Dead Letter Office

With the war slowly being pushed past us and becoming memory rather than the here and now, many weary soldiers rejoice in seeing their loved ones once again. Not all, however, have made it home. This letter is one of many that did not make it to their destinations from the lines and instead have come to rest here in our dead letter office.

Dearest Sarah,

I pen this letter, my last, with a heavy heart. I do not know where to begin it; I know however where it ends. The unit has pushed forward again to what we thought would be a sure victory. U nfortunately the weather as well as the battle turned against us. We have suffered many losses. The whole unit is trapped, and we have been unable to regain favor with our Gods. Sorrow's forces are closing in on us faster than we can retreat.

Several men have volunteered to stay behind and delay the company chasing us so we can make good our escape. Their sacrifice will allow so many more to live. It must be torture knowing your fate. Waking, knowing that this is the last day you will draw breath. The group gathered and watched the sunset together, they wept together, they prayed together, and they each penned a letter to be carried onward for them.

They said knowing what the next day held for them made all the little things seem so much clearer. They saw with new eyes. They saw in life what we may never see otherwise. They looked upon the world with new light and wept tears of joy. Already the gods' hands were upon them.

I thought of you as I wept with them. All 863 men of the unit wept. I was with you at that moment. My body was thought, and I was with you again for one embrace. And in one instant it was gone, and I was alone. I am so sorry for so many things. But most of all, I am sorry I did not hug you one more time before I left, kiss you a moment longer, or let my eyes hold your gaze that one second more before the doors closed. I regret those moments most of all. I will be home soon.

With Love -

J.P.