For the Love of War

Chapter 5: Adeline

I felt my back hit the ground as James Henry tackled me and covered me with his body.

"Not again, Baby. I won't let them hurt you." He said, whispering in my ear sweet words, despite our current situation. 

I clenched my eyes shut as a bullet swept by my face.

"Your eyes are so pretty. That was the first thing I noticed about you. Not the dead man at your feet or your beautiful hair, but those captivating blue eyes."

"I noticed the large gun in your hands." I said, smiling.

"How do you make me laugh? Right now, when either of us could die at any moment in time, you can make me laugh. How?" He asked, kissing my lips in a quick peck.

"I don't know. But you should probably get up and fight. It is your job."

"Of course." He stood up and joined the rest of his unit. I scanned the woods and found a few German snipers. 

Doing something extremely brave or stupid, I called out to the Germans.

"Hilfe Hilfe! Die Amerikaner haben mich gefangen genommen!" (Help help! The Americans have taken me prisoner!) 

The one of the snipers stopped, and looked at me.

"Adeline?" He asked. I noticed him to be one of the men who had fled in my German Unit.

"Ja! Bitte hilf mir!" (Yes! Please help me!) I yelled. He stood up and stealthily grabbed me. I hid behind a tree with him as the battle continued.

"Adeline, was ist passiert?" (Adeline. what happened?) He asked me.

"Ich half einem Verwundeten, als sie ihn erschossen. Als nächstes weiß ich, sie bringen mich in ihr Lager zurück, um ihren Verwundeten zu helfen!" (I was helping a wounded man when they shot him. Next thing I know, they bring me back to their camp to help their wounded!) I said. He shook his head with disgust.

"Haben sie etwas für Sie getan?" (Did they do anything to you?) He asked, checking me for bruises.

"Nein." (No.) I said. 

"Gut." (Good.) He said. He placed me behind him and crouched down into position and returned fire. 

It was a few minutes of shooting with me interrupting every so often so they wouldn't kill one of my Americans. I don't think they suspected I was doing it on purpose, but they were getting annoyed. Unfortunately, the Americans began to retreat, and there was no way for me to get back to James Henry.

I saw him looking around for me, but decided to follow the rest of his unit. My heart broke as he looked frantically around for me before being pulled by one of his men to retreat.

"No, I have to find her!" He shouted.

"No, you have to survive. You are a soldier. We will rest and come back for her later. She will be okay. She's strong, and with Germans. They won't suspect her. Now let's go." The other man shouted.

"No! I won't leave her!" He yelled, turning back towards the firing Germans.

"Leave, James Henry. I will be okay. I will find their camp and return to you. I promise." I whispered, before following the German Snipers back towards their camp. 

It was a long trek in the dark before we finally reached the German camp. I was rushed towards the medical tent and told to help as many men as I could. I attempted to save as many lives as possible, but many were sick. I cut off a few limbs and sewed a few wounds closed, but didn't get a break until the morning light came. 

I was allowed the return to an empty nursing tent and took my hard earned rest. I only wish that James Henry knew I was okay. 

I would collect needed supplies and run in a few nights. I couldn't allow them to know what I was planning to do. I only hoped that James Henry found the symbol I had left at the battle scene.