Our War Zone

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In the heart of the war, scars covered commander Alexander face, but they only served to accentuate his chiseled features, making them seem even more rugged and undeniably manly. His presence alone was enough to turn heads, and with his tall, imposing stature, Alex was what most would call dangerously gorgeous. His piercing eyes held an intensity that few could bear to meet. However, it was his demeanor, more than his appearance, that set him apart. Harsh, threatening, terrifying—he exuded an aura that kept most people at bay, making it difficult for any woman or anyone else for that matter to win his attention. He seemed like a man who had been through battles—both on the battlefield and within his soul.

But his past, riddled with sorrow and loss, was a story for another time.

In the barracks, the soldiers were barely rousing from what little sleep they’d managed to grab. War didn’t allow the luxury of comfort, and each man knew the stakes were too high. Yet, the youngest among them hadn’t quite adjusted to the harsh realities of their situation.

"But we just slept two hours ago!" a young soldier, no more than twenty, murmured to his bunkmate, his voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and naiveté. His name was Jacob, a fresh recruit who had no real concept of the horrors war entailed.

"Oh, so you need more sleep?" came a voice from the darkness. It was low, dangerous, and laced with sarcasm.

The barracks fell silent. Everyone in the room knew what was coming. They shifted uncomfortably in their bunks, their bodies stiffening in fear. Alex, their commanding officer, slowly walked toward the young soldier who had dared to voice his complaint. His movements were so stealthy and calculated that it seemed as though he was stalking prey. He stopped just inches from Jacob’s face, so close that the younger soldier could feel Alex’s hot breath against his skin.

"Now tell me, boy, what is your name?" Alex’s voice was calm, eerily so, but there was a simmering fury beneath his words that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.

"Sir, Jacob, sir!" the young man shouted, his voice shaky, his eyes wide with terror. He dared not look directly into Alex’s piercing gaze, for he knew the consequences of disrespecting his commander.

Alex smirked, a cruel, condescending smile that made Jacob’s stomach churn. "Jacob, is it? You complained that you needed a good night’s sleep, did you? Let me remind you, boy, we are in the middle of a war. The enemy could attack at any moment, and when that happens, we don’t get the luxury of sleep. We stay alert. We fight for each other. We defend one another." His voice grew louder, more menacing with each word.

The other soldiers stood at attention, their faces pale, not daring to move a muscle. They knew better than to anger Alex.

Alex leaned in closer, his nose almost touching Jacob’s. "Jacob, your service is no longer needed," he said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "You will be leaving by tomorrow. You are unfit for this fight."

The room fell into a deathly silence as Alex’s words hung in the air. Jacob’s face went pale, and the other soldiers shifted nervously, some feeling pity for the boy, others relieved that they hadn’t been the target of Alex’s wrath.

"Let this be a lesson to all of you," Alex said, turning his gaze to the rest of the men. "If you are not ready for this fight, if you are not prepared to give everything you have to this cause, then I won’t ask you twice. Get out. NOW!" His voice thundered through the barracks, the sheer force of his authority causing the walls to tremble.

"SIR, YES SIR!" the soldiers replied in unison, their voices loud and filled with fear.

Jacob, however, remained silent. His fate was sealed. By tomorrow, he would no longer be a part of this unit, and there was nothing he could do about it. Alex had made up his mind, and when Alex made a decision, no one questioned it.