Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 3

Sleep came to Engfa like a storm. She dreamed of herself and Charlotte walking together in a flower field, laughter echoing among the lush green fields. But then, the dream suddenly vanished, replaced by the sound of gunfire, wailing, and images of people fleeing.

The next morning, when Engfa woke up, she knew she had to get up and keep fighting. What she had experienced was just a part of the long journey of life. She was determined that not only she but also her loved ones would never be forgotten.

As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the camp, Engfa told herself, "Today, I will do everything I can to protect the people." She quickly prepared for a new day, filled with plans and hopes.

And then, deep in her soul, Engfa realized that the battle was not only taking place on the battlefield but also a fight within each person - a battle between love and duty, between life and death.

The dark night sky, thick with ominous clouds, signaled an impending attack. The Japanese troops had come closer than ever, and Engfa's camp was preparing for a life - and - death battle. The sound of hurried footsteps from soldiers echoed everywhere, and the sounds of gunfire and military orders reverberated throughout the area.

Engfa, in her sweat-soaked uniform, commanded her troops to prepare for defense. The past few days had been incredibly harsh, and she knew that tonight's battle would not be easy. Engfa shouted:

"Everyone, take your positions! We must not retreat!"

The distant sound of explosions reverberated, shaking the ground. The Japanese had begun their fierce assault. Bombs were continuously dropped, lighting up the night sky in flames and smoke. Engfa stood on the front lines, her eyes scanning the battlefield. She knew this battle would be extremely tough, and in her heart, there was only one thing: to protect the people and her comrades.

The rapid-fire of bullets tore through the air, and waves of enemy soldiers surged forward with increasing intensity. Engfa led her troops, fighting fiercely against the enemy. In this moment, she allowed herself to think of nothing else but fulfilling her mission. But the war was not just about guns and bullets. Each step she took on the battlefield was to protect the vulnerable, and Charlotte's image flashed through her mind, like an invisible source of motivation.

A bomb suddenly fell near where Engfa was commanding. She barely heard the deafening explosion before being violently thrown away by the force of the blast. Debris flew everywhere, obscuring her vision. Engfa was knocked to the ground, her small frame engulfed in a cloud of dust. Everything around her became blurry, and the sounds began to fade, leaving only a buzzing in her head. Her heart raced in her chest, but her body was completely out of control.

Blood flowed from the wound on her side, a piece of shrapnel embedded deep in her flesh. The intense pain erupted, causing her body to tremble, but Engfa bit her lip, trying not to succumb. She had to stand up, had to continue fighting - but her strength seemed to be rapidly draining.

In pain and despair, memories of Charlotte surfaced in her mind. Charlotte's gentle eyes, her soft smile, and her caring affection had become Engfa's only solace amidst the brutal battlefield. In that moment, she felt she was not alone.

Engfa whispered in a daze:

"Charlotte..."

But her body was no longer strong enough to resist. Everything before her faded, and then darkness enveloped her completely. Engfa collapsed in the battlefield, amidst the continuous sounds of bullets and explosions.

In her delirium, she remembered her - the mysterious nurse with amber eyes. Even though she tried not to let personal feelings affect her mission, the image of Charlotte was always present in her mind, giving her strength to overcome every difficulty. She couldn't stop thinking about her, couldn't stop worrying about her.

The memory of the first time meeting that girl rushed through her mind like a film reel.

The sun had set over the horizon, casting a bright red hue across the gray sky, like a vivid painting amid the dark shades of war. In the refugee camp, the scene was still crowded with people waiting to receive food from humanitarian organizations. The cries of children, the whispers of adults, and the chaotic sounds blended into a mournful symphony.

Engfa, in her officer's uniform, stood among the crowd like a calm oasis in the storm. She had worked tirelessly to assist the refugees, those who had lost everything due to this brutal war.

Her eyes scanned the crowd, sensing the anxiety and panic evident on every face. She had witnessed too many scenes of suffering and had learned to keep her emotions from affecting her work.

As Engfa was observing intently, a young woman in a nurse's uniform appeared amidst the crowd. The light blue nurse's outfit clung to her slender body, accentuating her alluring curves, and her skin seemed to glow under the dim afternoon light.

Charlotte, with her amber eyes, radiated both gentleness and mystery. Her gaze made Engfa feel as if time had stopped in that moment.

"Hello, do you need anything?" Charlotte's gentle voice rang out like a soothing melody amid the chaotic sounds of war, causing Engfa to startle slightly.

Upon hearing that voice, Engfa quickly turned her head, her eyes breaking through her thoughts. In that moment, she felt Charlotte's calmness, which was so rare during this difficult time. She stood there, with a warm smile on her lips, making everything around feel a little less dark.

"I'm just on duty," - Engfa replied, her voice firm, yet her thin lips couldn't suppress a slight tremor. She sensed something different in the air, an elusive feeling she couldn't explain.

Charlotte smiled, a smile that was both gentle and warm, as if she were conveying a wordless message. Her amber eyes seemed to be searching for a connection, and Engfa couldn't help but feel her heart race as she looked into those eyes.

"You just arrived, didn't you?" - Charlotte asked, her voice soft like a refreshing breeze.

Her action, lightly placing her hand on Engfa's shoulder, created a brief but powerful connection.

Engfa was slightly startled as she felt Charlotte's warm hand. A surge of electricity ran down her spine, causing her heart to race uncontrollably. This was the first time she felt closeness from a stranger while everything around her was filled with pain and despair.

"Yes, I just arrived," - Engfa responded, feeling as though Charlotte was probing her.

She could sense the concern in Charlotte's eyes, and a part of her heart longed to know more about this woman.

---

Hy.