Hello everybody.
Regarding this post well fair warning, it gets pretty dark rather quickly. You'll see why.
Different bedroom inside the Dutton House
Jack wearing a shirt alongside pants and Elizabeth in her nightgown are cuddled together.
"What's wrong? I can feel how tense you are" Elizabeth says in concern.
"Just I'm glad my uncle is back. Spencer left when I was in my teens for going off to fight. Only I've been really allowed to step up from Uncle Jacob, and it seems the prodigal son has finally returned home. Yet we've been the ones suffering here when" Jack says trailing off bitterly "I'll do whatever it takes to protect our home, but this part just feels unfair."
"They might not have been fighting our war, true. But it doesn't mean they are not fighting a war. There's a certain look in their eyes, they had hardships getting back here, but you do have a right to feel this way. I feel it too" Elizabeth says.
"Resentment?" Jack inquiries.
"Yeah" Elizabeth replies.
Sighing "The worst part is I really don't want to have it towards him or Aunt Alexandra. I've always liked Uncle Spencer. I learned horse riding, and continually looked after me" Jack says warmly.
"Yeah, his wife is pretty cool. I admire her on it takes a lot of guts for actually desiring to be out handling the more physical parts of this ranch, or wearing pants" Elizabeth asks before jokingly "You probably wouldn't mind if I use yours's?"
"Honey if you wanted to wear pants, I'm not going to stop you" Jack replies.
"Really?" Elizabeth asks in surprise.
"I'm not your parents. If it makes you happy" Jack says causally.
"Huh. Well, I'm glad your uncles have looked after you, means you survived to be mine" Elizabeth says.
"Yeah, me too, and thanks" Jack replies.
"Sure," Elizabeth says.
Leaning they share a kiss for a couple of moments, then quietly wish a good night before drifting off to sleep.
The bedroom
Laying asleep holding each other in their arms, and Spencer being as equally nude from earlier activities, begins shivering while drifting backward in time.
Flashback: Inside a trench
Wearing a dirty uniform with some dried blood splattered on it or on the helmet Spencer is sitting with his back propped up against a muddy wall from rain earlier this morning.
Some of his fellow army brothers is down a couple of feet in a corner in conversation over one man mistakenly touching a very hot machine gun barrel burning his hand. Then it changes to this one guy talking about a cheesesteak in Philadelphia.
Spencer's thoughts drift to six men who would have been among the others who had a latent reaction to mustard gas and started exhibiting the symptoms. Instead of suffering they just walked out into No Man's Land never returning.
Abruptly Spencer looks up seeing a biplane flying overhead dropping canisters downwards just as bullets start firing from an approaching squad. Instantly the men throughout the trenches start yelling gas, and pure mayhem ensues.
Gabbing an oxygen mask Spencer pulls it over his head, and can vaguely see some of his fellow men attempting to do the same. The ones who are not able to, and even the others having faulty masks begin convulsing. Skin begins blistering through their entire body, eyes become bloodshot, and the men choke up blood, which for some is even worse since having masks on.
Vaguely Spencer can hear down the left as some other men begin using a flame thrower on the approaching Germans and hearing screams as those are burned alive. Keeping his head down Spencer to miss bullets makes his way over to the group of gassed men. Men who no more than yesterday were playing cards with, exchanging Sherlock Holmes novels, and earlier battening down for oncoming rain.
Looking down Spencer sees one man is too weak to even lift his revolver towards his head. Regrettably exhaling Spencer reaches down picks it up pointing it at the man before pulling the trigger, splattering blood on the back wall. A kid Spencer knows in angry disgust of being no more than nineteen and having a family back home. A young kid who was so eager to serve his country for lying about his age to join. Not that the recruiting offices care.
Now just one more victim in this war for no justifiable reason. Merely since feuding royal families began killing each other. A war that has no real clear good against evil, just a bunch of men sent out to die on the orders of people who will never set foot in this war.
Blocking out any emotions Spencer sees men coming over the side wall charging with their rifles. Picking up a fallen pump action shotgun Spencer pulls the trigger as the blast hits the first man dropping him to the ground with a bleeding hole in his chest. Rushing forward Spencer kills three more men using the shotgun, until it jams.
Dropping the weapon Spencer pulls out his knife rapidly tackling the last man to the ground cutting the tubes on the mask. Getting to his feet for sheathing his knife and unholstering his handgun Spencer knows needing to save bullets journeys further into the trenches leaving the man to die from his mustard gas.
End of flashback.
Feeling an arm on his body Spencer reacts by immediately grabbing the individual's throat and pressing in until realizing its Alexandra. Swiftly letting go Spencer backs off the bed and up against a nearby wall.
Climbing out of bed and not grabbing a blanket knowing how the wool can trigger a different type of panic attack, Alexandra walks over sitting on the floor opposite of her husband.
Immediately feeling his clammy skin Alexandra gets up with slipping on Spencer's discarded shirt for some warmth, not really on modesty, heads towards a bucket of water. Taking a cloth from the table Alexandra dips it in the water with wringing out excess liquid then heads back towards Spencer.
Crouching down Alexandra uses it to wipe down various areas removing perspiration, plus the cooling cloth helps calm him down.
"Thank you. I hate when you" Spencer begins yet is interrupted.
"No don't you apologize; I do this because I want to. Not out of any of being forced due to some marriage requirement or anything," Alexandra says, "Besides I know you would do the same for me, and you have when I've had nightmares."
Spencer merely nods.
"Just rest darling" Alexandra adds.
"You know I'm sorry, I wished you could have met my brother and Emma they would have loved you," Spencer says quietly and painfully.
"I know, and I would have to. Just as I wish you could have met my brother. Although not sure on the liking part" Alexandra replies grimly.
"Well, I have that effect on people," Spencer says.
"That you do" Alexandra "Just sleep, darling."
Hope you enjoyed this nonetheless and let me know what you think in a review.
Yeah, Spencer's flashback scene to WW1 has to be one of the darkest things I've ever written.
I wanted to capture the true horror of the war and hopelessness.
Until next time.