Sharlet's perspective:

The day my Husband left for war I cried begging him to stay I knew that was not possible, but I still yearned for it. I could not lose him, not now we just had a child they cannot grow up without a father. I was pried from his arms as he kissed my head and let go of my hand, stepping onto the train and waving goodbye, I could see tears in his eyes, but knew he'd never admit it. I needed to be strong for our son. I raised my son, hiding him from the cruelness of the war praying that my husband would come home, the father of my child the warmth in the rain.

Samuel was now eleven he would steal bread for us to eat, but today he came home extra happy. " Maman, a soldier gave me some food today at the market. Look bread... Cheese and sugar, and milk, eggs! we can make a cake" he exclaimed excitedly. I rushed over to him, taking the food into our small kitchen. "What kind of soldier. Was it German we cannot accept this." I replied worriedly "No, Maman" he whispered this next part softly "French. Resistance, I think. It is good Maman" I looked up remembering my dear Nate seeing him in my son and tears filled my eyes "did you see..." Samuel cut me off. "No Maman, I didn't see P�re, but the soldier knows him his call sign is-" "Mon petit, please. That is enough." "Yes Maman."

Nate sighed he had been away from his wife for 12 years. He longed to go home and see her, but when he left, she was distraught and dropped to her knees. He whispered under his breath, "Ma ch�rie je reviendrai bient�t reste forte" he walked to his Sergeant who called him down to the base an hour prior. "Sergent" he saluted; the sergeant saluted back. "Sit soldat you have 2 weeks' leave, go home to your family."

Samuel Walked to his mother who was asleep on the couch and covered her with a blanket, kissing her forehead as he said "Maman, you work too hard. If only you let me help." He prepared dinner for his mother and then went out to the market to see the soldier again.

Nate walked the familiar streets of Paris, passing through the market, he wore his partisan colors in secret hoping that Sharlet still lived in their house. He bumped into a rugged looking boy with the same eyes and smile as his mother Sharlet. "Excuse me monsieur, I did not mean to bump into you" Samuel muttered as he looked up to see a soldier. "It is quite all right their young man. Say do you know where Siner Street is?" "Oh yes monsieur, I live on that street. I could take you there but in exchange for food" Nate nodded and handed over some jam he had left. Samuel led him to the last intact house on Siner Street, his house. Nate looked in disbelief and horror he had seen worse, but his own hometown was in ruins. "What house is this, who lives here." Nate asked panic setting in what if Sharlet had not made it. "I do monsieur, is there a specific person you're looking for?"

Nate pulled out his wallet and showed the only picture he had of his wife to Samuel. "This is my wife; I haven't seen her since I left for war." Samuel looked at the picture closely. "Follow me monsieur, I know where she is" Samuel led the soldier inside. "Maman, I'm home and we have a visitor"

I was asleep on the couch holding a picture of Nate in his uniform before he left. Samuel chuckled "that's my P�re in that photo, say you kind of look alike funny" Nate looked at the picture "that is me, what was your mother's name?" Samuel turned "Maman's name is Sharlet. But Maman does not let anyone call her that, reminds her of P�re." Samuel sighed and sat on the floor "tea, monsieur?" Nate nodded and sat beside Samuel looking at the soft features of the womans face remembering his wife he murmured "Mon Cherie I found you"

"Should I wake up my Maman? You wanted to meet her, yes?" Nate could tell he knew his mom. "Oh, yes please do" Nate nodded as Samuel woke his mother "Maman I have a surprise for you, there's a soldier who wants to speak with you" I awoke with fear in my eyes. "Mon petit get away from the soldier."

"Maman its okay. He says he knows you. He is looking for a woman. Monsieur show her the picture" Nate held out the picture "mademoiselle, please."

"Nate!?" Tears filled my eyes as I jumped into his arms. "Yes, Mon Cherie I promised I would come back and here I am" Nate smiled.

This is the part where it always ends, I always wake up... I know he is dead, but my heart cannot handle it. I looked over at my son and smiled. He was leaving to continue his father's work, he had fallen asleep in uniform, and I covered him in a blanket as I got up. My son was leaving just like his father did. I pray he comes home safe.

The next morning Samuel grabbed his bags and left his mother the same way his father had done but he was not hiding his tears. "Bye Maman, I'll see you soon."

Samuel's perspective:

I was arriving to boot camp soon; I wondered if they would shun me for being gay as I am not exactly secretive about it. I met with my unit and got into my uniform then stood at attention waiting for my lieutenant. A man in uniform walked in he was wearing a mask I couldn't tell what it looked like I was enchanted by his ocean blue eyes the way he walked how his battle gear clung to his body and how his pants were a bit too tight. I quickly looked away.

LT. Seemed angry as he shouted "Attention. I am your instructor Unit 2 you may call me Lieutenant Ghost. we will be hitting the course tomorrow today you hit the shower and report back out here in 0.25 all of you. Go now." As I got undressed and ready to hit the showers Lt. Came up behind me. "Riviere. Turn around." I slowly turned around, covered myself, and looked down so he couldn't see my face. "it's bad to stare private, now hit the shower." He lifted my face and gave a cheeky smile after letting go and walking off. I joined the rest of my unit after I showered and waited for instruction.

My uniform had been put on in a hurry and LT. Had noticed he called me out and said to stay longer while he released the rest of my unit, I shook with fear wondering what he would do he inched closer and grabbed my collar I could feel his breath against my neck I tried not to say anything and let him finish what he was doing. Lt. Backed away and said, "your collar was messy, next time I won't be so lenient now go before I change my mind, we have training early tomorrow."

The next morning, we awoke to a loud banging noise and shouting from the LT. "Wake up recruits it's the start of hell week" We all got dressed and stood at attention in under ten minutes, again my uniform was messy, but he seemed to let it slide for some reason.

"let's go recruits we'll be practicing aim this morning" We all followed marching to the outdoor range. He had the others go first and helped them get better. When he got to me, he watched intently and praised my form.

"Good job Private Riviere" Lt. Inched closer and stood beside me he grabbed my waist and moved it, so my stance was better. He then slowly traced my cheeks moving my head to align with my shot. "That should help now fire." Headshot on the target, I smiled and tried to hide my blush at his warm body and soft scent. He chuckled and rounded up the unit for our next lesson.

After we had finished the day, we were let loose, I decided to explore the forest around the camp. I reached a clearing and sat listening to the sounds of nature when I heard a branch crack, I simply said "Who's there? I am armed and won't hesitate to use my weapon."

The only response I got was a laugh and I turned knife in hand. "don't test me come out!" the LT responded with "I'm already out of the closet what else could you mean" he said this in a teasing voice.

Finding him was one thing that proved more difficult the more I tried so I sat again in the clearing and listened. Lt. came up and sat beside me "What are you doing out here?" I responded "Trying to relax. I like the smell and sound of nature, it's comforting. Also, you shouldn't sneak up on people what if I reacted badly."

"Then we'd be having a different conversation private, but I came here to ask you something. Not to fight, there's a party tomorrow will you accompany me?" Lt. Replied. "You can call me Riely."

I looked at him with pure confusion, I mean he was my type but why would he want me and how did he know I was gay? "Uhm, sure Lieutenant. Is there anyone else we are going with? Or is it just us?"

LT. Smirked "just K�nig I have a surprise for you"

I shivered at what that could mean "You can stay if you'd like LT. I would like the company."

Riely sat beside me and sighed. I turned to face Riely then got up and spun in the drizzle Riely laughed and joined me. I was happy for once I had someone to talk to, my mom was always there for me but there were things I couldn't talk to her about.

We eventually walked back to camp, both of us soaked from the rain we talked the whole way back. His laugh is so enchanting, I can't be sad around him, he tries his best to cheer me up and it works every time.

We still had training the next day even if there was a party, but I was nervous to see the colonel as this was Lt.'s friend and they had something for me. Lt. walked up to me and pulled me to the side "I want you to wear this" he handed me a gold bird broach for my dress blues. I put it on my Cammie's for now as we were not to wear our dress blues for training.

The colonel walked in "Attention! We still have training today you rats."

We all marched to the field and did pushups in the rain for three hours; I was exhausted and Lt. Told me to take a break I was a little confused. "Private you're good to go meet me at o' 17:00 hours in the canteen." I nodded and walked off, still very confused.

It was quarter till five when I started walking toward the canteen to meet the LT. and colonel. "Hey there private, ready for your surprise?" Ghost asked and the colonel was nowhere to be seen "Yes, Lt. Riely but where's Colonel?" I replied a bit nervous "oh he's meeting us at the party but first come here private" LT. Grabbed my chin and smirked. "I'm asking permission before I kiss you Riviere"

I was in shock and just looked up at him. I nodded softly as he inched closer, our lips barely apart, he gently kissed me, and I leaned on one of the tables he then broke the kiss and chuckled. The way I felt was unexplainable, the warmth I felt in his embrace, the stillness around us, all of that but at the same time it felt so amazing like fireworks were in our eyes and venom was in the kiss, but it was addicting, and I couldn't let go.

"someone's desperate Riviere" he said teasingly. He let go and grabbed my hand "shall we go to the party?"

I smiled a little embarrassed and followed him to the shooting range, I told him how I needed help and he agreed instead of the party to help me with my aim.

he grabbed my waist and whispered softly in my ear.

"Check your stance pretty boy..."

I fired hit the target and saw the bullet ricochet what happened next I can't remember.

I could smell the blood as clear as day. I could hear muffled yelling but making the words out was difficult. I think someone was saying my name, my vision went blurry, and I blacked out.

Lt. Riely's perspective:

Arriving at the canteen I drank while waiting for private Riviere, he said earlier he would accompany me so naturally I was a bit nervous when he didn't show. He was just late, and his uniform was messy again.

"Riviere your uniform." I said as I looked at his messy appearance up and down. He smiled sheepishly and apologized which I mentioned was unnecessary.

After teasing him a bit I took him to the shooting range and helped him improve. grabbing his waist to help his stance I told him to fire, when I saw a flash of red and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. The bullet had ricocheted Somehow, I'm not sure he was aware of what happened. I tried to get his attention panic starting to set in as I watched him crumple to the floor.

I rushed him to the medical tent as fast as I could, thoughts rushing through my head as I forced them out, my breathing was fast and heavy I watched as he drowned in and out of consciousness.

Pacing the floor waiting for the news praying he was okay. I heard what sounded like a scream of pain and I tried to rush to his side, but the nurses held me back. The colonel walked in, telling me to go and relax. I had a mission in the morning. I tried to protest but couldn't. He was higher up, I saluted and walked to my quarters while in tears.

My body felt tense, and my mind was numb, it was like no one understood the pain. I had no idea what was happening around me. My world was caving in. I decided to walk to the range and shoot. Nearly five minutes in and I already had 4 headshots and 3 in the chest. Generally, the chest is better but I wasn't thinking straight I wanted to shoot everyone I wanted it to be me on that bed and not him.

"Riely. Enough. Get ready you'll be on a mission with me." Colonel came up behind me and gave orders.

"Yes sir." I was already ready, so I just waited for further instructions.

This mission was easy, but it felt as if my body was there, but my mind wasn't all I wanted to do was scream at the world. I could only assume he was dead and that tore me apart from the inside out.

The next couple of days were pure torture. Still no word on his condition I've been checking on him daily but today was different I saw him move. I got no responses when talking but his finger twitched when I brushed his hand.

The fiery colored leaves were now covering the trees and floating to the ground like feathers. I was told he'd be back to training within a month a week ago and they won't let me visit right now.

Walking by the med tent my heart stopped as I saw a familiar face staring back at mine. Green eyes, soft freckles painted his rosy cheeks.

Samuel's perspective:

Walking slowly through the medical tent, the sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils, and the sounds of moans and murmurs surrounded me. Every step felt heavy, my body threatening to give way beneath me. I collapsed a few times, my weakened legs struggling to support my determined spirit, but my sole mission drove me forward - I had to find Riely.

The nurses, their voices laced with concern, urged me to slow down and return to my cot. They saw the pain etched across my face, the exhaustion in my eyes, but they couldn't comprehend the desperation that fueled my steps. I needed to see him; I needed to know if he was okay.

Confusion clouded my thoughts about why I found myself in this medical tent, but the answers could wait. Right now, all that mattered was finding Riely, finding some semblance of normalcy in this chaotic world. As my body screamed in protest, I pushed myself to the brink, craving the reassurance that only his presence could provide.

And then it happened - collapsing one last time, I fell into someone's arms, my vision blurred, unable to recognize the face before me. But as his voice reached my ears, a flicker of recognition ignited within. It was Riely. His panic echoed through his words, questioning my reckless actions.