ARMY BOYS

CH. 1 - THE RIDE

Sept. 15 1943

I hopped onto the back of the truck after throwing my rucksack onboard before me. It wasn't what I was expecting, there seemed to be an awkward atmosphere plaguing the place.

I took a seat next to the bakery boy, we'd met a few times before. Only due to my mothers work and his fathers work crossing paths. If it wasn't for that I'd never of approached the guy in the first place.

interrupting my thoughts, there was a sharp sound that pierced the air. A whistle.

"Ready to go," a man shouted as he slapped the side of the truck and jumped on, "I hope all you lads have said goodbye to your family's. No tellin' if you'll make it back." His words struck deep into the village boys, their faces looked more pale than they did at the start.

On queue, the driver revved up the trucks engine and the hunk of metal began to move forwards. Slowly.

"This trucks a bit worse for ware if you ask me," the man scoffed, "My names John Cross. I'll be in charge of you young folks until we make it to the base."

Myself and others nodded but some stayed still as stone. I was shocked our temporary guardian didn't give them a scolding.

"So what made you lads join? I mean," John Cross let out a sigh, "National service plays its part but from my briefing there are a few among us who wanted to join."

I was considering staying quiet and keeping my head down, but if I wanted to get into the high ranks of the forces I couldn't be a cowered.

"I wanted to sir," I mumbled, "And it was my fathers death that persuaded me to join."

There was a long silence. John gave me a reassuring look.

"I also wanted to sir," the bakers boy lifted his head up, "I'm not really sure why I wanted to join though."

Our guardian raised a brow, "I've never heard that one before," he then grinned slightly, "but having someone with no true goal is not always a bad thing."

Not long after the two of us shared our reasons we seemed to influence the rest of the recruits. From then on, the bumpy ride to the base was filled with sob stories and more.

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W/N:

So I've finally updated, however, it's not a long chapter. Oops. The first few chapters won't be as lengthy as the ones to come, I'll be using them to set the mood and to get to know the characters.

Including the mysterious "him". ;)))

Thanks for reading, goodbye for now!