Mercy

The gun fire was heavy. We were forced to fall back into a moat. The enemy was gaining on us and most of our men were injured or dead. I looked around at the mass of destruction and pain this war had caused. It wasnt worth it. I could hear distant screams and cries under the loud thunderous sound of gun shots. I closed my eyes and held my hand to my chest trying to calm down and come to terms with what I was about to do. A soldier that became my best friend in these hard times was yelling in my ear, screaming over the loud sounds. He wanted to know what we were going to do. In truth, I didnt know. I waved my hand at him in dismissal, but he didnt stop pressing for orders which only made the situation worse. There was a faint yet loud whistle before, the ground shook at the impact of a bomb. We all fell deeper into the moat, dirt covering our sweaty bodies. I tried to sit up, my ears ringing. I struggled to my feet, most of my soldiers knocked out or dead from the fall. I crawled my way out of the moat, struggling to register everything. The ringing in my ears was deafening. I barely heard the shouts of the enemies that were approaching through the ringing and constant gun fire. The world was fading from my view and it was fading fast. I felt a hard thump on the back of my head and everything went black.

I groaned a little as I regained my consciousness. The room was dark, but there was a flickering light illuminating the door. I tried to move, but my arms were tied tightly behind my back that even the slightest movement hurt. My head felt like it was on fire. I didnt recognize the room and barely remember what happened. I came to the swift conclusion that I was captured by the enemy. Instead of freaking out, I kept calm. I was okay with dying and I've been well trained to withstand all forms of torture. I flicked my head to the side, hoping to get the hair that had fallen in my face out of it. Three men entered the poorly lit room. Evil and disgusting smirks spread across their faces. They clearly enjoyed their jobs. A woman stepped up from behind me and pulled out my gag, which was in reality, a dirty rag.

Even though the room was fairly dark, the little bit light there was, shined on her face. Her long dark red hair only contributed to her beauty. I was caught amiss, in a daze. She snapped her fingers in front of my face, trying to get me to come back to earth. I stared at the woman trying to hear her, but the ringing in my ears was still immense. She pulled out a pocket knife and waved her hand dissmissingly to the three men. The disappointment on their faces would have been funny in any other situation. To be tortured by such a fair lady was practically an honor compared to those three sadistic fiends.

She flicked her knife open and stared at it in the light, no doubt making sure it was extra sharp. I had thought she was going to torture me for information on my military, but to my suprise she cut me free of my restraints. She had a warming, calm, and sweet smile, yet she had a cold and hardened expression on her face that said she was trying to stay in character. She clearly didn't belong here. I rubbed my wrists and stared at her, only able to utter one word. "Why?" She sighed as if I was meant to ask or say anything but. She lightly rested her hand on my shoulder and her smile returned. Her calming aura was intoxicating. "If there is no mercy in this unjust war, then why do we do anything? We shouldn't torture and kill eachother because our leaders disagree and believe we should fight." With that, she left me. Her words and sweet voice couldn't even sound the slightest bit sour. She was right. And she had spared me.

Mercy in times of war.

Love in times of hate.

Kindness where there is none.

The beautiful strangers we encounter, that may end up changing our lives.

This is what matters.

This is what makes life worth living.