Please!
The pounding in my head intensifies, my vision wavering.Gotta push through it, Zander. Nothing else matters but to see your men safe.I have no care for what happens to me as long as my team all make it out. I promised their families I would keep them safe.
Someone finally opens my door and I stumble out, the smoke is relentless as I choke.
“I have to get them out!” I see red, my focus on one thing and one thing only. Get my men out of harm’s way.
Pops of gunfire sound from somewhere, but where? How far away? I reach for my gun finding hot metal and a busted radio.
God damn it!
The world tilts, darkness threatens, the will to fight the impending darkness wanes as I sway on my feet. I need to do my duty, protect my men, my country.
Turning, I ready myself to dive back into the vehicle. I find the cab is fully engulfed, boiling flames escaping from the inside out.
A panicked call escapes me.
“NOOO!”I try removing my gear and find I can’t lift my arms. What the hell is wrong with me? “Shark! Ford! Get out of there!”
My body sways into someone as I twist to round the back of the truck, needing to get to the other side.
“Little Bear!”Pleasebe okay. “Answer me! Fuck!Little Bear!”
A body blocks my way making me reel to the side, the edges of my vision darken, and the feeling of being weightless sooths me.
.
.
.
My last thought before hitting the desert floor is how my one true promise has gone up in flames.
I’m sorry, so sorry.
_CHAPTER 1 - ALEXANDER_
“In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.” – Herodotus
_The day regret settles in_
The line of trucks, motorcycles, and police escort went on for miles throughout the usual bustling town. Flags wave in the hands of the innocent, a flag we protect to the end. The community is shut down, everyone in mourning over the loss of their young warrior.
Along the sidewalks, children held signs and banners, thanking him for his service and sacrifice, not truly understanding the meaning of today. Women and parents held their children tight, shedding tears, no doubt making a mental promise to themselves to steer their children out of the idea of serving.
I don’t blame them, not one fucking bit. Parents do not want to be the ones to have to bury their children, in yet, here we are.
Passing the retirement home, Military veterans stand saluted as the congregation passed by, even the ones in wheelchairs were determined to give one final proper send-off to a fallen brother. These men and women know what loss is like; I wonder how they’ve managed to live on in this darkness.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, however the sun blazed hot and unhindered, not a single cloud nearby, an omen of Owen’s bright smile. He’s getting a kick out of this right now I bet.
He loved being the center of attention.
Damn it to hell.
I sit in the back seat and bow my head, not able to glance out the window another second.
Keep it together Marine. You will not fucking break.