Page 14 of Salute, To Bravery

Harper

T he dense underbrush of the wood offers us concealment, but it’s also a hindrance as Rehan and I move stealthily, keeping our profiles low to avoid detection.

The rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot are the only sounds that accompany us, aside from our controlled breaths.

The sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting elongated shadows that merge with the darkness of the tree branches overhead. I adjust the strap of my rifle, the familiar weight slung over my shoulder a reassuring feeling amid the uncertainty. Rehan is a silent shadow beside me.

We finally reach the vantage point and start scanning the area for the men in uniform as well as any unknown risks.

“There,” Rehan murmurs, pointing slightly to the northwest.

Through my binoculars, I catch a faint glimmer of metal. It’s another vehicle, possibly military, obscured partially by the trees. I know the villagers are completely trustworthy, but it looks like someone has informed these soldiers of our presence in the vicinity.

“They’re stationary. Could be planning their next move.

” I hand Rehan the binoculars, my mind racing through our options.

“If they are the enemy and part of an organized search party, we’re at risk of being discovered.

We need to camouflage our position and set up a warning system to alert us to their approach.

I wish I could see who is down there. I can’t even tell their nationality from here. ”

“They are dressed in Western uniform.”

“But that doesn’t mean anything unless I see someone I know and trust.”

Quickly, we begin the work of concealing our location.

We lay out a pattern of devices connected to small, improvised noise makers—nothing lethal, but enough to give us a warning.

I check my rifle, ensuring it’s loaded and ready, while Rehan prepares a fallback position, an extra precaution should we need to retreat.

“Harper,” Rehan whispers softly. “Whatever happens, I want you to know I’ll never regret the decisions I’ve made that have led me here with you.”

I look at him, the depth of my feelings for him swelling in my chest. “Me neither. We stand together. No matter what.”

Our eyes lock, and in that moment, a weighty understanding passes between us. It’s more than a commitment. It’s a confession. It speaks of a deep, resolute love that has been forged and strengthened in adversity.

The crunch of undergrowth followed by the detonation of one of our noise makers alerts us to someone approaching. I raise my rifle, sighting down the barrel as several uniformed soldiers emerge from the tree line. Rehan stands beside me, his own weapon at the ready.

The figures halt, and a voice calls out in perfect English, “Lower your weapons. We’re US military.”

Rehan and I keep our rifles trained on the men in front of us.

“Stay where you are!” I call out in response, my voice authoritative.

The standoff lasts for a tense few moments until one figure steps forward, hands raised. “Captain Riley. Major Anderson sent me.”

Skeptical, I keep a defensive position, my finger steady on the trigger. If my battalion lost the battle, Major Anderson could have been compromised.

“What did he tell you?” I question.

“We’re here to take you to safety.”

Rehan and I exchange a glance. Can we trust them?

“Give us a moment,” Rehan calls out, his voice steady.

The officer exchanges wary glances with the soldiers behind him, but respecting Rehan’s request, they all remain where they’re standing.

I step closer to Rehan, lowering my voice to make sure only he can hear.

“What do you think?” I ask, searching his eyes for any doubt or fear.

Rehan takes a deep breath, his expression solemn when he says, “It’s impossible to know their true intentions, and we could’ve been betrayed. From here they look like US military, but I don’t recognize any of them, and I’m assuming neither do you.”

I shake my head.

As we stand in whispered conference, the officer bends down and places a folder on the ground before stepping back.

“This is for you, Captain Riley, I’ve been authorised to release it to you, to show you I can be trusted,” he calls out from where he’s standing a few feet from the folder. His hands are raised and weaponless.

I glance at Rehan, a questioning look in my eyes, then moving cautiously with my weapon trained on the unarmed officer, I retrieve the folder before returning to Rehan’s side to open it.

Inside, there are a number of documents and a letter, all of which we examine in the dwindling daylight using the illumination of my flashlight.

Reading the contents, I feel a complex wave of emotions sweeping through me.

“Rehan, these are about Jamie, my brother,” I say, my voice tinged with a mixture of shock and realization. “It says here that he was also involved in secret negotiations, working with both sides to find a peaceful solution to the war. He wanted to facilitate an end to the conflict.”

The information causes me to visibly shake, the papers trembling in my grasp. “He believed in peace, truly believed in it. And he was trying to make it happen.”

Rehan takes my hand and squeezes it gently. “He was trying to change the future. Maybe he would’ve succeeded if he hadn’t been killed. My mother also died believing in peace. It’s the reason I took on the negotiator role.”

Wiping away a tear that slips down my cheek, I look up with renewed determination. “If Jamie believed we could make peace and your mother died hoping for a different kind of future, then we owe it to both of them to try. Maybe we can stop other families experiencing what we had to.”

“We need to trust these men and have faith that our negotiations will finally bring about an end to this conflict,” Rehan agrees.

I feel a renewed sense of purpose, fueled by the revelations about Jamie and the sacrifice of Rehan’s mother.

“We’re ready to talk,” I announce, my voice steadier than before, and we place our weapons down on the ground and step away from them.

The soldiers opposite us do the same. The standoff ended, the officer, a man with the stance of a seasoned commander, steps forward to greet us.

“I’m Colonel Ford, and on behalf of the US government, I have been instructed to discuss the terms of peace proposed by Rehan Haddad,” he introduces himself.

Then he turns to me and says, “I knew Jamie. I was his commanding officer. He spoke often of his younger sister. Your brother hoped for peace and believed that both sides could come to an understanding to end this war. Sadly, it cost him his life and has taken many more years and countless lives to get to this point.”

Listening to him, I nod solemnly. “And you believe in this peace?”

“I do,” Colonel Ford replies earnestly. “Too many of us have seen too much. Lost too much. It’s time for this conflict to end.”

The detailed discussion that ensues touches on ceasefires, safe passages, and rebuilding what has been destroyed during the war. It’s laden with the intricacies of reconciliation but underscored by a mutual desire for peace.

When the meeting concludes, the colonel extends his hand to Rehan.

“I’ll take these proposals to my superiors.

I’m confident we’ll be able to work with the opposition party you represent to bring down the current regime.

Together, we’ll secure a peaceful future for your brother, Captain Riley, and for all those who have sacrificed their lives and suffered on both sides. ”

“We’ll hold you to that, Sir,” I respond before Rehan and I shake hands with the colonel.

As we walk back toward the village, Rehan intertwines his fingers with mine, and I rest my head against his shoulder.

“For Jamie, for your mother, and for those who have suffered,” I whisper.

“For all of them,” Rehan echoes, knowing that the road ahead will be challenging but also filled with the promise of peace. A promise that we’re now more determined than ever to achieve.