Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
"I'll make sure that never happens." Drew responded to Cal's soft smile with a tired one of his own. "So will I." He meant it to. Nothing was going to pull him away from Cal now, he'd learnt his lesson and they'd lost so much time over the years, wasted time. It wasn't worth wasting anymore pretending or lying.
"I'll never stop worrying, Never..." Drew shook his head slightly, pressing another careful kiss to Cal's fingers, not wanting to cause him any more pain, but wanting to reassure him. "That sounds exhausting, Cal. I'm not the one you need to worry about." He frowned as Cal winced, not liking the sight of pain on his face. "Promise me Andrew, you'll take care of yourself - please, promise. I don't want to wake up again to find that you haven't." He nodded, a half smile at that. Anything to reassure him so he would rest. "I promise, Cal. So please, don't think about me right now. Get some rest, I'll be here when you wake." Another promise. He didn't want Cal to hold out for him, he needed to rest and heal and not be thinking about Drew - who was perfectly capable of knowing what he needed or didn't need in order to look after himself.
Oh nice, I know it's not as nice a feeling as being able to feel the weightlessness but does it not feel nice to be in the water? Have a bit more freedom of movement?
Andrew kept his gaze on Caleb, it felt important to keep his eyes on him, for one or both of them he didn't quite not. For him, he wanted to just drink him up as much as he could. With what had happened, it was terrifying to think he might have never seen him again. "I panicked. Just the thought of shutting my eyes, not seeing you... It hit me strange." His gaze softened, understanding dawning as he listened to Caleb's words. He gave a small nod and a careful squeeze of the hand he held. "I know the feeling. But I promise, wild animals couldn't rip me away." nothing could. He would fight tooth and claw to be here by his love's side until he was ready to go home. And even then, he didn't think he'd be able to leave.
"The only thing I need is you, the rest of it can all go fly a kite in the park, You need to take care of yourself too. It's not like I can run out of here and join a marathon." Drew gave a weary chuckle. "Fly a kite, hmm?" he repeated, amused by the turn of phrase. He shook his head a little, his returning smile tired but still a smile. "I'm fine, don't worry about me." and he was fine now. Everything else.. sleep, food, rest or whatever... Could go to damn hell. He just needed to know Caleb was going to come out of this fine and then he'd deal with everything that came after it.
Drew watched him carefully, realising he was probably staring a little too intensely, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't stop drinking him in, seeing that he was alive, knowing that he was alive. They had come so close to the end, he still hadn't shaken off the terror yet. He didn't know if he'd even be able to. "I have a feeling that you'd sooner handcuff me to a radiator than let me leave," He gave a small smile at that, and gently squeezed his hand. God if he didn't want to never let him go, but he knew at some point he'd have to step away, even if for just a moment. "Oh absolutely, I didn't even realise that was an option." He teased gently, though he'd rather just never have him leave and be it at that.
He leaned into Cal's touch, turning his face into the palm and closing his eyes momentarily, soaking in his touch. Warm and gentle, he would never take it for granted again. "I promise you, with everything I have, I will not ever - never ever - leave your side again. I'm tired of being alone in the world. There has only ever been you and I was a fucking idiot. I see it. I know it. I want to be wherever you go. From now until always." He smiled and re-opened his eyes, but the smile fell to hear the change to his heart beat. He touched Cal's chest gently. "Hey, what happened there, where did you go?" He asked, wondering what had upset him in that moment. He had waited to hear those words for so long, but he wanted to hear them again when Cal was okay and up and about again. "I don't want to sleep anymore.. but I am so tired." Drew leant down to kiss his cheek gently. "You need to rest, I'll be right here the whole time. I promise. Nothing bad will happen, I'll make sure of it."
Drew squeezed his hand carefully, scared to hurt him with how banged up he was. "I have no plans on going anywhere, not ever." His heart sung to hear it, but he'd been told that before, and he couldn't help but he fearful and dubious, that tiny inkling that it might not be true. "You'd better not. I'm not letting you get away from me again." not easily anyway, not if he had any say in it at all. The scary truth was there were things he didn't have a say in. It was Caleb's actions that had put himself in the way of the car, but the car had been the thing to send him to hospital. The stupid wayward car, with it's idiot of a driver. Andrew hadn't had the capacity to think about that part of it yet and the fact that the driver had some serious penalties to pay, but that would come in time once he could stand to leave Cal's side.
Andrew heard the sigh but did not say anything further about what had happened. He couldn't stand to think about it let alone talk about it yet, and if he could spare Cal from knowing any of it, he would. "I'm sorry I caused everyone so much distress, I just... acted again without thinking." Drew was quick to shake his head as he brought Cal's knuckles to his lips again. "No, don't..." he didn't want him to apologise, even if he hadn't wanted him to do it in the first place. He leant forward as Cal's arms went around him and returned the kiss, lingering for a moment to soak up everything about Caleb. His forehead came to rest against Cal's and he took a long inhale to settle his anxiety.
"Yes, I will always be concerned for you. For everyone. I am going to be fine, even through the battles to come. I am going to keep fighting to be by your side Andrew, ok? Always. I fucked up once, I'm not letting it happen again." He opened his eyes after a long moment to stare at Caleb directly. "Just never do this to me again, and that's all I ask. Never leave my side, Cal, and we can do this together." those words he'd wanted to hear years ago said now - to be by his side forever. He hoped Caleb meant it, he wasn't ready to go through heartbreak again.
"Might keep it then," Andrew gave a faint smile and squeezed Caleb's hand gently, his eyes on his. He would never take that look for granted again - the sight of Caleb looking at him, aware, eyes bright and intense, he would never forget that. "The only thing I care about seeing, is you alive and well. Stubble, no stubble, I don't care...as long as you are here, with me. That's all I need." He raised the hand he held to his lips and pressed a kiss to the knuckles. He needed Cal to listen to him, to never scare him like that again. He had lost him once, and it had been terrifying to think he was going to lose him again, after everything. This was more final too, even though he had moved on before he had known Caleb was out there somewhere, even if they had been done. But this had been scary, seeing it happen, being there and having to wait and wait not knowing. Never again.
Drew watched the expression on Cal's face as he told him what had happened. He wanted to ease the pain he saw there and he shifted in his chair, unable to do anything for him but be here. "I don't remember that," Drew relaxed a little at that. "I'm glad, it was...." quite horrible, he finished in his mind. He didn't want to say it. It wasn't fair to him, he didn't need to remember it. Andrew would never forget it. "I remember telling you that I love you... we were walking the dogs... I don't remember much else.. I remember thinking I saved you.. then nothing after that. I did it because I ... I-I... Why don't I remember anything?" He squeezed his hand again gently. "Because it was a serious trauma, Cal. It wasn't good. I thought you were dead. Everyone did." He swallowed hard against the tide of emotions that came with saying those words, even though Cal was talking. It still didn't make things any less easy to take.
"You weren't hurt, were you?" Drew shook his head but managed another small laugh. "You nearly died but you're concerned for me? I'm okay, Cal, I just needed to know you were okay." he said softly, his eyes warming a little. He didn't bother to mention his stupid food. It would be okay in the long run and he could her by on it as it was, but something was definitely wrong with it. It wasn't sitting right on his leg and it was uncomfortable to walk. He'd resorted to limping already and he knew he'd been to bring his crutches back out of retirement temporarily.
Andrew couldn't stop staring at him. Despite the fact that he had been hoping, praying and wishing with everything he had that Caleb would wake up, and now that he was awake, Drew couldn't quite believe it. He had been so scared that Cal would die, or even that he would stay asleep forever. He didn't know what would be worse - for him to be gone, or for him to be stuck in a half life, asleep for years. Cal's soft smile broke his heart just a little, for the fact that he hadn't realised how much he'd missed it until then. How he almost never saw it again. "No, this isn't a dream. I hope not. I don't want it to be." Andrew managed to return his smile, "I hope it's not a dream too." He admitted, thinking that surely it couldn't be if they were both hoping for it.
The reaching almost did him over, and he gladly swallowed Cal's hand in both of his own, clasping gently. It helped him to feel the warmth and the life of Cal's hand in his, to know that he was really awake and talking. "I need a shave, A bit too much stubble." Drew managed another smile at that and even a slight chuckle. "I quite like it," He admitted, the slight rugged look on the handsome guy. But it was a flood of relief to know he felt like himself. "Maybe you can explain the dull pain in my head right now... or where we are as such..." He nodded, understanding that he might not remember what happened, or remember. God, Drew hoped he never remembered what happened, it would be stuck in Drew's head until the day he died. "We're in the hospital, you've been out for quite a few days....You... pushed me out the way of a car, and it hit you instead of me." He shuddered as the images rushed forward once again. "Why did you do that, Cal... don't ever do that again." He fixed his gaze on Cal, fierce and firm.
He stayed with Caleb for days, at his side for as long as he could be. He kept in touch with some clients, rearranging things to the following week - at which time he knew he would have to go back outside the hospital. He had called his friend that had taken on Pup, feeling guilty for not having been back for the dog yet, but he could barely look after himself, let alone an animal. They were fine with the dog so far, but he promised to be back to pick him up in another day. By then he knew he would have to start going home. It was scary, not knowing how long Caleb would be out for, and he wanted to be there when he woke up - but he couldn't stay here for months, not really.
He'd popped home this morning to get a change of clothes and shower, though he didn't bother to shave, glancing at himself in the mirror was upsetting, and he couldn't stand it for longer than a moment. He checked in on his dog, spending some time with Pup and feeling a little better for it too - though guilty for leaving once again. He promised to pick him up tomorrow instead of another few days time. Then he was quick to return to the hospital, slipping back into his chair and taking up vigil once more. At some point, his eyes drifted closed, tired from his lack of sleep. "Morning handsome..." Drew frowned slightly, the voice familiar, though it sounded rough. "Must be dreaming..." He mumbled to himself as he shifted and yawned, moving in the chair to bring his hands up and rub his eyes. He glanced at Caleb automatically to check on him; still asleep... Drew blinked and then looked back to him - no, he was awake. Those cool blue eyes were open and aware, and Drew immediately shot upright properly, coming forwards on his chair and grasping Cal's hand. "Oh Caleb... Caleb you're awake? I'm really not dreaming??"
Time no longer took meaning as he sat there, waiting for something to happen. He didn't know what, considering he had been told they didn't expect Caleb to wake up any time soon, but he could still sit and hope that it might happen on the sooner scale. At some point he remembered he needed to move some work around, making a couple of quiet calls to move some appointments - the clients were very understanding when he explained the circumstances. His work might be a little light this month and therefore money a little tight, but he would make it work. He had made an appointment with his doctor for another time to talk about the possibility of a new prosthetic at some point. Once that was done he settled back in for a long stint of observation, taking a break only to use the facilities and then to grab another couple of coffees. He couldn't stand to eat right now.
He looked up hopefully when the twitch of a hand caught his eye. He knew that it might mean nothing, but hope was impossible to tamp down on in times like this. He needed to know Cal was in there somewhere, fighting, going to pull through for him. "Cal?" He said softly, watching keenly for another sign of movement. "Come back to me, Caleb. I need you. You need to fight this - be strong and fight this, and come home to me." He murmured, reaching out to take his closest hands. He was polite to the nurses, though their fifth suggestion of talking to Andrew began to wear a little thing. What did they think he was doing? But there was only so much he could say, it hurt to talk to someone who could not talk back.
He didn't know how long he'd sat in the waiting room as they worked on Caleb. Time had lost all meaning. It had been difficult to know what to do with himself, and in the end the age old patience of the army had kicked in, and he'd gone into himself and sat there. His mind had gone silent, practicing the ability to shut off the worrisome thoughts. He couldn't think about the 'what if's' or the 'might have beens'. It was too easy, and too quick for him to feel sick with the guilt of what had happened. It was without a doubt his fault, but he was angry too. Angry that his ridiculous foot had let him down, angry that he hadn't been paying attention like that, angry that whoever had caused the accident had sent that car flying toward them, angry that Caleb had been the fool to push him out the way. Angry he hadn't been able to say the words back. Just angry. He didn't look it, sat there, internalising it all as a nurse pressed a drink into his hand. He didn't even glance at what it was, it could have been vodka, it could have been poison - he threw it back all the same. It didn't kill him anyway.
The dogs were back at his. They wouldn't let him in the ambulance, insisting on checking him over in a separate one until he had finally been able to wave them off. His foot was damaged, he would need a replacement likely, but it was okay enough to use for now. Thank God, he didn't want to have to go through the ordeal of hobbling around on crutches again and everyone know now that he was missing a piece of himself. When the ambulance had finally left him for another emergency, he'd taken the animals from a kind stranger who had grabbed them, and set them all up at home, hoping they didn't get upset with each other whilst he was gone. He'd text a friend asking to come check on them, telling them to feel free to stay as long as they liked - he didn't know when he'd be home. It was that weird sense of calm duty that settled him as he arranged everything - he went to Caleb's to get him clothes. He would need new clothes, they would have cut his off and he'd want to leave in his own stuff. Denial, but he couldn't delve into that right then. He would not be dead. No. Andrew would not allow it.
Eventually, he'd been let in to see Cal. His heart had shattered, splintered into a million pieces, never all to be found again as he looked at the broken love of his life. He'd settled in a chair, ready to sit sentry for as long as it took, his fingers bridging together as he rested his forehead against them, now struggling to hold back the tide. At some point he cried. He had no idea of the time, it could have taken hours to cry out, or minutes. There was no change. People came in and out to check on Cal, eventually, someone was nice enough to tell him what was going on. He nodded numbly in response and when she left, he looked at Cal's prone form again. Too still. "It should have been me." He couldn't say the other words, to say other words, to tell him he loved him, would be to give in. "It should have been me lying here, you stupid fool. Why did you have to go and do it. It doesn't make things right, it makes things worse." He voice cracked but his eyes were dry, there were no tears left. It didn't change the past, for him to have saved him, you couldn't change or right that, all he'd wanted was a chance for them to right it together themselves, he didn't want this. Never this.
Well I didn't want to presume, you might have had things going on I'm in no rush to go, I need to get moving myself and get everything together. It doesn't start for another hour I think anyway.
Hey Scott, I was wondering if you were up for a wander this morning? There's a car boot sale near the park and I was hoping there might be some cheap flowers/plants up for grabs and company would be nice!
GENDER: Male AGE: Thirty-Six D.O.B: 3rd January SEXUALITY: Bisexual STATUS: dating PLAY-BY: Matt Bomer HEIGHT: 6ft1 HAIR: Black EYES: Blue
"GIMME SOME TIME TO THINK, FACE IN THE"
TATTOOS: None SCARS: A large scar from the top of his left ear to the corner of his left lip, a criss-cross of them on his chest and back; several on his lower right leg DRINK: Socially SMOKE: When very stressed DRIVE: Not now but has a license GLASSES: Nope HOME: Woodbain Flats BORN AND RAISED: Born London, England, moved shortly and grew up in Croydon
"MIRROR IS ALL I NEED, WAIT UNTIL THE"
Glass half full kind of person, despite the things he's been through, upbeat about life, positive outlook, will try and boost the moral of people around him, problem solver, will look for ways to fix the issue rather than ignore it, especially if it's important to someone, rational, pretty relaxed, a calming air, big believer in putting good forward and it will get paid back, level headed, thoughtful, puts others before himself, amenable, not a push over, will take a stand for his own sanity if needed, honest, owns up to his mistakes, not one to shy from taking responsibility, good at adapting to change, quick study, absorbs things like a sponge, won't settle for being unhappy, confident in himself and where he wants to be, self assured, happy in his own skin, not egotistical, forward thinking, active brain, what you see is what you get, open minded, tactful, won't beat around the bush or mince his words, lover not a fighter, romantic, bit of a sap but doesn't care, knows what he wants - won't settle for less, no particularly ambitious, softie with his friends - would go above and beyond for them, pretty stand up guy, but he'd just call himself your average Joe.
LIKES: working with his hands , bringing a garden to life , creating things , sketching , puzzles - any kind of conundrum to figure out; cross words, sudoku, manual puzzles , home made apple crumble and hot custard , trying new things; will give anything a go at least once and enjoys learning about other cultures , making people feel good about themselves , romance; sucker for a love story , water sports; struggles now but used to enjoy all manner of water related activities (surfing, swimming, scuba diving, sailing) , fishing on an early Sunday morning , a satisfied customer , bubble baths; girlie or not he finds them relaxing DISLIKES: making mistakes , cynics , being taken advantage off , people close to him shutting him out , art critics; like they could do any better , being preached to or talked down to , violence and arguments , men who disrespect women , people thinking he can't do something because of his foot , not being as balanced on his feet as he used to be , the scar on his face - piece of shrapnel from a bomb , how young the army recruits , hamsters; they freak him out a little STRENGTHS: green thumb; good at getting plants and flowers to thrive , creative with some artistic talent for sketching , problem solver; good at solving puzzles , cooks a mean roast , water sports, though this is now somewhat of a challenge , good at compartmentalising, mentally strong WEAKNESSES: his balance, somewhat off at times as he adjusts to his new foot , flying; not great with heights , nuts - allergic , running - hasn't quite got the hang of it well enough yet, don't even think about asking him to dance , sucker for romance , can't say no to a piece of chocolate cake FEARS: that he will develop Dementia like his mother , that he will never find the love of his life - thinks he's already had and lost his , losing someone to the same death as his father , that he'll never be 100% normal on his prosthetic foot SECRETS: Is still in love with Caleb
"REAPER TAKES MY LIFE NEVER GONNA GET ME"
STATUS IN SOCIETY: Working Class OCCUPATION: Landscaper/Architect EXPERTISE: Flowers and all things landscaping , sketching , making things; putting things together WEALTH: Comfortable enough PROUDEST MOMENT: Getting into the army, he wasn't sure if he'd be good enough to get in as he was a little on the older side and he didn't know if he'd pass the medical - but he was so proud of himself for getting in. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: He didn't know how to shoot a gun and his first few rounds of attempts were shocking to say the least; the army lads razed the crap out of him for his aim for a while.
"OUT ALIVE, I WILL LIVE A THOUSAND LIVES"
FATHER(S): Arthur Thomas Phillips - Deceased - stabbed MOTHER(S): Lisa Madeline Phillips - 61 - former principle dancer, dementia STEP-PARENT(S): None OTHER HALF: dating Caleb Graeham Callahan - 36 - equine dentist & chiropractor SIBLINGS: Matthew Arthur Phillips - 41 - Pilot Harrison Thomas Phillips - 31 - Marine Biologist CHILDREN: None
Andrew was born to your typical homegrown English family. His parents had been happily married since their early 20's, meeting in secondary school as teenagers and falling into the kind of love that Andrew always dreamed to have. He remembered them telling him their love story many a time, and they always made it clear that things were not always easy, but that they loved each other like soul mates and vowed to always get through life together. Drew was born the second son, with Matthew 5 years his elder, and surprisingly happy to be given a baby brother to play with. For his first few years, Drew grew up in London, but when baby number three came along - another boy - his parents realised their tiny little town house was not going to be enough, and they moved instead to a quieter area on the outskirts of Croydon. It was not the most expensive place, and not the most impressive neighbourhood but it was a three bedroom house with a garden for the kids, a school round the corner, and it was still easy for their mother to commute to the centre of London where she taught at the Royal Ballet. Before the kids were born that ruined her figure - always said with great affection - she had been their principle dancer for several years. They had been keen for her to return in any capacity and whilst dancing to that level was off, teaching was within reach, and she returned after a reasonable time from each birth.
Andrew didn't mind being the middle child - he never felt that he had the middle child syndrome as others did. He got along with both his brothers, aside from the odd fight and tussle that came from growing up as lads. Despite the age gaps, they generally played together a fair bit on the weekends, though as Matthew got older, he slowly outgrew his siblings and began to branch out to older friends. Things were smooth sailing for most of his childhood years, he was a happy kid, kept himself entertained and was generally pretty easy going and compliant. It all fell apart some what when Drew hit fourteen. The neighbourhood had recently seen an increase in knife crime - petty thefts and street corner stabbings. His father had popped into the local corner shop to pick up a bottle of wine for his wife and sweets for his kid. He never made it home. Two hooded thugs threatened the cashier at knife point, just idiotic kids really, and, unable to stand by and watch, Arthur had stepped in to try and help; and consequentially was left bleeding on the tiled floor.
The criminals were caught, after a long slog to crack down on gangs and criminal activity, their father's death was brought to justice. It never really felt like it though. It didn't bring back their dad to jail the offenders for ten years - not even close. Drew withdrew on himself for a while after that. His mother was beside herself; trying to stay strong for her sons, but the love of her life was no longer by her side, and she was lost. It would always be that trigger that Drew believed was the reason for her decline. It happened slowly, and she swum in heavy grief for so long that it was hard to know when that ended, and when the Dementia took over. By the time Drew was heading for university, him and his brothers had had to organise full time care support to help her. Matthew made good money as a Pilot, but he was rarely home, and with Andrew on his way to Oxford, keen to study Architecture and Art History, neither of them wanted to leave their little brother at barely fifteen to look after their declining mother. Drew spent his free time working odd jobs to add to his older brother's income, scraping pennies together to add to the support for his mother and the bills at home to keep their younger brother beneath a roof.
Heading off to uni was somewhat of an uprooting for Drew. He worried incessantly during his first term; for his little brother at home alone, for his mother who was losing her mind, to his older brother flying across the sky every day. His roommate was the one that got him through it - Caleb - and inadvertently, he fell in love. He hadn't necessarily known he was gay, but he'd known that women weren't the only thing he was interested in. The odd experiment in college hadn't gone particularly far, but his head was turned easily by either gender - it just depended on the face and the personality to match. Caleb stirred feelings in him he wasn't 100% sure how to handle, but at the time he had felt he needed a friend more than anything, and had kept his feelings to himself - unsure if they were reciprocated and unwilling to ruin the close bond they developed. When Caleb left, he didn't know what to do with himself. He knew something was wrong, but when he tried to reach out, he got nothing back. He threw himself into his studies, putting everything into passing his exams with flying grades.
With still no word from his former roommate, Drew knew he needed to check in on him. With uni finished and no clear path to his next adventure, he swung by Caleb's. He found his best friend in one hell of a state and, guilty ridden for having left it so long to check in, he stayed to help him through his dark time. Being with him in such an intimate way stirred up old and repressed feelings, and this time when he put them out there, he found they were returned. For some time he was happy, really truly happy for the first time in a long time. He found his degrees unhelpful for work, and though he picked up odd architectural jobs here and there, they weren't consistent enough to bring in the big money. He found himself job hopping from one thing to another, unable to settle - unhappy with each occupation. He worked in art galleries for some time but found them too dry and boring, he worked for the local library but the money was too poor, he picked up construction work for a time but found the work monotonous and a lot of the lads were assholes. In the end, it was the oddest thing that the army stuck with him. It was his older brother that told him to try out for it, having heard through a friend that they were recruiting and in need. He looked into it, never having been one prone to violence, and something resonated within him to go for it.
He will never forget the fight that followed when he told Caleb he had been accepted. And he tried hard to make things work, but his heart was torn in two and when Caleb continued to push and push at his good nature, in the end he snapped; unable to take it any longer he left. He spent nine years in the army. It was an unexpected love, but the routine, the companionship, the fighting for Queen and country struck a chord in him he hadn't known existed, and he put his head down and worked hard. He was known for keeping the troupe moral up, for somehow being able to give the lads the boost they needed at the right moment to get them though the shit. He refused to be promoted, never wanting to go up the ranks to desk job - he preferred the field. It all came to a head, as it always does eventually, with a saviour mission gone wrong. One of their squadron had been reported as missing - four guys vanished from where they had been holding a small village in Iraq. It was believed they had either been captured or killed, but there was importance in holding down the village to keep the enemy from advancing on the territory lines. Upon hearing about it, Drew volunteered to lead a group to investigate and attempt an extraction if possible. He only accepted others who were happy to volunteer, with many of his squad due to retire soon, along with himself, he figured it would be good to help encourage the new troops of some good in war.
The four men had indeed been captured. Drew spent days camped out, observing every move - he found one man already dead, but the other three alive. Plan in place, they went in to take back the village and return their soldiers home. Drew went in with seven of his own squad, and came out with only two others. It was a massacre on both sides - they'd had solider's planted hidden from view, and they'd been ambushed. Drew ordered his lot to retreat, but they refused, and three were shot just on the way in. It was chaos, though somewhat organised. Drew and his best mate managed to get two of the kidnapped soliders free, the third died before they could get him out. That was when the world exploded. To this day, Drew doesn't know if it was a grenade, a bomb or that the building just gave up and collapsed. All he knew was that at some point he emerged from a cloud of dust and rubble, dragging out his best mate. Something felt off about his right leg, it didn't seem to want to co-operate properly.
When the world had settled, and his head was clearer, he was finally able to count the dead - one of which was his best mate, still in his arms from where he'd dragged them clear of the battle ground. They had managed to save two of the four kidnapped -but at what price. The loss of five lives, six to include the kidnapped solider who hadn't made it. It took Drew longer than he could have imagined to realise that the reason his right leg wouldn't work properly was that some of it had gone - his leg ended in a bloody stump at the ankle, his foot presumably somewhere beneath the rubble along with his dead conrades. He spent months in hospital, months rehabilitating and understanding how to use his new fake foot. It took longer to get over what had happened. An ache settled in his chest, reminding him every day of the death of his squad - and his best friend. He claimed his tags, putting them around his neck in his memory, unable to ever take them off. He was given honourable discharge from the army, though he didn't felt he deserved it. Nobody blamed him, not one bit, for what had happened - they had all gone in voluntarily, they had all known the stakes. The village had been taken back from the enemy, meaning they were able to advance across another two villages and claiming a large portion of the territory, and they had rescued two tortured soldiers from the enemies hands. His sergeants called it a success, but even Drew's positive attitude failed to see much light in what had happened - he had fucked up, he had led them to their death, that was all he could see.
Upon leaving the army, he returned to another plethora of jobs. He tried becoming a fisherman for a while on the suggestion of his younger brother, and he tried his hand at working on an oil rig - but he found both impossible with his struggling balance; he had improved with his foot but he was far from perfect. He went back to construction work for a while but it didn't appeal, he bounced between retail work but found it impossible to focus, his mind drifting back to his days in the army. In the end it was pure chance he found landscaping; and he thought it would be frilly flower shit until he fell into it with an old school friend. In the end, he found he enjoyed it. The manual labour was good for him but not impossible, he got to use his old architectural skills with his designs, and he found there was satisfaction in creating a beautiful landscape from nothing - bringing beauty to where there was none, or restoring some where it had been left to rot. He recently moved to Hickstead to start up his own company now that he had managed to stockpile a good collection of savings - he was close enough to visit his mum and siblings, but far enough away to have his own life.
PETS
Pup - Mutt - 8 years
THE STORY SO FAR
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credit for this application goes to xxx.alix.xxx of caution 2.0