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

Matthew

I woke to the sound of the Sergeant’s shouting once more. I yawned, slipped on my boots, covering the sores that were rubbing my skin raw, and slid out of bed. I yelled out in pain as my feet buckled beneath me, and I fell back onto the bed. Tommy jumped down from the top bunk and raised an eyebrow.

“You alright?”

“I can’t walk!” I moaned, and Tommy eyes me with concern.

“Let me help you up.”

I nodded grimly and let him pull his arm around me shoulder. I pushed off from the bed; tried to stand, but my feet cried out in painful protest, and I had to sit down to save myself from the agony.

“I can’t,” I shook my head.

“I’ll get the sergeant,” Tommy reassured me, “I’ll be back!” and with that, he was gone. A moment later, Tommy returned with the sergeant, who glowered at me.

“He can’t walk, sir,” Tommy said nervously. The sergeant wasn’t a man you wanted to anger, and he was most angry at that moment, due to him missing his precious breakfast time.

“He’s faking it,” The sergeant barked,

“No sir,”

“Get up!” The sergeant bellowed, grabbing my arm and pulling me up. I stayed up for a moment before collapsing onto the floor, screaming in agony. Tommy bent down, and helped me into the bad.

“You all right?”

The white hot pain wouldn’t let me talk, so I nodded.

“Look at his feet sir,” Tommy urged, and helped me take off my boots. The sergeant didn’t even flinch when he saw my feet, but I had to look away.

“I’ve seen this before, trench foot that is.”

“Sir, he can’t walk, he’s no good out here.”

The sergeant considered Tommy’s argument for a moment.

“I’ll have him sent to the nursing tents, see what they can do.”

“Thank you, sir,” I gasped, and with that, the sergeant was gone.

Tommy turned to me.

“Well, you’re alright then,”

“Tommy, I…” I tried to think of the right thing to say. “Thank you.”

Tommy grinned, “It’s ok, mate. You’d do the same thing for me, right?”

“Yeah, but, it was me so- thanks.”

“No problem.”

“You should go have your breakfast,”

“Not hungry, I’d rather stay here with you.”

There was a pause, and we were in a sad silence.

Tommy drew a pen from his pocket, “Hold out your arm,” he instructed, and I did. He began to write something onto my arm in his spidery scrawl.

“It’s my address,” he explained, “Say hello to my Mum for me if you go home, will you?”

“I will,” I promised,

“And after this is all over, drop round sometime will you?”

“Of course!” I smiled sadly. Tommy looked up at me,

“We will get through this, Matt, both of us.”

“I know.”

And then the nurse came in, and tried to help me up. She ushered Tommy out before I could stop her, and he was gone.

I was taken to the same hospital as last time, though there was no Annie in sight. I almost hoped she would be there, so that I could talk to her. I didn’t want her to think I hated her, when I didn’t. The nurse helped me into a bed. The sheets were so crisp and clean, a dramatic change to what I had grown used to in the trench. The nurse bought in a basin of water, and washed my feet, eliminating any dirt and grime. I wasn’t used to having clean feet.

“You’re lucky you came to us before it got too bad,” The nurse said, “Some trench foot patients have had to have their feet amputated!” I smiled, but inside, I squirmed uncomfortably. I could have lost my foot?! I shuddered.

“You cold?”

“Uh, no, sorry.”

The nurse dried my feet next, and I winced every time she touched one of the sores, but it was certainly better than having my foot cut off!

“Excuse me,” I said, and the nurse looked up, “Yes?”

“Is there any chance of me being sent home; I can’t walk.”

“There is a slim chance, as the sores could take up to 6 months to heal. You may not even me needed after that if this war finishes soon!” she chuckled, and I smiled at the thought. Once this war was over, I could go back to the farm. I could see Mum and Di again, and even Dad if he was still alive. Life would be good again. I wouldn’t have to live in constant fear anymore.

 ***

Author's note:

Yes, it's getting good, right?

This is ddedicated to em602x for voting! Thanks Xxx