Historical Narrative: The Truth

“…And you were at Hill 30 as well.” Captain Marshall spoke as he was reviewing about Matt Baker’s performance at a make-shift headquarters in Germany after the war. “I heard that you brought in the reinforcements. Nice job there. All of you managed to put up a fierce fight.”

Matt Baker hesitated for a moment and interrupted, “Neither did I bring in the reinforcements nor save anybody.”

“Excuse me, Baker?” Marshall asked in a slightly rude manner, a little shocked at Baker’s response.

Baker apologised to Marshall and explained, “I mean… I heard a lot of talk about how I brought in reinforcements and things like that. That was not what happened.” Baker hesitated again and continued, “Legget saved us. Just that no one wants to talk about it.”

Marshall sat up straight and his eye brows already revealed his curiosity. “Would you tell me what happened while you were at Hill 30?” he asked. However, he realised that Baker looked like he was about to break down and cry.

“Baker, do you need a break?” Marshall asked. Baker did not reply to his question, as if he was dreaming. He only responded when Marshall repeated his question.

“I can go on.” replied Baker. His lips was already trembling and tears already formed up at his eyes as he tried to describe what happen at Hill 30. However, to Baker, this is not an ordinary nightmare. This nightmare has scarred him for life.

“I need armoured support now! I mean right now!” Legget pleaded. He sounded very desperate as if he would die any moment if no one helped him immediately. “No one is responding!” Legget reported to Baker.

Baker did not respond. He knew he had to keep defending the area or else this area would be overrun. While Baker was reloading his rifle, he found himself being sent to the ground and he felt the pain on his forehead. Blood was trickling out from his wound. Hartsock rushed up to Baker.

“Baker, you ok?” Hartsock asked.

“There is no time. Just pull him up!” Hassay ordered. Hartsock instantly pulled Baker back on his feet.

Baker pulled out his rifle and started to take out the Nazis that were still charging at them. Baker looked at the situation. The situation had become horrible, from bad to worse. People were demoralised. Blood was almost everywhere, not to mention corpse. Wild thoughts were running through his mind. Is he going to die here? However, he had to shove these entire questions to the back of his mind, for he knew that if he did not, he will not be able to figure out what had happen forever. Soon, the battlefield was flooded with a sea of corpse.

“I spotted tanks! Over there!” Legget warned. “Keep your heads down!” Their mouths went agape. Two armoured vehicles were seen! Everybody must have assumed that this was the end as they bent down to avoid being shot.

“Let us get out of here! We do not have the proper weapons to deal with them!” a soldier pleaded. He was already weeping as he spoke.

“Our mission is to secure Hill 30. If any body attempts to run, I will shoot you in the back. You understand!” Hassay threatened all of us as well as the soldier.

Baker took a peek to see the tanks. However, the tanks shot near him. Baker was sent flying helplessly by the impact. Baker was losing his consciousness. However, Baker looked in horror as Legget stood up. He was in a crazed rage.

“You want me!” he taunted at the enemies. He took out his side arm and started to fire at the tanks. Many other people were telling Legget to get down but to no avail. “Take me!” he shouted at the top of his lungs and soon, he was hit by a tank shell. The impact was so great it ripped open his chest and his chest was now a blooming spread of redness.

“Baker? Baker!” Hassay shouted. Baker’s view is getting blurry. Was he going to die? A blanket of darkness covered Baker.

Baker woke up, his vision was unclear and he tried to figure out what had happen. Hassay crouched beside Baker and shouted, “I thought you died! Baker, I need you to rush all the way to headquarters and bring in reinforcements. Move it!” Bullet-like, Baker immediately rushed out to find reinforcements.

Baker did not know how long he ran. He looked up and realised that he has a much longer way to go. He paused. If he did not find reinforcements soon…

“Hey! Have any idea how to go to Hill 30?” a voice shouted out. Baker smiled. Now all he needs to do is to direct them to Hill 30.

“Follow me!” Baker shouted out to the reinforements. He noticed that there were amoured vehicle as well as troops. Baker wore a smirk of confidence. He knew this battle would be won very soon.

It was an estimated ten minutes before they reached Hill 30 and Baker immediately fired the machine gun that was attached to the tank as soon as the Nazis saw them, killing them before they knew what hit them as Baker delivered his messengers of death. The tanks turned the enemies' tanks into a steel coffin as well.

"Baker! Nice job in bringing the reinforcements here!" Hassay praised Baker as everybody discussed about how he rescued them. Baker grinned. However, at the back of his mind, he was filled with guilt and sadness. He felt guilty about how he was powerless to save Legget and sad that he lost Legget.

By the time he finished his story, he hung his head in misery, his hands were trembling with fear and his eyes were welling up with tears. Seeing Baker in this state, Marshall told Baker to take a break for a few minutes before coming back and discuss about his performance. As Baker laid on the ground and looked up to the sky again, he remembered about Legget and a question popped out of his mind. What if he saved Legget?