SHADOWS OF DUTY
880 Words
“Son, I know you love stories that end in happiness,” the old man said, his eyes soft with memory. “But what makes them beautiful… is what they survive.”
---
Henry and Treasure’s wedding was a day carved in gold.
The soldiers stood in perfect formation, sabers glinting beneath the sun as Henry, trembling with joy, held the hand of his bride — Commander Treasure James, leader of the Dragon Squad. The drums thundered, the flags danced, and as she saluted him playfully, he whispered,
“You may outrank me, Commander… but I outrun you in love.”
She laughed — the kind of laugh that makes you believe the world is safe.
Their honeymoon was a dream stitched with laughter and quiet promises.
But dreams, like sunsets, fade too soon.
---
The Anniversary
“Honey, I’m home,” Treasure called out, setting her duffel down.
Henry stirred awake, blinking at her in disbelief before leaping up.
“My baby’s back!”
He swept her into his arms as if afraid she might disappear again. That evening, he took her to a candlelit restaurant. When dessert arrived, a waiter approached, handing him a bouquet of red roses. Henry stood, voice trembling:
“Happy anniversary, my love.”
Treasure gasped. “I forgot—Henry, I’m so sorry!”
He smiled. “You serve your country. I serve you.”
She kissed him deeply, whispering, “How did I ever deserve you?”
That night, laughter filled their home until sleep found them in each other’s arms.
---
When Duty Calls
Morning sunlight spilled across the bed, painting her face in gold. Henry watched her sleep — the calm before the storm.
When she awoke, he teased, “Good morning, my queen.”
She smiled. “Good morning, my world.”
They shared breakfast — until her phone rang.
The name flashing on the screen froze her heart: General Douglas.
Her face turned solemn as she answered. Henry watched her, spoon paused midair.
When she ended the call, she tried to smile.
“Babe, I have to leave again. Duty calls.”
“So soon?”
She nodded, eyes glistening.
He took her hand gently.
“This is who you are, Treasure — a protector. And I’ll always wait for my soldier.”
She laughed through tears.
“You’re too good for me.”
Henry rose, stood straight, and saluted.
“Captain Henry of Dragon Squad reporting for duty, ma’am!”
She burst out laughing, saluting back.
“Soldier, hold your position.”
“You’re breaking my back, Commander!”
They laughed, and for a brief second, war didn’t exist.
He drove her to the airbase. When the helicopter rotors began to spin, the world grew deafening.
“Come back to me,” he said.
“Always,” she promised — then vanished into the sky.
---
The Mission
“Welcome, Commander,” a soldier saluted as Treasure boarded the chopper.
Minutes later, she stood before the General.
“You and your squad will deploy to Afghanistan. Hostage rescue. Civilian doctors. Classified location.”
She nodded sharply. “Understood.”
Hours later, sand and smoke filled the air as they landed. The coordinates turned out to be a trap. Bullets ripped through the silence.
“Ambush! Get down!”
Treasure rolled behind a burnt-out truck, barking orders. Her men returned fire, but the enemy had surrounded them. She radioed command through static:
“Base, this is Commander Treasure — the site’s compromised! Repeat, it’s a setup!”
They fought their way out, escaping into the desert night.
---
Back Home
Henry, unaware of the chaos thousands of miles away, met up with Frank at a café.
“My man! How’s your queen?” Frank grinned.
“She’s on duty again,” Henry said softly.
“You married a superhero,” Frank laughed. “Don’t worry — she’ll come home.”
They talked, and soon Frank began one of his legendary stories.
“You know, when I was a kid, my mum was the General of our house,” Frank said.
Henry laughed. “Let me guess — the famous cane story again?”
“Exactly! One day I told my teacher I’d report him for flogging me because I didn’t do my homework. Guess who my mum supported? The teacher!”
Henry nearly choked on his drink laughing as Frank continued, acting it out:
“‘You don’t flog well,’ she told the teacher. ‘Next time, flog him properly!’”
They both burst into laughter.
Frank leaned back. “But that’s the day I learned discipline. Without that cane, maybe I’d be on the street. Now I’m the CEO of Sunshine Company.”
Henry smiled. “African mothers — the real boot camp.”
Frank laughed, raising his glass. “To the ones who made us strong.”
Their laughter echoed through the café — two men holding onto peace while war brewed elsewhere.
---
Across the Desert
As Henry drove home, he hummed to himself, thinking of Treasure.
At that exact moment, far across the world, her voice crackled through t
he radio:
“Eagle Base, this is Dragon Leader. We’ve located the hostages… but we’re surrounded. Requesting immediate backup—”
Then static.
Then silence.
- Writer
