Gone by Dawn | Harry Styles

Company

1600

Tuesday, 3rd June 2014

We landed in Afghanistan approximately over an hour ago now and we are currently in transit from the airport to the camp site. We were divided up into groups of 10's to embark the trucks that will take us to our designated platoons. We are only half way to our destination and I feel so alone already.

The sun is sizzling and luminous as it burns my cheeks through the open-back of the truck. I look around to my surroundings. Abandoned homes, children without mothers and once family dogs linger the dusty streets. Realising that this is reality and that this is actually happening freaks me out and causes my heart beat to escalate. Feelings uneasy and anxious I lean outside of the truck to empty out my stomach contents as the truck doesn't hesitate to keep moving.

"Ya right, soldier?" A male voice pats my back whilst chuckling. I sit back up and lean my head against the wall of the truck, wiping my mouth and taking deep breaths. I slide my sunglasses off and sit my rifle across my lap, looking up at the roof and smiling from my drowsiness and letting a small giggle slip my mouth. The reality feeling so surreal.

"Yeah...... I'll be right," I turn to the kind soldier and give a pathetic smile. I take in his appearance since we'll be in the same platoon, it'll be nice having a familiar face around.

"How far until we reach the camp?" I ask.

"I'd say another 20 or so minutes," I nod to him as I look back outside the truck to the emptiness of the deserted town.

"First time being deployed?" I turn to him.

"Yeah...... you?" I ask feeling a little shaky.

"No. Second time actually," I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

"Really? Shit."

"Yeah, but it's all for a good cause," I nod in agreement. I notice a shiny pendant hanging from his neck and realise that it is in fact a wedding band. Feeling sympathetic for his family waiting back home for him, reminding me how it felt when I was a little girl waiting for my dad to return.

"Do you miss your wife?" I ask. He brings his hand to it and makes a fist around it as if someone would come and steal it from him.

"Ex, ex-wife but yeah. And my children," he says. I probably shouldn't have brought it up and instantly start feeling bad. Need to stop being so nosy, Liv.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to invade your privacy," I immediately start to ramble.

"No, no, no it's okay. You didn't know," he smiles at me, letting go of the necklace. I give a smile back too.

"Olivia Crosby," I extend my hand for him to shake. He grips it back and smiles, "Robert Sella."

***

1627

We hop off the truck and we immediately start lining up to be given commands, positions and a tent to assemble. As the line progresses little by little I begin to study my surroundings and as I do so, I see the all too memorable Lieutenant Styles. He's in full uniform walking alongside his commanding officer and as he is looking around, he catches me staring and gives a cheeky grin. I roll my eyes playfully and at unfortunate timing, his commanding officer notices, Lieutenant Style's smile died faster than wisps of smoke dissipated after a candle flame had been snuffed out.

"Next!" I turn my attention back to the people that are before me. I come forth to the soldier with the clipboard.

"Name?"

"Crosby," I say half distracted trying to find Lieutenant Styles again.

"You'll be in bunk 013, here's your swag. Next!" The small swag is pushed into my arms and I'm shooed off.