War

Deep breath. Duck. Roll. Stand. Aim. Fire. Crouch. "RETREAT!" It wasn't enough. We didn't break their lines. We are all dead. The only difference now is if we die cowards or heroes. I stand my ground.

"There's no use!" James yells back, and the Colonel doesn't argue. Our team stands side by side, shoulder to shoulder.

At a nod from the Colonel, we jump over our trenches and charge towards the enemy lines, open firing to take down as many of them as we can before we're gunned down. I run next to James. We are both exhausted, both mentally and physically, but the adrenaline pumping through our veins means we don't notice.

"Matt, if by some miracle you make it out… Georgie's waiting for me to come home. She sews the most beautiful dresses, but she comes from such a poor family. And Lucy is yet to be born… Georgiana will need someone to look after her. You're the only person I can trust. I-"

"I promise, James," I said, risking my life to turn and look at him.

"Thank yo-" James breaks off, the hand not holding his gun flying to his right side. With a shaking hand, he holds it out to examine it, only to find his fingers stained red with his blood. "Matt…" James says, slowly sinking to his knees. I lie him on the ground, trying not to show my fear.

"Don't go into shock. Stay here, James, right here. We'll be alright. It's going to be okay," I murmured, wrapping a bandage around the wound, because although I know it will do nothing for the injury, it will help calm down James.

"Remember, Matt, remember you promised. Georgie. Look after her, please. My dying wish," James smiled at me one last time, and then his eyes drifted closed and he drew his final breath. I sat there with James until the planes flew over and the medics arrived. Nobody told me what happened, why I, out of twelve officers, survived, and I never asked. I just kept my promise, and cared for Georgie. I gave her the stability she deserved after losing her love, and she tried to move on with her life. But I never really left that battlefield. No, my heart and soul stayed on that field next to James until I died.