France, 1945
The distance rumbles of artillery grumbled across the miles as I couldn't help but think of what fresh hell it would bring into the medical tent. This Winter was bitter, more bitter than the rest and five years since the war had begun, we were all exhausted.
"Bella! I need your help over here" one of the Doctors called after me as the casualties started to arrive. I rushed over to the patient, my stomach flipped when I saw half of his leg exposed. The wounds conflicted in this war is something no person would ever get used to. I knew this one wouldn't make it and I was being called over to comfort him.
I looked towards him, ignoring the wound, his breathing was surprising steady as I locked eyes with him. I felt as though I knew him but couldn't place how or where. I took hold of his hand, for one so close to death, it was so warm.
"Sir, my name is Bella. I'm here to look after you" I gently told him as I stroked his dark hair from his face.
"Colonel Septimus" he managed to introduce himself, weakly.
"Such an unusual name" I tried to smile at him as I peeked over at the blood running out of his leg.
"Do I know you?" He whispered, his voice shaking from the blood he was losing. How odd, he was thinking the same thing. Maybe we did know each other but I would have remembered a name like that.
"I'm sure I would have remembered you if we had" I smiled as I held onto his hand, noticing his grip getting looser.
"Maybe when this is all over, I could take you out for a dance?" He said light-heartedly and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, but I was certain he knew what was happening too.
"I would love that" I answered in earnest, as there was something about this man that was different to the others.
I watched as he smiled to himself briefly and then his eyes rolled back, his breathing came to a halt, and I felt his hand go limp. I felt every loss in this place, but this one took me by surprise, like I had just lost someone special. I promised myself that I would remember his name and think of him often.