I've never been a fan of physical activity and we've been walking for hours. I was so tired but we weren't allowed to stop. When ever my brother, Joseph, went outside to play, I would sit under a tree and read. I loved being out doors but I would rarely join in the games that my brother played. One beautiful spring day, he wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Come on Mimi! Get up, you read too much." He pulled on my arms, lifting me off the ground. "No, Joseph! I just got up to a good part." I whined as I walked with him to the middle the field. He just laughed, putting me into a headlock. "Joseph! Quit it!" I tried freeing myself but my brother is much taller and a lot stronger than I am. "Well that's what I'm about to teach you." He said releasing me. I rubbed my neck while he continued. "I won't always be around to protect you Mimi, so I'm going to teach you how to defend yourself."

My thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice. "Miss Petrova?" I looked up from the ground. I quickly wiped my eyes, I had been crying without knowing it while I thought of my brother. I cleared my throat, "Yes?" I turned to the medic who has examined me earlier. He was a lot smaller than the rest of his team. He was pale in the face with dark circles under his brown eyes. "Are you alright Miss?" He looked concerned as he saw my teary eyes. I nodded smiling softly, "Yes, I'm fine. I was just...thinking of home." I sighed. He nodded, I could see that he understands. Everyone of these men should. They have all left homes, left loved ones, left their lives behind.

"How are you feeling? Can you hear okay?" He gestured to his ear then to mine. I hadn't even thought about my hearing. "Seems to be working fine." I nodded then looked back at the ground. He must have seen me slip away into another memory because he walked away. My mother; so beautiful and kind and caring. I love her so much. Please Lord, take care of her. I pray silently. I started thinking of the last night we had together as a family. Mama made her classic roast with vegetables and for dessert she was able to get us some chocolate from the market. We ate dinner at the table together, I was telling them about a book I was reading and how exciting it was. They just laughed and told me my imagination was too wild.

I wish I had a book with me now; an escape. That's why I love books so much. I'm able to put myself in the characters situation and become a part of the story, a part of the adventure. Well now that I'm a part of an adventure, if you could even call it that, all I want to do is go home. I want things to be back to the way they were. I sighed, trying to prevent the tears from falling. We slowly came to a stop and the Captain spoke up. "Alright, we're coming up to a base up ahead. Looks like one of ours, so I want everybody to stick together and rest up. Somebody look around for Ryan." He ordered then we walked into the camp. I knew before I even entered the camp, that it was filled with death.