When Duty Calls

Prologue

Prologue

Eight-year-old Andrew Michaels led his best friend, Alexis, up a trail into the woods. The green and brown trees stretched behind an old wooden fence which outlined the land his home rested on.

"Where are we going?" asked Alexis.

"You'll see!" Andrew said with a smirk.

They continued through the thick forest, pushing back branches which had grown over the dusty, narrow path. A little while later the two of them reached a clearing.

The green and blue colors of a small lake shimmered under the warm sun. A wooden pier jutted out on the left and a well worn tire swing hung over the visibly shallow water.

The two friends stopped just a few yards from the beginning of the smooth wood, which made up the dock.

"C'mon! Let's jump off, I'll race you!" Andrew said enthusiastically while kicking his shoes off.

"Andy wait! Is it safe?" Alexis hesitated.

"It'll be fine!" He turned and noticed how tense his friend was so he stuck out his hand. "We can do it together."

Alexis looked at his face for reassurance. "Okay," she said after a brief moment, then she placed her hand on his.

They both ran and jumped off the edge of the dock, hand in hand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~Andrew Michaels. Age: 18~

"Drew!?"

Andrew shook his head and focused in on the dark haired man in front of him. "Huh?" he stammered as he tried to look like he had been paying attention the whole time.

"Are you coming with me to sign up or not?"

Drew looked into his best friend's gentle green eyes. He sighed, "I'm not sure Caleb. Dad tells me that the government has been doing weird things recently."

"Yeah? Like what?" Caleb crossed his arms.

"Like, I don't know..." he paused for a second. "They've been too nice. Haven't you noticed how much of an effort they've been making to take care of the homeless people? Look at all the new shelters they constructed. And where is all the food coming from anyway? And what about-"

"Hold on, you think that the government shouldn't be helping people?"

"Well no..." Drew looked away.

"And how does this affect your decision on joining the Marines?" Caleb raised an eyebrow as he waited for a reply.

"I guess it doesn't."

"Yeah, so stop being such a baby. Let the government do what they want. As long as I keep getting what I need, who cares about everyone else."

"Wow, selfish much?" A smile broke across Drew's face.

"You know what I mean," Caleb rolled his eyes. "Besides, you've always wanted to join up. Now here's your chance."

Drew thought for a few moments. His whole life he wanted to make something more of himself. He wanted to prove that he wasn't weak any more, that he could actually make a difference. Ambition overcame the anxiety and he finally agreed.

Caleb gave Drew a hearty slap on the back. "Atta boy! C'mon, we only have a few minutes left until they close recruitment for today."

They both turned and headed to the red pickup truck that was waiting on the gravel driveway. As they headed to town, Drew remembered when his life was so simple.