We Meet Again (Thomas Shelby)

Chapter Fourteen: The Great War

Sorina's POV:

"The Great War wasn't supposed to be what it turned into. Everybody thought it would only last a few years once we got involved; how blissfully ignorant we were. The only person who had any sort of instinct was my father. He swore to my brothers' and I one night during supper...'Mark my words, this war will leave humanity bloody and broken.' My brothers tried to argue with him with facts that were being fed to us by our local news paper, but no matter what they said, they couldn't change his mind. And once my brothers listed and left...it was like watching my father's heart shatter in a million pieces all over again. I hadn't seen so much fear in that man since my mother left him when I was eight. We sat on our porch, looking at the stars as I tried to bring him comfort, and the last thing he told me...'God has left us, Rin. This is the war to end all wars, and we best be ready for whatever happens next. I can only hope my pleas reach God in time before he gives up on us for the last time.' I could hear the pain in his voice as he struggled to maintain what composure he had left. He was so fearful, and I couldn't understand why until I signed up myself." I told Grace as I polished off my drink, coughing as the burning liquid tore into my throat. I didn't have to work today, considering it's one of our slower days of the week, but I didn't want to spend my day barricaded in my room, nor did I want to spend my day bothering the Shelby's at work, so I decided to spend time with my only female friend; Grace.

Truth be told, I've been drinking since noon and it's almost ten o'clock at night. I was only supposed to have a small drink, keep myself busy as I watched my friend work, but as I continued to sit there, I become more in-tune with my thoughts. That alone led me into drinking another drink, and another, until I drank half a bottle of Irish Whiskey on my own. Most of the bar, surprisingly has cleared out, leaving a few stragglers and Grace. She stood in front of me, wiping a glass down as she listened with complete interest. She knew something was wrong from the moment I stepped through the door, and I was thankful she waited until after I was intoxicated before asking me about it. "Why did you sign up?" She asked, placing the glass gently back down on the bar. "Same reason my brothers did...same reason as my best friend Manuel and his friend Marcus...to help. The longer the war became, the more I felt useless just sitting at home when I knew I was capable of doing more. My father begged me not to; prayed every day until I was sent out for the first time."

"Were you afraid?" She asked, pouring me another glass. I played with the liquid, swishing it around before tossing it back. I addressed her after I placed the glass loudly back on the bar, stating "Of course I was, Grace...but what is fear other than a barrier to something else?" I motioned to the bottle she tried to hide shamelessly behind her back. "As your friend, I don't think you should have another-"

"As my friend, please pour another round for me." I gave her a bored look, holding out my cup. She stared at me, considering her options carefully before sighing to herself, pouring out the liquid carefully. "Is it the memory of the war that's making you drink tonight?" I laughed dryly at her comment, shaking my head drunkenly at the poor, naive girl in front of me. It's no secret Grace took no part of the Great War, who knows what she did the entire time, but what a world she must live in not living with the constant reminder of death and despair. "Grace, do you know how many men died in front of me?" I asked, looking up at her. She seemed taken back by my question, stuttering out, "I don't know, Sorina. I couldn't imagine the things you had to do as a nurse." I waved my hand carelessly in her direction, rolling my eyes dramatically. "Forget being a nurse for just a moment. Do you know how many men I watched be murdered in front of me?" Her eyes widened as she looked in the direction of Harry' office, where I assume Harry stood listening to our conversation. "I don't know. Are you doing alright, my friend?" I scoffed quietly, grabbing the bottle off the counter. "Peachy. Keep the change." I tossed my entire coin purse on the counter and went to stand up, falling straight to the floor. "Sorina, why don't you stay for a little longer?" Grace ran to my side, struggling to lift me back to my feet. "I can get you a glass of water to sober you up-"