The Quiet War
1. The Beginning He was the older brother — R, nineteen, thin, restless, and already carrying more than most adults. After their parents died in a factory explosion, he became everything his little sister L needed: guardian, provider, parent. He worked any job he could find. Long shifts at the docks. Night labor at the grain warehouse. His hands were always bleeding, but he never complained. Because at home, waiting for him, was L — a girl with warm eyes, always saving the last piece of bread for him. Her smile was the only thing that made the ruined world feel bearable. R promised himself one thing: “As long as she lives, she will never feel alone.” It was a promise he never broke. 2. The War Arrives Then came the draft notices — the war swallowing young men like fire swallowing dry leaves. R tried to hide, tried to bribe, even tried to volunteer for labor instead of combat. It didn’t matter. He was taken. The night before he left, L clung to his unifo...