Familiar

Chapter 3

AN: Warning a little bit of disturbing content ahead (descriptions of war zone)

May 2018

Harry...

The sudden stop of the train jolted me out of sleep, making me realize that I indeed dozed off during the ride. I was still feeling a bit out of sorts and thought of shutting my eyes again until the intercom rang off with the monotonous voice of a woman bidding the remaining passengers goodbye as we've already arrived at the final stop.

The final stop.

Holmes Chapel.

Immediately my senses awakened and buzzed with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. I glanced around with a start, seeing my comrades fast asleep in each of their own makeshift sleeping quarters our seats could accommodate. Seeing as they've still no clue we're already home, I made a move to wake them.

"Lads, wake up." I called out, gently shaking Eddie first as he's the one nearer to me.

He stirs a little only to swat my hands away and shift in his position, turning his back to me. "Bugger off Harry" he calls out, annoyed.

"Actually, I think we're home" Jake mused, tiredly rubbing an eye as he observed his surroundings, appearing to have been roused by the mini commotion.

This seems to effectively perk Eddie as he opened his eyes and straightened up, glancing around.

"Fuck why didn't you say so?" he asked, jumping from his seat and reaching a hand out towards his bag.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" I barked out with a laugh as Jake and I copied his actions, the three of us hurriedly making our way towards the exit.

There was undeniable excitement in each step we took. But as obvious as it was, so was the anxiety we felt bubbling with it.

As soon as my foot comes in contact with the gravel, there's a certain kind of rush that washes over me and one look at my companions' faces, I can easily tell it's the same for them too. I've always held great belief in the phrase 'no place like home' but now I know that couldn't go any truer than a soldier's sentiment.

We stood there, the three of us, looking at everything yet at the same time, towards nothing in particular.

"Well I guess this is the part where we say see you in a couple of months?" Eddie asked, his eyes seemingly much glossier than usual.

"I guess, but eh, don't really want to."

Eddie extended a hand out, probably to swat me in the head but I was able to dodge and just laughed at him. Jake made a shake of his head. "Quit being twats you two. I'll be off now." With a wave of his hand he turned towards the east exit, going to the waiting families there.

"Lad's right, see you Harry"

"Take care Eddie" I reached for him, giving him a pat on the back before he followed Jake's path and rounded off the corner.

Truly, I was glad to have shared this moment with them.

There used to be a few others who also came from this area. We were just the three lucky enough to make the trip back home.

Shaking the depressing thoughts off, I make my way to the opposite direction, my eyes observing any possible thing it can land on. It appears a section of the station's West end's being restored. A part's already done, showcasing a more modern, minimalist look to it. But the other chunk's still closed off as workers hurried on with the refurbishment. Chipped bricks, washed paint, cracked tiles were still rampant on the unfinished side and this made me understand its need for an overhaul.