Captive

Chapter 1: The Town

Thomas

War has put me miles away from the place I call home trapped in a foreign land. My company rests in the town of Pont-Du Lafayette on the eastern outskirts of the country of France. My country, The United Kingdom, along with France are at war with Germany. As part of the British Expeditionary Force, we are tasked with defending the country from impending attack from the Germans, though who knows when that will be...

It's February now, five months since our countries declared war on theirs. All we've done so far is play the waiting game. This means I have a lot of free time to do as I pleased. My squad mates and I would play cards in our positions on the outskirts of the village. Till one day, Sean, my friend since primary school, suggested we head into the village.

"Come on Thomas, it'll be fine," he said, "I'll ask the Captain for permission."

"Yeah but what are we going to do?" 

"We'll get a drink and who knows maybe land some French beauties in the town as well ey?" he says this with overwhelming confidence.

"Alright alright, whatever you say Sean, lets just stay out of trouble in there."

"Ah don't worry 'bout it, I'll grab some of the other lads, ask the captain, and let's be on our way alright?"

As our squad walked through the town, the mood it sets off is much like there wasn't a war going on anyway. Lights filled the dark streets and people are going on their everyday lives as normal.

"See this wasn't a bad idea after all ey?" Sean says

"Yeah it isn't I guess..." 

Sean  has always had my back ever since. From beating up bullies to enlisting in the army. I don't know what I'd ever do without him. As rowdy as he may be sometimes, he is my best mate for life. Where he goes, I go, and I know he'd do the same. 

"Oi Sean! Let's get hammered till we can't stand anymore mate!" shouts James 

That's James Madison, he's a part of our squad. He's a spoiled know it all who thinks he's above the law. He's an Aussie-Briton who comes from a wealthy family. However, because of his insubordination in school and domestically, his parents threw him in the army. I personally don't like him but he's the best in terms of weaponry. 

"Thom-ass stop being a wuss and loosen up a lil' ey?" he laughs wholeheartedly and to be honest I hate it, but I just let it slide

"Knock it off James, don't be rude to Thomas like that!" says Daniel from the back of the group

Daniel Crawford, our 4th and final squad member, the medic of our squad. He's disciplined and an intellectual. He's someone I kinda look up to especially because he's the oldest among us. He treats us all equally and we've been acquainted ever since boot camp. Though he likes keeping to himself, I know one way or another he enjoys our company somehow. 

"Ahhh I'm just kidding around with Thom-ass here, I mean no harm right Thom-ass?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say James." I said

"Lads lads lads knock it off alright? Let's just head into that tavern over there, get some drinks, have a bloody blast and if we're bloody lucky, get some lassies alright? Sean says sternly.

We walk in the tavern and the townsfolk look at us indifferently. We sit down and grab some drinks just as planned. I personally don't drink a lot, it's not my thing, but do they sure love it.

"CHEERS LADS, TO A QUICK END TO THIS WAR AND TO US!" Sean screams a the top of his lungs

"CHEERS TO THAT MATE!" echoes James

We drink and drink and drink, though I was long done before the 3rd round. I wanted to explore this town a bit more but I don't think I'll do that in here.

"Hey Sean, I'm a step out for a bit alright?"

"Oi oi oi come onnn Thomas, don't leave us mate. Sit downnn have a drinkkk"

It's obvious he's absolutely drunk already, and so was James

"HA HA HA YOU'RE A BLOODY WUSS THOM-ASS, YOU CAN'T HANDLE A LIL' ALCOHOL CAN'T YA!" James shouts

"Yeah I guess I can't huh," i said sarcastically "whatever, I'm going"

"Don't worry about them Thomas, I'll deal with 'em," Daniel says reassuringly "just come back to the tent before the scheduled time."

"Thanks Daniel, I'll be there on time, don't worry about it."

I stand up and leave the tavern to walk around the town. It seems so peaceful here and the people here are definitely well off.  'This is way different from the slums' I mutter.  I gaze at the lax nature that this town has. 

All of a sudden something catches my attention. At the corner of my eye I see a girl standing alone beneath a well lit street light. Her golden blonde hair shined even greater under the lights influence. She leaned on the lamp as if she were waiting for someone. Wounds and bruises filled her skin as she rest but he post. I was suddenly drawn to walk a little closer, to investigate. I walk closer and closer and closer... till suddenly she looked at me with her pearl blue eyes and said

"Qui etes vous?" (who are you?)