Chapter 4: A Call Through Chaos
The battlefield was a symphony of chaos—explosions echoed in the distance, bullets tore through the air, and orders were barked over the crackle of radios. Amidst it all, Simon August Jenner moved like a shadow, weaving through the carnage with precision and grace. His crimson eyes scanned the horizon as his Desert Eagles silenced yet another wave of attackers.
And yet, amidst the bloodshed, Simon's mind was elsewhere. He had finally made a decision—one he had avoided for far too long.
The Call
In a brief moment of respite, Simon ducked behind a makeshift barricade. His squad held the perimeter, their trust in him absolute. He reached into his tactical vest, pulling out a rugged satellite phone. Its screen flickered to life, and Simon's fingers moved with uncharacteristic hesitation as he dialed the number he knew by heart.
The line connected after a few rings.
"Simon?" Gigi's voice was soft, almost disbelieving.
Simon's heart clenched. Seeing her face on the screen, even through the grainy feed, felt like a lifeline. Her beauty was undiminished, but the worry etched into her features was impossible to ignore.
"Hi, love," he said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I miss you. Very, very much."
A Moment Amidst the Storm
Gigi's eyes widened as she took in the scene behind him—the smoke, the flashes of gunfire, the muffled yells. "Simon, what's going on? Where are you? Are you okay?"
Simon managed a small, reassuring smile, though the exhaustion in his eyes was clear. "I'm fine, Gigi. Just another day at work." He glanced over his shoulder as another explosion lit up the night sky. "Listen, I wanted to call you, even if it's just for a moment. I've been thinking about you every day."
Tears welled in Gigi's eyes. "Three years, Simon. Three years without a word. Do you know how hard it's been?"
"I know," Simon said, his voice softening. "I'm sorry for putting you through that. I wanted to call sooner, but... I couldn't. Not with everything happening here."
Another burst of gunfire erupted in the background, and Gigi flinched. "Simon, you're in the middle of a fight! Why are you calling me now?"
Simon chuckled, a rare sound amidst the chaos. "Because I needed to hear your voice. I needed to remind myself what I'm fighting for."
A Promise
Simon's expression grew serious, his crimson eyes locking onto hers through the screen. "I want you to know something, Gigi. I want to go home more than anything. To you, to Mom, to my sister. But I can't leave my brothers here. The people we're protecting—they need me. I can't abandon them."
Gigi nodded, though her tears continued to fall. "I understand. I just... I just want you to be safe."
Simon's gaze softened. "I will be. I promise. But love, I need you to wait for me, okay? Just a little longer."
"I've waited this long," Gigi whispered. "I can wait as long as it takes."
Simon's smile returned, this time filled with genuine warmth. "Tell Mom and my sister that I love them. And Gigi..." He paused, his voice lowering. "I love you more than anything. Always."
"I love you too, Simon," Gigi replied, her voice breaking.
Interrupted
Before Simon could respond, his radio crackled to life. "Major Jenner, enemy reinforcements are moving in! We need you back on the front!"
Simon's expression hardened, his soldier's instincts taking over. "I have to go."
"Simon, please be careful," Gigi pleaded.
"I will," he promised. "Goodbye, love. I'll call again as soon as I can."
The screen went dark, leaving Gigi staring at the blank display. She clutched the phone tightly, her tears falling freely.
Back to the Fight
Simon holstered the satellite phone and stood, his Desert Eagles gleaming in the dim light. He took a deep breath, his resolve renewed.
"Let's finish this," he muttered, stepping back into the fray.
For Simon, every bullet fired and every step forward was a step closer to the day he could finally go home.
To be continued...