"I didn't expect to see you here," he said, climbing up the hill seeing her sitting on the swing.

"The view's gorgeous," she said in delight.

The view was indeed, gorgeous. The green valley below the hill was dotted with pine trees and cows grazing. A dirt road cut through the valley where trucks carrying soldiers occasionally passed.

There was always this underlying mystery of who built the swing. They had stumbled upon it amongst their various conversations after school, trekking through the valley. It was painted strawberry red and hung upon a tree, what entranced them wasn't the swing but rather the view.

"You're 14 right?" she asked, kicking off on the swing.

He always looked at her while she was on the swing, her chestnut color hair looked like it was being blown by the wind, her blue eyes shined with delight as she kicked the swing upwards.

He nodded.

"Aren't you going to be going to war soon?" she asked. She stopped the swing, looking at him with concern in her eyes.

He was on the edge of the hill, staring at the valley. He smirked. "Minister's son, remember?"

She stepped off the swing and punched him in the shoulder. "Coward."

He shrugged, still grinning. "What am I going to do about it? Dad won't let me join."

She huffed. "My brother's been forced to join."

The excitement in her eyes disappeared. "He'll be going on the trains in a few days, I'll be worried."

He got up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay," he said. "He'll be fine."

When he saw her expression change like that it sent a stabbing sensation in his heart. He didn't know what it was but all he knew was that he wanted to be there for her when she needed it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure."

He wasn't.

...

As the Axis get closer, citizens are encouraged to evacuate villages close to the border. Due to the bombing in some villages, rationing shall start on the 25th of April. Citizens are advised to conserve their food and be patient during these trying times.

...

She was there on the hill as usual but she looked different.

Her smile was still bright but she looked ragged. He noticed her cheekbones popping up and her hands flailing as she walked over to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked, grabbing her shoulders.

She laughed, her laugh was still as lively as before. "I'm fine silly, don't worry."

"Are you sure?" he asked, his heart feeling heavy. "You look..."

"Rationing food for a year does that to people," she said, smiling. He felt a pang in his heart. Every day he had a healthy meal thanks to him being a minister's son. He couldn't bear to see her like this while he was living large.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He held her hand.

Her eyes widened, blood rushed to her cheeks. "What's this all of a sudden?"

"We're going back to my place," he said. "We're getting you a healthy meal."

She pulled her hand away from his and started laughing.

He looked confused. "Is it something I said?" he muttered.

"No." She wiped her eyes. "It's just..."

"Are we going or not?" he interrupted, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.

She shook her head. "I like this place more, if we went to your place I have a feeling your family would be really annoying. I prefer it this way."

"But..."

"It's fine." She beamed brightly at him. "I'll be fine, don't worry."

He still wanted to make sure she was okay, she sat on the swing and looked back at him. "Are you going to push me or not?"

He sighed and trudged toward her, mumbling to himself.

...

It was evening, she was still sitting upon the swing staring at the valley. He noticed her kicks were less energetic. Every time he noticed these little details, these small things that told him something was wrong; his heart stopped. He'd do anything, anything to make her feel better.

"My brother's been sending us letters," she said.

"How is he?" he asked.

Silence. The swing stopped creaking.

"Are you...?"

"He says it's hell," she said. "He got shot in the leg, currently being treated in those fancy city hospitals. Says he dreads the moment his leg is going to be patched up and he'll be forced into the battlefield."

She looked down, it looked like the weight of the world was placed upon her shoulders. "I'm scared." A single tear fell down her cheek. "What if, what if he doesn't make it?"

The hug took her by surprise.

"Don't worry," he said, gently. She looked up at him and he wiped a tear from her eyes. "I'll always be here."

"Promise?" she said, her voice cracking.

"Promise."

...

As the Axis get closer, I'm afraid we'll have to endure more and more bombings. Citizens are urged to switch of all lights during nighttime hours and avoid driving out so late. Evacuation is in progress to move all residents from the city into the country, villagers are advised to lend a hand to their fellow citizen and allow them to share your homes.

...

As he climbed up the hill he unwrapped the basket to check if the gravy was still warm and grinned. They were going to have a picnic! He couldn't wait to see the surprised look on her face when she saw the basket.

When he reached the top, she turned to face him and the basket fell to the ground.

There were black rings around her eyes. Her dress dropped over shoulders. Her body was hunched over like an old woman's. She looked exhausted.

He ran over to her and pulled her close, he could feel her bones.

"Are you okay?"

He could feel his heart ache, ever since their kiss last year they never met much. This was their first time meeting since the start of the year and he couldn't bear seeing her like this.

She looked up at him and smiled weakly. "Yes, silly. I'm fine."

He was also not getting enough sleep, the bombs kept him awake all night. Every night he heard the bombs, he immediately started worried about her. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her.

"The look in your eyes says otherwise," he said. "Seriously..."

"Don't worry about me," she said. "What you should be worrying about is the ants getting in the basket."

He picked up the basket but as he headed toward it, he couldn't help but glance back at her to make sure she was okay.

The day passed by quickly, she was the one who ate the most and he couldn't help but laugh at the food stains on her mouth that he wiped off with his handkerchief.

They sat and enjoyed the view as the evening sun started setting, she grabbed his hand and he had no qualms.

He wished this moment would last forever, so did she.

...

Mercenary groups have been spotted in many parts of the country. Political assassinations have been becoming more and more frequent. As the Axis come closer and closer to the capital city. There has been increased pressure on the government to begin peace negotiations however the government has not answered to these pleas.

...

It was evening and they were sitting atop the hill.

She was hugging her knees and looking out at the field.

It looked like autumn, the evening sun casting an orange glow on the green grass.

"He's dead."

He held her hand.

"First my brother now dad," she said. She turned to him, she looked exhausted. Her eyes were sunken deep, she looked like a ghost more than the girl he fell in love with three years ago.

She turned to him and wrapped him tightly in her arms. "At least I have you."

They stood there, on top of the hill in each other's arms as the sun set behind them.

She looked at him straight in the eye, her blue eyes were vacant and distant but they were genuine when she said "I love..."

A gunshot.

A scream.

People in black clothing rushing up the hill and tackling him to the floor as a desperate hand reached out for her.

All the while the strawberry swing creaked as a gentle wind blew.