SOLDATEN
——    CHAPTER 2: Join The Fight  ——

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MOBILE, ALABAMA

| IT HAD BEEN BUT A MERE THREE WEEKS SINCE THE FIRST MEETING. This young red head that had seemingly caught her attention when least expected. It took a few awkward meetings of the two for them to fully be unbothered and tamed by each other's company.

The mornings of each day started with him fetching her and then spending the afternoons chatting and fishing with Sidney or going into town for something to eat. But the day always ended with Eugene and Katrina spending the night out by the lake—watching as fireflies danced in the sky and listening to the croaking of the frogs.

Meeting Sidney was interesting to say the least. At first, Katrina couldn't deceiver if he liked her or not by the way he avoided speaking to her let alone making eye contact. She chalked it up to the lag of her accent behind certain words. But after while, he warmed up to having her around, becoming yet a close friend to her—mirroring a brother practically.

A peacefulness had semi resided in her mind, one that took it off such thoughts and nightmares—giving the ease she once knew and cherished as a child. But it did not overtake the fear of being discovered for whom she once  was.

For some unbeknownst reason, Eugene never once left her mind. Everyday, even after hanging out the entire time, well into the night Eugene would pop into her head—usually at random. So she couldn't help herself but think of him, a man of whom she had only known for so little time. Odd how the human mind works...

In was mid morning, Katrina was set up in the study with Violet peacefully sleeping by her side. Rosa was outside on the patio, basking in the sun and admiring her rather large rose garden. Then there was Hans, out in his work shop mending away at an old project that had sat there for years.

Ms.Minny, the household maid, was in the kitchen humming a rhythmic tone of sorts as she danced the ingredients of a mighty breakfast into the pans. One could say that the Huberman's were wealthy in some aspects; a large home fixed with hardwood floors and fancy chandlers with dark cherry wood cabinets imported over from Germany.

The study was large in itself, equipped with things she didn't believe her uncle truly needed such as the massive library filled to the brim with books on medicine and mechanical engineering. Not to mention the railings attached on the top and bottom for the tiny latter to be moved around.

Katrina scoped out the books on the lower section, running her index finger across the spines of the hardbacks. Until her sight landed upon one that interested her. One on medieval times— predominantly in the 800's. Slowly, she opened it, the spine crackle from years of not being touched. The pages were in English, describing the ancient medicine used in times of sickness and how healers were often viewed as. Seen by the people as God's divine—sent there to help them with magical powers.

However, this only lasted for a moment as she soon closed the novel, making sure to save her spot before placing it upon the glass table beside her.

Katrina hesitated, tilting her head to the side—seeing the newspaper article that barely stuck out from underneath. Curious, she moved the book to the side and took the paper into her hands. It mentioned things about the utter ruin of Pearl Harbor and recruitment for asking men to come on down to the office to serve their country. And about random other things. But that wasn't what caught her eye the most, just below it was an article for the medic corp— listed in big letters United States Navy Nurse corps.

The flyer was promptly asking for women come on down to the nearest recruiting station and sign up to save lives. But only those that would be willing to be sent overseas to help with the aid stations.

Eagerly, Katrina gently ripped the flyer out, placing into her pocket before laying the paper back where it was. The nurse Corp would be a way of getting her out once again and doing good to make up for the wrongs she had done. And plus, she already had the training—so it would not be hard to pass. Now all she needed was someone to show her the way to the hospital where the office was.

Katrina was immersed in joining up that she fetched all her known travel paperwork and spent the next two hours forging her own papers—ones to make them more apportioned. All the way down to her birth certificate... She even went down to the tiniest imprint to make it more believable. Scratching away with the tip of ink pen before carefully writing the letters back in. Violet snuggled up beside her, those wondering brown eyes of hers locked upon the young German at work.

Katrina heavily focused upon the task at hand— minding to watch for her uncle and aunt—even Minny. She had just added the finishing touches before the silence she had been enjoying was interrupted with a loud knock at the door. Even in the study, she could hear Ms. Minny groan from within in the kitchen as she trudged her way towards the door—still wiping her hands off with a towel as she walked. Minny was the always the first to answer the door, but this time she were a tad disgruntled about it since she was helping to prepare a meal.

" Katrina!" The young woman immediately perked up at her desk, fumbling over herself to to hide the newly finished papers and ink out of sight. Violet hopped up from where she had been resting and began wagging her tail as Katrina carefully stuffed the papers into a travel bag before fixing her hair.

Ms. Minny, however, only gave her a look as she keep rushing out from within the story—shutting the French doors behind her. Even there the large glass door with pretty lacing throughout it, she could see the fiery red hair. "It's for you." Minny spoke in that thick southern tone before fully opening the door all the way.

And there on the other side was Eugene. "Hey." Katrina spoke ending with a shy smile. He did the same before rubbing the back of his head, " So, you doing anything? At the moment that is."

Katrina motioned side to side with her head, "No, just sitting here doing practically nothing." She said, placing her hand into the pocket that contained the flyer but Ms. Manny only laughed from the kitchen. He heard it and chuckled, "Good, well I was wondering if you'd like to say goodbye Sidney as he's leaving for bootcamp." Eugene paused himself from saying too much—as those were not Sidney's exact words, they were more along the lines of wanting to say goodbye to "Eugene's little girlfriend."

Katrina felt the dread pulse through upon the realization that it had come so fast—it felt like it was just yesterday when he told them he signed up for the marines. After the course of the three weeks, Katrina had come to know Sidney well and understanding how he was such the ladies man. All the way down to his corny jokes and overall charming characteristics— almost reminding her of her brother.

She solemnly nodded, feeling like she was losing Peter all over again. Katrina fumbled the flyer between her fingers in the pocket. She wanted to tell him, to tell Eugene that she wanted to join to serve a country that deserved her faith. And help undo the wrongs she and her brother had done. And plus, he had to know where the hospital was—after all he lived here his whole life.

Katrina mustered up a tiny smile, " Of course, I'd be happy to wish him well on his way. But..." she pursed her pink lips as she took the flyer out, unfolding it before handing to him. "I have an important matter that needs attending too as well and I need your help with locating this hospital."

Eugene raised brow as he took the sheet of torn paper from her and as he studied the it, his heart felt that numbing touch, stomach of butterflies melting away. Not her too... the war was engulfing and taking everyone he knew as a friend. And after being told that very morning he couldn't join by his father because of a heart murmur, devastated him.

"You want to join the United States Navy nurses Corp?" His voice was soft with a saddened sense to it. The smile upon her face slowly faded away noticing the disheartening look upon his.

" Ah, yes. I want to serve my country in the best way that I can and this is it."After a moment, Eugene half folded the flyer and handed back to her, the very words were almost caught up in his throat as he began to speak, "Yea, I'll help you. I know where it is, Lizzie would be there as well, perhaps we'll see her." Katrina shyly smiled before steadily walking down the brick steps towards him.

      | IT DIDN'T TAKE THEM LONG TO REACH THE RATHER CROWDED HOSPITAL—flooded with that of women from all over the surrounding areas of Mobile. Katrina paused when she saw the nurses strolling just outside the building, talking amongst themselves—the Red Crosses blurring. Like a that of flash, her pupils widened as the distorted voices and explosions began to snake throughout her mind. Men yelling, pleading for their lives. Her lower lip trembled as visions of that very day started to form beside the people gathered outside the hospital—things only she could see...

Eugene noticed her unease and gently placed his hand against her upper arm, making her swat his hand away as she jump back from him. Katrina turned her reddened face to the side—away from him as the shaky breaths started. "Hey, you alright?" He asked, taking a step to the side before waving his hand in front of front of her sight.

Katrina cleared her throat awkwardly as she watched the invisible people and voices fade away before glancing to him. " Yea, I'm alright. Just nerves." She tried her best to smile it off as she motioned towards the entrance. He only stared at her quite puzzled—questioning the very audacity her answer.

Katrina glanced to the ground as they began to walk towards it—her mind racing. Just at the entrance, Eugene stopped halfway, " Well, here you go..." he smiled, "Good luck." Before giving her a gentle pat against her arm. Katrina solemnly nodded before taking a few steps towards the door.

"Eugene," she spoke, turning around to face him. "Will you wait out here for me til I'm done?" He beamed, " Of course, I'll wait for ya." With one last meek smile, she entered in—mentally trying to prepare herself for what was to come. The bustling of nurses rushing out from every room before disappearing into another made it quite hard to ask around. Not to mention the men that hogged the corridors, waiting to be next—many those there for getting tested before joining.

It didn't take long for her to make her first accident however as she wasn't playing that much attention to what was in front of her. Therefore bumping into another nurse, one who equally apologetic as her. The girl had to have been around her age if not younger with brunette hair hidden under the nurses hat. "I'm so sorry! I'm Lizzie by the way." She said, offering her hand out for her to shake. Katrina stood there for moment studying her before smiling and taking the young girl's hand. " I'm Katrina."

Then she noticed the girl's face light up with glee, " You must be the one Eugene and Sidney have told me about!" Katrina furrowed her brows, not understanding why she was excited about this. "Ah yes, I suppose." She nervously chuckled, trying her best to sound enthused. But Lizzie took a tight grasp upon her hand and started leading her towards the office.

" Do you have all the necessary paperwork?" Lizzie added as they stopped right before the door. Katrina simply nodded, of course she had her papers. That be they were forged, but she had them.

"Next." The older nurse outside the door waved for her come in. Katrina did not hesitate one second before confidently walking on pass the head nurse. There, standing in the large leather chair sat the lead doctor. A man she presumed of many years.

She stopped just before his desk as she waited orders. The balding man smiled before steadily getting to his feet. His happily offered his hand out to her which she gratefully  accepted.

He then shoot a look down her papers. Making an oh expression, Katrina quickly handed her paperwork over—her heart pounded a mile a minute in her chest. Wondering if her handy work was enough to fool them.

As closely he glanced over the work, Katrina felt the pain deep inside her heart, a feeling of betrayal to one's family name. She was perhaps the only one left that carried her family's namesake; Schmidt, and yet she gave it away for a country she barely knew. Of course, it wasn't like Huberman was not of her family, but it was not her last name given to her from birth. But out of fear out of them finding out who her father is and brother was—she changed it. Being the only thing authentic on that sheet was her first name—for even her hometown was changed.

"Katrina Huberman." He pursed his lips as he glanced back to her, "Huberman..ah, so you are German I see..." the doctor said rather nonchalantly as he pushed his slipping glasses back. He paused for a moment at her name-say, glancing over to her.

She could see the take of concern flood across his face and she know right there she had been caught—ever after her uncle told her to be careful. Katrina held her head low, avoiding eye contact with him as he trudged back over to his desk. The old doctor mumbled under his breath as he sat down—placing her papers down in front of him.

Then with a tap of of his finger against the table, she steadily rose her sight to match that of his. " I know that is not your real name nor is this the real ink used for filling the certificates out." He lightly chuckled, " But you were close, I'll give you that."

Katrina felt her heart sunk, that now she could not serve to make up for the wrongs she had done. He sighed loudly as he pushed over the stamp and ink print. " However, that does not matter as it passes in my eyes. I see it in your eyes, you have determination and that's what we need. You do them good over there, lil lady." He calmly retorted as he rolled the stamp against that of the blackened pad before finely pressing it against her approved sheet.

Then he wrote down the name upon her certificate on the sheet before handing it back over to her. There, her name perfectly written out in cursive; Katrina Huberman.

" Welcome to the Army nurses Corp. Now, the test is down the hall to the right, nurse Hild will show you to it." He said, tucking the pen back into the coat pocket before walking around the large desk over to her as she rose to her feet—thanking him quietly with a handshake.

It was almost late afternoon before Eugene saw Katrina again. There, at the entrance of the hospital came her beaming away. And she had Lizzie in tow, who held an equal amount of glee. " So how did it go?" He asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Katrina inhaled deeply, " I passed! I'll be waiting for my transfer soon and my much needed papers." She spoke, now letting her accent slightly slip a bit. Her body filled with glee but yet, felt sad about having to leave so suddenly.

" She scored almost perfect on the exam!" Lizzie said as she happily clutched onto Katrina's arm. Eugene smiled his eyes slowly drifting away from that of Katrina to the ground. Her's faded as well, knowing something was up with him.

" How about we all get everyone together and celebrate one last time for old time sake—not only for Katrina but Sidney as well!" Lizzie exclaimed with a wide smile as Eugene shrugged his shoulders in response, " I'm sure Sidney would be fine with that, his bus leaves tomorrow I believe." And with that, the duo sent off for Sidney's house—with Lizzie soon to tail in behind.

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Author's Note
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" Man, finally got this chapter out!
How do y'all feel about
Katrina wanting to join up?
Poor Gene can't catch a break
Also, wattpad & me about to throw down
as the GIFs are still not workinggg"
-Shiv🧸