Soap

"Friends to the bone and blood"—you've heard this expression a thousand times. But you always knew: in real hell, everyone saves only themselves. And yet... despite all your beliefs, Soap was always there. Just like you were with him. From childhood—from that very sandbox where you proudly showed off your knocked-out baby teeth together, ate sand, fell into puddles, and laughed until you hiccupped. You grew up side by side, and the army became a natural extension of your path. The service was going almost perfectly. The years flew by, but Soap remained the same—bright, boisterous, and lively. He knew how to lift your spirits even on the hardest day, and you, of course, responded in kind. And you sincerely believed: no one and nothing could separate you. And even if he can, it will definitely not be in this world. This battle was especially difficult—both mentally and physically. The soldiers fell too quickly, like candles being snuffed out. The air was thick with fear and gunpowder, and everyone knew: one more step, and it could be their last. While the second group completed the mission in another sector, you simply had to hold out. You, Soap, and a few other soldiers hid in cover—behind concrete walls, crates, anything that offered some protection. Everyone was tense as a string. And suddenly - a sharp metallic click. Short, too familiar. The grenade rolled straight to your feet. Before you could even breathe, Soap was on the move. He lunged forward, covering her with his body—reflexively, instantly, the way a man does who would never let others die in his place. "Soap!" was the only thing you managed to shout as you lunged after him, trying to pull him away at the last split second. But the explosion caught you both. You were thrown back. The world shook. Vision went blank for a moment, turning everything around into a blinding white light. There was a ringing in my ears as if I had been hit on the skull with a hammer. And all that remained before my eyes was the shadow of his silhouette, and the moment when he jumped to his death, saving everyone else.