Fade to Black

Day 4,190, 19:23 • Published in Ireland Canada • by Vexing Chaos

As the dust settled, evening approached. The threat has been repelled, for the time being. He gazes up at the moon. He’s looked up at the moon many times before, but this time it was different. He sees her face. The same face looking back at him in the hospital. Her sweet, quiet doll-face. She didn’t have to do what she did. She could have taken cover. But she did what anyone worth a damn would do and she paid a steep price for it.

During his visit at the hospital he sat by her bedside. He couldn’t help but to just gaze at her. Time seemed to stand still. He thought to himself "Why her?" “Why wasn’t it me in that bed?” “She didn’t deserve this!” He beat himself up over it. While sitting there he grasped her hand. A faint tan line on her ring finger where a ring once was. Her hand was limp, he gripped her hand gently but she didn’t grasp back. She was temporarily paralyzed. The doctor said she should make a full recovery. A slow and painful recovery.

He remembered holding hands. All the times they walked together. The laughs and smiles, the look on her face. Those were the days… Would they ever get those days back? While he’s been away he received word she had fallen into a coma. Would she wake up? If she woke up would she remember him? Would she remember… “them”?

While lost in these thoughts he gets a tap on his shoulder. His relief is here. Late… but still a welcome sight for sore eyes and weary muscles. The enemy won’t be happy today. They’ll be back. But he did his duty. His training paid off. Many lives were saved today. Not all were so lucky though. One of his best friends perished during the mortar attack. He didn’t get to cover soon enough. All that was left was half a torso and some tattered cloth of what was once a uniform.

He headed off to take a shower and then to chow. On his way to the shower he was stopped by one of the lieutenants. “Did you hear?” “We’re leaving here in under two months. Can you believe it? Homeward bound!” This was pleasant news. He wanted to get back. Back to that beach. Back to what was most real for him. Will she still be there? Still struggling for life in that hospital bed? He hadn’t heard much since the enemy cut the supply line, so mail hadn't been delivered for some time.

While looking down at his meal he starts thinking of her in the hospital again. All those machines keeping her alive. The nurses coming in and out constantly taking vitals. He just wants to take her home. Home where she belongs. He wants to make all right. How could it end like this? He wants to hear her say his name forever.

The news of going home soon is certainly refreshing. No more watches in the tower. No more incessant snoring from his bunk mates. No more jerky beef. No more battle drills. At least, not for a while. He plans on taking some well needed R&R. There’s a hot tub somewhere calling his name.

For now, he waits. The picture, a snapshot etched in time still in his pocket close to his heart. He closes his eyes and falls asleep.






Sláinte!