No Soldier Left Behind and Other Stories, page 1
No soldier left behind and other stories
Hester Martinez
Copyright © Hester Martinez, 2023
All Rights Reserved
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
The stories, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND
TRUSTING IN LOVE
Peaceful Poison
About the Author
NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND
A Squealing sound from his bed awakes Campbell, 37, tattoos cover his body, scars from war fill his face. He jumps up, grabs his military blues, and throws them on. A Knock fills the room, he pulls the doorknob open. Commander Rodriguez, 40, veins pop out of his arms, stern look across his face, tough, stands in front of him, handcuffs ready. Campbell Huffs and extends his arms to Rodriguez. Campbell stands outside the court room, he makes his way to the doors. As he enters voices of soldiers and staff powerfully echos in the court, soldiers sit in the jury section alert and ready for the trial. American flag grabs Campbell’s attention, his eyes well up with sorrow as he understands this could be the end of his career. A court reporter, 25, brunette, glasses on her face, sits in front of the judge’s seat at her desk as she arranges papers for the trial. Commander Rodriguez uncuffs Campbell, he pulls out the chair from the counsel table and sits.
Judge Ruiz, 49, white greasy hair, in a black robe-like gown, walks up to the bench and sits. Campbell turns pale as he hears the words from Ruiz. “At this time, we will have our opening statements from each side, evidence will be brought forward, and issues for our jury to decide.”
Campbell’s military defense lawyer, Brown, 39, First Lieutenant, suit and tie, file in his hands, starts to present his case. “Your honor, my client is innocent of all charges. There is no proof he shot the Syrian boy on purpose.” Brown holds up the file in his hand. “He underwent an order given to him by his superiors to shoot whatever moves.” Campbell covers his face with his hands as he weeps. Brown makes his case and the judge calls on the prosecutor to make her case.
Spain, 38, business attire, holds a bag with a small shoe. “Your honor soldier Campbell is guilty. I hold in my hands a small piece of evidence connected to the murder of the Syrian boy.”
Campbell screams as each tear hits his medals on his blues. “I didn’t kill him on purpose!”
Brown advises Campbell to sit before he makes the case worse. Judge Ruiz exclaims, “The court will resume tomorrow morning.” Campbell storms out of the court room as he wipes his tears, Brown follows and lays his hand on Campbell’s shoulder. “Son, you’re making this case harder on yourself, we both know you were only following orders.” Campbell drops down to the floor, his back against the wall. “My career is over if they conclude I’m guilty.” Exclaims Campbell. Brown hands Campbell his handkerchief. “Get up, clean yourself, go to your barracks get rest and when I see you again, you better be acting like man who earned those metals on your blues.” Utters Brown.
Over a course of four days, more evidence comes forward. In the court room, a fifty-inch screen television sits on a rolling cart. Campbell breaks out in a sweat. Spain presents the last piece of evidence, she turns the TV on and a video starts to play. Video footage shows Campbell in position at the top of a building, sniper rifle on hand ready to shoot. “Fire at anything that moves Sergeant.” Silence fills the court room as everyone stares at the TV. The video shows soldiers yell for help as a BOOM fills the air and fire and dust is all anyone sees. GASP from everyone in the court room SHATTERS the silence in the room. Campbell is seen crying in the video. Over the radio comes a voice, “MAY-DAY! We need Medivac now!” The video shows Campbell say, “For my brothers, may you never see the light of day.” SWOOSH, bullet casings falls from the sniper rifle. Campbell is shown striking every Syrian civilian on the ground, as he names each one of the soldiers being airlifted on the Blackhawk. The video zooms in “For Williams, Rivera, Smith, Johnson, Garcia, Miller, Davis, rest in peace brothers.” Video cuts off. Judge Ruiz has made his final decision. “I find Sergeant Campbell innocent,” Says Ruiz. Brown WHISPERS to Campbell, “You brought them justice.” Campbell smiles and walks out of the building into oncoming traffic, WHISPERING to himself, “I’m coming home brothers, Hooah.”
Campbell lies on the street, dead. Citizens, military officials surround his body. Campbell is greeted by his brothers as they walk towards the gates of heaven.
TRUSTING IN LOVE
Eli’s heart is set on proposing to Nicole, and he wants the moment to be unforgettable. He has been working hard on the perfect idea for a romantic and memorable proposal. For Eli, Nicole is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with, and he is excited to take this next step in their relationship. He cannot wait to see her face when he asks her to be his wife. Eli is confident that they are meant to be together and looks forward to spending the rest of his life with her.
“Today is the big day,” Eli said with excitement and nerves.
With a gentle touch, Eli lifts the lid of the ring box, revealing a cushioned interior. With careful precision, he removes the ring form its resting place and holds it delicately in his hand.
“This ring was made for Nicole. I hope she likes it,” Eli whispered to himself with a smile.
He had carefully chosen the ring, ensuring it was perfect for her. Eli could not wait to see the look on Nicole’s face when she saw it. He knew she would love it as much as he loved her.
The red-infused ring gleams in the light, its beauty and significance not lost on him. He takes a moment to admire the intricate details of the ring before placing it back in the box. Eli can hardly contain his nerves as he thinks about proposing. He wants everything to be perfect, from the location to his words. He loves his partner and wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
Eli was determined to make it to his proposal to Nicole on time. He understood that every second counted and he couldn’t afford to be late.
“But what is she says no?” Eli takes a deep breath and reminds himself that he and his partner have talked about marriage and that things have been going well. He tries to push aside his worries and focus on the joy and excitement of what will come.
As Eli drove to the festival, he could not help but think about what he would say to Nicole. He wanted to ensure he expressed himself clearly and did not leave anything out. He rehearsed his words in his head over and over again, trying to find the perfect way to convey his feelings.
“Nicole I love you. You make me a better person, and I cannot imagine my life without you,” Eli said with a heartfelt tone. He meant every word he said, and his love for Nicole was evident in his voice. He hoped his words would convey how much she meant to him and how much he cherished her.
Eli’s mind suddenly drifts back to the day he first laid eyes on Nicole. The vivid memory of her gentle smile fills his warm heart, and he cannot help but feel a sense of joy. How she looked at him at that moment made his heart skip a beat, and he knew beyond any doubt that he was in love. The memory still brings a smile to his face, and he feels grateful for the chance to have met such a fantastic person. Eli cannot help but smile as he thinks back to the day he met Nicole. He remembers the bright red sneakers she was wearing and how he could not resist asking her about them. Little did he know that simple conversation would lead to something so much more. Their love story began with those red sneakers, and Eli is grateful for every moment they have shared since then.
Eli’s heart was racing as he searched through his pockets. He had left the ring box at home, and his proposal plans seemed slipping away. Nevertheless, he spotted a beautiful white rose in a nearby garden, and an idea came to him. He carefully picked the rose and placed the engagement ring on top, creating a makeshift ring box that was as heartfelt and meaningful as the real thing.
“This is even better than the box,” Eli exclaimed with a smile as he looked at the beautiful rose adorned with the engagement ring.
Despite his nerves, he could not wait to see her and tell her how much she meant to him. Eli had eagerly anticipated the festival for weeks, but his excitement was dampened upon arrival when he could not locate Nicole. He could not spot her amongst the sea of people despite scanning the crowded grounds with increasing anxiety. Worried, he decided to call her, but his heart sank when her phone went straight to voicemail. Determined not to give up, he persisted in his search, hoping to reunite with Nicole soon.
Eli muttered, “Come on, she has to be around here somewhere.”
As he navigates the crowd of people, his attention is drawn to the sound of Nicole’s voice. He feels a magnetic pull towards her and follows the sound until he stands beside her. She greets him with a smile, and his heart flutters with excitement. The influence of one person’s voice on him is truly remarkable.
Eli fixed his eyes on the “Happily ever after” prize, hoping it would somehow end up in his hands. He could not help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as if the entire night had been leading up to this moment. With each passing second, his heart beat faster and faster, and he could not help but wonder what would happen
“Hey Eli, you’re here!” Nicole exclaimed with a smile as she caught sight of him.
Eli’s nerves caught up to him, and he could not get a word out. He felt his palms getting sweaty and his heart racing faster than ever before. He tried to take a deep breath and calm down, but it did not work. He felt he would make a fool of himself in front of everyone. Not until his friend Sam put a reassuring hand on his shoulder could he finally speak up and address Nicole.
Eli cleared his throat and took a deep breath as he turned to face Nicole. The crowd around them fell silent, eagerly waiting to hear what he had to say. Eli could not help but feel nervous under all the scrutiny, but he knew this was his chance to tell Nicole how he felt finally. Taking another deep breath, he began to speak, his words tumbling out in a rush as he poured out his heart to her. As he spoke, he could feel the weight of the crowd’s attention lifting from his shoulders, replaced with a sense of relief and joy at finally being able to express his true feelings.
“Nicole, you hold a special place in my heart. I knew from the moment we met that you were the one for me. You have helped me grow and become a better person. Your presence illuminates any space, and I greatly admire your honesty and vulnerability. Being married to a police officer will not be easy, but I vow always to cherish and protect you. Nicole, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He speaks.
Nicole’s heart was pierced by the stunning ring Eli revealed from the beautiful white rose box he had made. Her eyes lit up with joy, and tears streamed down her face as she whispered the words he had been waiting for,
“Yes, my love.”
The air was filled with cheers and applause as Eli slipped the ring onto Nicole’s finger, sealing their love in front of their friends and family. The joyous atmosphere was contagious, and the couple could not help but grin from ear to ear as they basked in the warmth of their loved one’s support. It was a moment they would never forget, a memory that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. A loud but warm voice came over the PA system,
“Good evening, ladies, and gentlemen. I am pleased to announce the Happily Ever After prize winner. The winner is Eli. Congratulations, Eli, we wish you and Nicole many more years of love and happiness together. Thank you.”
Nicole could see Eli’s look of surprise and excitement as he opened the package. She knew how much this gift meant to him. Eli carefully took out the voucher, and his eyes widened even more as he read it.
“We are going to have the time of our lives,” he whispered to Nicole, his gratefulness evident in his tone as he hugged her tightly. It was clear to Nicole that this honeymoon trip would be an unforgettable experience for both.
Peaceful Poison
The sound of machines beeping left and right filled the room, as did the sight of nurses and doctors roaming the floor. The poison was spreading throughout her body faster than ever before. Why didn't she follow the physicians' advice and get the suggested treatment? Nothing bothered her more than a life of agony and suffering. Vanessa was ready for what was to come. She was eagerly anticipating a life free of pain, knowing that soon the battle would be over and that serenity was knocking at her door, ready to take her away. Her nephew sat by her, desperate to assist find a remedy to the poison.
Her nephew said, "I will never comprehend your composure with death."
"Why should I panic?" Vanessa responded.
"Perhaps because you have cancer!" Her nephew shouted.
He became increasingly irritated because he could not comprehend how someone who had the possibility to get better should welcome death with open arms.
"You really intend to give up? You don't want treatment?" Her nephew exclaimed.
"What you refer to as giving up, I refer to as retiring my body." Vanessa chuckled.
Her nephew became even more enraged, unable to see how someone could find amusement in death. Vanessa grasped his hand from her deathbed and comforted him that life is too short to worry about things over which you have no control. He realized what she meant as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"You have to be a real lunatic to want to die," her nephew added.
His eyes welled up with tears as he realized time was running out. She gave him a pleasant grin and then told him that he obey her wishes.
"What if you accept the life-saving treatment in exchange for my vow to do whatever you want or need? Please." Her nephew stated.
"That will be a no from me. I have to let it run its course, honey, as much as I love you. And I've already told you a hundred times that I don't want treatment." She spoke up.
"I understand, but..."
"But nothing. It is my choice, and I am weary of everyone pushing me to get treatment because it is too late and I do not want it. You can either stay with me while I die or leave." She spoke up.
"I love you even if you're a lunatic." Her nephew said this as he grabbed the chair next to her bed.
Smiling, she felt a stinging pain in her breast again. As the sun set, she realized she was getting closer to peace one second at a time.
She was a family woman who made every effort to spend as much time with her children as possible. She began reminiscing about the events that would soon become memories. Her and her husband dancing at Christmas parties, children laughing and playing, and her cooking with everyone. However, there was one recollection that made her smile.
It was the holiday season. Snow covered the streets, children's laughter filled her ears, and the aroma of gingerbread houses baking filled her nose. On the porch, she finds herself seated next to her spouse, sipping hot cocoa. Her husband returns her smile.
"How's your hot cocoa coming along? Is it warm enough? Should I go get some more marshmallows?"
"No, sweetheart, it is flawless. Similar to you." Vanessa explained.
"I understand we don't have much time left, but I wouldn't want to spend Christmas any other way."
"Let's not go into deployment; I want to spend your vacation with you, not your job." She spoke up.
"Okay, love, but when I come back, you're going to hear all about my deployment," he continued quietly, laughing.
She rolled her eyes and laughed some more. She went inside to begin preparing the food for the Christmas meal. As the sun began to fall, she finished the coquito while her husband finished setting the table. That evening, she was in her happiest place, with family gathered around the table, children running around the house, and Christmas music playing. She was happy with her life. That was a memory she will cherish for the rest of her life.
She made herself comfortable in her bed and fell fast asleep and the thought of a new life in a place with no pain played like a symphony in her mind. She smiled and exhaled her final breath.
As she died gently in her sleep, as she had always desired. She found herself staring down at her lifeless body. No physicians or nurses had arrived yet, and time seemed to have slowed significantly. Seconds became minutes.
"Time really moves differently here," Vanessa observed.
"Hey, love," said a uniformed man.
She moved closer to the door, where the man was standing, perplexed. As she got closer, she noticed a familiar face. She expected to be met by the angel of death, but it turned out that her husband was the one standing at the entrance, waiting for her.
"Holy crap!" She yelled.
"I missed you, honey," her husband laughed, "and I'm sorry I never came home to tell you about my deployment."
He started walking toward Vanessa and extended his hand to guide her to the world she had imagined. She took one last look at her body, sighed, and took her husband's hand in hers, saying, "Lead the way."
About the Author
Hester is a Novelist and student at Full Sail University obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. Her passion lies in the creation of literature in the Romance, Romcoms, Fantasy, Mystery, and Religious genres. What sets her writing apart is her ability to expertly craft stories that transport readers into a world of their own, offering them a delightful escape from reality. If you are interested in exploring Hester’s literary works or getting in touch with her directly.
