Chapter 1 - Prologue
The air is searing, my skin has molded with my uniform and I can feel the trails of perspiration mixed with snot dripping down my face as I run through the field. Seeking shelter from the down pour of blazing heat hailing from the sky as I stumbled over one of the many fallen who could not outrun the flames.
Rolling right into a trench packed with men fortunate enough to still be standing, our backs pressed against the penetrable wall of mire.
Praying to be impaled by an airborne piece of debris rather than coming to terms with the realty that at any moment we are going to be torched by the beast that are hovering above us like a cloak in the sky.
When this war first started we thought it would be the end of are nation and my Lillian being the fearful soul that she is begged me not to leave her, but I had to do my part, I had to serve my people.
Even though upset she still sent me letters to keep me updated on our families and most importantly herself since my departure. I slid down the wall of mud and pulled out her letter as I know this will be my last chance to read it one more time.
"My Dear General,
I have been missing you strongly as the months zoom past us being apart. My nights have been so lonely since your departure but in the next months they may not be so lonely anymore. The doctor came by the other day to check on my recent sickness and after some test he told me I'm with child. We are going to be parents to a mini us so please find it in your heart to fight your way back home to me, to us. I believe in you my general, you have strength like no other and a soul that can shine in the darkest night.
The most of love, Lillian"
The first few tears cleared a path for the rest as they stormed down my face because I know my baby will never truly know me, I will never get to grow old with Lillian and be able to look back on all the memories of us raising are children together.
I pulled the letter close to my chest and I closed my eyes. I began to pray to the Lord above, I prayed that Lillian would forgive me and that she would know in her heart I truly tried to make it back to her, I prayed that she would share my memory and let me live on through her so in that sense I would never die.
I am not making it out of this trench at least not alive and as these fears began to take root within my mind the ear piercing screams are herd and my senses become overwhelmed with the unendurable pain as the inferno devoured me alongside half the camp.
