A War Love Story

Chapter 12

Jason's pov

I still have a splitting headache by the time we reach the chopper. I grit my teeth and fight off the pain as best I can. I grab Miranda's hand. "Don't ever do that again. You understand me?" "Jason your officer came to the door and told me to!" "I don't care! I don't ever want you out there on any battlefield again! I'm not fuckin' around here! Don't do it again." "I understand you're worried. But I can fend for myself. I'm not a helpless American girl!" She yells, catching me off guard. "Yes you are. You are American now." She sighs. "I don't feel like it." I hug her tight, still holding onto the safety bar. "I love you hun." "I love you too." I sit down beside my dad. "How's your chest?" "I'm fine now." "I'm sor-" "It's fine dad." "So uh how's your mom and Carl." I grit my teeth and look away. "They're dead." I whisper. "W-What?!" "Mama died three years ago. Heart attack. Carl died in action." I force myself to say. It was just me for a while. "It's just us two daddy." He forces a smile and hugs me. I fight back the tears and lay my head back.

*later*

Brantley's pov

I run inside. Tanner runs to me! "Hey buddy!" I gasp gladly. I'm so exhausted. Thank God I'm home. I collapse into bed after greeting my family.

*in his dream*

I can tell Jason's torn up. He shakily stands up, hands fisted. "Let's kick some ass." He growls. Then his dad walks out of the shadows, shocking me. His eyes go wide when a gun is placed on his neck. The cigarette falls from his mouth. "J-Jason!" I gasp. "W-What?" "I-It's your dad!" "MY DAD!" His dad hits him hard in the back of the head with the gun and he falls to his knees, a hard thump the only noise. "Move it." His dad growls to the rest of us. "Oh God!" I cry, running to my best friend.

*he wakes up*

I shakily stare at the ceiling, sweat pouring down my face.

Jason's pov

God this headache is killing me. I rub my temples and sit on the couch. "Are you okay?" Miranda asks, putting a hand on my arm. "No. My head's been hurting since that damn maze." "Need me to get you anything?" "I've already taken headache meds and it didn't do shit." Ugh this is a nightmare. I drop my hands to my sides. Huh? Blood. Blood on my hands! Why?! What?! Everything spirals out of control. I see Carl fall from the chopper. I hear his screams. I see mama's casket. Carl sobbing on his knees. The day I was told dad was gone.

~flashback~

Me and Carl were reading comic books when the knock came. Mama opened it and I looked up. A man in army fatigue stands there. I stand up worried. Mama covers her mouth. I run over. "Dad's gone." She whispers, falling to her knees. The man stares down at me sadly. "I'm sorry about your dad kid. You're the man of the house now." He says. My legs are shaking. I hug my mama and close the door. Carl stands behind us, looking shocked. He tries to take a step but stumbles to his knees, hyperventilating. I run over and hug him. "It's gonna be okay man. I will not let this family fall apart."

Miranda's pov

He's hyperventilating and tears coming out of his eyes, gripping the couch tight. "Jason! Jason! Come back to me!" I cry. "He's gone! He's dead! It's all my fault! I promised him... I broke that promise!" He gasps covering his eyes. I kiss him, hoping that'll work. "W-What... Happened?" He mumbles, eyes closed now. "You were having a moment." He glares at his hands. "I was supposed to protect him. But he's dead! Cause I was an idiot!" "Who's dead?" "My brother." I hug him. "He was a brave man." I say. He shakily stands up and walks to the door, laying a hand on the wall. "Jason-" "I.... Ahh! My fucking head is killing me!!! God dammit!! Someone end this!" He yells, falling to his knees, his hands on the sides of his head. I run over wishing I could help. "Ahhh! Oh God!!" He grabs the pistol out of the holster. "Jason! Stop!" I screech, holding his hand down. "Ahhh! I... I have to! End this!!" He hands me the pistol. "Please baby end it! I can't take it!" He cries, gritting his teeth. "I'm sorry." He whispers, falling unconscious. I call an ambulance and stare horrified at the pistol. He almost killed himself!