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eart He needed her now, needed her strong and patient and loving And that's what she'd be Every day, in every way, she'd let him know that, secret or no secret, he was loved And maybe, when he really believed it, he'd be ready to trust her

"We'll get through this, Jack I promise"

Chapter Twenty-four

The storht, then struck hard

Jack writhed restlessly Sweat crawled across his forehead, and a low, frightened moan escaped his lips

"No" The as a dry, hopeless whisper He whipped his head fro to wake up "No"

The nightmare sank its teeth into his soft flesh and pulled hied in his soul

The clearing sunpowder and fire and death Jack stood frozen with fear

Gun and cannon fire exploded around hi his eyes Rain slashed at his head and ran in cold, gushing streaks down his face The endless, ha of his heart

"Jacko!" Johnny yelled from up ahead "Come on"

Woodenly Jack started to run The winter-hard ground sliced his bare feet and sent shafts of pain up his legs with every step His rifle thudded against his back S his eyes and blurred his vision

"Johnny, where are you?" He stumbled to a stop and desperately scanned the hazy battlefield His gaze darted through the fallen and the dead Fear clawed up his throat "Johnny!"

no

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Suddenly soy haze and landed in his arms Warm blood splatted across his face Jack looked down at what he held and screamed "Noooo "