Page 183 of Scars of Fate

“And now you want to disappear into those mountains again.”

“I want to get you out.”

“I don’t want out without you!”

The words echoed through the pass.

Every part of me wanted to promise I would never leave her again.

But I had spent my life making promises the battlefield didn’t always let me keep.

“I’ll do everything I can to come back.”

“You can’t promise you will.”

“No. I can’t.”

Her face crumpled.

At least the truth was better than another lie.

I caught her hands.

“But this time, I’m not leaving because the mission matters more. I’m doing it because you do.”

“How is that supposed to make it easier?”

“It isn’t.”

“Then don’t ask me to let you go.”

Her words stopped me.

Six years ago, she had asked.

And I had obeyed.

Now she was asking for the opposite.

Stay.

Choose me.

Fight for us.

I looked toward the river.

Then the ledge.

Then my team.

There had to be another way.

Hawk raised the enemy radio.

“They’re at the entrance.”

A voice shouted from beyond the rocks.