hanging out in the woods

Calden turned his head away. He'd never been big on social interaction. Not since...
"'M fine. Peripheral neuropathy. That's all. Pain comes and goes. Don't worry about it,"

Being the soldier, the gentleman he was, he was at her side in a flash. "You alright, ma'am?" He asked.

Calden gave a gentle smile. "'S alright ma'am. You're not hurt are you, ma'am?"

Calden's eyes glazed over in memory. "I was... Once,"

He looked up quickly and swallowed. "Hm? Oh nothing. I was just daydreaming," He held himself stiffly, straight as a stick, like a soldier. "Anyways, ma'am, I take it you're alright, then,"

Calden gave a soft smile. "Calden, ma'am," He introduced himself. "Calden Hawke,"

"No," He said. "Not new, just not much of a social person, me,"

Once again, Calden's eyes glazed over. He was haunted by his past. "Doesn't matter,"

Calden swallowed thickly. Suddenly, he was afraid that she'd leave. He didn't really want to be alone... "No! Don't go!"

Calden scrubbed his face with his hand. He was a wreck: he hasn't slept in days. "Sorry, you can go if you want to. I'm sorry, I just get..." He sighed. "...lonely,"

He but back the words: You will never know how I feel. He glanced at the dog and shook his head. Even the dog knew there was something wrong with him. Calden stiffened as if resigning himself. "No, ma'am, I shouldn't ma'am. I've already caused you enough trouble and I'll only end up getting you into more," his heart clenched in his chest as he spoke, resigning himself to loneliness.

"Yeah... Sure..." He said rather dejectedly. He scrubbed his face with his hand. How long had it been since he'd slept... And really, properly slept? He shook his head and stumbled off into some obscure direction. He was gonna get lost, and it looked like it was staring to snow...

Calden smiled half-heartedly, leaning heavily on her. His limbs felt heavy and he was cold... so cold. "Thanks," He breathed. Then, he gave a bit of a sad smile. "Hate fighting, eh? You're gonna hate me then," He muttered sadly. He found his tired mind wander back to his days in the army fighting in the Vietnam War. A war, he was told, that was fought nearly fifty years ago.

Gods, he was old.