Fighting The Opposition

The adrenaline-filled Edward Myron looked around him at the battlefield, his fist clutched tightly as a look of pure determination was on his face. he took in a deep breath as he readied his Quad-.50 caliber spray machine gun. He took another deep breath as he fired precise shots, not missing a beat as he studied his surroundings as carefully as he could manage. It was caution like his that won the soldiers of the 452nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion their impressive reputation.

"Myron!" a commanding voice came from behind Eddie, snapping him out of his concentration as he turned his back for a mere moment, There are casualties on the field and they need immediate aid! Go!" He said in his usual commanding voice. Turning on a dime, Eddie rushed to fulfil his commanding officer's orders, only to feel a painfully sharp sting on his back followed by multiple others, he let out a blood curling scream as he fell to the ground, fatally wounded by enemy fire, he saw his own life flash before his eyes, his final thoughts drifted back to his waiting family his wife and his precious daughter, how would they survive without him around? He had promised to go back to his family safe and sound, he heard footsteps running towards him he tried to keep his eyes open, determined to stay alive for as long as he could muster.

Adam disregarded the sound of bullets drilling into the ground. However, the chilling scream of one of his men accompanied the cacophony and immediately, Adam knew what was happening. He had encountered it countless of times, yet each time he felt dread in the pit of his stomach. He ran over to the soldier he had only moments before gave orders to only to find his most promising soldier face-down on the ground, life slowly seeping out of him. Adam carefully rolled Myron's body over, only to see Myron's eyes glazing over. Clutching his solider's hand in his, he attempted to keep the man conscious. "Myron! I need you to stay with me here." Adam turned away from the man he had shared sweat and tears with to scream, "We have a man down!" he said, Adam knew of Eddie's family though he was a Commander he and Eddie had also shared some fond memories together, one of them being Eddie's talk about how he wish to send his precious little girl to college, and how he missed his beautiful wife.

Tears began welling up in Adam's brown orbs, not only will he be losing a friend, but his family would be the one suffering from it all. Eddie opened his mouth to speak, determined to speak his last words out, "P-please tell my wife, that I love her and that I wish her well. A-and t-tell her th-that my one w-wish is to see our l-little girl go to c-college." he managed to sputter out with the last of his energy, before he closed his eyes, letting death take him away. The sounds of bullets seemed like a sound far away as Adam still clutched onto the hands of his now dead comrade, he covered Eddie's eyes his tears falling profusely now.

Clara waited by the door, hoping to be the one to first see her father as he strode in, victorious from Germany. She had sat there patiently everyday since Germany had surrendered, and though she had been disappointed daily for a week, she still steadfastly stationed herself by the door. Clara remembered the smile on her father's face every time he got back from work to see his family. Perking up at the sound affirm raps against the wooden front door, Clara bounced up and swung the door open expectantly. Standing stiffly on her porch was man in an army uniform, however, the man was unfamiliar to Clara. Brows furrowed, she looked at him quizzically as she called for her mother who was in the kitchen. "Mother, there's a man at the door!" she called out, her mother walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she looked at the man, "Hello, who are you?" Juanita asked, fear filling her eyes as she dreaded what was to come.

Adam gulped slightly. Hands shaking, he held out the letter to them as he looked at the two women whose faces he had only seen in Edward Myron's pictures with a grave look in his eyes. Opening and closing his mouth a few times, he hesitated to speak the news that would break their hearts.

"Good afternoon ma'am. I am Adam Elliot. I am officer commanding of the 452nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Ma'am, I'm sorry to say, but your husband, he- He was a good soldier. A greater man. It was an honour being able to serve with him. I- Eddie wanted me to tell you that he loves you. And that he hopes Clara will be able to go to colleg-"

"What are you saying, Major?" Juanita interrupted, for once not caring about manners. Her chest was heaving up and down just slightly as her breath began to become harder and harder to catch.

Adam's eyes filled with guilt and sorrow as he looked away from Eddie's widow. Working his jaw, he managed to utter seven words that stopped Juanita's heart.

"Your husband has been killed in action."