A good soldier never gives up

To fight or not to fight

  "William just got here. Why on earth would you call him back?" I heard Grandmother say from the other room. She was clearly speaking to Grandfather.

In response, a voice said, "it's a matter of national security. Those children that he rescued a month ago were right. Damien Ashton does have a dangerous weapon, and was planning to use that boy as it's operator. William is in danger here."

"But he's still asleep. He had a long day yesterday. Why didn't you tell me that he thinks he killed Adam?" she asked. "Will truly believes he was the reason why Adam was killed."

"What? I didn't know he thought that. William has gotten comfortable around me, but he has never spoken about his father. I never heard him say a word."

Grandmother sighed before saying, "he also wants to die fighting."

"Don't worry. I won't allow that to happen. I love Adam and I swear to him now that I will watch over his boy." I began hearing footsteps coming closer to the door. "I love this boy with all my heart. I will not let anything happen to him."

"You better not. He looks up to you," was the last thing I heard grandmother say before walking away.

There was a knock at the door, making me climb out of bed. I opened the door to see Grandfather standing by the door with an urgent look.

"Sir? What's going on?" I asked, quite curious. "Is something wrong?"

He nodded. "William, get your stuff. I need you and Alicia to return with me to headquarters for urgent business. Pack your stuff as quickly as possible."

I saluted him, shouting out, "sir, yes sir!" I began to pull out my luggage and began to fold my clothes neatly inside.

I didn't know that the family would arrive in such a hurry to try to convince my grandfather to allow me to stay. In fact I had believed that they didn't accept me as a member of their family. Apparently, I was incorrect. Uncle Brian was confronting Grandfather as I came down with my luggage. Alicia was watching them argue, saying nothing until she felt like it was time to interfere.

"Why does he have to leave so soon? He got here just yesterday!" Uncle Brian said.

"He has a duty as a soldier to be prepared at any moment for dispatch. This isn't a choice, Brian!" Grandfather shouted. "I don't want him in the field either, but he chose to work for the military. He has to follow orders."

"William is not a soldier because he's not eighteen! To enlist, you have to be an adult, not a minor!" Uncle Brian shouted back. "Don't you think he went through enough fighting to have earned a break? He's exhausted, just look at him."

I blinked as I realized all eyes were on me. Shrugging, I said "I don't mind being called back into duty. I have a responsibility to complete my job until I can repay the lives I stole with my own death."

"You see? This kid needs a break from fighting and killing. He's being pushed way too hard when the only thing he should be doing is going to high school." Uncle Brian pulled me to his side before saying, "Adam would have wanted William to stay with his family, not go off to fight another war."

"Adam would want William to be safe in the care of the military! William isn't safe out in the open!" Grandfather began to shake his head no as he looked Uncle Brian in the eye. "William needs to be safe, and, as the General of the United States Military, I will do whatever it takes to make sure my grandson is safe."

"You allowed your grandson to become a dog of the military, and now he's paying the price. He could die at any given moment, but the one thing the military warships is sacrifice. What is the worth of a child's life if you're only going to send them off to risk their own life? Don't you see that to the country you want to protect, his life is meaningless?"

Grandfather stared at his son before saying, "Civilians can be cruel, but it doesn't matter if you die. As a soldier, your job is to put their lives before your own. We must protect the world they all live in, even if it costs us our limbs, sanity, or life. There is nothing we could do about that, but there is a chance to save a young man's life, and I will try anything to save him."

"General, what's the problem?" Alicia asked, interrupting the never ending conversation. "Why do we need to go back so soon?"

"We have received some reports and have reasons to believe that Damien Ashton's minions have successfully completed the Leviathan. William is their next target, and in order to protect him, we need to take action now. I'm sure Ashton's minions were trained to use any means necessary to attract William, anyone he seems attached to will be in danger."

I glanced at each face before shaking my head. "Sir, are you saying that I have to break ties with everyone I care about to protect them?"

Grandfather shook his head no. "It won't be forever. It's just temporary."

"I understand the order. I'll break all ties with everyone." I didn't bother to hide my disappointment in myself, knowing it was necessary to let everyone go. The problem was that I had to learn once again that temporary doesn't mean for a while. I have to say goodbye, because I'm positive I won't come back after I leave this place. It's finally my turn to say good bye to the world.

As I walked to the front door, holding my luggage, I turned to face the people I trust. "It's been an honor knowing you all. Although we've only met recently, I want to say thank you for the opportunity of showing me how a family truly is." I saluted them with a sad smile before stepping out of the house. I don't remember the last time I cried. Maybe it was when I couldn't handle the training my father gave me when I was a child. Maybe it was the day I was taken away from my mother. All I know is, the broken-hearted faces of my mother, grandmother, and Uncle made me feel guilty. I could never cry, I've been through so much to ever break down, but they could. At least they will remember me as a courageous soldier that I am, not a child needing saving.

When Grandfather walked out of the house, he held my shoulder comfortingly. "Don't look so down, kiddo. You'll get to see them again. Like I said, it's only temporary."

I shook my head no. "Temporary means short period of time, but in war, temporary is a way to comfort a loved one, knowing you may never return to see them smile. I do not believe in the true definition in the word temporary, and as General, neither should you."

"That word is used too easily, but as General, I do believe in that word. My job is to train young men and women to fight for their country, and to bring as many of them home to their families as possible. I don't want to believe in your version of the word, mainly because it's like you've already given up hope."

"I have, sir. That is why I believe in my definition of the word." I didn't bother to look at him, but I could tell how disappointed he truly was. "So much has been happening recently that I just don't see a reason for me to continue fighting against the family I was raised with. I'm tired of fighting for my life all the time."

"You need to care for your own safety, William. If they get their hands on you, they will hurt hundreds of people. You agreed to follow orders when you became a soldier for the United States Military, and now, I'm ordering you to continue fighting for everyone, not just yourself. Your father was not strong enough to fight off the man who took you away and hurt your mother. I'm sure if he was still alive right now, he would be the one to tell you to never give up." He led me to the car, with Alicia following behind, and, silently, drove the us away.