The Crusades Trilogy

Sneaking to War

I run home. I don't look at anyone. A couple of people tried to stop me and tell me that they were sorry that it happened like that. I ignored them all. I ran home. Alyssa was already there. She was packing.

"Hey Bayley! There was nothing you could do."

"Oh, but there is!"

I go to my room looking around for my suitcases, but Alyssa comes to stop me in my tracks.

"What do you mean?"

"I can take your place."
"How?"

"We look exactly alike. Besides the hair color. We look the same. I can just say that, before I left for the war, I wanted to change something about me, and the only thing that I could do fast enough was my hair color."

"That won't work."

"Why not?"

"Hair color fades."

"You're right. Then, I will just come with you."

"Not that again."

"Conner and I have already talked to you about this this morning. You can't come. You have to stay."

"I talked to you this morning also. I promised mom that I would take care of you. I am not letting her down. I don't care what you say."

"How are you going to sneak in?"

"I will just act like any other soldier."

"They will notice an extra soldier."

"What if I told you there won't be an extra soldier?"

"I would say you are crazy."

"Oh, come on! Who would not be glad to get out of going to the war?"

"Plenty of people."

"Name one!"

"There is..."

She pauses for a long moment. I am looking at her waiting for her response, but it never comes.

"Uh-huh!"

"And...Well, what about...Fine you got me."

"Exactly. Well, how are you going to trade spots with someone."

"Remember how Connor was calling names?"

"Oh, yeah! You mean two hours ago."
Sarcasm is heavy on her tongue. We laugh.

"Yeah! Anyway! He called out another Bayley. Bayley Dennis. Did you get a chance to see what she looked like."

"No, why?"

"Because, I think I have a doppelgänger in this very town."

"Did you look that much alike?"

"Oh, yeah!"

"Same dimples."

"Yep!"

"Well, what about the freckle on the left shoulder? Did you get to see that?"

"Oh yeah! I was looking at her shoulder."

I say this sarcastically. We laugh. She tries to respond.

"Well, you know she could have had a tank top on!"
"And, I would look at her shoulder?"

"You are pretty weird so I don't know!"

I playfully slap her arm. It makes a loud smacking noise when my hand comes in contact with her skin. I didn't mean to hit her as hard as I did. A small tingling sensation was left on my hand far after I slapped her.