The following day, Parker woke up finding Violet still asleep in his embrace. Then he removed the bits of snow on her hair. The snowfall somehow stopped, but still the temperature is no better.
Then he heard the revving of an engine. It wasn't from a tank but from a smaller vehicle, with tracks. A while later, in front of him was a halftrack, "You got three minutes before Peter changes his mind. Hop in, or freeze to your death in there?"
It took Parker a while before he decided to wake Violet up, and told her to get in the halftrack. His leg was still in no good condition, so Otto and Violet had to help him.
Beside the driver's seat, sat the dispirited Peter, like the entire world crashed upon him. Otto got into trouble starting the engine, so he needs to go out and check. Inside, the atmosphere became very tense. Violet cleared her throat and tried to speak, "Where are your other men?" she asked Peter
"One is already in hell, thanks to you... The two others are gone when I woke up. "
"Oh, I'm sorry... "
Peter scoffed. Then he lit a cigarette, but Violet tried to stop him, "Hey that's-"
"Shut the fuck up! Who are you to me, to tell me not to do so?!" he roared
Violet felt very pained with his words, and silently sobbed. Parker tried to comfort her. When Otto came back, the temperature inside was very hot, Peter was scarier than ever, and Violet was crying at the back, leaving him puzzled, "Huh? What happened?"
Otto started the engine again, and drove to some place, "Where we going?" Parker asked
"We're going to get you home... " he replied
After two hours of travel, they reached an American camp. It was the Able company, an infantry company, leading the invasion of Normandy. Everyone was alerted, seeing a German halftrack driving towards them.
But something was odd. It was alone, not even a single escort was seen, but they didn't let their guard down, "Keep your eyes open!" the company's lieutenant said, who came to face the German vehicle
It seems harmless though, that not even a machinegun was mounted on it. Then the driver was the first to come out, followed by another on the other car door, "Lower your weapons, and let me see your hands!" he ordered
Peter and Otto did nothing, but Peter was staring daggers at him, making him feel quite uncomfortable. Instead, they went at the back of the vehicle and open the ramp, with the entire company's weapons aimed at them.
From the halftrack, out came an injured American lieutenant, and some maiden soldier, helping him walk, "Lieutenant Parker...?" he then sent medics to help Parker out. Peter and Otto took a few steps back.
"Are you alright lieutenant? Are you hurt?" they asked
"I'm fine, just busted my leg a little... "
Just before Violet was about to go with them, she turned around and looked at the two men, one used to be her older brother, and the other used to be her lover, "Brother Otto, goodbye... And thank you." she said
"Mmm... "
Then she turned to Peter. His eyes was was very cold filled with hatred and anger. But behind lies sadness and despair, "Peter, I-" before she could finish, Peter turned his back at her and walked away.
"I'm sorry about that... Little Pat... " Otto apologized on his behalf
"It's alright... I understand. Oh, and by the way. My name, is Violet."
Otto's face darkened. Peter heard it, and balled his fists until sickening cracks was heard. Then they returned inside the vehicle and silently drove away
"Let's go... " Parker said from behind Violet
"Mmm... "
They were sent into hospital tents, and Parker had his leg treated. Violet only had minor scratches, from her fall on the hill. Then a while later, they were called by some familiar voice, "Brother?!"
Ryker was just beside them and had his right arm nearly busted, "I thought you're dead?" Parker heartlessly said
"You're so mean, brother. How could you expect me to be dead already?"
Then he told then how he survived, the "Black Tiger"'s bite, "I was thrown off the top. And ended hurting my arm. Lucky is me to escape."
They stayed with Able company, but they didn't engaged themselves in combat, to reduce the damage they'd taken. Violet had never got news of Peter's or Otto's whereabouts.
A few months later, the great war has finally come to an end, with their side, claiming victory. All their efforts came to a worth, defeating their enemy. It may costed the lives of so many souls, yet in the end, they emerged victorious.
"Violet, would you like to come with me?" Parker asked Violet
"Huh? To where?"
"To Boston, my home! I promise you, there, you'll leave in peace, and no more war, and because... I... "
"You, what?" she was very confused
Parker held her hands, and placed it on his cheek, "I need you Violet... "
Nothing did she know, tears are flowing down her cheek, as she happily agreed, "Yes! I will go with you! I will go wherever you go... Parker!" It was the first time she called him by his name, instead of "lieutenant" giving him an uncontrollable urge to kiss her.
"So that means, I'll be the third wheel all the time?" Ryker grumbled from behind them
They rode a troopship, sailing to the United States , but unknown to them, there were two tigers tailing them. Late at night, again, Violet can't get to sleep, so she strolled on the main deck for fresh air. She gazed upon the calm ocean and let her thoughts wander.
As she stood on the ship's bow, she heard heavy, familiar footsteps. She turned but saw no one. It became quiet, but a little later, she heard them again, and when she turned, she saw a familiar figure walking away from her in a haste, "Um, hey! Wait!" she then chased the man, and when they turned and reached the starboard side of the ship, the man mysteriously disappeared, "Huh? I thought I just saw somebody?" being a girl, she naturally got scared and ran back to her room.
From the shadows, a voice spoke, "Patricia-No, Violet... "