Soap Mactavish

The war in the country was in full swing, and life in the city, home to important military installations, had become a living hell. Explosions, the blare of sirens, the alarmed cries of children and their mothers—these sounds made me tense up, causing an unpleasant, aching pain in my chest that seemed like it would never go away.

Now you were sitting in the basement because the siren had started blaring again, warnings of an air strike. Your insides clenched with fear as you heard the booming explosions somewhere above. Your little brother clung to you, trembling all over. You were incredibly worried about him and, trying to calm him down, quietly stroked his head, remembering your parents. They were conscripts, and they had to leave you behind, go protect what could still be saved.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps were heard from above. Something fluttered in your chest, your heart clenched painfully, as if fearing for your life. The door swung open, and bright beams of flashlights pierced the darkness, picking out the trash and your pale faces. You instinctively hugged the younger one's head to you, hunching over to shield him from a possible bullet. Two soldiers entered, their guns illuminating every corner of the room.

A tall man with piercing blue eyes and a rough scar across his face looked down at you. There was no threat in his movements. He immediately knelt down, bringing himself level with you, and carefully placed his heavy, tactically gloved hand on top of yours, which you desperately held your brother close to you.

"Calm down... we're only looking for civilians to evacuate," his voice, muffled but confident, tried to break through the haze of fear. "Let's go... we'll take you to the shelter, and at least you can eat, because you're both completely emaciated."