literature

War Isn't Something You Lie About- Ch-12

Deviation Actions

Published: Jan 13, 2013

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Literature Text

"Jack, please don't go!" Pippa yelled as I rode away on a black horse with Benjamin next to me. Mother held her back from following me. I tried not to look at them. It hurt leaving them the first time, and I didn't want to do it again, but I had to because it was right. Benjamin and I made our horses run to the camp. I could tell he knew what I was going through. He looked at me as we galloped, "You gunna be alright?" He asked. I nodded with a grave expression, "Yeah. I'm fine."

"I know how you feel."

Called it.

"I lost two of my oldest sons and my home. I had seven children. Now I have five. That number could go down at any time, and I worry for them."

"That sucks."

"Yeah it does."

We rode in silence until we reached the camp. It was so familiar to me now. All eyes were on me, most of them recognizing me. Then my eyes met green ones. Richie. His chest was bandaged where I had cut him. I was surprised that he wasn't yelling at me already. I jumped down and kept my distance from Richie. But he tried to get close to me. I stayed away. I saw John at a distance and went to him. He glared at me, "Well well well, look who finally decided to come back," he snapped. I was taken aback, "W-What's wrong?" I asked.

"You left and didn't come back! That's what happened! Coward!"

"He's not a coward," Richie came up behind me. I winced at the sound of his voice. John looked at him, though I dared not to, "Why are you defending him? He nearly killed you!" He yelled. Richie stood in front of me, "I don't care! He's my friend!" He retorted. I was shocked by that, "Richie…" I started. Richie looked at me, "Shut up. Just shut up," he said with a playful smirk. I couldn't stop a small smile, but it quickly faded. John rolled his eyes, and walked away.

"Thanks. And… I'm so sorry about the… the knife thing…"

"It's alright. I should have left you alone. You needed time."

"I didn't know what I was doing."

"It's fine dude. Really."

I smiled at his persistence. He was determined, "Alright," I finally said. He grinned and patted my shoulders, "Now there's the Jack I know," he said and playfully punched my arm. I punched back with a laugh. I got a chill, feeling like somebody was glaring at me. I looked around, and saw I was right. John gave me a dirty look before crawling into his tent. I returned the glare, "What's John's problem?" I asked. Richie shrugged, "He's been bitter since you left."

"Obviously."

Richie chuckled, "Yeah, he's that guy," he said. I rolled my eyes, "I can see that. So, has anything happened?" I asked. Richie shrugged, "In few days... Not really. But we're planning on advancing tomorrow. It ends soon. And we'll come out on top," he said confidently. I smiled, "Yeah we will," I laughed. It was good to be back with him. He was kinda like an immature older brother that I could look up to if needed. Couldn't ask for better.

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A trumpet sounded outside the tent. Richie and I lurched awake and looked at each other. It was time. We jumped out of the tent, grabbing weapons on the way out. I grabbed a musket and my knife. Richie grabbed his musket as well. We both ran to load our muskets and to the block of soldiers. It was going to end, and end today. The Captain, my Father, paced in front of us. Richie and I were in the second line, like we were assigned the night before. The Captain looked at the soldiers, "It ends today!" He yelled, "Today, somebody will win and somebody will lose! But I promise you that if we lose, we will lose with honor! Are you ready to claim freedom!?"

"YES SIR!"

"Forward! March!"

With that, we all marched forward. Men started playing the drums of war. We all marched to the beat, trying to seem orderly, though none of us were in uniform. Whatever. We didn't care. We marched into a giant field, and stopped marching. Redcoats were across the field, their numbers greater than ours. They shot of cannons to frighten us, but we weren't wavered.

"Forward!" Benjamin yelled, "MARCH!" He commanded, and we marched again, stopping about a half mile away from the Redcoats. I overheard two men in front of us. One dark skinned, the other white, "It's October now. You've past six months," said the white man. The dark man kept his gaze forward, "I'm here on my own call," he said. The white looked at him, "I'm honored to have you with us. Honored," he said. The dark one looked at him with a smile and a nod.

"READY!" Captain yelled. We cocked our muskets.

"AIM!"

We aimed.

"FIRE!"