Page 11 of Salute, To Bravery
Rehan
T he thunder of artillery fire sounds intermittently in the distance as I’m led out to a convoy of vehicles.
The staccato rhythm of marching soldiers and the clanking of war machinery fill the air, intensifying the sense of urgency pulsing through the camp.
The guards are tense, their fingers resting near the triggers of their weapons and their eyes darting around alertly.
I look for Harper, but there’s no sign of her. My heart deflates, but I understand. I don’t think I could stay strong if I saw her again. We’ve said our goodbyes. The memory of her lips on mine when we kissed will get me through whatever happens next.
I’m placed in a heavily armored vehicle in the middle of the convoy. The interior is cramped and smells of oil and metal, and the hard benches are unforgiving against my back that’s sore from sleeping on the cot.
Through the small, barred window of the transport, I watch the camp disappear from view behind us, replaced by the muted greens and browns of the countryside.
The convoy moves swiftly, the engines growling like caged beasts eager for release.
I try to steady my breathing to quell the rising tide of anxiety as I think about what is to come.
Suddenly, a sharp, ear-piercing explosion tears through the air.
The convoy halts abruptly as soldiers start shouting commands.
I peer through the window, trying to discern the source of the commotion.
Smoke billows in the distance, and I can just about make out the forms of soldiers scrambling into defensive positions.
“This is it. This is where all my hopes end,” I mutter under my breath, preparing myself for my fate.
Another explosion rocks the ground near us, closer this time, and an increased sense of urgency sets in among the troops.
The rear door of the transport is flung open, and a guard shouts, “Out! Move! Move!”
I’m herded out into the open with the other prisoners, and amid the confusion, we’re ordered to crouch low as we’re taken to what our captors believe is safer ground.
It’s then I notice the approaching infantry, all guns blazing, and several armored vehicles.
The government soldiers are here to rescue my fellow prisoners and capture or kill me.
I scan the area, and suddenly, I see her, Harper. She’s in uniform, her face smeared with dirt and grime, obscuring her identity, but I would recognize her anywhere. She catches my eye and nods subtly as she approaches me.
“Stay close,” she murmurs, pretending to herd me along with the other prisoners.
“I have orders to get you out of here. Your cover is blown. There’s a mole at the base, and these soldiers are coming for you.
The highest authority in my country wants you kept safe so you can continue to negotiate peace. ”
The sound of gunfire persists as Harper leads me away from the main group of prisoners, using the smoke and confusion as cover.
My heart pounds in my chest as we slip through a narrow copse of trees to where a vehicle stands.
The sound of fighting begins to fade as we put some distance between ourselves and the battle that rages.
“We need to keep moving,” Harper says, her voice low but clear, and we both jump into the vehicle. “I’m told you know where to go.”
She has rescued me and is now placing her faith in my ability to get us to safety.
I nod. We move quickly, relying on Harper’s military training along with my directions and our combined knowledge of the terrain. Every so often, she stops and listens intently for any signs of pursuit.
The reality of our situation sinks in. We’ve managed to escape, but we’re still a long way from the village that I know will protect us. We near a derelict house, and Harper checks her watch before she looks at me with a resolute expression.
“We’ll rest here for a few hours, but we can’t stay too long,” she advises as she secures the perimeter. “They’ll come searching for us soon.”
Inside the building, a small, abandoned shack that has seen better days, we finally have a moment to catch our breath. Harper’s gaze meets mine, a mixture of relief and concern evident in her eyes.
“Rehan, I…” she starts, her voice faltering slightly.
“Harper, we made it this far because of you,” I interject, feeling a profound sense of gratitude toward this woman who has risked everything for me. “Whatever happens next, I want you to know—”
She steps closer, her hand reaching out to gently touch my arm. “I know. And I’d do it all again,” she whispers.
Harper’s touch sends shivers down my spine. Her proximity, the intensity of her gaze, and the sincere timbre of her voice charges the air around us with anticipation. For the first time since we met, we are truly alone.
I gently trace the line of her jaw with the fingers of my outstretched hand, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. It’s just the two of us in our own private world.
Harper’s eyes flutter shut at my touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips. When she opens them again, there’s a silent invitation that pulls at my core. I bring her closer until her body is pressing against mine, and the heat of the fire fades in comparison to the heat of her skin.
The kiss, when it comes, is a natural continuation of everything our time together has been building to—tender, slow, and filled with the unspoken words and emotions that have accumulated over the last few days.
It’s a kiss that speaks of a shared understanding, shared pain, and shared joy.
A reaffirmation of every decision that has led to this moment.
As the kiss deepens, our hands explore more earnestly, mapping the contours of our bodies. I feel the rough texture of her uniform against my skin, and the softness of her hair as I slide my fingers through it. Every sensation is heightened, and every touch is a new discovery.
Moving together, we lower ourselves to the ground, the blankets Harper brought with her serving as a makeshift bed. The world outside no longer exists, swallowed up by the night as we continue to explore the newfound territory of each other’s bodies.
Our connection brings an intimacy that goes beyond the physical. We divest each other of our clothes and explore the parts only bared skin allows.
When the moment comes for me to take Harper completely, I do so leisurely, sliding inside her, our eyes locked together. We move with a synchronicity that speaks of a bond that has been forged in hope, tempered in adversity, and now expressed in the most profound connection humans can share.
In this moment, there’s no war, no past, and no future. There’s only the undeniable presence of now. Her breath mingles with mine, and the heartbeat I can feel against my chest mirrors my own as our movements become more urgent.
Harper cries out in bliss as I bury myself deep within her and sound my own release.
As we lie there in each other’s arms, the peacefulness of the scene is in stark contrast to the turmoil that has brought us here. In that peace, there’s a sense of rightness. As if, despite everything, or maybe because of it, we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
We’ve found each other, and together, we’re going to change the world order.