Drafted- A Story Of Heroes

12

The war had been over for a long time. Once the last battle came, the rest followed. Fen was sent home before the end and Jones stayed. Fen was in the hospital and Georgia stayed by his side. Linda would come and visit every other day. She and Georgia insisted that he move in with them once he got better and he reluctantly agreed. His parents had not contacted him since his shipped out. But he couldn't say he was surprised. Although half of him expected his father to write an angry letter or call if writing was too much effort. 

Jones came back a different man. He had stayed through the last shipment. He was greeted by his friend and Linda. Georgia had gone back to school and couldn't make it. He didn't say anything but hug Fen. A silent exchange that made Linda tear up. He then made time to shake her hand. Jones had lost everything. His home, his father, his happiness. He was forced to move in with them and stayed quietly to himself. 

Never talking about his time during the last war. Fen wasn't much different, they didn't speak about it for good reason. They lost plenty of things during that time and talking about it would fix it. It would just bring it up to the surface. Georgia felt like she was being pushed aside and hated feeling that way, knowing that he was going through a lot. 

When the ceremony took place she was willing to fight for him, and made it clear. Jones went home and stared out the window. The quiet, dry flat land looked so different then what he had gotten used to. The lack of sound put him on edge, not knowing. He blamed himself for every man's death that he was in charge of. He would pray that he would be saved from the damned souls of those who he led to their deaths. He grew emotionally distant, even when John and Linda's baby was born. He held her tight but then he never picked her up again. 

When asked why he didn't reply. Georgia and Fen married the coming month following her birth. Johanna sat quietly on her mothers lap as if John was watching in her place, she had not stopped crying up until that point. Georgia gave the house to Linda and Johanna and moved into a small apartment with Fen. 

.......

Writing in his journal feels wrong. I remember every night how he'd write next to the small lantern, never letting us see. He hid behind his words, he in every right was a fighter. I know he'd be a great father and uncle.  I remember when we first met, on our way to basic training. I was scared shitless. I had just fought with my father about being in the army. I had trained for it my whole life. I repeated his awful words to him and he barely batted an eye. Then a Kino stood up for him, it reminded me of the fact that I was on my own. I had no friends and no family. John had everything I wanted, if it was one thing I wanted was for him to succeed. Telling him what his did wrong and how to better himself. It angers me to think he's the only one of the three of us to not come back. We learned more than I can put into words from him. I hope he sees my daughter and his daughter getting along as well as we did. 

Jones, my last friend in this whole world. Is no more. I guess he couldn't take the stress of coming back. Being in a normal town with no harm to come from himself or others.  No one could have helped him, Georgia tells me repeatedly. How so? I saw him at his best and worst, I could tell the difference. I was his friend, his brother. 

I learned that he had gone into debt even before we had shipped out. His father had gotten sick, and it drained his savings. His wife left him, he never saw his children after that. I don't blame him. Every day I think that it would be so much better to quit. To leave my family before I drag them down with me. Then I hold her and my world does flips. Her small hand holds mine and I could fly. I couldn't even imagine leaving her in this world without the amount of love she deserves. 

Life will move on. Life will get better. 

The End

I had started writing this before the Ukraine-Russian war. My heart goes out to those affected. 

My story was not about the war itself but about what it can do to those in the middle. If you are wondering why it started, what the purpose of it was...there is none. It's about the greed and suffering of the people below, not on top. It's about the vets who don't come home, and those that do. And it's about taking what you have and loving it for what it's worth, and not leaving it for granted. John didn't marry Linda, he regretted it up until his death. Jones regretted everything. Leading men into their deaths, not saving his friend or his marriage. And gilt for quitting. And Fen regretted not living for himself and helping his friends when he finally had them. As a young man who just turned 19, all of his years were spent living his fathers dreams. A man who lied to him his whole life. 

He'd make sure that never happen to his daughter.

Sorry its short, it was going to be longer but I wanted it over and done with as I have school and other responsibilities to attend to. I hope you enjoyed it as much I did.