Your War, My War

| Chapter XIII |

It was April when it was declared an allied win. I was glad. It took a lot of courage, bravery and trust. I didn't realize that you can makes the most of terrible times. In the orphanage, I didn't find any hope in anything. There was nothing keeping me hopeful. But, in these times, I find hope. On the battlefield. With people I have never met in my life, left to understand each other simply by fate. 

Charles, Garrett, Max, and Lieutenant Bennet. We'd been everywhere together. As for Oscar, I had barely saw him anymore. I was beginning to get worried, but I brushed it off. I had thought since I was often away from camp, so would be logical not to see him. It was still quite bothersome. 

As for me, nothing had changed. I hadn't been exposed. I was glad that I had made it this far. From enlisting, to training, to the battlefield. I had an odd suspicion that Charles knew. You can't hide anything from the observant Charles. But maybe, just maybe, he didn't catch this secret. 

It was nineteen forty-four. 

Presently, we were invading a German-occupied area, taking part in the Battle of Normandy or Operation Overlord. It was mid-day, soon it will be evening. The main purpose of this Battle was to advance. Come to think of it, that's all we ever do. We faced many Battles together, we supported one another, there wasn't anything we couldn't do. We were in sync. 

It was quiet. The land was quiet. Then houses were partially demolished. The eroded parts of buildings floated in the air.

Over the course of the platoon, we've only lost on tank and crew. They were good men. An Overhead strike had gotten them. We were able to take down the aircraft, but we weren't able to save the tank. The tank stopped lifelessly. There were a few cries and screams, but in the end, there wasn't anything you could do.  

While maneuvering, the tank in front had gone through harsh terrain. They had warned us about it, but we had no idea about the severity of the drop off. The trail had a harsh cut-off. When we had drove over it, it had caused us shift forward violently. I heard the wind get knocked out of the commander. I on the other hand, was not the same. 

A steering stick had pierced into my stomach, causing a hoarse blood-curdling scream. A tank from behind, had asked about the situation, but my commander said it was fine. I slowly looked down. My blood was coating the sticks. It didn't take long, my palms were also encased in the blood. 

"Silas!" the commander called. Max wasn't smiling. He was worried about me. 

My vision was become blurry, as tears began to well in my eyes. I grunt, as I try to pull my body from the stick. 

"Driver is wounded, one of the steering pieces are in his chest." Max said. The commander swore. 

The entire tank was at an angle. This angle was only making my situation worse. I got up, forcing the stick and I forward, leveling out the tank. I screamed once again. I held my hand to my stomach tightly. I drove to a more enclosed area, where were weren't so far in the open. I felt my eyes closing.

"Out! Out! Evacuate driver!" The commander ordered. 

I don't remember all that happened, but I was definitely taken from the tank and onto ground near it. 

"Silas." Charles calls my name. I hear Lieutenant Bennet giving instructions for scoping, since the tank is halted. My hearing was weakening and lessening. Charles shook me. 

"C'mon, c'mon. Not now." He said. He began to unbutton my shirt. I laid a weak hand on his shoulder. His eyebrows furrowed momentarily, but he soon proceeded. His eyes widened at the my binded chest. He glanced up at me, then to Lieutenant, who was heading over.