Short story debate

\~==Jonathan's POV==~/ ***5 Months Ago*** What to do, what to do? He was stuck at an impasse with himself. On the one hand, he wanted stay with his beloved Bethany, yet on the other, if they were found out, he would be sentenced to death and she would be sold to a rich but likely abusive man as a servant, or worse, as a toy to be tossed aside when finished with her. The only thing that may save her would be their baby, if she showed signs of pregnancy before they were done playing with her. But of course, there was no way he could let that fate befall his darling wife. He would have to leave fight and the come back for her after the war. But what if he died in battle? The rule was that any woman without a man to keep her "in check" would be sold to the government. Any woman whose man had gone off to serve the country would be given six months before being sold, but must be able to produce war papers on demand. They assumed after six month if he had not returned, that he had died for a good cause. His wife and children would be sold. No soiled women were allowed to remarry, so she would probably be sold as a slave or something similar. The children would probably receive similar fates, unless a female child was within 3 years of marriage age. If it was her brother or male relative living with her, and she had no other relatives, she would be sold to a man needing a wife. The risk of dying in battle would be far less than the risk of being found out that he skipped the calling. And the consequences would be far less severe also. In any case, what else was there to do? They could try to run away, but there was little chance of getting far. Houses were checked at random and the borders were always patrolled at any time of the day. Tomorrow morning, he would give Bethany the last piece he had of his father, to reassure her that he would come back, even though he wasn't so sure himself whether he would survive or not. ***Now*** *Scene: dusty winds, rough ground, scratchy clothing, parched lips, dry skin, loud gunshots ringing, hot sun beating down* "What can I do, but fight for my life, and fight for the freedom of my Bethany and our baby?" thought Jonathan. Peeking out from behind a large felled tree that had been rotting for quite some time, Jonathan heaved his gun over his shoulder to fire at the enemy once more. He had already reloaded several times, and this was his last clip. After this round, he would be left defenseless. He was slightly crippled in his left leg, as that was brushed by a bullet two months back, though it seemed to be healing quite well since. His fingers were bloody from having to crawl around like rats all the time. The older man hiding next to him reloading his gun stank like fish. Jonathan suspected he himself smelled similar. They had to catch their own food, as the food issued by the military had run out three months ago. They had run out of fresh water about four months ago. The stream nearby all but dried out from the terrible drought. He had left the love of his life five months ago. And just this month, he had been shot at, and had been shooting at strangers, all in the name of fighting for his country. A country that he did not love. A country that all but held him captive. A country that sucked its people dry and gave everything to the wealthy. Jonathan squeezed the trigger again, but his gun only clicked. Damn. He was out of bullets this time, meaning he had to either crawl back to the base on his elbows, or get shot at with no defense when the enemy line inevitably advanced on toward them. Then one thought triggered in the back of his mind. One of the terms. If he were to get seriously injured in war, he would be shipped back to his home town and given a sum of money for his services. To a decent hospital to be treated. To his beloved Bethany. But that was only if he was so seriously injured and not yet dead.... He looked over at his partner and saw him reloading his gun once more. He tapped on his shoulder, not remembering his name. Harvey, or Henry, or something. "Will you shoot me?" Jonathan shouted, above all the ruckus in the background. "What?!" a bewildered face questioned. "I need to be seriously injured to be sent back to my family, so would you mind shooting me in my upper thigh? I'm a newlywed, and we have a child on the way. Please, I beg of you, shoot me...." "You're crazy!" the man shouted back. "Please, I--" "I never said I wouldn't do it, son! I must be just as crazy as you are, but I know young love when I see it, and I know it should be cherished while it's still possible.... Brace yourself, child...." A gunshot. A stinging pain. He passed out. -------------- A/N: The next one will be in Bethany's POV! :D Last round over to PRO!