Ghost Soldiers || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 33: The Lie

Three Months later, Late March, 1942.

The next three months brought drastic changes to Americans. Even though the country had joined the Allies only three months ago, the nation had already mobilized its human and material resources for the war. And as Clementine had predicted, the army had already grown to over 2 million soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen.

Most of them had volunteered, but now, most civilians would have to enter the military through the draft. If they were chosen, they would have to go to the training camps before finally going to the battlefield.

As Bucky had promised Clementine, he hadn't volunteered. He was waiting to see if he was among those chosen. However, he was tired of waiting. Most of his friends and co-workers had volunteered, and he felt like a coward for not having done it yet. Even Steve had done it, only to have been rejected because he was not fit to enter the military. And Bucky felt relieved, since he didn't want his best friend to go.

William, one of his best friends, hadn't volunteered either. Since December, he had said he was going to wait to be chosen, but that day, he had told Bucky he was volunteering as well. And that's how Bucky knew it was time to do it. He didn't want anyone to think he was a coward or that he was scared, and he really wanted to fight for his country. So, after work, both of them went to the military induction center and joined the army.

They underwent both physical and psychiatric examinations, and they passed the exams. They were both strong and healthy men, and they would be needed in the army. They also asked them the type of service they preferred, and both chose to be soldiers.

They told them a letter would be sent to them soon, telling them were to be so they could head to the training camps. They then signed their induction papers, and jut like that, they were in the army.

For a few minutes, Bucky felt happy and proud of himself. He was going to fight for his country, and was going to be part of something bigger than himself. But then reality sank in, and he realized he would have to tell Clementine, Steve and his mother about it. And he couldn't tell Clementine the truth, because she wouldn't forgive him.

He spent all the way home thinking about the right words to say. But she was smart, and she knew him, so Bucky didn't know if she would buy his lie. But he had to try and hide the truth as best as he could, because the last thing he wanted to do was to hurt her.

Once he found himself in front of his door, he took a deep breath and went in. He saw Clementine by the kitchen, still in her uniform, preparing a cup of tea. She looked tired and sad, and he hated himself for what he was about to do.

"Hey." She said, giving him a smile. "They made you work until late today."

He smiled back and kissed her on the cheek. He then rested against the wall and stared at her.

"I got a letter from Thomas today." She said, sitting on the kitchen counter while drinking her tea. "He's in England now... but he's going to the Austrian Alps soon."

"It's a dangerous place..."

"Yes... I'm worried about him. I can't believe he left a month ago already... it seems like yesterday when he told us he was leaving." She said.

"How is his family?" He asked her.

"Worried... we all are." She said, sighing.

Bucky then nodded and then stood in front of her, holding both her hands gently.

"Clemmie, I've got to tell you something." He said. He had his eyes fixed on the floor, and he couldn't look at her.

She closed her eyes. "What is it?"