A War Love Story

Chapter 3

Jason's pov

We put remote detonated bombs along the walls then meet back up. "Ready?" I nod. "Let's get outta here." I say, grabbing her hand, my body freezes as an electric like feeling passes through me. By the look on her face, she felt it too. "W-What was that?" She whispers, staring at me wide eyed, her dark short hair and cold stare freaking me out. "I-I don't know." I mumble, looking away and pulling my hand free. "Right let's go." She says. "Not so fast." My head snaps up. "Oh crap!" She gasps, taking a step back. I pocket the remote control. "Hand it over, son and we might let you live." Fury fills me. "Do not call me son." I growl. My father died fighting the Chinese. The girl in front of me looks terrified. I hand her the remote and push her behind us to the exit. "Run and don't look back! As soon as you're outside, press the button!" Her eyes go wide. "What about you?!" I smile. "If it stops these guys, I'll be one step closer to making the world a better place and that's a death worth taking." I say, forcing a tired smile. "No! I can't!" She cries. "You can and will it's not a request it's an order now move your ass soldier!" She takes off running. He fires a gun, hitting her in the shoulder. "Oh now you've done it!" I growl, punching him in the face. He smashes me with the gun, I lose my balance and fall against the wall, he presses the gun to my throat, cutting off my oxygen supply. I try to take a breath but I can't! I panickingly try to get the gun off my neck. "Oh no!" He gasps, releasing me. I take a huge breath and cough several times, my chest burning from lack of oxygen. The ground starts to quake beneath me and I see small rocks dancing about. She's pressed the detonator!

Miranda's pov

I can't believe his brave sacrifice. I watch as the building implodes and collapses. The young brave soldier doesn't come out. I press my sleeve to my shoulder and sit on a rock, sobbing. "I'm so sorry, Private." I whisper. Some rocks start to tremble. I run over shakily, hoping and praying he's okay. I shove some rocks and a hand emerges. I pull it and the young cowboy comes into view. He takes a deep tired breath then coughs several times. I hug him tight. "You're okay!" I gasp relieved. He smiles and hugs me back. "You did it." He says. I smile and nod. "I couldn't have done it without you." I help him to a truck. We get to a safe house. "Lemme see your shoulder." He says, surprising me. "I'm fine compared to you." I say although my shoulder is burning with pain. But he won't take no for an answer. I sigh and take my sleeve off.

Jason's pov

I move her sleeve and get the first aid kit out one handedly. I messed my arm up when the building collapsed. It hurts to move it. I think it might be broken. My eyes go wide in surprise seeing a tattoo that says freedom isn't free. That's an American slogan. How would a Chinese girl have it!? I work on her shoulder. She just wants to be free like the folks back home. I shakily turn her around. "I guess this is where we part ways." She says, standing up. I shake my head. "No." She raises an eyebrow confused. "But.... I set your friend free. You helped me escape, we're even." I painstakingly stand up, wincing in pain. I lose balance though hitting my knees, my teeth grit in pain. "It isn't.... About being even." I choke out. "Private, you're hurt bad!" She gasps. "Please just call me Jason." I say forcing a smile. My vision gets blurry. I can't fall unconscious! Not until I tell her this. I grab her arm, struggling to stand. "You're gonna be okay. You're comin' with me to the Americas. To the land of the free and the home of the brave. I promise no one will ever hurt you again." Tears come to her beautiful dark brown eyes. I fall onto my back, weak and the pain unbearable. She gets on her knees beside me, darkness edging my vision. I slip a hand into hers. "Don't be afraid.... To.... Trust an American soldier." I whisper, before blacking out.

*later*

Miranda's pov

The doctors got his arm set. There's an IV in his other arm and he's still unconscious. His eyes dart around under his eyelids. "Oh Jason, please wake up." I gasp fearful. "Private Aldean..... Reporting..... For duty, sir." He whispers in his sleep. I dry the sweat off his forehead. I hold his hand and decide to sing a song to him. "Lookin' back on the memory of the dance we shared beneath the stars above. For a moment all the world was right. How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye." I close my eyes trying to stop crying. A soft sigh escapes his lips. "Holding you I held everything, for a moment wasn't I a king, but if I'd only known how hard the king would fall..." He whisper sings. My eyes go wide. "Jason, can you hear me?"

Jason's pov

I force my eyes open, blinking in the harsh light. The beautiful little Chinese girl was singing the dance by Garth Brooks. She wipes the tears from her eyes. "Miranda, come home with me. You'll be safe, you'll be happy but most of all..." I struggle to sit up. I rest a hand on her shoulder. "You'll be free." "Oh Jason, I wanna go!" I smile. I take the IV out of my arm and hug her tight. "You're okay now." I say. She cries in my arms. I think I'm falling for what was once my enemy. Now I'll do anything to keep her safe.