Title: Runner, chapter 17: Letters
Title: Runner, chapter 17: Letters
Author: onthethruway01
Pairings: ot5, hints of yunjae
Rating: G
Length: chaptered
Genre: AU ( another place and time), friendship, angst
Summary: 5 young men dream of growing up together and being friends forever, but wishes don’t always come true
A/N: I am back to working full time, and will probably update Runner on the weekends. This week’s chapter is short.
The fire crackled in his tiny room; he waited until Xander had closed the door. Yunho told the young courier that the correspondence would end; things were getting complicated and he didn’t want the young man to get caught. Technically, Xander was a “double agent” even though all he did was pass letters from Yunho to Jaejoong via the Chinese agents. Xander had met Kris, Tao and Lay that night at the secret rendevous. He told them there would be no more letters. They understood; it was getting dangerous for them too. Soon it would be all over; they may have received a blow when the east bunker was hit, but it was rebuilt and a new offensive was scheduled. Rumors had been floating around about a major foreign power backing the rebels. Those rumors were now confirmed. Tonight the Chinese operatives would make their final run; find the weakness in the government’s line and report to the general. Once the foreign troops came to their aid, they would make their big push.
Xander said his goodbyes to Yunho. They would not see each other again. He would leave that night with the Chinese agents and head over the enemy lines back to the rebel base.
Yunho sat in his arm chair, wounded leg propped up on his ottoman. He poured himself a glass of claret and sipped slowly. He opened the letter with trepidation; it would be the last time he would read Jaejoong’s words.
The letter was concise and to the point.
“Package received. Message received and understood. All is well. Take care of “our little one.” AKTF, J.”
Yunho bit his lower lip. Gulping down his claret he staggered to his feet. His leg was stiff; ached; the cold weather made it worse. He threw the letter into the fire; tears of pain and sorrow trailing down his cheeks…
It had rained for days; the men were up to their knees in mud. They sloshed around in the trenches; soaked to the bone they shivered; enduring rain one day then snow the next. It was a miserable sight. Changmin pitied them; he did not pity himself; he was an officer; his boots and his coat were warm and dry. As he sat inside his bunker drinking hot tea he almost felt guilty. His adjutant handed him a letter; the young political officer immediately recognizing Yunho’s hand writing. He opened and began to read.
“Be strong for your men; the big offensive is coming soon. Be brave, but don’t be stupid. Don’t take any chances. If all hope is lost, don’t risk your life. There is no shame in surrendering. Preserve your own life and the lives of your men. Remember they are loved by family and friends just as you are. I will pray for your safe return, AKTF.”
“Always keep the faith,” Changmin mumbled under his breath.
He swallowed hard. He put the letter in his pocket and finished his tea. Slowly and silently, he loaded his pistol with bullets. He secured the gun in his holster and straightened his cap.
“It’s time,” he told his adjutant.
He strode with purpose out of the bunker joining his men on the front lines. They looked up to him as he passed by; the silence of the early morning broken by the crunch of snow beneath his boots. He stopped in the middle of the trench and spoke in a steady low voice.
“This is it boys. They’ll be coming soon. We’ll be ready for them. This is what we have been waiting for. Remember, take your time; steady hands and keen eyes.”
As they buckled down against the ramparts, the flares of the enemy lit up the sky as the sound of marching feet intensified along with the pounding of mortars and shells. Through the deafening noise the soldiers could hear Changmin’s strong and powerful voice.
“Keep your head down and keep the faith; always keep the faith.”