"Happy Birthday Cas" I told my best friend as we left the trench. Day 1171 of war. Or 1172? Whatever it was, I was exhausted of it. Every night before we slept, we prayed. We prayed that soon all this would be over. Maybe we'd make it. Maybe not... But we were in this together until our last breath. I helped Caspian out of our resting place just in time to hear a huge bang! As a shell hit the ground beside us, we understood that today was just another day; we were so used to this by then that as body after body fell to the ground with a huge thud, we were prepared. We would win this. We would make it home to our families and there'd be parties and beer. This was the only thing keeping me going. This and Caspian.
"Get out the way, Jack!" Caspian yelled as he aimed his fire arm at the nearing opposition. As he shot, he swerved around the dancing bullets, dodging each and every one. This man never missed. I watched in awe as he raced through the blood-stained grass, taking no notice of all the fearless soldiers losing their light. I remember when once the sky was blue, when the ground was green, when the earth was ready to roll in. We were kids, we are kids! Why are we here? This was never a good idea, never a good idea. I just wished I had payed more attention.
Pain. Pain echoed through my body and I fell to the floor, gasping and looking around. I was an easy target right now. If anyone found me, I 'd be dead in seconds. I covered my mouth with my bloody hands to stop the cries. Where was Caspian? As I spilled red from my leg, I looked frantically around for my best friend. How could I have been so stupid? What would happen to my family? To my sister? My mother? I'm so screwed. "Jack !" I looked up from my pit of despair to see a figure running towards my spot. Cas! "I'm here," I waved. " I'm over here" Caspian knelt beside me and immediately, a light drifted from his eyes. He never got scared. I knew something was wrong. So I shook him and within seconds, he fell to the floor, dripping death from his neck. Panicking, I tried to help him... how hard I tried... although it was too late. "Cas, CAS!" I cried, but there was no response. "Cas please! Wake up! I need you Cas!" I whimpered. There was no life left in my best friend. He was gone just like that.
Voices neared where we lay. Fear engulfed me and I searched around for the men. I could hear them clearer now, but I didn't recognise them. As they grew closer, I pulled the lifeless body over my own and closed my eyes. Terrified I was. I heard one of them laugh "Oh, it's just a deadie!" The chuckles of these soldiers rang in my ears as rage and fear grew. "Nice shot lad, you got a gooden!"
After what felt like hours, the piercing noises stopped. I was freezing and no one was coming for me. I was going to die here under the body of my best friend. I promised him I'd be brave. That I'd never give up. I failed him. I failed him! Suddenly, I felt Caspian being pulled off me, some shocked talking. And then black.
Now, nearly 5 years later, I still sit in this bar, drowning myself in vodka and wishing my life away. This is normal for me right? My sister tells me I need to stop, that I need to move on. I'm not sure she understands how close we were, how much I miss him! I don't wanna be here anymore. I want to be okay! But can I? Can I really be okay after everything? "Come on Jack, last drink now bud." the bartender Ernie sighs. "I'm not selling you anymore." Pity in his eyes makes me snap. "Look here-" I'm interrupted by the yelling of a young girl in the back corner of the bar; a man clings on to her tight, laughing as she struggles to release herself from his grasp. "Get off her!" I yell as I run towards the scene and hit the guy. How dare he hurt a young girl. She looks to be only 14 I guess.
"Or what?" the man sneered. God, I wish I could hit him again. But I can't scare this girl. She's terrified. "I don't care who you are, neither do I care why the hell you look like truck-load of walking crap. Just get the HELL off my niece!" I exclaim furiously. When, he backs off quickly, I pick up the girl and carry her up the stairs round the otherside of the bar. "Get off me!" She screams and wriggles violently. I reply " Woah, I just saved your ass, you could maybe pretend to be grateful?" I shot her a hardened glare and put her down on my bed. I love living above a bar. "How old are ya kid?" A raging expression covered her face. "I'm 22! I'm not a kid! And what's with the whole niece thing? I don't know you. Is this your place? It's pretty cool. Nice view. Can I go yet? You can't-" "Shut up? Please?" Can I send her back to the guy? No. I think I have a conscience. Ugh. She looks up at me with her deep chestnut eyes. She has thick black hair cut short at her shoulders, and freckles. Lots of freckles. One could say she was beautiful. But hey, not me. Not much of a people person.
"I'm Amira" She said. "And I'm not staying here." I search her eyes. She's not scared. That's good I guess. "You are for a bit. That dude will still be hanging around most likely. Do you have anyone I could take you to in the morning?" Sadness takes over her face. Have I said something wrong? God, Jack you're an idiot. "Just me." "Where do you live? I'll drop you off when I'm not wasted." Amira looks down and says nothing. I lift her head up and change my question. "Do you have a home" She meets my cold eyes and shakes her head slowly. What has she been through? "You can stay here till you get back on your feet" I tell her sympathetically. Letting go off her, I walk out of the room awkwardly and come back with one of my old t-shirts. She's so small, I'll get Nadya to lend me some things for her to wear. I enter the room and throw her the t-shirt, and the light in her eyes makes me smile. I haven't smiled this much in years. This stranger has just come into my life less than an hour ago. And I've offered a her room in my flat, clothes and company. I hope I'm doing the right thing.
I take her to my room and leave her to get changed. "Wait, I can't sleep in your room. Where will you sleep?" Her gorgeous eyes look shocked and I reply "The couch." I hug her gently and quickly, then leave her to sleep. "Wait!" I hear her tiny voice say. "Please don't go, I don't really want to be alone..." "Are you sure? Where do you suggest I sleep?" She looks at me nervously and utters "Never mind", so I leave her in my t-shirt and in my room to go to sleep. 'She'll be fine' I hope. Well, I'm going for another drink.
YOU ARE READING
Don't Let Me Fall
RomanceHe's not really alone. But it feels like he is. When Jack meets a young woman on his routinely night out, he decides this could be his chance for happiness. If only he can get her to open up. Because if he doesn't, he'll fall. and she'll fall too.
