The Mission

Wake Up Call

*** Chapter 1 ***

I woke with a jolt as my alarm sounded and attacked my ears. My comforter wound tightly around my body as I rolled over to face my night stand. I blinked a couple times willing the sleepiness to leave my body so my eyes could focus on the bright red numbers. Once my eyes adjusted I read the clock, it said 7:45. Crap! I woke up late, how am I going to get ready and be in the garage before 8. I jumped out of bed and tried to remove the cover from around me while hopping toward the bathroom. I got in the shower and opted for a short 5 minute wash off. I'm the type of person who can spend hours in the shower just letting the water cascade over my body, short showers aren't my thing.

After my shower I grabbed a towel and loosely wrapped it around my waist as I hurriedly went in search for my desert camouflage uniform. As soon as I found it I grabbed a black pair of boxer briefs and put all my clothes on. When I looked at the clock again it was 7:58. I went to the bathroom to quickly brush my teeth and just carried my combats boots in my hands after putting my pack on my back. It was going to take a miracle for me to get to the garage at 8. I was full on sprinting down the hall, side stepping unsuspecting people and nearly missing open doors. When I made it to the garage my commanding officer was looking at his watch.

"10 more seconds and it would have been 0801."

At that moment he looked up from his watch and he looked so disgusted.

"Fix your unsightly appearance soldier, how dare you disgrace Dahlia's military. It's one thing to be late but to wear your uniform sloppily is another issue."

His face was turning slightly red so I hurried as fast as I could to properly fix my uniform. I smoothed out and tucked in my shirt then I hastily put on my tan steel toe combat boots. When I looked back up after fixing my uniform he looked calmer.

"That's more like it, that is what a soldier should look like at all times. Let's move out we're already behind schedule."

With that a detail of soldiers and him hopped into a few Jeeps.

After an hour and a half of driving we finally made it to the border that separated Dahlia and Shalion. We were at the east border, far enough from the front lines that me crossing wouldn't be detected by the enemy.

"You're on your own now soldier. Blend in and report back to base when you can. Failure is not an option, you need to complete this mission."

My commanding officer still wore his cold expression. I seriously don't think it would matter to him whether I lived or died, I was just a tool doing what he wanted. I nodded my head and exited the Jeep with my pack slung over my shoulder. He saluted me then order the detail to move out and head back to base.

I was alone. On the outskirts of Shalion's land, my only form of transportation being my feet. It would take me hours to walk to the capital city Ava. While walking I decided to free myself from the confines of my shirt and jacket. It was a sweltering heat and the vegetation was minimal in this area so there was barely any shade.

After an hour and a half of walking I started to see the buildings from Ava coming into view. Ava was a lively city that had celebrations almost everyday, it had an electric atmosphere. I had only been to Ava once, I came with my family for my 8th birthday. It was so lovely the streets were filled with music and dancing. It was at a time before war broke out between the countries I missed those days, I missed being carefree. Now instead of being here to enjoy myself I'm on a mission. I'm here to indirectly hurt all these civilians, once Shalion's government falls everyone here will be affected. People who have nothing to do with this war will lose their rights and die. Why did I become a soldier when stuff like this makes me sick. I could have easily chosen a different path became a doctor or someone who works behind the scenes but I didn't, now I'm stuck as a tool to do the government's dirty work.

I shook my head, I needed to focus on my mission. Those thoughts were useless and would only end up making me do something I'll regret.

I stopped behind a big building and decided to change into some casual wear, seeing as wearing Dahlia's uniform would be a dead giveaway that I shouldn't be there. I put on a pair of straight legged dark wash jeans with a navy blue and red button up.

I walked around the side of the building and was greeted by the aroma of food from street venders and the sounds of music. Just like how I remembered the place being, high energy just a fun place to be. I couldn't help the smiled that etched itself on my face.

The streets were full of people and I wanted to do nothing more then dance around to the music with them. Little girls were spinning around in circles giggling as their dresses fluttered around them. Such pure joy was alien to me, I wanted to have it even if just for the night.

This day will be my one sin towards Dahlia, I'll have fun today and think about the mission tomorrow. I just need this one day.

I quickly found an inn and locked my stuff in my room. I can lose focus for one day.

I felt like a child as I ran through the streets of Ava, dancing with anyone who would let me and eating food from vendors. I was laughing with the people around me and wholly enjoying myself. I felt drunk on the euphoric atmosphere, never wanting to fall from such a high. But, I knew the high would have to end once reality set in. I could forget for tonight but, I'm from Dahlia and Shalion is our enemy.