I'll Be Home (Part 2)

 

A sea of camouflage waved over the ravaged land. A place once filled with tranquility was scarred by the mark of corruption. Few stood at the point, their faces stained with dirt and blood, clothes tattered with open wounds, their shoulders heaving from the pure exhaustion overtaking their beings. The color of crimson stained lifeless bodies and the barren white land blurred by black hazes. No soul from the opposite side stood alive. There was no one left to fight back. The crunching of guns filled the air as they fell carelessly onto the cold ground. Loud cheers soon followed after, hats flying into the air in celebration.

It was done.

They won.

The war had ended.

A petite feminine figure walked forward in front of the crowd. The cheering went silent as they watched their superior move about. The woman raised their flag high into the air, letting it flow with the wind, and stabbed it into the frozen earth, claiming what was theirs. The men and women put their hands on their hearts, and bowed their heads down in gratitude and prayer.

"Remember this day. All of you." her voice rang out. "All the struggle, suffering, and frustration was all ended today. And as your general, I'm glad to have led such a fine group. You fought and risked your lives for not only the sake of your own, but for your loved ones, and your country. Let us all honor the people who have lost their lives for that purpose. With your strength and unity, you all have made a mark in history, a mark of peace. And if I would have to leave you all with one final word. I would say, you are all heros."

Her voice touched the hearts of many. Her speech could have not been said any better. She herself wanted to cry, but she was the leader, and her duty was to stay strong for everyone. The army started to cheer loudly once again like an eruption. Only this time they were chanting one single name. Hers.

"Taeyeon! Taeyeon! Taeyeon!"

Before she knew it, her height was raised about 6 feet into the air as the crowd of her soldiers lifted her into the air. Taeyeon let all her barriers break as she began to shed her own tears. Not of sadness, but of joy. She looked towards the sky, which was shining with the hue of blue. Black birds flew through the sky to the south.

Taeyeon smiled. There was only one person on her mind at that moment.

"Tiffany. I'm coming home."

***

"Flight 9 to Seoul will take off in 20 minutes. Passengers please line up to the gate." said the announcer.

"One, two, and three." Taeyeon said to herself, slinging her luggage over her shoulders. She adjusted the weight of the bags making it easier to carry, and walked on towards the gate.

"General Kim!"

Taeyeon turned to the voice. "Colonel Lee?"

"I just wanted to say, thank you for everything." he said sincerely, patting Taeyeon on the shoulder.

"There's no need to thank me. You did just as much work as I did." Taeyeon replied politely.

"So, going to Seoul huh?" the colonel asked.

"Yup." Taeyeon answered smiling.

"My wife lives near Seoul. Got anyone special back home?" he asked.

Taeyeon smiled at the thought. "She's more than special to me. But she's waiting for me, so I hope to get home soon. I'll see you around Colonel."

"You count on that General." he said, punching Taeyeon in the shoulder.

"Later." Taeyeon said, and they both departed seperate ways.

***

Taeyeon opened the top shelf above her seat and shoved her bags into them, not having much luck. Cursing her height, she jumped up and pushed them with full force, the luggage finally settling into place. Something thumped to the floor from her luggage as she shut the cover to the compartment. It was her cellphone, which she hasn't seen in a while. Taeyeon clicked the on button and on the screen it revealed a picture of herself and Tiffany being really silly on their first date. Taeyeon slipped her phone into her back pocket and looked out the window. It was about an hour flight to Seoul,