I leaped up on my horse, Blackjack, and sped off towards the battlefield. The scenery of my small town flashed by, and I cherished the memories of my life. I knew that I might not come back after the war. In fact, there was a very good chance I wouldn't.
By now, I was already passing the small cemetery. I felt something inside me, and I quickly stopped my horse and jumped off.
Wandering through the graves, I finally found the one I was looking for. Matthew Swan. I bowed my head and began to talk
"Well Matt, even though I only knew you for a few years, and the sickness seemed so long ago, the pain never seems to lessen. Sometimes I can ignore it, but it just keeps returning. Thank you for letting me use your name as mine. I hope I can make you proud today. I love you and miss you."
My short confession complete, I jumped back on to Blackjack and he began to trot towards the battlefield.
I tied Blackjack a mile or so away from the battlefield and told him "If I don't return, I just wanted to let you know you have been a great horse. You were the one person-well horse- that I knew I could trust."
Wow, this was sad. I was making a farewell speech to my horse. Sigh.
Ah well. I quickly ran up to the North tent and ducked inside.
"I'm ready!! Where am I needed, General?"
"SWAN!!! Get to the field RIGHT NOW!! We NEED you in FRONT RIGHT POSITION!!"
"YESSIR!!"
I sprinted to the field, my heavy rifle slamming my leg at every step.
With my eye on the line between the two armies in my sight, I ducked behind a tree and loaded my rifle.
PING!!! A bullet had hit the tree right above my head. I looked around for a minute, and found my sniper.
Without thinking, I dropped down, rolled, and shot.
Down he went. I felt a small pang in my heart for ending someone's life, but this was the army, and I had to be strong. I had to make my brother proud.
A.N.-srry it took so long to post- HW is a stress for young people.