Chapter 3

Standing before the tombstones of Charlotte and Jameson Hart, a 23-year-old boy's voice trembled with sorrow as he spoke to his deceased parents. "Mom, I've done it," he said, his words barely audible over the rain. "I've been accepted into the army, just as you wanted. You always wanted me to follow in Father's footsteps and become a soldier." He paused, his eyes fixed on the tombstones. "I wish you were here to see it, to know that I've made it. I hope you're proud of me." The rain poured down, mirroring the tears he couldn't hold back. He stood there, lost in thought, remembering the memories he shared with his mother. The silence was only broken by the sound of raindrops hitting the tombstones, a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life.

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Flashback

The doctor's expression was somber as he delivered the devastating news to Charlotte Hart and her teenage son, Levi. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Hart, but the test results confirm you have bacterial pneumonia. Unfortunately, we don't have a cure for it at this time."

Charlotte's eyes widened in disbelief, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Levi's hand. "I-I didn't expect this... I've always taken care of myself, never smoked or drank. Why me?" Her voice cracked with despair.

The doctor's tone was empathetic, but his words offered little comfort. "I know, Ms. Hart. It's a cruel irony that healthcare professionals like yourself are often at risk of contracting viruses and germs in the very place you've dedicated your life to healing others. I'm afraid time is not on our side."

Levi's face contorted in anguish, his eyes fixed on his mother as if willing her to be okay. Charlotte's grip on his hand tightened, as if she was clinging to hope itself. The weight of the doctor's words hung in the air, a harsh reminder of the fragility of life. The once-sterile hospital room now felt like a stark and unforgiving reality.

Charlotte lay on the bed, her coughing fits punctuating the conversation with her son, Levi. "Little Levi, you shouldn't be here with me. You might catch the disease too," she warned, her eyes fixed on him as he read a book on human biology.

Levi looked up, his expression reassuring. "Don't worry, Mom. I have a strong immune system. I'll be fine." He paused, then added, "You're the one who needs to take it easy."

Charlotte's gaze clouded, her mind drifting back to the past year. "Oh, little Levi, I feel so bad that you have to go through this. You finished school, and then this war... it's just so unfair." Her voice cracked, and Levi quickly offered her a cup of water.

As she took a sip, he said, "It's okay, Mom. I've already learned everything I need to know. I'm a genius, remember?" He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

Charlotte's expression softened, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek. "I know, sweetie. And I want you to follow in your father's footsteps, become a soldier... but for now, please just stay here with me, take care of me while I'm sick." Her voice was weak, but her love for her son shone through.

Flashback ends

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Pov Levi:

Levi Hart stepped off the bus and onto the training camp grounds in 1941, taking a deep breath as he gazed out at the rows of barracks and the drill sergeants barking orders. He had enlisted in the army to fight in World War II, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism. But as he looked around, he felt a mix of emotions: excitement, but also a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen this before. Memories of his past life flashed through his mind, glimpses of a life he just somewhat recall. Despite this, Levi was determined to make his mother proud, who had encouraged him to follow in his father's footsteps. He had always been a quick learner, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With a sense of resolve, he squared his shoulders and marched forward, ready to begin his training.

"I took a deep breath and said, 'I think this starts now, for real.' Me and the other fellas were about to take the oath as soldiers. After we swore in, we got issued a pair of crisp new uniforms to change into. Once we were all squared away, Sergeant Gardens marched us off to the barracks. Let me tell you, some of the new recruits were gettin' an earful for not makin' their bunks just right. But not me, no sirree. I had this down pat. Not only do I have twice the physical strength as the average Joe, but my mind's a steel trap too. I've got an eidetic memory, which makes learnin' new things a whole lot easier than for the regular guys.

As we settled into our new digs, I could hear the Sergeant chewin' out some of the other newbies for not keepin' their gear in order. But I was ahead of the game, thanks to my keen mind and physical prowess. I had my bed made tighter than a drum, and my rifle shined like the top of the Chrysler Building. I was ready to take on whatever the Army threw my way. I was determined to stand out from the crowd. After all, we were the new crop of GIs, and we were gonna be the ones to help turn the tide of this war.

Sergeant Gardens gave us a once-over, his eyes scrutinizin' every last detail. "Alright, listen up, maggots!" he barked. "You're in the Army now, and you'll do things the Army way. That means keepin' your gear in order, your uniforms pressed, and your minds sharp. You're gonna learn to work together, watch each other's backs, and get the job done. And if you can't hack it, well, there's the door."

I could feel the weight of his words, the gravity of what we were gettin' ourselves into. But I was ready. I was ready to serve, to fight, and to win. And I knew the other guys felt the same way. We were a team, a unit, a band of brothers.

The days that followed were a grueling blur of training, drilling, and learning. I pushed my body to the limit, perfecting my marksmanship, honing my hand-to-hand combat skills, and studying the tactics until they became second nature. I stood out among my comrades, my aim unparalleled, my shooting skills sharpened to perfection through double the training of a normal soldier. While others struggled to keep up, I thrived, my muscles screaming in protest as I ran until my legs were like jelly and did push-ups until my arms were like lead. But I didn't complain, We knew every last bit of sweat and toil was worth it, for we were forging ourselves into an elite force, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. My exceptional marksmanship earned me the respect and admiration of my comrades, and I became a benchmark for others to strive for, a true asset in upcoming battles.

And then, just when we thought we were getting the hang of things, they threw us a curveball. A simulated combat exercise, designed to test our mettle, our courage, and our wits. We were dropped into a mock battlefield, with enemy fire coming at us from all sides. It was chaos, pure and simple. But I, didn't flinch. My focused mind and boon - my double body and mental power - allowed me to push my physical limits, dodging and weaving through the hail of bullets with ease. My comrades looked to me for guidance, and together we worked in perfect sync, our skills honed to perfection. We returned fire with precision, outmaneuvered the enemy, and completed our objectives. When it was all over, we were exhausted, exhilarated, and proud. We were soldiers, through and through. My boon had given me an edge, allowing me to perform feats that would be impossible for a normal soldier. I had single-handedly taken out an enemy bunker, and my comrades looked at me with a mix of awe and gratitude.

After a month of intense training, the day had finally arrived to put our skills to the test on the battlefield. Our preparation was complete, and we were ready to face the harsh realities of war. The time had come to leave the training grounds behind and join the fight.

Before living the training Sargent said "Today, we stand at the threshold of a new chapter. The grueling training, the sweat, the tears, and the sacrifices - it all culminates in this moment. You are no longer the same individuals who first stepped onto this training ground. You have been forged into something stronger, something greater. You are soldiers now, warriors of our great nation.

As you prepare to face the harsh realities of the battlefield, remember that you are not just fighting for your own lives, but for the lives of your comrades, your families, and your country. You are the guardians of our freedom, the protectors of our way of life.

Don't waste this precious gift of life by dying a meaningless death. Make every bullet count, every step count, every decision count. Be brave, be fierce, be cunning, and be honorable. Remember that you are not just soldiers, but heroes in the making.

So go forth, my friends, and make us proud. Make your nation proud. Make your families proud. And most importantly, make yourself proud. For you are the defenders of our nation, and you will be the ones who shape its destiny.

Good luck, soldiers! May your hearts be filled with courage, your minds be sharpened with strategy, and your souls be fueled with the fire of patriotism. Go out there and make history!"