Until we meet again (A war romance) (#Wattys2015)

Part 8 - Matthew

The Sun was shining. Strange, yet beautiful. Who would have thought that something as beautiful as a sunrise would exist in a terrible place such as this? It had rained all night, and the mud had swirled around our ankles and our legs as we sat in the trench on our shift. Neither myself or Will slept at all last night, not even on our break. We had been asked to do shifts twice in a week, so unfair! We just talked all night, about where we came from, our families. I told him all about Di, though it broke my heart just to think of her. What if I never saw her again? Why did I ever sign up to- this? It wasn’t just us in the trench either: Last night, we saw a rat, the size of a large cat scurrying past our feet! We were terrified! The worst part of the night, was waiting. Knowing that we were going out there tomorrow. A few days ago, I had tripped in the trench, onto a dead body. I wanted to scream, but all I could do was stare into his cold, unseeing eyes. What if that was me in a few days, lying dead in a muddy ditch? What if that was Will in a few days? I didn’t want to think about it. Will and I were the only ones to see this beautiful sunrise, as the sky turned a brilliant amber, the stars disappearing. What if this was the last sunrise I ever saw? I pushed these thoughts out of my mind, and just savoured the moment. Then the sergeant was yelling at the rest of the men to ‘GET UP, AND GET READY FOR THE MORNING HATE!’

The morning hate was when we would fire our rifles into the morning mist to check we weren’t going to be raided, before we had breakfast. The rest of the troops looked well-rested and ready- Will and I stumbled around, yawning. The first men poked their heads above the trench, and began firing. The sudden shots jolted me wide awake, and broke the beauty of the morning. I reluctantly poked my head above the trench. Nothing, nothing but mist and mud, and then- BANG!

As soon as a heard it, I ducked down again. I heard a low ‘thud,’ behind me. I turned, and saw the bullet that had flown past my head by inches. What if it had been a little to the right… I shuddered and put the bullet in my top left pocket. I poked my rifle above the trench and pulled the trigger. My rifle jolted and there was a small cloud of smoke, a loud bang, then it was over. Will’s rifle fired, again, and again, into the mist, and so did mine. We heard shots from far away, and every now and then, we would see a flash, and maybe a silhouette. Other than that, we were blind. After about twenty minutes, we stopped for breakfast. It was a rule: No one attacked each other during breakfast. I was happy with that. It was the one time of day I could spend, not living in fear. As well as our small portion of food, a large bottle of rum was passed around. A few of men laughed at this luxury, but Will just stared, wide-eyed.

“I’ve never drunk before,” he said timidly. I took a large swig, and let the drink fill me. I sighed, refreshed.

“Just drink it,” I laughed, and he did. If he didn’t try it now, he might never get the chance. I didn’t say this out loud of course…

“Big day today,” Will murmured. I paused,

“Yes.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Neither could Will.

“Mail!” The sergeant roared, and we all eyed the sack of letters in his hand. Please! I prayed silently.

“Private Coleson!” The sergeant cried, and Will put his hand up. He tore open the letter, and read it.

“It’s from my Mum!” he said excitedly. “She’s angry I left, but she said that dad’s proud of me! I’ll write later and tell her I’ll see her at Christmas!”

“Good, good!” I said, but was only half listening. I needed him to say my name!

“Private Ecklestone!” The sergeant bellowed again. I grinned, as the parcel was thrown in my direction. It was quite large. I hoped it was those buiscuits I had asked Di for! Sure enough it was, and I ate one greedily, and gave another to Will. I hid the rest under my bed covers for later, and read the letter that accompanied my treat:

Dear Matthew,

I hope you like the biscuits enclosed with this letter, I know you like them!

I’m very glad you have made new friends; I would love to meet them one day.

I have a job now, with your Mother. I’m helping to run the farm, and she pays me for it! Are you proud of me?

By the time you get this, it may already be too late, but please don’t go over the top! They can’t make you do it if you don’t want to, surely? Just come home safe! I can’t wait to see you at Christmas, and if you die, I won’t get to see you, and I’ll be upset. Please, just be careful!

Di xxx

Oh Di, poor, sweet, ignorant Di. She didn’t know I had no choice, of course she didn’t. I didn’t have the heart to put it in a letter, but even if I did, it would be crossed out by the proof-reader! I decided to write after I got back- if I got back. I just hoped I’d get back for Christmas!

“Oh Di,” I mumbled sadly, but then the moment was gone, as the sergeant was shouting at us to get ready to go over the top. This was it.

***

Author's note:

Thanks so much for so many reads already! I'm so glad you're liking the story so far! I know 40 reads isn't a lot compared to some other stories on Wattpad, but it's a lot  for me! Thanks for following me, for voting and of course for reading! I will start doing dedications for those who vote or comment just to say thank you!

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P.S. Dun dun duuun cliff hanger!