I scanned the grass looking for Gene before finding him sprawled out blood pooled under him I screamed out in agony holding his lifeless corpse in my arms blood drenching into my shirt.

Ten minutes earlier

We trudged through the dense brush, we were on a classified infantry mission. All we knew was clear the aria, secure the perimeter. The hair on the back of my neck tingled slightly but I couldn’t think much of it. There was a sudden bang before one of my colleagues fell to the ground head bleeding out onto the ground. We all stood guard shooting at any movent as we were being picked off I got down in the grass and shortly all was silent.

Two days earlier

We were awoken at 5am to our commander yelling “get up people. We have shifts to switch and food getting cold.” I heard Gene grumble in the bunk below me, “do I have to wake up?” “Waking up is better than being dead.” He laughed slightly, I knew he felt otherwise but he got up regardless. “Anthony, how’d you get me into this.” I laughed at him setting my bed, “because you love me.” “Dont make it sound gay.” He smiled walking off to the showers. I dont know what I’d do without him he is my best friend.

Eleven months earlier

“Alright, Anthony. Youve been accepted in your role, you’ll go through 5 months of basic training then be active infantry. Any questions?” “No sir.” “Good, I wish you the best of luck.”

I walked out of the office that day knowing my life was finally going somewhere. Gene had been accepted aswell and we were going to make it together.

One year ago

I sat down in my bed I felt there was nothing left to live for. The love of my life left me for another man. I wanted to get myself together but I didn’t feel I had it in me. Gene called “hey, how are you? I just got your text.” I laughed halfheartedly on the brink of tears. “Not amazing but who cares anyways.” He sighed, “I’m coming over give me 20 minutes.” He came over with a pizza and put on a new movie he had heard about to cheer me up. A ad for the US army popped up and I got a idea, my career was going no where and my girl was gone. “Gene, I think I might enlist.” “Really, Anthony?” “Think about it, my job fired me, my girl left, my career failed. What do I have left to lose?” “Then I’m coming with you.” “Seriously?” “Seriously.” “Okay.”