And the story continues. Sorry it has taken so long to be updated but here it is and thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed the first chapter of Enlisted.
I do not own Liberty's Kids or any of it's characters.
FLASHFORWARD
1779, September, Pennsylvania Training Grounds of the Continental Army
It had been two days since James had left the shop. Two days since he had left his friends. It had taken just as long for him to get to the training grounds, which would be where he stayed, learning how to handle a musket and march in a straight line. He still could see the pained expressions of his friends. Moses keeping a stern face but one look in his eyes and you could tell they were tearing up; Henri bawling and hanging on to his leg begging him to stay. Promising never to steal from the cupboard again. And then there was Sarah; she had refused to look at him at first turning the other way when he approached. He had understood, knowing she was emotionally unstable and most like would break at any little movement he made. So he simply put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze, he thought it wouldn't be enough to crack her but it was. Sarah turned around tears streaming down her face and pulled him into a hug telling him over and over again that he must return safety. He remembered getting on his horse and giving one last wave goodbye before trotting away.
Now here he stood at the gate to the training grounds where his new life would begin. Taking a deep breath James brought his horse onto the grounds only to be surrounded by solders.
"Where do you think you are going!" One of the men asked pointing his riffle right at James' face.
James brought his arms over his head and stuttered out, "N-n-n-names James Hiller. I enlisted a few weeks ago."
"Check the register!" The man said keeping his riffle pointed at James. Another man pulled out a piece of paper and began study it before announcing, "He's on here." The man lowered his riffle and gave James a warm smile.
"Sorry for that, but you have to be careful nowadays. So many spies around."
"No problem." James said shaking his hand, "So where do I report now?"
"Oh right follow me." The man said and began to lead the way through the rows and rows of tents. Finally they arrived at the center of the camp where a larger tent was set up.
"The Captain's in there." The man said pointing to the tent, "You're gonna have to wait a bit. His in a meeting right now trying to figure out what them red coats are up to. Should be over soon though so just wait till he's available."
James nodded and gave the solider his thanks and sat down on a log situated outside the tent. James wasn't sure how long he sat out there thinking, mostly about Sarah. He had never seen Sarah act the way she had that night and wasn't sure what to think about it. "Does she care for me?" James thought in wonder, "Like how I care for her? Or is it more of a brotherly care?"
James was unsure when exactly he has stopped viewing the spoiled English girl as a pain and starting harboring feelings for her, it seemed to have just happened. Maybe it was when Henri had saved his skin by claiming Sarah and James were engaged so as to prevent James from being taken as a British Navy recruit. Or maybe it was when he had seen Fort Tryon get lost and was frantically searching the lifeboats of survivors for Sarah. All he knew was that he no longer saw Sarah as a brat but as the beautiful young lady she was. And now he had gone and made her sad. "Why am I here?" James though shaking his head, "I should be back at the shop arguing with Sarah. What am I trying to prove?" He knew what he was trying to prove. He was trying to prove that he was not a wimp for not joining the cause and fighting but instead reporting. He wanted to prove to others that just be cause he was a journalist that he too could shed some blood and most of all he wanted to prove to Sarah that he was strong and mature young man that could potentially support her in years to come. "But is going to war and risking my life really worth that." James thought but was shaken from his thoughts as the flap to the tent opened and a group of men exited. Once the group had walked off a ways James stood and entered the tent.
A man stood over a table covered in maps muttering to himself. He wore a classic officer's uniform and had a powdered wig on his head. James cleared his throat to make his presents known. The man looked up and said, "Hello. Can I help you?"
"Um James Hiller reporting for duty…sir." James said quickly adding the proper title.
"Ah yes you're a new recruit." The man said stepping away from the table and looing James over, "Ever held a gun before?"
"Never sir but eager to learn." James said standing a little taller now that he was being inspected.
"No one should be eager to hold a gun Mr. Hiller." The man said giving James a grim look, "Especially during a time of war."
"That is true sir." James said blushing in embarrassment at his mistake.
"Yes well you will learn quickly that war is not all the glory it seems." The man said frowning, "Especially when your friend next to you is shot."
"Yes sir." James said nodding his head.
"Well then best we get you to the training grounds." The man said, "Follow me." James picked up his pack and followed the man out of the tent and toward a large field.
"I am Captain Smith and you'll be under my command for the next few days or at least until you are sorted into another troop." The man said.
"Yes sir." James said struggling to keep up with the captains fast pace.
"This is the mess hall." Smith said pointing to a tent that had a pot hanging over a fire and a few benches surrounding it. "The barracks." He said pointing to a group of tents. "And the shooting grounds." He said gesturing to a large field. "Got it?"
"Yes sir." James said nodding his head.
"Good now you head over to the training grounds and tell them you the new recruit Hiller and they'll set you up with a gun in no time. And as you said the sooner you learn the more likely you have of surviving."
"Um I didn't say that sir." James said giving him a funny look.
"You didn't." Captain Smith said looking confused, "Wonder who did then. Anyway off you go and best of luck. You're going to need it."
Once again thank you for reading Enlisted and I hope you have enjoyed it.
~PurplePanda2