War-Short Story

Hello everyone! Today’s snippet features some very different characters than a lot of my previous short stories. So, instead of R, Elias, and the gang, you get Edgar and Ila (who I came up with on the spur of the moment). Happy reading!

***

I never thought I’d have to say goodbye so soon. I should have known. In the midst of war and bloodshed, I should have expected it. 

But death never comes when we expect it to and saying goodbye is inevitable. 

And war destroys all things. 

I don’t know why I ever became a warrior. It only makes things harder. 

***

I should have been there. When he died. Instead I was stuck, watching, waiting. 

Edgar brought the news. I hardly heard past the first few words. I should have been with my brother when he left me. I shouldn’t have been a coward and stayed in the safety of home. 

My brother never got to come back home. While I just stayed there. 

My brother was brave and took up a sword. He went after the men who had taken those closest to us. It’d cost him his life. 

What had it cost me? 

***

I’m stuck. Stuck between what I want to do and what I need to do. I want to avenge my fallen friend, but I need to bring peace. I need to comfort those still grieving and take time to grieve myself. 

But I can’t. 

I’m getting restless. 

I need to do something. 

I’ve got to fight again. 

***

I stopped Edgar from doing stupid things…just to join him myself. I know I’m a girl, but my brother taught me enough. 

I’m going to fight. I’m going to carry the fire my brother left behind. And if that means I lose my life then so be it. 

I’m not being a coward anymore. 

***

The worst thing about wars is the screams and the sight of red splashed against dead grass and that empty feeling inside of your chest. Adrenaline keeps most of the emotion away, but the empty feeling is always there. 

It’s always there. Even after the battle is over. 

So many are lost. 

Sometimes I don’t see how we’re making a difference. Or why we do any of this. 

He would have shown me. But he’s gone.

Ila held her ground, but her face seemed far too pale. She feels it, too. The emptiness of war. 

I wish I could save her from it, but I can’t. 

***

I’ve seen far too much. Far too many things I wish I never had seen. Too many things that make my blood boil and make me want to collapse in tears all over again. 

But there’s no room for tears during a battle. Only strength. I’m going to keep holding on. 

Edgar is my only comfort. He’s stuck by my side throughout it all. Though I can tell he feels it, too. 

We’ve got to keep each other from falling into despair. 

***

I got over my fear of darkness. And my fear of tears. 

I saw Ila cry. I saw her break. I felt the pain. I felt the darkness washing over me. 

But I wasn’t afraid. 

I did my duty. 

And I’ll join my fallen brothers in peace. 

***

Edgar is gone. The spark of hope is gone with him. I don’t feel anything anymore. Everything is empty. 

I’ve finally broken. 

I’m alone. Alone with the fire they’ve left me. 

***

Until next time, 

Aliya Gerow