Don't Let Go (Third Book to the Other Side)

Chapter Twenty Nine (The Lost Warrior)

I scanned the empty field, the brisk morning breeze peppered with drizzle stinging my face. It didn't seem any different than any other field. A swath of trees not too far off in the distance parallel to the ones we were hiding in, awaiting for the final moment where the entirety of the war would end in hopefully, a matter of seconds. And yet, as bloody and ridden with death as the field would soon become, my eyes locked on the naturally growing wildflowers, reminiscent of little white stars, scattered through the grass. My fingers clutched around my sword, relying on it to steady my shaking body.

I looked for him, but besides our troops, hidden amongst the trees, I detected no signs of life. No hidden encampment, no distant voices whispering plans they didn't know we were privy to. Just the scurrying of little field mice every now and again, still moving about in the dark morning. The sun hadn't even shown its face, yet.

I could feel the tension in Ira's shoulders from where I stood, peering out from behind a tree. Her tail disturbed the calm grass as she paced back and forth, body poised to strike. The whispered worrying of the soldiers left in my command rose from behind me. I had never seen them before, nor had I realized we had so many numbers. Even the others seemed surprised when they joined us. Just how much had Washington kept hidden?

A snap in the bushes.

I raised my sword, ready to strike, but Lafayette emerged, hands raised defensively. "I do not think it would do you much good to kill me before the battle started, no?"

"Sorry," I said, sheathing the weapon and crossing my arms. "I guess I'm just on edge."

He nodded in understanding, a sympathetic smile touching his face. His eyes skimmed over the soldiers behind me before glancing out at the field I had been watching, waiting for any flicker of movement.

"Has Hercules brought back any news?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain neutral despite how much I yearned to ask the question forever bothering me. "Seen anything?"

"He says that he was able to detect readings of a large amount of energy being used just ahead where Thomas said the encampment would be." I couldn't help perking up at the mention of the name, but Lafayette digressed with no more mention of him. "He says their camp is hidden."

I nodded. "So he didn't see anybody."

Lafayette shook his head and softened. "Do not worry, Alexander. Thomas is going to be just fine. He is like...a roach. A cockroach, right? They keep coming back long after you are sure they are dead?"

I curled my nose. "Please don't compare my partner to a cockroach."

He laughed. "Sorry. Perhaps a chicken would have been more appropriate. Or at least, Thomas said they could live for a while even with their heads cut off, but he is so full of bullshit I would not be surprised if he lied. Anyway, how is everything going here?"

"Fine. We're nervous."

"I think we all are." A long pause. "Well, I should go check in on the others. Good luck. Do not die, please. That would be very sad."

"Oh? Would you cry?"

He shrugged. "I would have to make another statue, I think. I am sick of making statues of my friends." Lafayette slipped past, leaving the words to sink in. I shuddered at the thought and busied myself in correcting my sleeves.

I don't know how long we waited in the darkness, but at one point, a bird landed on my shoulder. She was small, and I don't think I had ever seen her before. She tweeted softly and nudged her head against my shoulder. I ran my fingers across her head as gently as I could, her feathers matted against her lean body. She took to the sky a moment later, leaving me staring at where she had disappeared.