A good soldier never gives up

An impossible mission?

"Son, are you going to join me in this mission?" Father asked me. I was now fifteen years old and had my own weapons and team.

I saluted him first before saying, "yes sir. I will prepare my team immediately. We shall not fail you."

He nodded and handed me my rifle. "Alright, this mission is something you have never done before. We will be fighting against the U.S. Military who are searching for the people we have freed. I want you to fight for your life and your team's. Although the fact that you will most likely get captured, you will be sent away from here. Where ever they send you, one of my informants will be on the way to give you the rest of the mission from there."

I nodded, before heading out to find my team. The team consists of four boys, Sam, Johnathan, Mason, and myself, and one girl, Janet. We were prepared for our mission in less than ten minutes before heading out with the adults.

"Hey William, what is the situation that we're going to be dealing with?" Janet asked me.

I explained the situation up until the part about my supposed capture. They nodded and loaded their weapons. At the scene of the battle, my team was hidden in the front lines. U.S. Soldiers were unloading a large weapon from a helicopter when my father signaled to attack. We fired our rifles, only to be fired back with their more advanced weapons. After seeing so many deaths in my life, these don't seem to bother me. Father has always told me to never fear death for it may become a friend to you one day.

I watched my team carefully, especially as Janet stood up and revealed our position. The Military refused to fire at her until they took out all of the adult shooters. "Janet, get down!" I ordered her. I pulled her down beside me as the adults slowly fell. Father ordered a retreat for both our teams. "Retreat, team! Move! Move! Move!" I shouted.

As my team began backtracking their way, Janet was hit on her shoulder. I caught her before she could fall toward the soldiers and ordered Mason to help her get out of here as I gave them some time. I begin firing the remainder of my bullets before tossing my gun at them. I tried my best to escape, but unfortunately father was right. I slipped on some loose rocks and tumbled down to the hard ground. My lip was bleeding as my hands scraped the ground.

As I was getting up, I was quickly surrounded. Two strong men grabbed my arms and pulled me to my feet as the others watched their backs. I noticed Johnathan watching along with the other members of my team, and shouted, "leave me! Get out of here!" I was punched before getting dragged off to the commanding officer.

"Sergent Lucas Freedman, here. What is this? Who trained you?" a man with the badge asked me. I refused to answer him. "Take him to headquarters. We need to ask him some questions."

The soldiers pulled me along with them and checked for weapons. They threw me into the back of a truck as their prisoner and drove away. I sat in the corner of the truck, wondering what fate will draw for me this time. When the truck stopped, I was surprised to see that it was already sunset. I was pulled off the truck and taken toward a large tent. There was an old man examining a map inside before saluting to his fellow comrades.

"What do we have here, Sergent Freedman?" he asked.

"Sir, this child is a soldier for the guerrillas hidden in the desert. He won't talk, sir." the Sergent reported.

"Is that so? Well, let me have a word with him alone." The soldiers left the room, leaving only the general and I to occupy it. "What's your name, kid?" he asked me calmly.

I looked away from him as I refused to answer. He began to ask me questions like where did I come from, who trained me, and what happened to my parents. He then asked me if I trusted him. When I shook my head no, he sighed.

"Well, that's a shame. Maybe if you get to know me or any of these good people, you'll open up. None of us are going to hurt you."

I caught the hint of kindness in his voice as he spoke. It's as if he really cares about what I been through, but father taught me better. He said to never trust the people outside of our pack. The guerrillas were and will always be my family.

I looked up at the general and decided to ask, "what's your name, sir?"

He seemed a bit surprised that I finally spoke but he recovered his smile. "Well, I'm General Gabriel Kingston. Will you tell me yours?" I thought about it. No harm should come to me or my family with just a name.

"My name is William and I'm fifteen years old." He nodded and held out his hand for me to shake. I shook it with out a smile.

If I have to wait for my father's informant, I can at least make some friends like my mother wanted when I last seen her. I still remember that night as my mother continues to live in her cell.

"It's good to meet you, William. Wow, you have the hands of a well trained soldier. How long have you been fighting?" He asked kindly.

"Since I was able to walk, my father taught me how to fight. I have been in hundreds of battles along the years," I answered his question. "Sir, if I may ask, what are you going to do to me?"

He shook his head no. "nothing. We need to ask you some questions but that could wait until tomorrow. Would you like a room to rest in?" I nodded and followed him into an empty room. "May God bless you as you sleep tonight."