Only Hope

Prologue

Edinburgh, August 12, 2018.

"Wake up Natalie! Breakfast!" Jay, my younger brother was jumping on my bed, silhouetted against the soft, late Summer morning light shining through my window.

"Go away." I yawned. "Let me sleep"

"Natalieee," he whined, "Mummy says come now."

"Fine. Go away." I rolled over, and before I knew it, I was asleep.

I drifted into a dream, a memory of before the war had begun. It was winter, and I was ten. The streets were lined with crunchy snow and the buildings were covered in Christmas lights, twinkling white against the ink blue sky. I was in my new fluffy coat, huddling up to Chris and my father in the queue leading up to the Big Wheel. Chris was talking about our new baby brother Jay, and how his name was like that of a bird's. A cold wind blew snowflakes in our faces, and we huddled together closer. The moment felt so vivid, so real.

I tried to reach out and kiss my father on the cheek, one last time, but as I did, I felt myself falling, freefalling through the snowy pavement and out the other side.

I jumped, waking up gasping. I dug my nails into my arm, but no pain could distract me from the image of my father's face. I gripped harder onto my arm, but the flashbacks kept coming. Him leaving on the train, dressed in his army uniform. My mother, crying as she read the official-looking letter. His funeral, the black, black coffin covered in flowers. I released the grip on my arm, burying my head in the pillow.

Chris came into the room. "Natalie! Natalie...are you okay?" He sat on the bed, beside me.

I shook my head. It was all I could do.

He looked into my tear-filled eyes. "It's the flashbacks again, isn't it?"

I looked away and nodded reluctantly.

"Here. You'll be okay. One day, this will all be over. I promise." he said, hugging me tightly.

I nodded again, but I wasn't sure I believed him. I hugged him back, sinking my face into his shoulder.