Day 180 (melissa):

“The mirror’s image, it tells me it's home time.” I stare at myself long and hard gazing at myself in the mirror. My eyes are bloodshot red, my back almost crippled, and splotches of yellow are stained on my teeth. My glass supposedly crashes on the floor cruising towards the mirror. It’s time to go home I say with a groggy smile, feeling woozy. I gaze into the shattered mirror. The person I admire the most is standing in the mirror isn’t me, it’s a boy with sweet blue eyes and the appeal of light brown hair. Pools of alcohol are coming right at me, how delicious another taste would be. The touch of nutmeg in my shot would taste amazing. A shiny glimpse of the alcohol bottle catches my eyes, he's gone. 

Day 1 (melissa):

Two week ago I found out I was pregnant, how happy I had been. My life was an utter shock of surprises one after the other! Especially seeing my man in the green uniform. He's going to be gone for about 1 year, and I'm due next year! I'm happy he's providing for the nation, but scared to bits. What if the great man I call my beloved is deceased, ha no! My husband is the greatest man alive, he's a soldier at heart, and a great supporter of my new book, The Rave. I must not fret and think negative, because I know that he needs positive thinking from me, I sense it. Off you go, I tease him a bit, nudging him. "I love you honey, come back will ya?" "Of course Melissa, I love you too, see you on day 252!" "I love you two!"

Day 36 (the johnsons):

"I've enlisted, mother!"

"You stupid fool, you know you'll die!"

"At least he'll die a great death, haha!"

"Well I best go, bye sis, and bye mom!"

*Kisses forehead* 

"Bye son, we love you."

Day 74 (melissa):

Baby wipes, baby crib, baby lotion, and baby diapers, all set. 

I miss him so much! Perhaps I should write him a letter wishing him good luck and that our baby is fine. The letter is written and given to the post office. 

Day 98 (melissa):

"I love you so much, you have no idea how much I miss you and our baby. Little Liam might be as strong as his father, I said might! I've sweat so much you should see it! Literally I'm in like heaps of sweat underneath these army pieces. Make sure no liquor is at the baby shower, I want our baby healthy Melissa! I'll be back soon, write to me some more!"

Day 230 (the johnsons): 

*knocking* *more knocking*

"I'll go get it mother!" 

A brown package is set out onto the front porch. An odd shape is taken in the box, a pointy dent in the box is set out in the brown luster of the cardboard. The girl takes the cardboard box and closes the door on the edge dying to know what's inside. 

"Mother I've retrieved the box come look" 

The mother comes hurriedly and opens the box with a knife from the kitchen. Inside is a photograph of the young girl herself, the mother, an old dog, and the boy who enlisted. A heap of green clothes is underneath with the name tag, Johnson. A white envelope is taped to the side of the box. A liquified tear strikes its way down the center of the white battered woman's nose and into the brown box. A worried look is perplexed on the young girl's face. the young girl takes the envelope and begins to read the inside description. The old woman buries her hands in her face and slopes to the floor. "Dear Johnsons, your son was a brave man. Thank you for giving our nation more of a backbone. We are truly sorry to say that your son has deceased during the attacks. The attack had struck earlier and most had survived. We haven't found your son's body, but you will still receive a payment for the burial." A shriek of dawn is teared away from both mother and daughter as they wallow down to the floor making painful erratic cries. 

Day 145 (melissa):

"Hi dear! The baby shower was fantastic! Nancy had brought these delicious blueberry muffins that were literally to die for, I thought I should ask her to make more since you're coming home soon! Carrie had brought another baby crib, haha, I'll probably return that and get the money. We both miss you, see you very very soon!"

Day 259 (the johnsons):

"Young Mr.Johnson was a great soul. He had endured all of our hearts. He shall never be vanquished to hell and have a great rest of his journey. May he rest in pieces."

*Lots of reminiscing and tears fall*

Day 147 (melissa): 

I'm going to be late for my check up! Oh my I have to get going! Melissa drives there in heaps of worry that she's going to be late for the baby's checkup. Her SUV turns off and she slams the door with great pride of carrying a child. 

*In the doctor's room*

"Well how are you Melissa, are you still writing, oh and have you decided on a name yet?"

"Yes, I am. I've decided to continue writing until my husband comes back and then all my priorities are set on this little fellow whom we've decided to name Liam!". She points a finger towards her stomach while giving a light-hearted smile. 

"What a wonderful name you've chosen, with such a great meaning!" The doctor smiles and Melissa smiles back. The doctor's look turns confused then agitated and then into a dismal frown. "Melissa I'm afraid there is a problem. You see your child was very small, too small for his own body parts to form. I'm so sorry." 

"NO YOU'RE WRONG CHECK AGAIN! PLEASE CHECK AGAIN!" The doctor proceeds to do the same exam in the same categorized manner. "I'm sorry", the doctor gives a simple frown. Heavy wet tears form in Melissa's eyes. The salted water drips onto her plumped stomach, which she clutches tightly. She wails and becomes stressed and angry at the doctor. The doctor holds her hand as she cries heavily and helps her stand up to walk out the door. Looks and stares are given in her direction all the way down to her SUV. She opens the door and slumps down into the car seat. Her hands are buried in her face. Heat intensifies and her palms are soaked with sweat. 

Day 266 (the johnsons): 

A picture of the family portrait is hung on the wall and the smell of cigars stank up the living room. 

"Pass me the remote", mother says with a loony and "high" look. The girl gives it a second and gets up, and then slumps down into the couch. 

“Oh damn you Melissa, pass me the remote!”

Day 169 (melissa):

*Knocking* *Knocking* Oh that must be the mailman! Probably another letter from Colton. Melissa walks up to the door moping and a sad look in her eyes. She feels as if a sword has cut deep into her stomach. She opens the door with a weak pull and swing. A brown package is set out onto the front porch. An odd shape is taken in the box, a pointy dent in the box is set out in the brown luster of the cardboard. 

Day 178 (melissa): 

That guy looks so hot. “Pass me another scotch and two vodka’s!” Melissa angrily sways her hips. She grabs the drinks off the bar counter and begins to sip large consumptions. She glugs her way down to the last droplet of scotch and all turns black. She wakes up unaware of the bed she’s, yet she recognizes the man beside her. She quickly puts on her clothes and walks to the bus station. She picks up 3 bottles of wine and heads her way to home. 

Day 183 (melissa): 

“Well, you only need the light when it’s burning low..” The loud speakers bang into her head. One hand is on the wheel another is clutching the scotch. She takes a sip and a sharp turn. Head on head she clashes with another vehicle. Her SUV is completely broken and the door is unhinged. Melissa’s head is out in the front window of the car and scattered bits of glass are in every aching inch of her neck. Her eyes seem bloody and her body is limp. She is hurriedly rushed to the hospital by some random couple. Surgeons wither their way through the glass in her neck. Their fingers work until they are sore and pained. Every surgeon stands for about 15 hours working nonstop. Sweat forms at the tops of their foreheads. The couple stands hugging and hoping for a sign that the foreigner they’d rescued is alive and breathing. After long hours of tedious surgery, Melissa is stabilized and put on a ventilation device. She is completely unconscious and the couple stand outside the room peering on the other side of the glass. A doctor greets them with a happy smile saying the surgery was a success and if they were related. The couple both nod and say they have got to go somewhere. The doctor proceeds by saying if there was a relative or someone to call. The couple shake their heads disapprovingly and explain that they had no relation to the stranger they had just rescued. 

Day 199 (melissa): 

Melissa looks around with swollen eyes. She has her eyes slitted and squints very hard, but can only see blurriness and bits of white above her. She tries to speak, but her throat aches and she notices a machine doing her breathing for her. A nurse quickly opens the door and greets her with a warm welcome. 

“Well you made it sugar, since you can’t speak would you like to write down a yes or no question?” Melissa blinks very slowly and carefully. “Great!” The nurse hands her a notepad and a pencil in front of her. Do you have any relatives or family I can call? Yes, she squiggles down with terrible handwriting. The nurse picks up the pencil gently and hands it over and tells Melissa to write down a number she could call. Melissa writes down a number and the nurse goes outside to call. The line picks up and she says hello and talks about the incident. A while later a very very old white batty woman comes into Melissa’s room. She starts to tear up and so does the old woman. Melissa writes down, “mother I’ve missed you, look at me now. Thank you for showing up. Where’s Liam? I left him at our place.” The old woman becomes startled and confused; she goes outside and rushes to the nurse. She discusses Liam, whom she’s never heard of in her life. The nurse says that it's probably some permanent brain damage that she had gotten during the brutal accident. The mother cries a bit and Melissa watches from outside the window. The woman picks up her coat and leaves with lots of tears. Why did she leave? In front of Melissa a young boy with light brown hair and beautiful blue eyes, about the age of six, stands in front of her. Liam you came! Come here boy! The boy comes close to her, but not too close. Don’t be shy! He comes a tiny bit closer, but doesn’t touch her. 

Day 249 (melissa): 

Well I’m sorry Liam, but we don’t have a house now. The hospital took all of my belongings and yours too. I’m so sorry! I’ll get a job ok. She reaches for the bright blue eyed boy, but he backs away. She stares at the ground and looks saddened. She tells him she’s got to go to the pharmacy to get her medication. He nods and walks behind her. They reach the pharmacy and she takes a large case of Vodka. See this Liam, this solves all your problems! “$7.99” She pays the money and walks outside with the boy following behind. She drinks up 1 and half of a bottle until all life vanquishes and the curbside turns into a dark storming circle. She gets up a little while after that. “Let’s hold hands now Liam.” Liam stretches his hand out and she touches his soft skin. “Let's go home.”

Day 252 (colton): 

*Knock* *Knock* The mailman sets a white envelope down with the word “mixup” written on the front. After an hour or two….*Knock* *Knock*”Honey I’m home! Can I see my precious baby!” He looks down at his shoes and notices the envelope and he picks it up, holding it in his hand. He adjusts his shirt and knocks once more. The door doesn’t open. He pulls out a rusty key and jingles it in the key hole. The door peers open. He walks in and notices a crack in the TV and multiple alcohol beverages on the living room table. He gazes at the baby crib and notices no baby. “Honey, I’m home.”