[a short story for contest held by #WattpadBroadway
update: winner of the contest]

━━━━━━━━━━

❝ because of you I'll always have a friend and savior ❞

━━━━━━━━━━

Miltenburg, Germany
Dec 1941

            PULLING HER BROWN tattered cardigan around herself tightly, which causes her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders in golden ringlets, onto her blush-pink checkered dress, which came down to her ankles.

         Emily strutted towards the end of the muddy trail, peering at the old bakery shop on the left side of the village road. The cold day was all around, yet her memories lit a hearth-fire within.

          It was an early Christmas morning, justifying the cold frozen air lacing on her skin, delicate and cold, like winter waves on sallow sand.

         Though it was a lovely occasion, but the atmosphere of the Miltenburg was a bit sulky and gloomy due to war arising overseas.
Even Emily was worried because she didn't receive any letter or reply from her brother, a Christmas gift and cookies she sent to him two weeks ago.

I hope, he is safe and healthy. Dear lord, please keep him safe.

          Reaching towards the shop, she swings the tongue of bell, to let the old lady inform about arrival of customer.

         "Coming dear, it is too cold today" came a hoarse voice from inside.

         After a few minutes, she saw a short old lady, bringing bagels and cookies in a brown paper packet.

         Handing the packet to her, the lady said, "Merry Christmas! How are you dear...wait did you hear anything from William?"

            Holding onto the packet, Emily sighed and says, "Unfortunately, No... I didn't. I'm waiting for his reply from last one week, he never took such long time"

          "Don't worry, you will soon, dear. Probably, it's late due to shipping and all"

       "I hope so, Merry Christmas ma!" she replied cheerfully taking her cue to live. 

         Emily walked up the muddy path, her senses soaking in the changes since she had last walked this way in winter a year ago.

          She noticed winter trees shiver in the bitter wind, naked branches adorned with snow. She could hear church bells from a far and houses decorated with ornaments, poinsettias and ribbon bows.

            Strolling in brick walkway leading to her house, she caught glimpse of a long, squarish house made of red brick, adorned with a small rose garden planted in front and two wooden framed sash windows decorated beautifully.

          Stepping a foot in a concrete staircase, she saw a small box of gift wrapped in a beige paper and red ribbons placed in front of the wooden door. Running excitedly she took the gift box lying at the doorstep. 

          Putting the packets of bagels aside, she sat on one of the stairs outside in front of her house main door. Taking the gift box in her hands, Emily noticed a note or so-called letter tucked inside the ribbons.

          Pulling the note out and unfolding it, it was a gift and a letter from her brother at war. A huge smile tugs at her pink lips, focusing on the paper on her long hands, she read the words in the letter as...

My dearest Emily,

Firstly, I must apologize for not writing you sooner. Things have been chaotic. Don't worry, I'm not in real danger yet. I'm safe and healthy, you don't need to cry on your bed anymore.

I want to say I wanted to give that thing inside the box and a precious possession of our mom to you as a Christmas gift this year. So, please open it, before you read ahead.

And I had received your Christmas gift for me. I loved it. The woolen socks were really warm─ how it wouldn't be? Those pairs are knitted by you. And cookies were tasty too, something better than the slice of bread here.

        Tearing the beige paper hurriedly, she found a silver hair brooch inside the box.

You can find a hair ornament inside it, honestly this is a gift from me to you. And you can find a velvet box in the cupboard of your room, That's actually a ring of our mother. You can keep it as her memory and hair brooch, when you will miss me.

Though I said I'm safe, but I'm not okay here. Yesterday Peter died. Do you remember him? He was that little kid who used to tag along with all the older children. You must remember, he had a mop of red curls and a constantly runny nose. We were always trying to get him to stop following us.

Yesterday I watched as a bullet tore a hole through his chest. Listening to the sound of gunfire and groans of pain... I was traumatized, but yeah, had to bear all those.

I can't even remember what pain or sorrow or even grief feels like anymore.
Sometimes though... Sometimes, nights like tonight, when I'm writing this letter to you; seems something like happiness, some light in this world.

Enough of that. I want to you to smile. Especially for the Christmas and for me as well. Which brings me to another topic, don't stop reading, I really love when you read and explore.

Ah, I'm reaching the end of page, sadly. I hope you liked the gift. And I know I have said it before but Emily take care and smile. I miss you too.

All my love

Your brother
William. D. Weber

            Emily didn't know what she was feeling, an overload of emotions─ ecstasy, longing and happiness. She was teary eyed, yet smiling ridiculously. She clutched the letter to her chest, closing her eyes, she mouthed... He was okay! He is okay.

      This is, one of the best gift for her Christmas, a gift from the bottom of heart and woven with love, a true Valor's gift.

[964 words]

───᪣ ᪣───