Chapter 8. Forgo

Winston could hear Finn calling his name - he wanted to

answer, but couldn't. He'd fallen forward onto the ground

and lay unable to move.

He heard Finn running toward him and saw his boots stop

in front of his face. Finn rolled him over and cleared mud

from his mouth.

As Finn check him for wounds, Winston wanted to tell him

he was sorry. He felt the pressure of Finn's hands on his

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chest. "Leave me." he wanted to say. Don't waste your time.

There was no more time left, Winston knew it. His life was

over. He could feel the last of it trickling away. He closed his

eyes for what he knew would be the last time.

In the stillness he heard a woman's voice.

"Not yet Winston."

There was a burst of brilliant sunlight through the gathering dark.

Warmth spread across his chest and his face, and he felt it

seep deep down inside him.

"My name is Eurides." the woman said.

He took a breath, then another and for the first time in his

life he was aware of his heart beating and the blood flowing

through every part of his body.

Winston felt himself being lifted up. He stood beside a tall

radiant woman. "Am I dead?"

"Not today." she said.

He watched Finn working on his body. "This War made me

lose what little faith I had to begin."

Eurides put her hands on Finn's shoulders.

"This has nothing to do with your faith Winston. You've done

your best to keep Finn safe and out of harms way - and for that

I'm grateful."

Winston looked at the Captain's body.

"I'm glad I killed that bastard, but I let Finn down. He's out

here on his own."

"He is more resourceful than you think." Eurides said.

"I have a favour to ask you Winston."

"What is it?" he said, unsure of how he could be of any use.

Eurides smiled "I need you to forget."

*