Colonel Hale was stationed at France during the September of 1942. He drank himself every night to sleep. His hands hurt more than ever and his nerves have bore the brunt of the beatings he had given. He was not as strong as he once was, mentally nor physically. He drank the bottle by the litre. He crashed into his slumber that night. He hugged his bottle to sleep that night, as the thunder and lightning crashed all around. The bottle dropped down on the floor and there swam in it a small tiny shop in it. Lightning and Thunder struck inside the bottle as well, as it swam around, in the floorboard of the house of the colonel. He was woken up by a knock in the window.
Who is it? he shouted. It's Strum, said his fellow African American. He was flying in the air. The only other person Hale knew who had superpowers. What is it? he asked him in a drunkard fashion. Marcus is dead, he said. Who? asked Hale. Marcus, your cousin, replied Strum. How? asked Hale. A self inflicted wound, a shot to the head, replied Strum. Hale got up and stood face to face with the man, only the window and the lightning separating them. On purpose? asked Hale.
No, just out of stupidity, replied Strum and flew away as the lightning was getting more intense by the minute. Hale put his uniform back on and walked towards the quarter where the soldiers were resting. Fool! he uttered.
He had his bottle with him, fully drenched. The drops on his face need not be confused with tears, it was only the rain. He opened the bottle amidst the pouring rain and let fly the ship that was hid inside the bottle. Only for the booze to remain. The cap slid away into the darkness if the night as he took a few more sips to make his heavy heart light.
Colonel! the whole infantry stood up as Hale made his way into the building. At ease! The orderly said in a drunk fashion. Where is my nephew ? he asked the closest standing soldier. We buried him sir, atleast what was left of him, replied the soldier. The remark wasn't taken taken lightly by the colonel, nor was it taken seriously. Here, he said to the soldier. Hold my bottle, he said and he looked into the eyes of the soldier. I know how much it ways to the drop, the colonel said and walked away. He whistled and another soldier came running towards him. Point me to my dead nephew, he simply said.