I miss you. With each setting of the sun, the loneliness creeps closer. I cannot sleep without you, Angel, when I知 so far away. I wish with all my heart that I could be home with you, but I知 needed here as well.
The crack of a series of rifle shots shattered his thoughts. The vision of his bride, Angel, vanished into the bitter reality of war. He shook his head to clear the fog, and then continued.
Last night there was another raid on our camp. Tonight is our time to strike back. I知 trying to find the meaning of all this; I know that if things continue as they have, I値l die for a cause which I have no belief in. I cannot escape; I cannot free myself from these shackles. I want nothing more than to come home to you and our beautiful girl, Michelle. I知 sorry that I could not be there on the day our child was born.
He sighed softly, and a pain of regret shot through his body. He had so much to tell her, and an unexplainable dread in the depths of his soul whispered that the end was near. The war had not paled; its intensity was stronger with each battle, yet neither side seemed able to deliver the final defeat: the last strike that would take thousands of lives but save countless others. Chase was no stranger to death. His soul would be forever stained with the blood of those he壇 slaughtered for the cause. The scars on his young heart could never heal.
I could say, "I love you," a hundred times, but as for proof, I have none. I would sign this letter with the blood from my wrist if it would convince you that my heart eternally beats for you. Even after my body has ceased, my love for you will not end.
I cannot ask you to wait for me; if I pass from this Earth, I want you to find another to take care of you and little Michelle. I pray that he will be good to you and that you will learn to love him, but I hope that you'll not forget me. I know that I could never forget my Angel.
Farewell, my love...
Always,
Chase
As he folded the letter and slid it into its sheath, the tears he had repressed for so long spilled onto his cheeks. He cried for his love and his daughter, the beautiful child he had seen only in photographs. He scrawled her address on the envelope through bloodshot eyes, and laid his head upon the letter. Weeping softly, he drifted to sleep.
Hours later, a fellow soldier ducked into the tent. He shook Chase gently. The raid was on. Hundreds of armed men had already gathered, prepared to strike. Setting the letter on his bedroll, Chase joined them. The mission proved to be his last.
The remnants of his company stumbled back to camp at dawn. The strongest of these went about the task of clearing the tents of the deceased. A young soldier spied the letter on the bedroll and handed it to his friend.
"I'll send it out with today's things," he said softly.
The first soldier forced a weak smile. The stabbing pain of the sight of death was evident in his eyes. He had no words to justify this fear. Silently, the soldiers moved to the next tent.
