It's Alway's Been You

Chapter 5

Ok, so this is the last and its kinda short

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*Thunder Crash*

*Lightning Flash*

The rain had been coming down hard on them as they made their journey away from the camp. Some stayed behind but James and the other new recruits were taken along. They had only just met up with others when they were ordered to accompany the troops on their mission to attack the Brits who had just landed in Long Island not far from where they were. James was having a hard time breathing with the lump of fear that was lodged in his throat. He wondered if he would be this scared if it weren't for the possibility of a happy life waiting for him back in Philadelphia. Sarah. He hadn't stopped thinking about her. Every time his mind went to any other subject it would jolt back to her. He hadn't minded the thought of dying for his country, but now he was terrified he might. Sarah was waiting for him and he so desperately needed to make it home to her. He was starting to feel that this was a big mistake. He had seen horrible things from the war as a reporter, but it was so different to actually be the one in the fight. He had only been at the camp about a day and now he was marching off to battle. One thing he had not considered was that he was most likely going to have to kill someone tomorrow. That shouldn't have shocked him so much, but it did and it did not settle well inside him. Hiding was no longer an option for him. Tonight may very well be his last. He was relieved that the rain was coming down so hard because no one could tell he was crying.

Hours pasted and the men were tired and cold. The sun was rising and James wondered what time it was and how long they'd been walking.

The silence of the troops ended when a soldier came running toward them warning that the British were headed up their path and gaining quickly. James and the others were ordered to take to the woods that would keep them hidden. They were trying to meet up with their lines but now it seemed a battle was closer than they anticipated. He looked around and watched as the men lowered their hats to their hearts and he quickly followed their actions. A prayer was said and a whispered 'Amen' in unison before they ran for the woods to catch up with their line and hopefully not with the Redcoats. James held his gun with shaky hands and wish he had written a letter of goodbye to Sarah before he had left. Maybe then they would find it on his body and get it to her.

*BANG!*

*BANG!*

*BANG!*

He heard a shot fired not too far from where he was. He made his way through the trees, hiding behind each one. Getting closer and closer to the scene. He saw a flash of red before ducking back behind the tree.

Was it blood? Or was it a coat? He thought.

He moved slowly around the tree to see once more. The men were making their way away from the aftermath. Blood stained men scattered the ground below. He had seen worse as a journalist, but it seemed much more horrible to him now as he saw the face of a young man that had rode across from him in the wagon ride over to the forts. Young. Very young. That only made it worse in his eyes. He didn't even think you could call him a man, that's how young he looked to James.

There was movement in the distance and James moved back behind the tree with his gun ready. The men moved in closer making his heart beat quicker. He peered behind the tree aiming his gun at one of the figures. He was ready to fire when he saw it was one of his own and revealed himself slowly. Others came out of hiding and came down to the scene. The sight was bad from afar and the closer look made James nauseous. The captain was taking the guns from the fallen. James couldn't take his eyes off the mess at his feet until his captain finally spoke.

"This is nothing compared to what you're going to see out here. You'd best get used to it," Captain gave them all a stern look before continuing on. "General Washington's given us orders to evacuate Long Island. I suppose we aren't fit to fight whatever it is the Brits have planned. We head to Manhattan now. Get back to the forts and pack it up. The sooner we leave the better. Unless you want to end up like these fellows." He casually walked over the dead or slowly dying men as if they were spilled stew on the floor. James hoped he'd never get so used to death that he'd stop thinking it to be tragic.

After a long walk back to camp the men arrived tired, weak, and hungry. They had no time to rest though as they had the job of packing to do. Rumors drifted along the camp that General Washington was planning on burning New York City.

A/N: Ok. Hope you liked it. I'm really trying to write this. I know it's short but on my Word Doc it is 3 pages so.. I'm just trying to give you all something.