The Soldier

[Author's notes]

I'm aware of my grammar so skip those comments.

This is an AU (Alternate Universe) fanfiction. Please don't take offence from this story because of the theme. When I write Germany/German I'm referring to Nazi Germany, not the Germany of today. I will be trying to replicate how people viewed/thoughts of Germany was during those times in order to be accurate.

So, once again please don't take offence of a comment or remarks. I'm fully aware that the subject of the second world war can be sensitive to some readers. I'll try my best not to offend anyone.

[Astrid POV]

I stood outside in my backyard, broom in hand and a dustpan in the other. I could hear the roaring engine of British planes flying above my home. I couldn't help myself but felt angry about it. Not because some planes were running the peace and quiet, my home in the in the prairies often enjoyed. No, I was angry for another reason; being safe from German air raids.

"I know I can do more," I whispered to myself and just sighed; seeing the planes fly out of view. I look back at my home and sighed, even more, my father had left to join the war even though he was too 'old' by military standards. My mother wasn't pleased about his choice but it's not like she could stop him. Women didn't have much to say, let alone any rights to do anything aside from being a housewife.

"Astrid!" my mother shouted from the front porch

"Coming, mom," I replied walking back to the house. I leaned the broom against the post and passed my hands against my dress. "Yes?" I ask before I lean against the railing.

"I've received a letter from your father," she said and pulled the letter out from her apron's front pocket.

"Dad? Wow, it's been a while since he last wrote us," I said while I watch my mother open the letter.

"Let's see…... I'll summaries it….he says, he's enjoying his time with his men and was recently promoted to Captain!" she exclaimed before a big smile appeared on her face.

"Wow! That's wonderful! I can't believe it!" I said smiling as well. My father was born a few years before the first great war started and was annoyed he couldn't join. But, when Germany declared war on Britain, we didn't think my father would join the military. He was considered 'past' his prime and 'too' old. But, he somehow managed to convince the recruiting officer to let him join regardless.

I can still remember how furious my mother was when my father told her. She was yelling at him for leaving his family, joining a war that was being fought by the younger generations. But, my father simply ignored her compliments, packed his things, and left the next day for the training centre.

"It seems your father is doing well," my mother said as she softly sighed. She folded letter and place it back in its envelope.

"Are you alright, mom?" I ask and rub my hand against her arm, "Are you still mad at dad? For leaving?"

"I wished he stayed! Why would he want to join the war against Germany? We're safe out here…. Far from the big cities," my mother said motioning her hand to our open fields, "The German planes don't even bother us out here."

"I think that's why father joined," I said and looked out at the family's land along with my mother, "The war doesn't bother us, personally. But, for thousands…. No, millions of other people it has! And dad, along with every soldier out there is fighting to regain peace."

"You sound just like your father," my mother said and shook her head, "Well, I'm relieved women can't join the military."

"Mom…. Women can join the military," I said and frowning slightly at my mother's comment.

"Well, not the same way as men," she corrected before going back inside of the house.

I simply shook my head in disappointing of my mother's views. I mean, I could understand where my mother's view came from. She was raised like this since she was a child, and didn't really have many dreams because her entire life was already planned out for her. Well, one thing is for sure! I don't plan on living the exact same life as my mother.

"I'll make something of myself….. that's for sure," I mumble before going to my chores around the house. A few weeks passed and I was currently listening to the news from the front.

"Astrid, stop listening to this trash," my mother said as she entered the kitchen

"Mom! This is important! I want to stay updated on," I said before turning up the volume on the radio, "The more countries they take….. The closer they get…."

"You should be focusing on finding a husband," she said and went to prepare breakfast

"Mom! All able men are fighting the war! You're going have to wait," I said in an annoyed tone, "And whatever men stayed behind are way too old for me."

"Oh, right…. How could I forget," she mumbles

I sighed when we heard a knock on the front door. I turn the radio down and went to answer it while my mother kept cooking.

"Hello?" I asked opening the door and shock to see a solider with an emotionless expression on his face. He handed me a letter before he saluted me and left. I opened the letter and read the contents, "What….?" I whispered covering my mouth with my hand.

"Dear? Who was it?" my mother asked walking from behind.

I simply shook my head in shock and just felt tears overflowing; I think at that moment my mother knew…. She just knew without even reading the letter.

"Is he…." She whispered with her gaze slowly looking down, "Dead?"

"His…. Unit….. all killed in action…." I managed to reply through my tears, "No survivors…. They buried him in Poland….."

My mother just held back her tears and simply walked back inside. I just drop the letter and ran across the field, only stopping under a large oak tree. I sat down and cried, I cried until I ran out of tears. When I was finished, I eventually returned home I could hear my mother cry as well.

"Why….why did you leave…." I heard my mother whispered through her tears. I looked down and clench my hand into a fist. I returned outside and simply walk to the field to take care of the corp. My mother needed time to grieve and I was certain, she didn't want me to see her like this.

I quietly worked on the corps for around an hour and soon heard engines of a couple of planes. I quickly looked up towards the sky to get a glimpse of them; watching the planes fly above me had always calm me down. I enjoyed watching the British planes but today was different…. They weren't British fighter planes….. they were German.

"What….. there's no way….. they've never flown this far before…." I whispered when I notice the bottom of the plane opened. "No…. there….. no way…..," I told myself as the plane approach my home and drop some bombs.

"Astrid?" my mother walk downstairs when she heard a strange whistling sound coming from outside before she could investigate the home blew up. I screamed in horror and ran back to the house; watching as the house quickly caught fire and engulfed in flames.

"NO! MOM! MOM!" I desperately shouted with the hot flames burning my home. I stared into the flames and tried to find a way inside! I had to go in there! I had to save my mother! I couldn't lose her…. I just couldn't.

"Astrid!" a neighbour shouted, running out from his truck and headed towards me.

"MY MOM IN THERE!" I shouted. I tried to run inside of the house before the flames forced me to back away. I shouted and kept trying to get inside but those damn flames forced me to stop every single time.

"Stop it, Astrid!" he said and held me back, "There's no point! There's no way someone could have survived, and even if she did….. she wouldn't have made out with that fire. "

My eyes widen in horror as I drop to my knees, and burst into tears. I had just lost my mother and father in a single day, and I couldn't do a thing to prevent their deaths. This is the first time in my entire life! I felt absolutely useless, no not useless….. worthless! I felt worthless!

"I saw the planes flying above….. and then the bombs," he replied and place his hand on my shoulder, "I was hoping….. they were wonderful people."

One week later

I walk down the gravel road which used to lead to my home….. my home. I used to be happy there with my mother and father, but now they're both gone…. All because of this stupid war.

"I'm home…." I said as I stood in front of the burn down home. I looked down as more tears drip down from my cheeks, and formed a tinny puddle on the ground. I stood there for what felt for hours on end but could have simply been a few minutes.

I clenched my first as sadness quickly turn into anger. There was no way I was going to live on the streets and allowed those murders go free.

"I'm joining the war….." I whispered before rummaging through the debris. I had managed to find some a pair of scissors and a broken piece of glass. I stared at my reflection and just examined my appearance; trying to figure out how I can transform myself into a man. I moved my hand along my braided hair and glance back at some old clothes my father had that somehow survived the bombing.

Recruiting office

"Name, Age, height, and residence?" a middle-aged man asked as he lazily held a clipboard with a form attached.

"James Hofferson, age 20, height 5'9, and I'm from London, sir," I said and look around, hoping I wouldn't see someone I know. I took a deep breath as I watch, the recruiting officer writes down my information. My hair was practically a buzz cut and flatten my chest with some bandages; let's hope this will fool everyone.

"20? Why haven't you joined sooner? Every able man?" he asked glancing towards me

"I had….. a broken leg and couldn't join sooner," I lied with a smile on my face, "But, I'm here to join now."

"I see…." He mumbles before finishing the form. He grabs a stamp and stamps the government seal before placing the clipboard down. He smiled and sat up from his chair with a hand extended towards me, "Welcome to the army, soldier!"

I smiled and just couldn't believe my disguise was able to fool him. I had thought he would call him out over my chest but for once my small breast is an asset. "Thank you, sir!" I said before shaking his hand.

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