I could just lay here. Here, there was no war, no killing, no violence. I was free, I was free from them, and more importantly, myself. I had no desire to be cast into this, I had no choice. It was thrown onto me, like a ball is thrown to a kid. I caught the ball, the worst mistake in my sad 37 years. When will I learn? My body aches, my head hurts, my feet are sore. It can all be over. All it takes is a quick pull of the finger….

Chapter One: How Does this Happen?

"I can't stand the thought of it, sir." Lawrence looked at Colonel Marvis

"What are you going on about this time?" Marvis asked

"Why would the rebels attack head on if they don't have the troops too? It just doesn't seem right"

"And this war does? Look, we need all the breaks we can catch. The big man in the white house believes that he can just change out our leader just like that? It doesn't work like that. In order to win a war, you need communication. They have none, and we do. Therefore, we should have a clear shot at winning this thing, right? Wrong! As far as I can tell, we have this one shot, now get the hell out of my house."

Lawrence stood up and shuffled to the door. He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it after seeing the look on Marvis' face. He grabbed the handle, pulled on it, and walked into the darkness.

"You know, you could be easier on him" Said voice from the other room. "He's just trying to help you win."

"I don't need help to win Amy, I just need men to fight." Said Marvis with a scowl

"Well, you'll never get them that way. Just think, soon this will all be over. Then we can go home, back to Virginia, and live on your parents plantation again" Amy said, appearing into the room.

"But if we lose, he will be there. Why did it have to come to this? Why couldn't we just agree?"

"Zachery made his own choices, and he is fighting for his own cause, you just need to worry about yourself and your family, and getting us home."

"I suppose." Replied Marvis.

"Good, now go say goodbye to the boys. You have a long day tomorrow, and they sure will miss you."