Chapter One
I've been in the Navy for two years now. I've trained. I've seen combat. I've seen blood pour out of bodies. I've left friends behind on the battlefield…but never have I ever thought I would ever have to face this day.
"Lieutenant Commander Prior!" Commander Four called.
"Sir!" I replied.
"Prior. You and Myers will lead the troops in from the north undetected. I trust that can do that."
"Yes sir!" I replied once again.
"Good dismissed. We execute the plan tomorrow at 0100. Be prepared." Commander Four dismissed us.
Lieutenant Myers and I walked out of the conference room together.
"OMG Tris. He definitely likes you!" Lieutenant Myers exclaimed.
"No he doesn't Christina," I replied yawning. It's been a long day considering it mostly consisted of meetings.
"Really? Then how come he called Prior rather that Myers?" Christina countered. She had a point there.
"Probably because I work with him more often and I have a higher rank than you."
"Whatever. Continue being the oblivious self you are and ignore the fact he likes you." We parted ways to get to our own rooms.
I woke up with a start. The USS Freedom rocked side to side violently. I got up and went to explore the ship. Once I opened the door, I saw that the hallway was filled with water. Before I could close the door again, the water came crashing in and engulfed me. I tried to swim to the surface but I couldn't. The water made its way to the ceiling before I could even realize it. I tried to swim out my door, but the water continuously pushed me back. My throat screamed for air.
I began to panic. I was…drowning. I stopped moving all at once. I couldn't lose control. No, I couldn't. I am a survivor.
All those bullets I dodged on the battlefield. All those bombs that I managed to survive. All those surprise attacks I was able to overcome. Never would I have ever thought that I would die because of a simple thing like this. Drowning.
I began to see black dots. I blinked a few times. My body began to shut down. NO. Before I die, I'll give myself 5 seconds.
1
I'll miss you Uriah.
2
I'll miss you Will.
3
I'll miss you the most Christina.
4
I'm sorry for letting all you down.
5
Thank you for being my family.
I saw my mom walk towards me. She looked just like the last time I saw her. The same clothes. The same hair. The same bullet wound to her stomach. Yet, she still looked beautiful. "Beatrice," she called.
Mom?
"Yes it's me sweetheart. Don't talk. It's not your time yet. Stay awake, dear. He's coming. Stay awake, Beatrice. Be brave."
Mom. Don't go! Who's coming? Mom!
She simply smiled as she faded. Faded away from me. Her daughter.
I can't hold my breath any longer. Everything began to fade around me. I stopped struggling to live. I let go of my final hope of survival. I let go of everything.
Just before I closed my eyes, I saw someone come into my room.