As the hours passed by going from Drunard to the front.
I couldn't get off this looming sensation.
Probably some sort of paranoia about the war.
Looking out the window.
The sun was slowly about to set.
The orange light spread through the blue sky.
As we passed by villages and greeneries.
Looking back inside.
Most of us were asleep from the long travel.
And the few people that were awake were playing with cards.
As I gazed upon them, I saw Hermann with a gloomy face.
Just looking out the window.
"You know... why didn't say goodbye to your parents?" I asked.
"Hm? Oh... well it is sort of personal."
"Oh, I'm sorry for asking."
"No, no, no... its alright. It just that um... they were just horrible people honestly. They've always preferred my younger sister. One time, I asked them for help and they didn't even dare to look at me in the eyes." He lightly chuckled at himself.
"Hmm, you ever envied your sister with the love she gets?" I questioned.
"Actually, no. I've loved my sister. I thought that maybe it was I or some part of me that they couldn't love me. Which is stupid now that I think about it." Holding his laugh.
"Heh, it was. Your parents obviously didn't gave a damn about you." I replied.
"I know, if only that I knew that long ago..."
"I've always wondered. Why did you beat me up?"
"... I... I don't wanna answer that now... just... not the time." He said.
I let out a sigh and nodded.
"I understand."
"Heh... thanks."
We stayed quiet, not even looking at each other after the conversation.
"The fuck were you two talking about?"
The words unexpectedly jumped me.
Turning my neck, it was Amelia who said it.
"Oh, um... nothing." I chuckled weakly.
But she just gave a sharp glare before also looking at Hermann as well who was also as equally terrified as me.
Soon, she dropped her act and returned to her position.
"Alright then."
She crossed her arms and continuously glared at both of us.
"Could you please stop glaring at us? It's uncomfortable." I asked.
But she just glared her eyes even sharper.
"Alright." I accepted.
"Everyone, wake up!"
A sudden voice was yelled out at the back train.
Soon, everyone woke up from their peaceful slumber.
Noticing the call.
"We'll be arriving at our destination in 10 minutes. Pack up your things and get ready to leave." The conductor yelled.
I stretched my body.
Pulling my muscles that were dormant for a whole day.
Our squad quickly woke up and packed their gears as well.
"My lord, I was having the most beautiful dream ever before it all tumbled down." Tobias sounded.
"If only we had a few more hours left. It would have been so great. AAHH." Lena frustrated.
***
The train tracks screeched as the locomotive stopped.
Before it released a gush of steam out of its pipe.
TooT-TooT
The train loudly whistled in its arrival.
The door opened up and poured out a large mob of recruits.
Coming out was I.
My rifle strapped and my backpack attached.
What I stood before was a ruined town.
Most buildings damaged and decaying.
Rubbles everywhere.
The holes littered the houses.
"Over here!" Someone yelled out.
Looking at the direction of the sound.
A women waved her hands up in the air.
Wearing high ranking uniform.
"That must be our captain." Wesley said next to me.
I nodded in agreement.
We all came in front of her.
Lining up in unison just like we were taught in the camp.
"Oh stop with your tomfoolery. I don't care what you do. Stand down." She said.
We looked at each other in confusion before complying.
"Now that's a lot more like it. My name is Frieda Wilhelmine Hoffman or you can just call me Fred for short as everyone calls me here. I'll be your captain from today onward. And this is your lieutenant, Ernst Heinrich. Come over here!"
She turned around and gestured someone to come over here.
The man in the back slowly came over and revealed himself.
He looked rugged and beaten up.
With droopy dark eyes.
"Hello, I am Ernst Heinrich. First lieutenant, we'll take over from here." he said with a monotone voice.
"Come on! be more happy with your introduction. This is their first time over here in the countryside!" Fred said.
He looked at her in complete annoyance.
"Yeah, right." He said.
"Alright then, deal with it yourself. Just follow me everyone. I'll designate your squad leader." She turned around and walked off.
And all of us followed right behind her.
But when I was also doing the same, a sudden force was pressed on my shoulder.
Turning around, it was Amelia that grabbed me.
"Is something wrong, Amelia?" I asked.
"Look, Lukas. He may look friendly enough but I still don't trust him."
"Who?"
"Hermann! Who did you think it was?"
"Oh come on, Amelia. It has been three years since we last met and you still have superstition over him?" I said.
"But to easily be attached to him? That's the problem almost like you forgave him for what he did to you. Did you forget that he almost killed you!"
"Why the hell would I forgive him!? It's not happening that easily. During times of war, is it really important for us to still hold grudges when death is right in front of us!?"
"Of course not but you easily let go of it. It's probably better to not just talk to him rather than be friends."
"Friends? Since when. You are always so protective. Always worrying about others when it isn't your problem!"
I violently removed her hands from my shoulder.
And without looking back, I just walked off.