would want to know about his background. But even him, he doesn't know too much details about his past. But when the General killed his subordinates, the news flew like rockets. Another thing is that Dr. Julian is General's König's younger brother. The General does not know that since his parents abandoned him but I secretly read Julian's profile in my dad's room. I thought you should know this." Erika suddenly got up and said, "I never knew about this. Why didn't Julian say anything? What was he hiding? If he's the General's younger brother, he should've said it earlier. The General been through so much and yet... how can Julian betray the General? I don't understand." Helen calmed Erika down, "Erika, follow your heart. I think you already made a decision. You will stick with the General right?" Erika turned to Helen, "But I've yet to meet with the General. He doesn't even know I exist." Helen shook her head, "If you are the General who've been through so much, don't you want anyone on your side? Truly on your side?" Erika though about it and nodded.

"Then, that's your answer. As long as you stay here, you are safe." Helen smiled.

"Erika, after hearing about those stuff from my dad, to be honest... I was scared of what the General will do. But if I were in his shoes, he must've longed for someone who will be truly on his side. Even though, I heard a lot of about his handsome face and good physique, there are lots of rumors that he is a very cold person and he will never forgive anyone even for the smallest mistake. He's like an ice block." Helen shook her head again.

"Do you like him? You seem to understand a lot about him?" Helen laughed at Erika's question, "Erika, I did this for you. He is a good match for you. Better than Julian after what I've learned. I don't know when you two will meet but I have a feeling.. it will be very soon." Helen smiled and hugged Erika, "Goodluck! I did all of these work for you." Erika jokingly replied, "Then, you should date th General." Erika laughed.

"Nah, he's not my type. But he's our boss." Helen was right, even though he is our boss... we still have to follow the rules.

Erika made up her mind and will watch over him from afar before making her appearance known because she was afraid that she will get her head chopped off by the General.