Our month went by quickly. We took a day off to celebrate before the battle. We jumped in a van we had all bought and went to see our families. We took Amanda first and dropped her off at her family's house. It was a warm autumn day and I told the others there was something we had to do.
We went to my house and spoke with my dad. Then we loaded all of my stuff into the van and went and sold it. I had sold everything I owned.
After that we went all over town until I spent one in a half thousand dollars on the most beautiful diamond engagement ring I could find. Then we went and saw all the other families. They all seemed worried but confident in our abilities. Brently's grandmother was so glad to see him. And Zebediah's wife was in awe. We went back and picked up Amanda and met the families for dinner. I must admit it was kind of strange having my father and mother at the dinner table together.
Half the way through dinner I asked Amanda to talk with me privately. I'll never forget the words I said, "Amanda, I realize our lives are different than other people's. I realize that I can't give you things other guys can. Like the guarantee that I will come home alive every night. But I can guarantee I will love you forever. So I would like you to wear this," I pulled out the ring, "Will you marry me?"
She said yes without any hesitation and more excitement than I had ever heard in any ones voice. She helped me put on the ring and then kissed me. I heard the elevator style music play as she held me. Then we went back to the table.
After dinner I stood up to make a toast.
"Ladies and gentlemen, and DemonDoggs. I have to thank my comrades. I thank you for everything. I have been fighting since I was very young and you have been there all the way. Most likely all of us won't survive tomorrow. But I want you to know. I love all of you. Before we go into battle I want you to know something, earlier I asked Amanda to marry me and she said yes. So I propose a toast to love." I said.
"To Love," They all replied. Then they raised their glasses.
Amanda had fun showing off her ring. I was glad she didn't ask how much it cost, or how I afforded it.
After we left, we went back to the old dilapidated house one last night.
We tried to sleep but no one would be able to that night. I stepped outside in a pair of jeans to look at the moon and the stars.
Brently stepped out behind me, "Congragulations man." He said.
"Oh thanks, I didn't see you back there." I stated.
"Sorry, beautiful night isn't it?" he said.
"Yeah, you ready for tomorrow?" I asked.
"No James, I'm not. I just came back. I got to be honest. I don't want to die." I hugged him.
"I don't know what will happen but I know it will be alright. Trust me." I said. He looked up at me in his tears but he didn't say anything. It was in that moment that I had my first fear of death since I was a little boy.
Just then I glanced up at the moon. I noticed that it had turned to blood. I knew the battle had begun. Lucifer's armies were marching. At exactly three fifty nine in the morning on October thirteenth our lives obtained one purpose, fight and survive.