Current Day

“Are you kidding me?” Charlie yelled as explosions erupted around them.

Johnny looked around in desperation. He ducked when another mortar exploded close by. “No, Charlie, it looks like we’re trapped,” he yelled, scurrying closer to his friend.

Both men buried themselves under their arms as another explosion erupted, raining down mud and broken rock.

Johnny coughed away the dust then heaved a deep breath. His mind worked frantically as he considered their options. To go forward would be suicide, he thought turning around, but to go back would be worse.

As the onslaught continued, Johnny took in their plight. He scanned the darkened hills ahead and caught sight of a forest in the distance. Maybe...

He looked at Charlie and saw unquestionable trust in his blue eyes. They always stuck together. This time was no different.


Twenty Five Years Earlier

“Johnny, hey Johnny, wait up!”

Johnny’s unruly dark hair whirled around his face as he spun his bike to a halt to seek out the voice he knew so well. He smiled broadly when Charlie spun his own bike to a stop beside him, kicking up dust around them. “Hey, Charlie, where ya been?”

Charlie reached out and pumped Johnny’s hand. “I just had to do a few chores before mom cut me loose for the afternoon,” he said, blowing his brown hair off his face.

“Cut loose, hey!” Johnny mused, his hazel eyes glistening.

Charlie squinted. “What’re ya thinking?”

Johnny smiled mischievously. “Well... how’s ‘bout we head out to the quarry?”

Charlie’s eyes widened. “You sure?”

Johnny nodded. “Yep.”

The quarry had been off limits to the two friends after their last disastrous adventure. A covered hole collapsed as Charlie passed over it on his bike, dropping him into the deep pit. It had taken twelve hours for emergency services to dig him out. He was none worse for wear, but he’d had to spend the night in the hospital anyway.

Johnny had refused to leave his side through the ordeal, despite the best efforts of the adults to get him to leave. But they were best friends; Johnny would never abandon Charlie.

They hadn’t been back since that day, dutifully obeying their parents. But Johnny was bored with the safe bike tracks. He needed something with a bit more of an edge.

A giant smile broke across Charlie’s face. “Let’s do it!”

Laughter echoed down the quiet suburban street as the two friends headed out, defying parental orders.


Johnny’s bike hit air and, for a second, he got a touch of vertigo as he looked at the sky and contemplated the universe. His bike touched down with a thud as Charlie brought up the rear and performed the same move. But his landing wasn’t as smooth.

Johnny held his breath when Charlie’s front tire hit a protruding rock, stopping him in his tracks. His body flew over the handlebars, and he landed heavily with a loud grunt.

Johnny sped over on his bike. “You okay?”

Charlie coughed and nodded. After a minute, he picked himself up and dusted himself off. “I’m fine,” he said a little breathlessly.

“You sure?”

Charlie chuckled. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Johnny checked his friend over, relieved to see that he was indeed okay. His tummy rumbled. “What say we take a break?”

Charlie took a deep breath. “What’ve ya got?” he asked, looking intently at Johnny’s bag.

Johnny smiled brightly. “Well, I’ve got some chocolate covered liquorice,” he said as he rummaged through his backpack, “two cans of coke.” He pulled a face. “Oh, I’ve also got some...”

Charlie laughed at the flattened doughnuts.

Johnny chuckled. “C’mon, let’s get outta here.” He slapped Charlie’s back as they both climbed onto their bikes and left the quarry.


“Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout?” Charlie asked.

They had ridden to an out-of-the way place that they used as a home away from home.

Their little slice of paradise had been found when they were exploring a forest that backed onto a playing field close to where they lived. Near the center of the forest was a creek which, for the most part, ran at a trickle. But it had been raining a lot lately, so the creek was running at full steam. Behind where they now lay was a nest of trees that served well for protection from the weather on the odd times that they got caught out.

The weeks following their discovery, they had brought items from their homes. Fold back chairs, cushions, a small coffee table, and a metal shelf which they used to store all sorts of amusing objects. To keep everything protected from the weather, Charlie had brought a tarpaulin that they had strung up between trees.

No one knew about this place but Johnny and Charlie. It was their oasis, a refuge where they could talk, and hide from the hassles of life.

Johnny had been lying quietly, looking up to the sky above. “I was just thinkin’.”

“Yeah, ‘bout what?” Charlie asked, exasperated at his long pause.

Johnny sighed. “What it would be like to travel the stars.”

Charlie looked up at the same sky and wondered the same thing. “Do ya think we’ll get up there one day?” he asked, quietly.

“We’re already sending shuttles out to space.”

“Yeah, but it’d be neat to go to other planets, you know, like what we see in Star Trek. Bounce around on a planet,” he said with enthusiasm.

Johnny smiled. “You never know what’s around the corner, Charlie, maybe one day we might find a way to visit other planets, just like in Star Trek.”

“And I’ll be Captain Kirk, and you can be Spock.”

Johnny turned his head and cocked an eyebrow. “Who says you get to be captain?”

Charlie laughed. “Me!”

Johnny shook his head smiling then returned his attention to the sky. “You know,” he started, “when we get older you and I could join the Air Force, become astronauts, and go into space for real.”

A big smile spread across Charlie’s face. He knew his friend was dreaming of them flying among the stars.

Charlie flew with him.

“How do ya think they take a pee in space?” he asked in all seriousness. Charlie glared at his friend as he rolled around, pealing in laughter. “What! It was a serious question,” he complained.

It was a moment before Johnny could get his laughter under control. He wiped tears from his eyes and drew a deep breath. “Sorry,” he gasped.

Charlie laughed. He could never stay angry at Johnny.

“I don’t know, but one day we’ll fly,” Johnny said.

Charlie smiled contentedly. Yeah, he thought, we’ll get there someday.


Bats took up residence in Charlie’s stomach as he stared at the house in front of him. The horror house, as he referred to it now. “I think it’d be nice to travel the universe, escape everything,” he said, quietly. He turned to Johnny. “It wasn’t always like this, remember?” he mumbled.

Johnny nodded sombrely. “I remember,” he said.

Charlie eyed his home. His dad had lost his job, and overnight he went from fun loving, do anything for you dad, to a monster who was compelled to drink and take out his anger on his youngest son. He sighed. “I better get inside before I get into trouble,” he said, and swallowed hard as those damned bats tried forcing their way up his throat.

Johnny put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You could always come and stay with me tonight,” he suggested.

Charlie shook his head. “Nah, I’ll be okay, mom’s home tonight.”

Johnny looked at the house then back at Charlie. “Okay. But if you need anything.”

Charlie nodded. “I’ll see ya in the morning.” With that he reluctantly pushed his bike up the driveway as Johnny turned and disappeared from his view.



“Where have you been, boy?”

Charlie cringed as he walked in. “I... I...” he stammered.

“I asked you a question,” his father growled.

“I... I was out playing with Johnny,” he answered

His father took a menacing step toward him. “I’ve told you before. You are not to stay out after dark.”

“We lost track –” Suddenly, Charlie’s head spun, and his ears rang, when his dad struck him with great force.

He heard his mother scream, and opened his eyes in time to watch his mother collapse to the floor, a crimson welt already rising on her cheek.

Charlie saw red. “That’s it,” he roared. He flew to his feet and charged his dad.

Catching his father off guard, Charlie rammed into his legs and tackled him to the ground. There was a loud thump then silence. Charlie looked at his mom and saw the shock on her face. His eyes drifted to where she was staring.

He felt sick. His dad lay inert next to the coffee table, blood oozing from a huge gash on his forehead. Oh, my god, I’ve killed him! Charlie looked at his mom again before running out into the night.


Johnny’s attention was taken away from his game by the sound of frantic knocking on his window.

“Johnny!”

Johnny scrambled to his window and opened it. “What happened?” he asked, alarmed.

Charlie didn’t say anything as he climbed through.

Johnny checked his friend over as he crawled on the bed. He gasped when he saw blood trickle from Charlie’s head. “Damn, Charlie, what happened?” he asked more forcefully, although truth be told, he already knew.

Charlie still didn’t respond, but collapsed on the corner of the bed and breathed deeply.

As Johnny sat next to him, he noticed his hands were balled into a fist. “Charlie, what happened?” he tried again. When Charlie still didn’t respond, he answered for him. “Your dad did this,” he growled.

Charlie’s body stiffened, but he didn’t say a word. Johnny rose off the bed and crouched in front of his friend. “Charlie?”

Charlie took a deep breath. “I killed him, Johnny,” he finally whispered.

Johnny’s mind raced. He had to protect Charlie, had to get him away from here and somewhere safe. Without saying a word, he got up, grabbed Charlie’s arm, and headed for the open window.

They ran quickly through the darkened streets, heading for the one place that Johnny knew to be safe. He spun to check on Charlie, stopping when he saw that his friend had slowed to a walk.

Johnny joined him. In the subtle light of the street lamp, he caught a glimpse of the silent tears. He laid a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Come on, Charlie, it’ll be okay,” he said, quietly.

“I don’t think so, Johnny,” he sobbed.

Johnny’s heart ached for his friend. He grabbed Charlie’s arm and urged him forward. “Trust me. We’ll make this better.”


As his feet sank onto the mattress his bedroom door opened. Johnny dropped his head when his dad switched on the light and walked in slowly.

“You need to tell us where he is, Johnny,” he gently urged.

Johnny sat heavily on his bed and shook his head stubbornly.

“Johnny, Charlie’s father is downstairs,” his mother said as she sat next to him.

Johnny’s head shot up.

His mother smiled sadly. “He told us what happened, and he’s really sorry that he hurt Charlie. He just wants to make it up to him.’

Johnny stared at his mother in disbelief. “What?” he said skeptically.

“Johnny,” a soft voice called.

Johnny looked up at the man standing in the doorway and clenched his jaw in anger when he saw who it was.

His mom laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Johnny, he’s not here to hurt anyone, he just wants to find his son and say he’s sorry.”

Johnny didn’t believe it. He glared at the monster. His coursing anger stopped in its tracks when Charlie’s dad raised his head. He was stunned to see tears running down the older man’s cheeks.

His attention was drawn to Charlie’s mother. He swallowed against the lump when he saw her distress and concern for her missing son.

“Please, Johnny, I promise nothing will happen to Charlie ever again,” she pleaded and, as if to make a point, she glared at her husband.

When Charlie’s dad bent his head again Johnny saw his guilt and remorse; he knew what he had to do.


Charlie woke with a start. His heart pounded, his lungs hurt. He had cried himself to sleep after Johnny had left, feeling overwhelmed by what he had done. His father was dead. He had killed him. Charlie pulled the blankets closer and wished Johnny was there.

His breath caught when he heard movement close by. His heart pounded in his ears, and his panic skyrocketed when he saw four torches swinging in an arc. “Oh, god! The police!”

He closed his eyes tightly and held his breath. If I pretend I’m not here, he thought desperately, maybe they’ll stop looking for me and go away. He pulled the blanket tighter over his head, trying to make himself invisible.

“Charlie, its Johnny.”

Charlie jumped up with excitement at the sound of his friend’s voice.

“Charlie... your dad’s here as well.”

His heart jackhammered. What? Dad isn’t —

“Charlie,” he heard his father say softly, almost pleadingly.

Charlie backed into the bushes and sat. He eyed his father warily as he neared, a torch held low in his hand. His body tensed, ready to flee at the first sign of a raised hand. He looked behind his father, and was relieved to see Johnny wasn’t far behind. He drew strength from his friend, knowing, without a doubt, that Johnny would step in should things go south.

His dad crouched in front of him. “I’m sorry, son,” he whispered, a single tear tracing its way down his haggard face.

Charlie couldn’t find the words to respond, his mind was too busy trying to understand why his dad was crying. His attention was drawn to his mother as she walked forward and joined them. She placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder.

Charlie’s eyes widened in disbelief when his dad gazed at her, then slumped his shoulders. He turned his attention back to Charlie and took a deep, moist breath. “I let you down, Charlie, and for that I am truly sorry,” he said.

Charlie’s eyes filled with tears as his father continued.

“I never meant to hurt you. I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I promise to get help to make sure that I don’t.”

Charlie was confused, he didn’t know whether to believe him or not. He looked at his mom. He saw her determination, her encouragement, that he would be safe and that this would never happen again. He turned to Johnny, whose face said it all. If Johnny believed him, then he would too. He looked back at his dad and nodded.

Charlie stood slowly and headed out of the darkened cove.

“You’ve got a great little spot,” his dad said.

Charlie looked at his father and realised that this was his dad’s first attempt to heal their relationship. He looked around and smiled before joining Johnny. They draped their arms on each other’s shoulder. “Yes it is,” he said and headed home.



Current Day

Charlie and Johnny achieved one of their dreams. Both joined the Air Force, travelling side by side around the world. But twenty-five years after that day in the forest, they never thought that they would be running for their lives in a foreign country in a war of which they had no say.

They were hunkered down behind a shattered wall after bailing from their plane when it was damaged midflight. When they were unceremoniously dropped on solid ground, they came under immediate fire and had run blindly into the night. Now they were being hunted.

Johnny risked another look over the parapet and scanned the area that sat between them and the forest. We’ve always been safe in the forest, he thought. Johnny looked over to Charlie. “We have to make it to that tree line,” he said with urgency.

Charlie grimaced. “I’m with ya.”

Johnny understood the fear in his eyes. His own heart was pounding in his ears. “Thing is, Charlie, there’s about two hundred meters of open ground between us and it.”

Charlie raised his head just above the wall. “Yep,” he said, dropping back down. “Duck season coming up.”

Johnny’s smile faded at the approaching sound of heavy footsteps. “Doesn’t look like we have any choice,” he said.

As they continued to stare at each other, the unspoken passed between them. What they were about to do would expose them, and more than likely get them killed. Charlie smiled and nodded. They took deep breaths, rose in unison, and ran.

At first Johnny thought they would make the distance undetected until a flare lit up the night sky. Suddenly a shout echoed, and guns started firing. They put on extra speed as bullets flew past them, kicking up grass and mud at their feet.

Johnny’s heart pounded against his chest when he felt a bullet buzz past his ear. He was about to turn to make sure Charlie was still with him when he stumbled. Searing pain pierced his back, traversed his body, burning its way through, until it blew out the side of his abdomen.

He heard Charlie yell, felt arms catching him as his legs crumbled, then his body being lowered gently to the ground. He could see Charlie’s lips moving, but he couldn’t hear his voice. Johnny tried to say something, but couldn’t force the air out of his lungs to form the words. He felt Charlie hold him tighter, this time hearing his order to stay with him. He didn’t think he could.

Johnny looked up through blurred vision and stared into Charlie’s panicked eyes. As the shadows surrounded him, he forced out his last command. “Keep going, Charlie...”


Charlie’s mouth went dry. He quickly placed a hand on his friend’s neck and breathed a sigh of relief. “Johnny,” he called, shaking his friend. “C’mon, buddy, open your eyes,” he begged when he got no reply.

He frantically scoped his immediate surroundings. The sky had gone dark again, but he didn’t think they’d have much more time before the enemy was upon them. “Johnny, we’ve got to get moving,” he ordered. Looking down at his friend, he knew it was useless.

Heaving a giant breath, Charlie dragged Johnny from the ground and threw him over his shoulder. “We’ve only got a few meters to go, buddy,” he gasped, and ran for all his worth.

Charlie cringed at the sound of his heavy footsteps impacting the grass as he ran. He ignored the image of his movements being detected, ending with a bullet in his back, and focussed on the tree line.

His heart pounded in his ears, and his lungs burned for want of air as he neared the safety of the forest. He could still hear the sounds of their pursuers behind them, but had managed, somehow, to outrun them.

As he crossed into the wooded area, he wanted desperately to stop. His body ached from carrying the heavy burden on his back, but fear for his friend kept him going. He needed to get Johnny to safety and to do that they needed to go deeper into the forest.


Charlie pulled his collar up further in a futile attempt to keep the drizzling rain out.
His body was at the point of exhaustion when he found a nest of bushes shaped like a large bungalow. After carefully examining the area, he decided it would provide enough cover to hide them, and scant shelter from the unexpected storm that had hit them thirty minutes earlier.

Charlie looked around at their flimsy protection. ”A bit like home, hey Johnny?” he mumbled. He looked down at his friend, whose eyes were still closed.

When he found this isolated place, he had laid Johnny gently on the ground and checked his wounds. He had winced at the blazing red and hot to touch hole on his abdomen. He couldn’t be sure, but Charlie thought that he had heard air escaping the lungs. He did what he could, with the scarce supplies they had, and settled Johnny on his back. Since then, Johnny had not moved.

Charlie took in his surroundings. He felt the way he had all those years ago when he hid in the forest, overwhelmed, alone, and scared.

Charlie could still hear the sounds of their hunters in the distance, and knew they’d be discovered soon if he didn’t move. He looked at Johnny, dreading having to move his friend, but he had no choice. The night sky was starting to brighten. Day was coming.

Charlie sighed. “Sorry,” he said as he stood. Just as he was about to take hold of Johnny’s arms, the injured man groaned. Charlie crouched back down. “Johnny,” he whispered, anxiously.

Johnny rolled onto his back and moaned again. His eyes slowly opened. “Charlie,” he rasped then coughed harshly.

“Easy,” Charlie urged. He shook Johnny hard when he closed his eyes again. “No, no, no, no, stay with me, Johnny, open your eyes,” he ordered.

Charlie watched on, feeling powerless. The bitter frustration of being unable to help his friend grew and he punched the ground in an effort to release it. He took a calming breath. “Johnny, you need to stay with me, okay,” he pleaded, and watched anxiously for a response. When none came he tried again. “We have to get moving and get out of here before the day gets any brighter,” he stressed, hoping that his friend could hear and understand his words.

Johnny’s eyes opened and looked up at Charlie. “You have to go, Charlie, leave me” he gasped, coughing again.

Charlie laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “No, I’m not leaving you,” he promised. Looking around, and hearing the sounds of their hunters getting closer, Charlie made up his mind.

He reached down. “C’mon,” he said, dragging Johnny to his feet. He draped him over his shoulder and settled him there. He winced inwardly when Johnny groaned. “Sorry,” he whispered, and started walking.


Charlie’s shoulders ached, his legs burned. He had carried Johnny for two hours, and was about to drop from exhaustion, when he finally came across what looked like an old, abandoned, shack sitting on the edge of the forest, close to an unused path.

He had hid in thick bushes near the building to study the surrounding area before proceeding. He didn’t see or hear anything, had long ago ceased hearing from those hunting them, but he still remained where he was, vigilant, reluctant to expose himself, and his unconscious friend, to the unknown.

He turned his head to check on Johnny. His fear had increased during their flight through the forest, when he realised that he was making the injuries worse. But he had no choice and kept putting one foot in front of the other until he came across the shack. He knew that if he didn’t rest, then Johnny would not survive. Taking a deep breath to steel himself, Charlie approached the building.

His knees started to buckle in relief when he peered inside a dusty window. A one room shack, with nowhere for anyone to hide. “Okay, Johnny, looks like we’ve got ourselves a camping spot,” he breathed. He knew he was talking to the air, but it helped him to cope with unending silence from his friend.

He walked to the door and opened it, coughed slightly as the disturbed dust hit his throat, and stepped wearily inside. The shack was small, but it had everything that they needed, the most important being a bed and mattress to lay down his injured friend.

Dragging his tired legs under him, Charlie walked over to the bed and, as gently as he could, pulled his friend from his aching shoulders onto the mattress. He knew he shouldn’t, but he collapsed on the floor beside the bed, his body unable to carry his weight any longer.

Knowing he still had work to do, Charlie eventually roused himself. With grim determination, he raised himself off the floor and headed to a sink on the other side of the room. He turned the tap, silently praying that the water would run clean and clear. His spirits sank when the water trickled out, tainted with rust; still he left the tap running while he searched for a mug. Eyeing a cupboard, he pulled out a chipped cup and turned back to the tap. He breathed a sigh of relief seeing that the water lost its brown color and ran more freely.

Charlie filled the mug and took a sip. Although it tasted stale, it was cool and soothing on his parched throat. He raised the cup again and emptied the contents.

After satiating his thirst, Charlie refilled the mug and walked over to Johnny. He crouched down and lifted his head. “Here,” he encouraged raising the cup. Even though Johnny didn’t respond, Charlie tilted the cup and poured the precious contents through his friend’s lips.

Charlie stared at his friend, wishing he could do more, but there was nothing, just a few precious drops of stale water that he hoped would not cause his friend any more harm.
Johnny stirred and opened his eyes. Charlie tried to keep his face neutral when he saw the pain blazing. He smiled. “Hi.”

“Thank you,” Johnny croaked.

Charlie nodded. “You’re welcome,” he replied, softly.


Through his clouded mind, Johnny tried to focus his eyes on Charlie, but try as he may Charlie wobbled in his vision. He closed his eyes again and swallowed against the hot pain that burned through his body. He felt Charlie’s grip on his arm and, with a great effort, he slowly forced his eyes to open, and looked up into the concerned face of his friend.

Charlie smiled. “How’re ya feeling?” he asked.

Johnny took a ragged breath, but stopped when a hot poker burned deep in his lungs. “Not so good,” he hissed.

Charlie tightened his grip. “Just rest,” he whispered.

Johnny nodded. “I’ll be okay.” He squeezed his eyes shut and gripped Charlie’s hand hard when another wave of fire burned through his veins. He tried to take a deep breath, but the vice that had found its way to his chest tightened, preventing him from sucking in the air that he desperately needed. His head started to spin from the lack of oxygen.
As darkness came, Johnny only hoped that he hadn’t just lied to his best friend.


Charlie held Johnny’s hand tighter as a single tear traced down his cheek. He lowered his head and sobbed quietly. “What am I going to do?” he asked the universe.

After a few minutes, Charlie rallied. When he was sure that his friend would feel no pain, he checked the injury on his abdomen. He almost gagged at the smell and sight of the infection seeping from the edges of the wound, but steeled his nerve and set out to do what he had to do.

Once he was finished, he rolled Johnny onto his side and crawled onto the bed beside him to keep him warm. Checking to make sure he hadn’t disturbed his friend, he lay down, and watched his friend’s chest rise and fall unevenly until he, too, drifted off to sleep.

Charlie stirred from his slumber, confused. Something had woken him. He glanced at Johnny, who was still sleeping. “So, not you,” he mumbled.

His attention was drawn outside. Heart skipping a beat, he heard what had disturbed him - the sound of deep voices approaching. He shot his friend a worried glance before rising off the bed, and crawled to the window. His eyes flew open at what he saw. Men dressed in familiar uniforms.

He didn’t waste time. He rose from his position and sped to the door, hesitating a moment before turning the handle and walking out. He held his hands out. “Major,” he called. Charlie’s heart jumped to his throat when the men spun in unison and raised their guns. “Don’t shoot,” he yelled.

The major nodded, and they lowered their guns. “Major Moore, US Marine Corp, at your service,” he saluted.

Charlie almost did a jig. “Major Moore! Am I happy to see you,” he said, grinning. “My friend, he’s seriously hurt,” he said, motioning them toward the shack before racing back inside.


Charlie stared out the window as the plane soared into the sky.

They had been airlifted out of the danger zone and flown back to base. Johnny’s wounds were starting to heal, although it had been a close call. If they hadn’t been found, Johnny would certainly have died.

Charlie looked down at his friend and smiled. Johnny was rocking gently on his cot in a peaceful sleep. They were going home.


They lay on the soft green grass, soaking in their quiet surroundings, staring up into the sky above.

Although worse for wear, their sanctuary still stood, still providing shelter from the storm.

“He kept his promise, didn’t he,” Johnny said in more of a statement than a question.

Charlie shifted his gaze from the deep blue sky and looked at his friend. “Yeah, yeah he did,” he sighed.

Twenty-five years ago, his dad had made a promise. Not the one about never hurting him again, which he never did, but the promise that he would never encroach on the sanctuary that was their home away from home.

In the comfortable silence that followed, Charlie dreamed of the future. He still wanted to be out in space, to explore. “So... how do you think they take a pee in space?”

Johnny’s face cracked up, and the deep laughter of both men echoed through the quiet forest...

The End...