"Dance me into love," He had whispered that night. They did, waltzing to music only they could hear, weaving in and out of the cots, ignoring the patched-up men in the beds below them. They were invisible, invincible, young and in love. The war outside seemed lifetimes away, and for now the dance was all there was.
"Oh, Susie," He breathed, clutching her close. They spun, around and around, whirling past the olive green of army life. It was as if the heavens themselves had opened up, showering on them with a glow so divine. He smiled down at her, as she nestled in closer.
Then, slowly at first, the tempo of their silent music began to pick up. A gentle waltz morphed into a speeding tango, as they grasped for each other. Fear slipped in, pushing aside the contentment of two, moving them faster and faster, until the world around them seemed no more than a blur. The music faded away, but they kept spinning at their breakneck speed, unable to stop. Suddenly, the sounds of war burst in, and the dance of frantic terror abruptly ended.
"Susie?" He cried, suddenly alone in a war zone hospital, surrounded by the pieces of men that had been salvaged and thrown back together. She was nowhere to be found, gone in the blink of an eye.
"Susie!" Panic set in now, the sounds of war growing louder and louder. Bombs burst, men screamed, orders were yelled -- the sounds closed around him, choking him. The dance was over and the war had stepped in it's place.
"Dance me into love!" But there was no one, save himself and the leftover parts of soldiers, to hear his strangled yell.
***
"Time of death?" Margaret asked, leaning over the cot.
"Three thirty-two, Major."
Margaret nodded, scribbling on the certificate before her.