Non-Fiction

A/N

It is a long time since I wrote about Johnny and his return home from the war.

In this journey, the writing one, the non-fiction genre became to get more and more appealing. I like to read – more than to write, I have to admit – the depiction of real life and the take brilliant author have in some of daily events. What they see, what they feel, what they experience... it touched them and, in exchange, they give us treasures with their recounting. There are many authors, here on Wattpad, I do love to follow, their depiction of life, through the magic of their words.

I dedicate this part to Ollie Redfern (OllieRedfern), a magician, a musician. His words never ceased to make me fly around the World.

There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, though, with Picos Gêmeos, Ollie gives life to pictures with words worth a treasure...

Non-Fiction can take many form. "Works of Non-Fiction are stories that the author tells the reader are based on fact or events that actually happened, such as events in their own life. Non-Fiction can also include instructional or reference books, like a cook book." (as defined by the site).

In war time, article, journalism coverage of the events, war journals, written by the soldiers on the front, those would be matter for non-fictional stories. War correspondance is one type of writings during these times of unrest that I always found interesting. It is not so much what is written that makes them interesting but what one can read between the lines, as not everything would have been possible to be put on paper.

The following are inspired by those letters written by soldiers during the Great War, another way to recount Johnny's story and his journey back home...

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Letter #1 – Reservist regiment, waiting for the call of duty

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today we are Sunday. We went to mass and the priest blessed us and our comrades.

I still don't know for sure where I will be sent, though I know now which regiment I will join. We still are awaiting for our uniform and weapons, it shall not be long now.

Though I know the regiment and the guys I will be with, we still don't know where we will be sent. Some say Africa, some to the Eastern front.

All is kept secret, and, even if I knew, I couldn't write it there for you to read.

I saw a friend from primary last day. It was fun to rememorate those insouciant days where we used to play war with wooden stick. This war, however, is nothing near the one in our souvenirs.

I hope all is well with you and back in the village. I am so impatient to this to end, even if it hasn't started yet.

I sent a message to Irene, I hope she will receive it. Perhaps you can check with her and get sure my sweet fiancée is well.

I will give you some more news once I know where I will be sent to. In the meantime, you can now send me you letter to this address:

20th Company, 80th Territorial

In <city>

<State>

I hope to receive news from home soon.

Your loving son,

Johnny

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Letter #4 - Departure to the front line

Dear Mom, Dear Dad,

We will be leaving soon for the border. Well, what used to be the border, at least.

Since last week, I didn't eat much, I have so many thoughts going on my mind. Though I am not sick, all is well.

For now, there hadn't been many action. A spy has been arrested and there had been some execution. The more action we will get the nearer we get to the border. But I am not so ready to see it.

I don't think I will be able to write to you in the near future. It seems the situation is quite bad.

Please, keep praying for us. We will fight for our loved ones and I hope to bring some medal back home.

Can you ask Irene to answer me as soon as she receives my letter?

Your loving son,

Johnny

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Letter #10 – On the front line

Dear parents,

I am still well, all is for the best here. The guy are still digging trenches and tunnels. We will be moving tomorrow from our camp to some place nearer to the action. We will be with regular soldiers, cavalry and artillery. It will be better than under the tent.

For now, the area is still relatively calm, we just hear sometimes the canon, but nothing near where we are. In any case, we are well protected. The enemy can try and come get us, they will be well welcomed.

I need to ask you not to send me any package or money until I tell you. For now, I have all I need.

I didn't receive any letter from Irene in sometimes now. I hope she is well and happy.

I have no more news for the moment.

Your son,

Johnny

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Letter #13 – On the front line

Dearest Irene,

I hope my letter will see you healthy and well. I didn't receive any answers from my last letters, though the mail is a bit hectic these days. I only know when I post the envelopes, but I am not sure whether the army post follows through with the chain.

I am still in the trenches and last night I thought it would be my last on Earth. A shell fell on us and took my two comrades. I just have minor injuries, but I have been evacuated to a field hospital. For the moment, I am farther from the action, so I am safe.

I learnt about your brother, and I am sorry for your loss. I would like to be with you so I could comfort you. I hope you are well and your mother also. I know that your father has been recalled to duty also. This war is unfair, but we will fight until the end to protect you.

Please, send me a mail as soon as you receive this one, I am impatient to read your words.

With love,

Your Johnny

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Letter #15 – Smuggled by a comrade on permission

Dear Mom, Dear Dad,

I hope this letter finds you well. I'll have to thank my friend to pass it to you.

Things are a lot bleaker that what I have written in my 'official' mail. The military censor doesn't let us tell what is really happening. We are awaiting death in the trenches. Every day, the officers sent us in forced marches, under the incessant rain. And not only water fall on us.

Last week, a full regiment decided to go on strike, we were told. And as they don't want us to do the same, they already put on arrest some of the strongest and most vehement guys on the ranks. We learned that ten soldiers have been judged on the front, and killed. Killed by our own army.

Let me tell you, they don't care about what we become. All those guys injured and that will never be the same, missing an arm, a leg, a face even. Those guys, I don't think they will ever be welcomed back home. And those that died. For what? For a country that plays with them like a kid with toy soldiers?

Please, don't show this letter to anyone. Don't tell anyone about this, not even Irene. I follow the orders, because I want to live, but I don't know anymore where the enemy is.

About Irene, I didn't received any news since my letters two weeks ago. Can you please tell me what is happening with her? Shall I free her from our engagement?

I will keep on going, and I promise you I will be back soon on permission. I just hope this war will end soon.

Your loved son,

Johnny

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Letter #19 – Postcard sent from Prisoner camp

Dear Parents,

You will receive this message via the Red Cross, I think. Your son is now a war prisoner. This is, almost, the end for us. At least, we are not anymore under the rain of shells and we have three meals a day. I can send you a card every week and a letter every two weeks. I hope the mail will work well. I don't have much space to write on this postcard, but you will find my return address and instruction for the correspondence.

I love you and I hope all is well at the Village. Please send Irene my Love, I sent her a card last week but have received no answer yet.

Sender: Johnny

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Letter #24 – Sent from Prisoner camp

Dear Mom, Dad,

I acknowledge reception of your #20, #23 and #24. I am not sure what happened with letters #21 and #22. The mail here is also controlled, same as it was with the army.

I also received your package #3. Thanks for the biscuits and the preserves. These were well packed and they came to me well conserved. You can continue to pack it the same way, to preserve their freshness.

You will find below the list of what I need in the next package. I will be able to exchange with some others.

For now, all is well. We still have our three meals a day, though there had been talk that this would be reduced if there was any movement of revolt. We heard that it happened in another camp, they reduced the meals to one a day. Well, imagine the consequences on some soldiers less healthy than others...

I hope this war ends soon, I don't really mind which side shall win it now, I just want to see it ends and to come back home. I want to forget the frontline and the killing. I want to forget the dying, but I will never forget those who died.

I want to keep positive, so, I will leave for now.

Your loved son,

Johnny

What I need:

- 10 packs of biscuit

- 14...

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Letter #32 – Sent from Red Cross hospital

My Dearest Irene,

I am sorry your letter took so much time to reach me. I have been evacuated from the prisoner camp as soon as we had been liberated due to my weak health. Some comrades who remained there had the mail followed, though the country is a bit in disarray and the mail service is not as efficient as it could be.

I am happy to hear you are well and that your mother is well also. I am sad for your brother, as I told you, and also for your father, though at least he came back alive, even if heavily injured. I understand you couldn't answer all my mails to all that happened to your family, but know that I will always be here to help you, to comfort you.

I will probably remain in this hospital for another month, the doctor is happy with my recovery rate, but I have still to adapt to the prosthesis, and need to learn to adjust to it.

I am worried you won't want me anymore when you will see me, how much I have changed, and I don't want you to remain with me because of duty. I want your love, and those years apart have changed everyone. I rejoiced to see you again, though. We will discuss our future when we reunite.

For now, I want to be positive. I will keep hoping you will be there to welcome me in your chest, embrace me. If you don't, I won't force you to keep you to your words, I will understand. Know that I love you, I always did and always will.

My mom told me that there had been a lot of rejoicing since the peace has been signed. A lot of grievance also. So many are gone, the village won't be the same without them. But those who remain will always remember, will not forget.

I am impatient to be back home. My parents will pick me at the train station when it will be time. I already imagine the party on the village place, I already hear the bells of the church ringing of joy and freedom.

I'll finally be home.

With love,

Your Johnny

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