Chapter one: The beginning.

[Flippy's POV]
I woke up at 6:30 in the morning and was drenched in my own sweat. I had that damn nightmare again, and it's been getting more frequent lately. Maybe it's the stress? I don't know but all I remember from it was that I was running through the woods with a feeling of dread. Like something is constantly watching and following me, and every time I turn around to look at what's chasing me, I see nothing. Just the persistant feeling of dreadfulness that fills me. . .

[2 years ago...Flippy's POV]
I woke up to the sun shine peaking through my curtains and smiled to myself as it was a nice and lazy Monday morning. Now that may sound strange but I was happy because I was on break after graduating from high school not too long ago. So I got dressed putting on my jeans, and favorite red T-shirt. For some reason I've always liked red. I was starving so I headed down stairs with my hair looking like a bird's nest, and I heard a strange noise like sniffling and sobbing. I looked over to the living room where my mother was sitting slumped over, and was weeping...

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" I said. My mother just looks at me and starts balling her eyes out, so I went over to her to comfort her even though I still didn't know what she was upset about. Did she get fired? Did a relative pass away? I just couldn't tell. That's when I noticed the letter on the table saying "ORDER TO REPORT FOR ARMED FORCES PHYSICAL EXAMINATION" and it was sent for me... I was confused for a minute and just froze up. "What is this? Is this why my mom is crying?" I thought to myself.

"I'm sorry..." my mother said as her voice cracked. "I'm so sorry" She didn't lift her head up, she just kept clutching a picture of my father. My father passed away a year ago in the war, and my mother has never been the same. She became depressed, and started to rely on alcohol to numb the pain. She would always try her best to keep it to her self, however I knew she was hurting. Even through her bright, beautiful, and seemingly genuine smile.

I looked over to her and asked, "Mom, what is this letter? What does it mean?" I went over and sat next to her to comfort her. She finally looked up and stared straight into my confused eyes. I could see her blood shot eyes filled with tears, and her pale, tired face looking at me like a lost dog. Helpless and exhausted.

"Son, you're being drafted" She said. I felt a sudden feeling of coldness come over me, and I could feel the pit of my stomach sink lower and lower. Everything seemed to go dark all around even though it was perfectly sunny and cheerful outside.

After the moment of shock passed I finally spoke up. "Drafted? Why? This can't be happening."

"I'm sorry..." my mother said as her face started to crumble up and tears started rolling out of her eyes.

"No mom, it's not your fault. You have nothing to do with this." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder attempting to comfort her. Still, I didn't get why I was being drafted. It all seemed unreal, like a sick prank someone was pulling on my mother and I. But it was definitely real. On the letter it said that I had to be packed and ready by Friday to leave for the army when the bus arrives. I had a few days to prepare myself I suppose, but this still didn't seem real. I wondered if any of my friends had been drafted as well...

Looking over to my mother again, I saw that she was still sobbing. "Mom, it's alright. I'll be okay" I said as I managed a warm smile. "Whatever happens, just know that I'm coming back." She looked up and finally smiled, and placed a hand on my cheek when she said,

"I know..."