RIAN’S POV


War had been tough. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the clear blue sky. It’s all smoke and darkness here. There hadn’t been a glint of happiness in sight, but what did I expect when I volunteered for war to avenge the attack of Pearl Harbor? I knew then, that leaving home behind would be hard especially with Cassadee back at home, alone.


I wondered how she was doing. Would she show me a sign of happiness when I make it home alive? I knew I would when I see her again. It was the toughest thing, saying goodbye to her. I never meant leaving her behind, but when the opportunity came I just had to go.


We were flying without guidance after we split up when the Japs attacked us back. All of us were supposed to be landing in China and we were hoping we’d find land soon, but the chance of finding a place to descend seemed thin at that moment. With the loss of hope and fuel, me and Alex contacted Zack and Jack on the plane in front of us.


“Zack...” I said


“Yeah, buddy?”


“I’ve lost hope.”


“Don’t worry man, we’ll find land soon. Jack’s actually praying right now. Don’t lose hope. You’ll get back to her, I promise you.”


“I’m worried, Zack. Engine one is going to die soon. Alex said there’s only one spare fuel left and the tracking signal still isn’t working. We’re basically blind right now.”


“I–“
That’s when the communication radio went on. The captain started to send out a message from another aircraft.


“Gentleman, I’m sorry to have led you in a suicide mission. Just know that it’s been a pleasure working with you all. From all the men I’ve had the pleasure of working with, you’re all the bravest, most noble men I’ve ever fought with and you taught me so much. If we don’t get out of this alive, I just wanted to say thank you and right now, good luck.”


Alex and I looked at each other hoping all of us would be okay. There were 7 men alive around us. There were Zack, Jack, Flyzik, and Evan on their aircraft and me, Alex, with Jeff on ours. We were devastated when Danny died, but there wasn’t anything we can do to save him. All we could do was mourn…


I wasn’t at all optimistic till Zack contacted me with the radio and said,
“Rian, I found land! Just follow me okay.”
Then, I heard a loud crash that came from both of our planes.

“What the hell was that?” I asked in shock.


“Engine one failed us, Ri.” Alex said panicking over what to do.


“Engine two will follow soon.” Jeff added.


“Okay, just wish me luck, Zack found land. We’ll be able to land soon.”


Turned out I was right, we did land soon, but it wasn’t a smooth one. No, it made the craft explode and from the flags we saw, we were in an area colonized by the Japs. We just accidentally sent our location to the enemy and it wasn’t long till they came after us. All 7 of us huddled up and we prepared ourselves for the upcoming shit we knew we were going to face.


It didn’t take long for them to find us. They started shooting at us, but luckily, the broken down plane’s wreckage protected us from the bullets. We couldn’t stay there long though. We had to find a safe place or some people who could actually protect us, but there weren’t any, our life depended on ourselves. Zack, Alex, and I started shooting back and managed to kill some of their soldiers. When we had to reload our guns, that’s when the others strike back. It went on like that for a while, but we were still outnumbered. We decided to move.


The seven of us showed up from behind the wreckage and just tried to run away from them. I was with Zack and the others weren’t far away. By the time we got away, we were panting and we believed we were going to make it until I saw a Japanese soldier far away aiming at Zack.


Ever since we were kids, Zack had always been the guy who’s supported and protected me. When I saw the Japanese man, I just had to return the favor he’s been doing me all these years. He shot the gun and I immediately stepped in front of Zack to protect him. I screamed in agony when the bullet hit my chest. Everything turned blurry and some really nice memories came back to my head. There were flashes of me and the boys who were also fighting for their lives right now, me and Zack from when we were little to the men we’ve become, and lastly, me and Cass. Oh, how much I missed her.


“RIAN!” I heard Zack screamed as he rushed over to my body. “No man, no. Please no, I promised Ri! Please stay with me! I promised Cassadee you’ll come home safely. Oh Ri, I’m so sorry.”


“What for? You’ve always been there to protect me. It’s my turn now.” I said as I saw some Chinese men who were our ally fighting back to the Japs.


“No Ri, you’re gonna be a husband. Please no.”


“Just tell her I love her Zack. I do, with all my heart.”


“I’m so sorry.”


“Just promise me you’ll go home safely and tell Cass that I love her. Okay? Please keep her safe.” I said with my last breaths.


“I promise. I promise. I’m so sorry.” He said cradling my body and crying and that was the first time anyone’s ever seen Zack cry.


After that, I just couldn’t breathe anymore. My heart was giving up on me and that was it. My life was over.

---

CASSADEE'S POV

I was waiting for Rian in the airport with the other soldiers’ wives and sweethearts. My worrying hasn’t had a break ever since he went on that mission. I hope he’s fine right now. I just wanted him back and see his smile again comforting me. I just really needed him home. He said he’d marry me after he went home. He didn’t want to leave me a widow if he died. I really hoped what he said wasn’t coming true.


I saw the aircraft landing. The Captain’s s wife was smiling while hugging their son. More soldiers came out. A wave of hope and joy hit me. I was glad that a lot of family wouldn’t be missing a man. And at the moment, I was just waiting for mine to come out.


I had more hope when I saw Zack went out of the aircraft, but instead of a smile, he had a frown on his face, his eyes staring at me with so much grieve. I realized what happened and I ran over to him. He and the rest of the soldiers were holding a wooden coffin. And the moment I saw it, I just wanted to scream and drop on my knees. Tears started coming out and it was all too real. His leather jacket was on top of the coffin. I grabbed it and hugged it. Zack went to me and hugged me. He said,
“He loved you Cass, He really did. Those were his last words. I’m so sorry Cass. I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.”
All I could do was hug him harder, sobbing over the death of my only one.

Notes