Chapter 3: The News
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One day, a letter arrived at Sarah's doorstep. She recognized the handwriting immediately – it was from John. Her heart raced as she tore open the envelope, hoping for some good news.
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But as she read the contents of the letter, her worst fears were confirmed. John had been injured in battle and was being transported to a military hospital. Michael was missing in action, and his whereabouts were unknown.
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Sarah collapsed onto the floor, her body wracked with sobs. Emily came running to her side, tears streaming down her face.
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Days turned into weeks, and Sarah heard nothing more about Michael. She wrote letter after letter to the military, begging for information, but none came.
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Meanwhile, John's condition was worsening. He had lost a leg in the battle and was struggling to recover. The hospital was understaffed and under-supplied, and many soldiers died from infections and lack of medical care.
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Sarah decided to visit John in the hospital. She took Emily with her and traveled for days to reach the military hospital.
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When she arrived, she was shocked by what she saw. The hospital was overcrowded, with soldiers lying on the floor in the corridors. John was lying on a cot in a small room, surrounded by other injured soldiers.
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Sarah tried to be strong for John, but she could see the pain in his eyes. He was weak and frail, and it was clear that he didn't have much time left.
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They spent their last few days together, talking about their life before the war and the hope that they would be reunited with Michael one day. But deep down, they both knew that it was unlikely.
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On the day that Sarah and Emily were due to leave, John passed away. Sarah was beside herself with grief, and Emily was inconsolable.
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As they left the hospital, Sarah made a decision. She couldn't stay in the village anymore. It was too full of memories of her husband and son, and she needed a fresh start.
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She packed up their belongings and set off for the city, hoping to find work and a new home for her and Emily.
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But the war had left its mark on the city too. Everywhere she looked, there were reminders of the conflict – bombed-out buildings, soldiers marching through the streets, and people living in poverty.
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Sarah did her best to provide for Emily, but it was a constant struggle. She worked long hours in a factory, and Emily was often left alone for hours at a time.
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One day, while Sarah was at work, Emily disappeared. She searched the city for days, but there was no sign of her daughter.
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In the end, Sarah was left alone, with nothing but her memories of her family and the war that had taken them away from her.
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