We never know when we might leave this world. We can't leave things for tomorrow without knowing what will happen today.
[Dream after the crash]
—Traytros...
Someone was calling my name. I was in some kind of dark space, where voices repeated it over and over. Then, a mysterious voice whispered:
—We've tried to reach you... you must stop it...
—What? Stop what? —I asked.
Shapeless figures began to approach. They spoke:
—You must prevent the destruction!
Just as they were about to touch me, a blinding white light consumed everything.
I woke up inside the wrecked helicopter. I tried to stand up, but my body ached all over. Around me, the pilots were dead. A constant ringing echoed in my ears. In the distance, I could hear gunfire.
Someone was running toward me, shouting.
It was Frederick.
—Traytros! Are you okay? Get up, man! We're under attack!
He dragged me behind the helicopter.
—Pull yourself together. Conor and I are trying to suppress enemy fire.
He left me there. I was still trying to get my thoughts straight so I could help. But... I still heard those voices in my head.
Slowly, I recovered some strength. I got up and moved toward them.
Two planes flew overhead.
They dropped bombs in the city center. The explosion was so massive, the shockwave reached us. The noise was deafening. Several buildings began to collapse.
Frederick turned and shouted:
—Traytros, move away!
Debris started falling from the sky. One of the nearby buildings began to completely collapse.
I tried to run, but I tripped and fell. I crawled backward desperately. The building crashed down and a thick cloud of dust engulfed me.
Luckily, it didn't land on top of me.
I grabbed my weapon and stood up. The collapse had separated us. I couldn't see Frederick or Conor anymore.
I didn't know what to do... or what orders to follow.
Then, Frederick spoke through the radio.
—Traytros, do you copy? Are you alright?
—Captain... yes, I'm okay —I replied.
—Good. Plans have changed. That building split us up. Conor and I will try to make our way to the airfield. It's a bit far. I need you to destroy the helicopter so our tech doesn't fall into enemy hands. You'll be on your own now... Be careful, Traytros. Over and out.
Alone again.
I approached the helicopter to place the charge. I saw the lifeless bodies of the pilots. I wasn't the cause of their deaths, but I couldn't help feeling guilty. I paused for a moment, looked at them, and silently asked for forgiveness.
Then I walked away.
Once I was at a safe distance, I detonated the charge.
The helicopter exploded. The flames consumed it until nothing remained.
I gripped my weapon... and moved on.
As I advanced through a dark street, I saw a military convoy approaching. I pressed against a wall, trying to hide, but their headlights lit everything up.
Suddenly, someone pulled me inside a ruined house. I landed on my back. As I tried to get up, a girl quickly approached and gestured:
—Shhh...
I stayed quiet. Outside, the convoy passed. Multiple vehicles. Practically an army.
The house was nearly destroyed. I got up as best I could. She said:
—Follow me if you want to live.
We jogged through narrow hallways, like a maze of an abandoned town. She aimed in every direction.
I followed her. I didn't know where she was taking me, but she'd saved me, so I assumed she wasn't an enemy.
At a corner, we stopped. Another convoy passed. We hid quickly.
—Shit —she muttered—. These guys control everything. How did they advance this fast?
Thinking out loud, she added:
—Come. This way.
—Are you part of the reinforcements? —she asked while we moved.
—I guess so.
—Where are the others?
—Three of us came first... but the helicopter was shot down. We had to split up.
—Only three? That's all the government sent?
—More will come... but they can't get in until we clear the airfield.
—Then they'll never come. The airfield is one of the most heavily attacked zones.
Was fighting even possible? What the hell was going on?
—We're almost there —she warned—. Lower your weapon when we go in... or they'll shoot you on sight.
We arrived at a ruined church. It looked like a makeshift shelter. She whistled. A hatch opened.
—Get in, quick —a soldier said.
Once inside, they looked at me with suspicion.
—Who's he?
—He's part of the reinforcements —the girl replied.
—This is the help? Seriously… you're kidding me.
—No.
—What the hell is one rookie soldier going to do against a damn army? This is the government's help!?
—I brought him here. He was alone. His helicopter went down. Others came with him. I need to take him to Marcus. He'll know what to do.
—Well... Marcus is probably going to blow up at this joke, but let's hope you're useful.
We walked through the church.
There were civilians. Injured. Women, children. Screams, crying, the stench of dust and blood. Some soldiers were using broken doors as makeshift stretchers. The atmosphere was thick and suffocating.
The girl knocked on the door of a shed in the back.
We went in.
She approached a man.
—Marcus, I have news. I found this soldier. He's from the capital.
Marcus looked at me with distrust.
—Where are the others?
—Some died. Others are fighting their way to the airfield. A collapse split us up.
—Bah… I don't buy it. What were your orders?
—Everything changed. But the last order I received was to reach the airfield so reinforcements could arrive.
—The airfield? That area's under constant attack. Can't you pick a better spot?
—No. We don't have intel on any other safe place. We've lost all communication. The towers were taken. We didn't know what we were walking into. We got shot down because of that.
—So you're saying your teammates are headed there...
—Yes.
Marcus stood in silence, thinking.
I couldn't sit still knowing they were walking into a trap.
—Please —I said—. My teammates are heading into a no-return zone. They'll die! Our captain is with them. If he dies… everything gets harder.
—Who's your captain?
—Captain Frederick. He risks his life for his soldiers. That's why he came first. What leader does that? Risking himself for no reason?
Marcus looked at me silently. Finally, he spoke:
—We'll help you reach your team and take back the airfield. But you must promise that, when this is over, you'll help my people.
He extended his hand.
I shook it without hesitation.
—We will —I promised.
And just like that, we made a pact.
I reached an agreement with Marcus and his group. They promised to help us, as long as we did the same for them. It wasn't hard to accept—after all, we came here by choice... but it wasn't the time to tell them the government had abandoned them.
They grabbed their weapons and started heading out.
As we left the shed, Marcus said:
—Támara, tell the others we're heading to the airfield. The rest should stay to protect the civilians.
So… the girl who saved me was named Támara.
Before leaving the church, I took a moment to observe the place. There were holes in the ceiling, cracks everywhere, signs of explosions.
I saw some kids playing among the rubble. One of them stared at me. He wasn't smiling. He wasn't afraid. He just... looked at me.
As I kept walking, I noticed more details. These weren't all soldiers. Many were just fighting to protect their loved ones. Volunteers. Fathers. Brothers. Civilians.
And at that moment… my hope in humanity returned.
After so much betrayal, lies, and death… I saw that there were still people willing to risk everything to protect others.
Am I in the right place?
Maybe.
But once again… I'm leading others into death.
From this battle… sadly, not all of us will make it out alive.
Vehicles arrived. We climbed in.
—You and Támara, with me in this truck —Marcus ordered—. Let's move!
Támara walked past me, looked me in the eye, and said:
—You heard him. Let's go.
God... I only ask that you protect these souls, forgive our actions… and bless our path.
Hold on, boys.
Here we come.
This doesn't end here….