Sorry it's been a while, guys! It's been a tiring month, but I finally got this chapter out! I really hope you guys like it. It was a ton of fun to write.
Chapter Three- Kanto's Camp
Andrew
The day eventually came when our troop had to deploy out to war. The sun was lazily making its way across the sky, shining bright, making the few white clouds that dotted the pure, blissful blue look almost too happy in the sky. Growlithe could sense my anxiety and gave my hand a comforting lick. In return I scratched behind his ear. I looked in the mirror at the corner of the training tent. My uniform looked too big on me, swallowing me at the shoulders. The pants sagged low and the belt that carried supplies and pokeballs sagged at least two inches where it was suppose to. I gave a sigh when Wesley approached me. I could see is reproachful expression in the mirror. "Are you ready to go, Andrew?"
I felt jealous of Wesley. His uniform made him look like a solider, a force to be reckoned with. He filled out the uniform well. His girl at home, Ava, must be proud. I gave Wesley a shrug in response to his question. How could someone know if they were ready? Who sends a nineteen year old, a kid, into war? I know I am not the only one though. Hoenn and Johto were in the same situation as Kanto, having to force kids from their home against their will. Those kids, the ones like me, all have the same scared look in their eyes every time the word fight, battle or war is used. Wesley frequently sees this look in my eyes. He sees it now. I can see it now. It's staring back at me from the mirror. "Don't worry, Andrew. I'm going to stay by your side the entire time." He puts his hand on the opposite shoulder of growlithe.
I've come to think of Wesley as my older brother. I like to think we even look alike. He and I both share brown eyes and pale skin; we both have brown hair, though mine verges on being blonde in color. Still, these small comparisons comfort me. Every solider needs a role model. Who better than a brother? I turn away from the mirror and look at Wesley. "Let's go."
On the way out of the tent Wesley and I both grab small knapsacks for our pokemon- a quadruped one for pokemon like growlithe, vulpix or eevee, and a bipedal one for pokemon like poliwhirl, azumarill or mankey- and fasten them onto our pokemon. The knapsack contains extra supplies that could be useful.
We make our way outside and see the soliders making their way to a line. I take a deep breath and look at where the line ends. There is a huge ship, armored, with room to hold all of us at the camp and more. My heart pounds in my chest a million miles a hour and I reach down to growlithe for support. Growlithe looks at the boat with fear, as well. Him and I can agree we don't like water. I know konw of us has to be brave, though. I will make sure it is me, this time. "Don't worry, growlithe. Boats float on water. You won't get wet." Growlithe gives a nod and looks ahead with determination. I take a note from my partner. He was ready to conquer his fear at a moment's notice. I need to learn to do the same.
The boat was not welcoming once aboard. Everything was made for purpose and strength, not pleasure, like a cruise ship. The walls were made of gray metal that was cold to the touch. The lights were all covered with a cage, making the light seem prisoner. Every step echoed off the empty walls. Below deck there was an assortment of rooms. Each one possessed several bunk beds in close proximity to one another. On each bed was a white pillow and scratchy green covers. Wesley managed to persuade the person dictating room assignments to give him a room with me. Wesley made himself at home on the fourth bunk bed on the right, plopping his stuff down on the top bunk and easily making his way to the top, without the use of a ladder. I put my stuff on the bed below his. I noticed Wesley had already pulled out his picture of himself and Ava and put it up above his head. "What's she like?" I found myself asking him.
Wesley gave me a confused look, nat realizing I was talking about the picture he loved so much. "What's who like?"
"Ava. She obviously means a lot to you."
Wesley nodded. "Yeah, she does." Wesley hopped down off the bunk and came and sat on mine, patting next to him as an invitation for me to sit down. I do as he says. "Well, Ava is a good girl. She does what she is told, helps out when she can and always tries to put others before herself. She planned on joining the war with me, you know? She wanted to be a nurse and was going to help in any way she could. She was going to follow me out a month after I came here. Neither of us..." Wesley stopped and gave me a serious look. "I haven't told anyone what I'm about to tell you. Don't think less of either Ava or me, 'right?"
I nod. Nothing done by Wesley could make me think less of him. "Ava isn't able to come to war to nurse, like she wanted. She found out after I left that she was pregnant. She wrote it to me in a letter. That's why I am working so hard. I have to get back to her." I am silent. I don't know what to say. "I am going to marry her, Andrew. I've wanted to for so long. I want to marry her even more now that we have a kid on the way. I hope it's a girl. I want another girl just like Ava in the world."
I can't help but feel this pit in my chest. I want Wesley to get back home to Ava as well. I know how he feels. The girl I once had fills my mind. I hate that the war is taking me to her region. I run the risk of hurting her and her family.
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With Love,
-Juliet