A/N: The vampires in this story are not your typical Twilight vampires. I have taken liberties with the background of the characters to better fit my story. There will be time jumps, but it will all lead to present day in future chapters. Thanks for reading. A special thanks to my Cono for helping me with this 3
June 20, 1943
The war has been raging on for over three years now, and it doesn't look as though the fight will be done anytime soon. Images of death and destruction are plastered over every television. The world is at a standstill, bracing for the worst, but hoping for the best.
Today is my 17th birthday, I am eager to join the thousands of soldiers already on the front lines and defend the country I hold so dear. I have dreamt of this day since I can remember to proudly wear the uniform and call myself a member of the U.S. Army. So on this fateful day, with my enlistment papers in hand I head to the recruitment office.
There is no shortage of volunteers, a long line stretches around the block. Once in line, I try to conceal the nerves that are beginning to surface. My palms are sweating, my heart is racing, and the butterflies in my stomach are running rampant. I take a deep breath, hoping to calm myself.
No turning back now.
My mother's face flashes through my mind. I feel guilty for deceiving her into signing the enlistment papers, but there was no way she would knowingly let me go. She'll forgive me one day. Or at least, I hope she will. I have to do this, and no one, not even my mother, is going to change my mind.
"Nervous, huh?" an unfamiliar voice snaps me back to reality.
I look up to find a man, older than me, but he only looks to be in his twenties. He has light brown hair and green eyes and he is grinning from ear to ear.
"Is it that obvious?" I ask.
"Don't sweat it," he says. "I'll bet every guy here is shitting his pants."
I chuckle and the nerves begin to dissipate. A distraction is just what I need. I take a deep breath in and stand tall, ready to get down to business.
"There you go. Relax, young buck," he says, as he gives me a quick pat on the shoulder.
"I'm James, James Marsh."
He holds out his hand for a polite handshake, and I can't help but notice the ring he is wearing. It's a gold band with blood-red stones. I can't say I've ever seen anything like it. I shake his hand and try not to stare at the hypnotizing ring.
"I'm Edward, Edward Masen."
"Nice to meet you, my friend," he says. "I'll be seeing you around."