I walked through the woods, alone, worried something might jump out and grab me at any given moment. As I pushed quietly onwards, the wind picked up intense speeds, brewing the icy cold air through my skin. I started to notice the shrubs and briars disappearing. I couldn't think straight. It felt like something, a bowling ball, a baseball bat, a hammer, had hit me in the head. I fell to my knees. I hadn't eaten in a week, and my stomach was screaming.
"How can I be so far behind?" I remember asking myself.
That's when I saw the light..
———————
"And a raise of hands for those who are signing today?" A bout of hands rose. "One, two, three."
As they counted each raised hand in the room, Ben began to regret his decision. Jerrard had imprinted a nasty image into his head, one small soldier like himself, could it make all the difference in this war?
———————
Ben woke up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He grabbed his robe and slid on his slippers. Fishing through his drawers, he found a pair of clothes and the socks he would wear to the signing.
"I'm not forcing you to do this," Kris had said to him the night before, "but if you must, I swear to you my loyalty and faith. Every night I will lie you in my prayers. I will hold you, even while you're gone. I love you."
Ben couldn't speak, all he could mustard up was an "I love you," and a kiss before falling asleep.
Now Ben was ready. As he took his shower, he started to smell the potent scent of eggs coming from the kitchen. Ready for breakfast, he quickly finished up his shower.
Walking through the kitchen entrance, towel wrapped around his head, Kris had just set the plates.
"Benny, this will be the last good meal I can cook for you," she looked down then back up, "until you come back home that is."
"Kris, there's nothing to worry about," he was stuffing his face, "you'll have the kids to keep you company, and I'll write anytime I get the chance."
Ben stood up with his plate and held Kris tight.
"Remember your promise. Your devotion. Remember me. If anything is to happen to me, I want you to move on, but don't let our memories fade." Ben wore a look of deep emotion.
Kris sat down almost emotionless and said nothing.
"I'm going to say bye to Dom," Ben snuck up the stairs and into his son's room.
"Domenic, I'm going to be gone for a bit," Ben was talking in a hushed voice, "don't give your mother too much trouble kiddo."
Dom rolled over still asleep, "I love you," and with that Ben got up and walked out of the room.
After saying his final goodbyes, Ben headed out to his car and started his journey to City Hall.
——————
Jerrard stood beside Ben as he stared towards nothingness.
pap
"Ow man, what the hell?" Ben was growing frustrated. He turned around and saw Jerrard with his big white grin.
"Don't be such a grump, smile for once." Jerrard always made the funniest faces, enough to lighten any mood.
"Can you try to NOT find light in everything? I'm sorry I don't want to lose everything because of Russia. I suppose I will though."
Jerrard gave Ben a small punch to the arm. "Don't be so discouraging. If you're done being a bitch, then let's go."
Adding an extra bit of deepness to his voice, Ben couldn't help but loosen up a bit at his friend's idiocy.
By the end of the day, everybody at City Hall, that was accounted for, was drafted.
Ben was unaware of how any of this worked. He knew that as long as he was with Jerrard, they could conquer this war together, alone. He wasn't sure what gave him such a feeling, maybe his dreams felt too real. Doubt and excitement churned in his belly as he awaited the next few steps.
Finally getting done at City Hall, Jerrard and Ben headed towards the bar for one last drink before the bus trip. Juan, invited by his work buddies, was already there watching the television.
"Let me get two more," Juan informed the bartender of his friends who were to potentially head out to their final days.
"I didn't expect you to have such long hair," Juan was laughing at Jerrard, who had taken off his do rag.
"Man, don't bring that up, I'm going to be forced to cut it before the final day anyways."
Ben looked around, "Man I'll miss this place."
The three of them sat reminiscing about the good times, times they may never have again.
——————
"Don't let him see you sleepin, fool," a cadet sitting a seat over had surprised Ben back to consciousness. "Were you forced to sign as well?"
"It's a draft."
"Yeah, so what?"
Ben glared at the boy. He must've been seventeen years old. "Don't you know what that means?"
The boy shrugged and replied, "Of course I know what that means, fool."
"Then let me sleep."
"Fine, but don't say I didn't try to warn you."
Ben sat up and looked back, he was trying to see whether him and Jerrard were being transferred to the same location, but so far, he hadn't seen him yet.
"WAKE UP!"
Ben shot awake not aware of what was going on around him. There was a lot of murmuring, but he couldn't see anything. The voice rose again.
"We have arrived at our destination! I am Drill Sargent Riley! You will listen carefully and do as you're told! What I say goes. From this point forward, you will be put through strain full tests. Tests that will stretch your skin and eat your mind. Tests that won't rest until you pass each and every one of them! If you let me down, I will personally see to you being out on the front line."
At this, murmuring started to break out.
"QUIET!" Everybody piped down. "We will have no hoo-ha here!" The Commandant stepped back and waved his hand, "Get to your bunks," and with a massive grin, he added, "we have a big, big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Everybody collected their belongings and headed to the shelter.