The Ball Night

Realization is Key

Jack's P.O.V

I jumped over the rubble of destroyed homes and stores. It smelled like dust and fired bullets, oh my dear Cathy.

I heard the galloping of a horse and I instantly ducked for cover. I hid in between the rubble as the soldier from the other kingdom inspected everywhere. I let out a breath and expose myself. I call to the soldier, in which he stops his horse and started galloping towards me.

"I've seen you before, aren't you suppose to take position in the fields?" Said the soldier.

"They shifted me here, to search for anyone left behind or the remaining enemies, sire." I responded.

He nods," As you were," and gallops away again. I stared at him till he turned a corner and I began searching again.

Moments later, I heard a whistle not far from me. I followed the whistle until I was grabbed out of nowhere. I struggled around their grip and I was let go. I look at the person who took a hold of me, it was one of the kingdoms soldiers. Sean, if I remembered correctly, was covered in rubble dust and dirt.

"Where's Carter, Sean?" I asked, looking around.

"You gave me a fright Jack. I thought you was one of the enemy's soldiers, they're patrolling the whole damn village! It's suicide if one of us goes out there." Sean says.

"Same from the muddy fields, but Sean I need to see if Carter is alright. Can you lead me to him?" I said, already feeling inpatient and tired.

Sean showed me the way, even if the village was already in ruins, it's all still very familiar to me. And this street in particular leads to my home, where I've lived growing up. We walked until Sean pointed to a house that's still standing and I stood there, shocked at the sight.

It's my home, almost falling apart and in ruins. I ran towards the door and barged in, immediately every person in the room pointed their weapons at me, hoping none of the gunsmen have a twitchy finger.

I heard footsteps above me and trailed towards the staircase. I smiled as Catherine appeared coming down the stairs. I could almost die in relief, she was unharmed from the looks of it.

She runs towards me and grabs my dirty and bruised hands in hers," Oh, Jack! Are you hurt? Are you bleeding anywhere?"

I laughed,"No, although I'll be tremendously hurt if something were to happen to you." I almost caressed her cheek, but I had to fight the urge and instead I patted her shoulder.

She smiles,"No, I'm fine. The fires came out of nowhere and soon this village was becoming an inferno, oh dear it was horrible." She squeezes my hand, god I want to kiss her so badly.

"Yeah, I'm fine too Jack thanks for asking!" Said an arrogant soldier from besides me. I gave him a stink eye before going upstairs with Catherine.

Once we were there, I went straight forward to my bed that although was dirty and worn out, I fell against it. Catherine sat besides me and rubbed my sore and tense back. I could practically feel all the knots tingling as she brushed her fingertips against them.

I turn to look at her and asked why she was shifted over here. She took off her dirty and worn out cap before answering.

"Well, the soldiers saw how quickly and experienced I am with loading their muskets and rifles, not to mention giving them their sword right in time. They decided to put me in the most dangerous part of battle which was here of course," Catherine said as I scooted over for her to lay besides me.

She continued," It was a mad world here, there wasn't a night where I heard the shots of bullets and the horrific screams of men die out. It was hard to sleep up here, having to hear that every night...I missed you." Catherine licked her thumb and scrubbed off a stain of mud on my face that I didn't acknowledged.