The Battlefield

Chapter One

“Michael?..” A soft voice asked in confusion as he saw his best friend standing in the doorway. Michael was dressed in a proper military uniform and stood back faced to the other boy. Kyle didn't like the silence so he once again spoke, “Michael? Why are you wearing that? What's going on?”

At the sound of the younger boy, Mike turned on his heel to see him. His eyes were red like he had been crying but tears no longer fell. He stood up straight in mock pride and strength. His soft hair that Kyle had loved to run his fingers through was now hidden by a hat. His green eyes burned into Kyle's wide blue ones.

The tension in the room grew as the two best friends stared at each other. A rush of guilt pushed its way through Mike's chest as he parted his lips to speak. “I'm leaving Kyle.” He muttered with a monotone voice. “I'm leaving and I'm not coming back for a long time.”

As expected, a strewn of questions that fell from the blonde boy’s mouth. Tears threatened in the corners of his eyes as he ranted and spit out random questions and pleads in a hysterical manner. Michael only shook his head and wrapped him in his arms. The hug was tight and so sudden that it cut off Kyle from any more of his ramblings.

A sudden realisation came over the young boy. All the pieces came together at once. Michael's nervous behavior over the past few weeks. A sudden drafting of all young men to go to war. Michael leaving for a long time.

A loud sob broke the silence as Kyle wrapped his arms around Mike to return the hug. Big tears rolled down his pale face and stained the shoulder of Michael's uniform. The man only responded by rubbing soft circles into Kyle's back to calm him. He couldn't find the words to say to his crying friend so he stayed quiet and hoped his actions spoke louder than the words he couldn't bring himself to say.

A sudden loud voice pulled Michael out of his thoughts. They were calling all troops from their families and he had to obey. Kyle looked up at Michael and gripped on to the fabric of his shirt, “Don't leave me Michael...please don't leave me.”  Kyle's sudden words stunned the man. He dared to look into the teary eyes of his best friend.

...A mistake. A huge mistake…

The pain in his chest and stomach churned in unmistakable guilt. He shook his head to shake the tears forming in his eyes. The man pulled away and once again stood up straight. He purposely stepped back to put distance between him and his friend.

Kyle's eyes widened. He desperately reached for him. His hands shook in utter disbelief. “Michael..Michael please..” He begged as more tears came to blur his vision. The man once again shook his head as he turned on his heel to run out the door, unable to face the boy he once called his friend.

As he ran, he could still hear the begs and cries from Kyle's small house. He regretted it. The knots in his stomach and the pinches in his chest never faltered. The general of the army stood on horseback snapping orders and forcing the young boys away from their families. He sneered at their tears and reprimanded them for being weak. He obediently got in line with the rest of men. But..unlike them. He didn't shed tears. He stood strong, knowing that one day he would return. One day he would be able to come home and beg Kyle for forgiveness. That was all he was focused on as the troop turned and marched toward the distance.

Years later

A now eighteen year old blonde stepped out of his house. He had grown over the past three years. He was taller, smarter and somewhat stronger. He now was focused on helping around the house and trying to make a living. The small village in which he lived had been busy with preparations. The people's excitement rang through the air. Their children, friends, and lovers were coming home. After three long years, they were coming home.

Kyle stared off into the distance. His heart fluttered in nervousness and joy. He had waited for this moment. He didn't know when they were due to be home but all he knew is that he was going to see his friend again. Something that he had been looking forward to since the moment he ran out that door.

The blonde decided that he wasn't going to just sit and wait. He quickly ran to the town square where many families stood together nervously. The atmosphere was filled with complete joy but a dark realization hung behind it. Their friend. Their lover. Their child. They might have not made it back. They might have died a hero. They might not ever come back. The thought stayed in the back of everyone's minds but those thoughts were washed away by hope as a child suddenly yelled out, “I see them!”