Execution [Book 2 of The English Lion]

LVI. Alexander

The plane carrying Hugo and I arrived in Dunkirk, on the evening of the 24th of May 1940, after a long day of flying, as James made his way back to London to alert the appropriate people that Hugo and I are back. Or rather everyone in Regius Obligatus. I was silent on the whole trip, thinking. No one paid me much mind nor do they give me a damn. They know I'm just reflecting and what not.

There were two planes ready at a temporary airfield that was concealed from the Germans. There were of course two tents and a number of important utensils (and food) that were there. We got off the plane, and the plane immediately headed back to London. We watch it leave. I looked at the shores of London in the distance, and every single emotion came back to me as my thoughts linger to Isabelle.

Before I kicked a rock and screamed, letting it all out. I let out all the guilt, the anguish, the pain. I fell to my knees after the scream, face buried in my hands.

I felt a hand on my shoulder before I sensed someone sitting next to me.

"I know," Hugo stated softly.

"It hurts, Hugo. I miss her every single damn day. I know that I could die in the hands of the Germans. I know I could never see her again. I just don't know what to do anymore. I..." I started, looking down, finally admitting to it for what I had on my mind for a while.

"You what?" Hugo asked.

"I-I... give up..." I whispered. Hugo looked at me.

Then he slaps me.

I look at him, shocked. I mean, the audacity of him to do that. The bloody audacity.

"What was that for?!" I asked.

"You giving up, you daft poxy wazzack," Hugo replied, annoyed. I stared at him. I mean, it is the usual for me to use slang but him...?

"People have faith in you. The whole damn world has faith in you. I HAVE FAITH IN YOU. ISABELLE HAVE FAITH IN YOU. IT'S BARELY A DAMN YEAR INTO THE DAMN WAR AND NOW YOU'RE GIVING UP, YOU POXY WAZZACK? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?" Hugo yelled at me, clearly annoyed at me, "IF YOU CONTINUE LIKE THIS, I DON'T THINK BRITAIN WILL BLOODY WIN THIS WAR. YOU'LL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN. YOU'LL ALWAYS BE A SLAVE TO NAZI GERMANY IF YOU GIVE UP NOW. YOUR WORST FEARS WILL COME TRUE AND TO MAKE IT WORSE, YOU WILL BE THE ONE WHO WILL EXECUTE YOUR FAMILY AND HER FAMILY IF HITLER ASKS YOU TO DO IT."

I just stared at him.

Surprised.

Hugo just breaths in and out, trying to calm himself, before he paces around, clearly annoyed at me.

I mean, come on! Who calls me a poxy wazzack anyway? Hugo does not count. He's the poxy wazzack of the duo, not me.

But... What did I do wrong anyway?