Minefield (416 words)

Minefield<br><br>Summer lived in the minefield at the edge of the town. Every morning she walked the road that cut through the mines. Every morning she lived with the knowledge that she might die.<br><br>She had been six years old when the mines were laid. When the war came, the army had scattered the mines that pushed back the enemy. When the war ended, the army had come back and blown up some of them. Summer had grown up in the safety of a mine-free zone. But she could not live there.<br><br>Summer's mother had been a surgeon. When the war came, she had worked at the field hospital. She worked day and night, to remove the shrapnel. One night, a man had come in. He had been blown up on the road, the mines had already killed two men who tried to rescue him. Summer's mother had gone out to rescue him, to prove that she could. She had died.<br><br>After that, Summer's father had left. The town had moved on. They were all survivors. They had all lost someone. But Summer had lost someone who didn't have to die. She could not live in a town that had moved on, but she could not live anywhere else.<br><br>She respected the landmines. She knew they could kill her. But they reminded her of her mother. She walked the road every morning, to feel like she had to fight to live. If she ever lost that fight, it would be fair. She would deserve it.<br><br>One day, a young soldier came to her. He had been in the war, and fought for her country. When he came back, he was celebrated. He was a hero, for saving his country. He walked the road that Summer walked. He had heard the story of a girl who walked the minefield. He wanted to be her hero.<br><br>Summer didn't want him. She did not want to be rescued. She did not want to be a damsel in distress. But the soldier did not care about what she wanted.<br><br>He walked behind her on the road. He said, "I'm here to help you."<br><br>"I don't need you." She said.<br><br>"I'm here to help you." He said.<br><br>"I don't want you." She said.<br><br>"I'm going to rescue you. I'm going to blow up the mines."<br><br>She turned to him. She shook her head. "No."<br><br>"I'm going to rescue you. I'm going to blow up the mines." He said.<br><br>"You can't." She said.<br><br>"I will." He said.<br><br>"I lived here for years. I know every mine. I know every path that's safe."<br><br>"But you might make a mistake. And die. And I will rescue you." He said.<br><br>"No." She said.<br><br>"I will rescue you."<br><br>"I lived here for years. I have not made a mistake."<br><br>"I will rescue you."<br><br>"I'm not thinking about you. I'm thinking about myself. I don't want you. I don't need you."<br><br>"I will rescue you."<br><br>"No." She said. "I'm not going to make a mistake. I'm not going to die."<br><br>"I will rescue you."<br><br>"No." She said.<br><br>"Then I'll blow up the mines."<br><br>"No."<br><br>"I will."<br><br>"I don't want you to."<br><br>"I will." He said.<br><br>"I don't want you to. You can't. I'll stop you."<br><br>"I will." He said.<br><br>"I'll stop you." She said.<br><br>"I will."<br><br>"I'll stop you. I lived here for years."<br><br>"I will."<br><br>"I'll stop you."<br><br>"I will."<br><br>"I'll stop you."<br><br>"I will."<br><br>"I'll stop you."<br><br>And they both lived in the minefield at the edge of the town. One of them would die.