Prologue

Cold. Dark. It was Sky all could trust, all she could understand. She felt as
though she was immersed in a void, one in which the undertow was slowly, steadily
pulling her deeper into herself, despite her efforts to claw her way out. There was nothing
to hold on to, no one to save her,not anymore.

This was her first time. The scene played over and over again in her mind. What
had happened was nothing like she had ever wanted to envision or believe she could do.
There he was, looming over her. His eyes intently staring..She had no choice, or maybe
she did and was just too afraid to acknowledge it.

Sky could still feel the flesh of his neck in her hand. It felt dirty, and clung to her
like a stench. Then came the sickening sound of his neck twisting...breaking in her
trembling hands. It was done. She had killed him. And now all she could remember was
the ghost-like glass that coated his eyes. The body was a shell, a grave that she had dug,
perhaps for herself as well as him. She could only believe that the blame lied in her fear.
It's my fault she thought and now I can never take it back. Sky had murdered...and
all she could think to do was pray that God could forgive her, and even in that she felt
selfish.
Suddenly warmth. Sky came out of her trance as a soft presence wrapped itself
around her hand. Her eyes focused on a fellow soldier. His face was gentle and beautiful.
It held her gaze.....as though he was her Messiah. The two were covered with grime and
dirt...the soldier's shrapnel.

"I killed him.." she whispered...her voice was soft and full of shame. Nathaniel's
heart ached as he squeezed Sky's hand. She wondered if he had understood her words,
they were barely audible...however the look in his eyes revealed what she already knew.
He did, he always had. He didn't need to hear anything…he just understood her, as
though he could peek into her soul at will. A quality that made her feel vulnerable and yet
at the same time secure.

Nathaniel pushed himself closer to Sky. His muscles screamed at the unnecessary
movement. The last mission had put a strain on everyone, including himself. He pulled
her head into his shoulder and gently stroked her hair. Sky could hear his heartbeat now,
and it somehow managed to soothe her as tears dampened his tattered shirt. "I know" he
whispered into her hair..."I know." Indeed he did. He was no stranger to the guilt that
imbedded itself deep inside . This memory would never leave, and he felt helpless that he
couldn't shield Sky from it.

As Sky wept in his protection Nathaniel focused on another solider staring at the
two. His face was hollow and his eyes were strained and seemed to sink into his skin.
Huddled masses of regret. That was the true cargo of this transport. Each man was lost in
the memories of previous events. Cries of unheard terror and pain filled the silence as the
transport continued on...lights and shadows playing with each other.

Sky suddenly awoke with a start. Beads of sweat sat upon her skin. It was then
that his face left her. She reached out trying to grasp it, but he was gone...and everything
was a dream. The reality of her solitude sank in and she lay back down, resting her face
against a pillow...tears welled in her eyes. "I love you.." she whispered.