Red Dead Revelation II: Unshaken Legacy (Jack MarstonXOC)

Chapter Six: A Mother's Child

August 1916–

I left my journal at home, foolishly. I have a small notebook that I will be writing in and I will be adding these sheets to my old journal when--if--I return.

After some training, I landed a position as a charge nurse in a hospital in Belgium.

My paperwork got messed up, and so I am mostly affiliated with the Red Cross. It's just as well, as I am younger than the age I listed myself as.

I am placed where there is a need.

The boat ride here was long and agonizing. Many of the women got sick, and we have had to take care of each other.

I feel bad for lying. I didn't go to school like most of the other women, but I can hold my own like the best of them. I have proven my membership by looking out for two other nurses: Margaret and Gwen, who are close to my age. They think I am older than they, 28, and I don't know if I should be flattered or not. Upon entering the hospital, we met the head nurse, a Catholic nun, who is very strict. She consistently made the point to remind us that "the fraternizing with the soldiers was strictly prohibited."

We are using the ruins of the cathedral as a hospital, but mainly a place for orphaned children. Being it a French-speaking country, I am doing all that I can to learn their language. The children are more forgiving than the soldiers.

Gwen no longer works with us--she was sent across the border to France. Margaret and I are the only Americans.

We have mainly French soldiers. They're young--oh so young. Some with missing parts of their face. I have learned some phrases, and I have practiced some rehearsed answers.

* "Ça l'air mauvais?" --Does it look bad?

My answer: "Non, soldat, dors peu." --No, soldier, get some sleep.

* "Vais-Je mourir?" --Am I going to die?

My answer: "Laissez-moi m'en soucier." --Let me worry about that.

* "Pouvez-vous dire a ma femme/mére/soeur...que Je l'aime?" --would you tell my wife/mother/sister...that I love them?

My answer: "Oui, quel est son nom?" --Yes, what is their name?

***

I have led myself to believe that all of the sorrow earlier has prepared me for this.

I have seen wounds worse than what Papa had inflicted upon himself. Holes in their torsos. Limbs blown to shreds...

There are still moments when I need to remove myself, and I feel better when I am surrounded by the children. All orphans. We don't tell them that, as some were merely separated from their parents in the bombings, but much time has passed. Some have been here since the beginning.

***

Alice takes her nurse cap off her head and exhales loudly. After declaring another young soldier dead, she needed to get away for a moment. She walks through the ruins of the cathedral and heads for a secluded spot in the abandoned courtyard where she has often gone to pray and seek solace.

She stops. It is already occupied.

There is an older man, who looks to be in his forties, sitting on the edge of the dried-up fountain. He wears a long clerical robe, his head is shaven and he has a long, greying beard. Alice begins to back away, but steps on a twig, alerting the man.

"Ah, bonjour," he calmly greets.

Alice remembers seeing him around before, but she doesn't remember his name. But by the sound of his accent, Alice thinks that he may speak English.