Chapter 3

He actually hasn't forgotten how embarrassed he felt back then, plus the constant bombardment of questions from his three companions didn't help him get over it. She was an enigma amongst the men. There were times when she would readily interact with everyone, giving out inputs during class, eating grub with whomever she comes across with. Oftentimes, she sits at the farthest back of the room by herself- watching everyone from afar, evading any means of communication with anyone and disappearing on certain times. For the most part, she would pop up inside the aid station as if familiarizing herself for the first time with everything.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Earnest Oats was one of those men who found her bluntness entertaining. Due to the bad weather, all of them were cramped up inside the makeshift conference room. She was at the other end -gazing outside the pouring rain. "Ma'am?"

"I hear you, Oats." Was her short reply as she refocused her attention on the man in front of her.

"You've been giving us a lot of ideas and techniques about the aid, we we're wondering when you're gonna give us at taste of what war is like." She looked at him with her eyes devoid of any emotion, sizing up the man whose standing and looking back at her with eyes full of curiosity. All the men around them suddenly stopped to watch both.

She shrugged in reply, "War is hell."

"Come on, Elle! You ain't called Slaughter house for nothin'!" Someone yelled from the back in demand.

"I'd say... They're just fond of my name." She felt cold as if a knife made of ice was dragging itself across her spine the pitter patter of the rain turned into the ack-ack of a machine gun. The eyes of the men starring at her made her squirm. Just like the eyes she saw back where hell was; the eyes that will never see again. Silence

When she got back from the Pacific, she didn't know how her life would be, she knew she was broken. How she'll fit in with the society especially the ones who haven't seen the things that she did who thought she was whole, just like the other ones who came back without any wound or injury to tell or see. She wasn't, she left a lot of her broken piece back there, and she will never feel complete again.

"Attention! Men and Women, classes and drill are suspended for the day due to bad weather. Proceed back to your quarters to rest." Lewis Nixon bulged in settling himself beside Elle. "You alright, kid?" She never knew how long she's been holding her breath but when she heard Lewis' familiar voice she began to relax. She never glanced back up to everyone as she started for the door, hoping inside the car waiting for her.

Eugene saw when the light on her face began to fade and she looked distant, as if millions of miles away. He didn't know what it is but it was there as if clawing itself out of her.

"Ahhh what I'd give to have this type of luxury back home." Everyone was free for the whole day, a lot of the soldiers particularly the newly annexed Easy Company decided to roam around the hotel giving oohs and aahs as they pass they pass by anything that seems amusing or something the butler told them has amused them.

"Before the family converted the hotel, this was the lounge. All valuables that aren't needed were brought here to give space for everyone. Would you like a tour?" The butler queried.

"Is this lounge, haunted?" Skip asked skeptically as he looked at the dark corridor leading towards the lounge.

"With memories, yes." The butler stated as he reached over for the light switch.

"Ohhhh…" the men gawped as they entered.

"Yes, this are the old family pictures, assets and inheritances."

"Is that?" One soldier stated as he pointed out to a picture.

"Ah yes. That is the lady 3 years ago." The subject of the photo is a young woman, ruffled blonde hair flowing down her shoulder, flowers adorning her head, gentle eyes looking up the camera. Other pictures are of her again, one picture had her standing in the middle of a garden, wearing what seemed like a night gown, a wide bright smile on her face.

"Damn, I told you guys! She looks familiar! She's like Evelyn Nesbit with the blonde hair!"

"Jude?" A voice from the far side of the lounge almost made them all run for their lives as a figure emerged from the back. "I'll take it from here." Elle stood in front of them looking in disbelief.

"How many times do I need to tell them that this is a restricted area?" Elle stated as she rubbed her temples. For the first time, they saw her in a new light. She wasn't wearing the army standard issued uniform. Just like in the picture, she was wearing a long flowing light blue dress, her hair untied gracefully on her back. She was a woman, small, delicate…

"These are the things that were left here in Aldbourne before we all went for London." They all snapped back to reality as she led them forward. "Part of these pictures of mine are used for the war campaigns, they use some for the posters or should I call them, art? Some are sold, all the finance are given to the military." There was an awkward silence as they all stared gaping at the woman in front giving them a smile.

"I'm to give you a tour, aren't I?" They all nodded in agreement.

"I spent most of my childhood here. That is Hugo, Thomas, Henry, Alaistair, Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter and yours truly. Hugo and Thomas both joined the war, KIA, killing both of my parents' in despair. Henry and Alaistair are the ones managing the business back in London. 6 months ago, my brothers received a telegram from Lewis regarding a need to lounge and stay in Aldbourne. They then decided it would be practical to spend some time in this rusty old hotel with men whom I barely knew." They all made out a smile at her joke.

Eugene hang at the back listening to her, staring at a picture that got his attention. It was a close-up picture, Elle was holding on to her hair as if trying to clip them back, wrapped up in a white silk dress, the look of pure innocence and happiness on her face. The look that is a stark difference from what she's wearing from the moment he saw her. He didn't know how long he'd been staring at her, as if on cue, her eyes snapped up towards him and his medic badge. Eugene immediately averted his gaze in panic.

"Oh and another tip? Back at the Pacific, those medic badges could cause your immediate death. We got a big red target on our heads when the Japs sees those." Elle only gave him a wink before moving on with the tour.

"Oh… I guess Mr. Prettyboy right here got himself an admirer." Al Mampfre nudged at Eugene.