Dear Soldier, Put Your Gun Down novel Chapter 63

Winona’s back stiffened and slowly clenched her fists. Her heart ached not for herself but for Matt because now she understood that the person who stabbed his back was the President.

She slowly turned around and raised her eyebrows. “Oh really? Didn’t Mr. President notice my actions just now?”

She smiled as she waved the remote control in her hand. Her smile was entrancing. “Let’s perish together. Now everyone in this building would be buried with me. This is a great deal!”

The President stared blankly at her. At that moment, he thought that he saw that woman in his memory smiling at him and the world fell quiet.

By then, the security had broadcast the emergency code throughout the President’s Office and all security personnel was activated to surround the office. Winona knew that it was impossible for her to escape and she was making a bet with her life.

The President’s personal bodyguard pointed a gun at her and said, “Madam, the entire place is covered with snipers. You cannot escape. Please cooperate with us.”

“With only a press, everyone will be blown to kingdom come!”

The President suddenly waved to the bodyguard and said, “Let her leave.”

“Sir…”

“Do as I say!” he demanded.

Everyone quickly lowered their guns and made way for her. His decision caught Winona by surprise. Did she place the right bet? They were afraid of dying.

She started to walk out but then turned back around. She raised her hand and slapped him in the face. His eyeglasses flew off his face.

“This slap is for my man. Just remember this. One day I’ll get even with you!” Winona warned.

Everyone gasped at what Winona did. She even dared to hit a sitting President!

People in the room were stunned as they silently watched Winona walk away.

A bodyguard spoke as he gestured to shoot her head, “Mr. President, shall we?”

The President shook his head. He walked to the desk and removed a box stuck with chewing gum under the desk. There was no bomb inside the box. There were only several batteries. He then laughed mockingly, “It’s General Snider’s luck to marry such an outstanding woman.”

There were women in this world who did not care for wealth or fame. As long as you won their heart, they would give their life for you. She was no Cleopatra, but she's beautiful in her own way. His first love was such a woman and Winona was another.

“Shall we give chase?” the bodyguard asked.

“Just go through the motions. Don’t harm her.”

“Yes Sir!” The bodyguard saluted and left in a hurry.

Winona left the President’s Office and soon several cars and a bunch of guards started to chase after her. She ran quickly towards a narrow walkway and grabbed whatever she could to block the way behind her. The guards were getting close and her breathing became painful.

Suddenly an unmarked car stopped in front of her and the driver shouted, “Winona, get in!”

She quickly opened the door and got in. Benjamin drove the car haphazardly through the pedestrian path; people screamed and cussed at him. There were even sirens blaring in the distance.

“Follow me!” He dumped the car and grabbed her hand as he led her through the crowd and into a narrow alley. The alleyway was very complex. Even the locals might get lost inside here. The police and guards ran in all directions without any leads.

At this moment, Benjamin already led Winona to a rented house. He squatted down to tap on the flooring and removed the flooring which revealed a ladder within. He pointed to the ladder and said to Winona, “After you.”

“Benjamin, where is this place?” Winona asked.

He smiled wryly and said, “Don’t trust me? Then I’ll go down first. Follow me.” He then climbed down the ladder while Winona followed. She then carefully re-placed the flooring. It was a narrow footpath with voice-activated lights. As they walked, their footsteps activated the corresponding lights.

She suddenly remembered Matt mentioned once that Mr. Larson had been impeached because he had privately done some illegal businesses. Could this footpath be the Larson family’s secret passage for their illegal deals?

“Benjamin, I’m sorry.” Winona apologized when she realized that he was willing to expose his family secrets to her but she would not even trust him to walk behind her.

He turned to look at her seriously, “Winona, remember this. You are the most important person in my heart.”

“Perhaps I’d be very touched if you told me this before I met Matt,” Winona said. Now everything he said was pointless to her.

He did not respond but continued to walk silently. Soon, the way ahead started to brighten up. They walked to the end and it was a span of an open field. There were several aircraft on the field.

“Winona, this is as far as I can take you.” Benjamin said.

“I understand. Thanks.” Winona said.

“Don’t you have anything else to tell me except thanks?” Benjamin asked.

She extended her hand towards him and said, “We will be lifelong friends.”

He did not shake her hand because he knew that there was a Matt Snider and a secret that stood between them. They can no longer be friends.

He patted her shoulder and said, “Be on your way. I’ll wait for your good news.”

He watched her aircraft take off and disappear into the sky. He then said to himself, “Winona, now will you finally give up on him?”

After two days and nights’ journey, the aircraft finally landed at Esnurg’s District 13. There was a huge gathering of refugees. It was also the nearest to Cosmos. Apparently, Cosmos had established a kingdom here. Furthermore, the surrounding refugees had to submit to them.

Winona exchanged her clothes with one of the refugees and gave her some money to hire her as Winona’s guide. Winona spoke fluently to her with Esnurg’s language, “I’m looking for a group of men in Coscana’s military uniform. I heard that they are nearby.”

The refugee nodded her head and said, “Yes, Miss. Their camp is in a nearby forest. I’ll take you there.”

She brought Winona through a packed refugee camp. The refugees were shabby and many were injured. They all looked desperate and hopeless. Everyone was starving. Several stretched out their hands to beg but she had nothing to give them.

Winona felt that the road was becoming increasingly remote. She started to feel that something was wrong.

“Madam, where are you bringing me to?” Winona asked.

“We’re there, we’re almost there.” The woman assured.

They were in a place with a lot of collapsed walls. On some of the walls were strange symbols. Suddenly Winona could hear a man’s laughter from afar. She suddenly felt danger and turned to leave but the woman held onto her tightly and said, “Why are you running? The men you’re looking for are over there!”

“Piss off, bitch!” Winona kicked her away and quickly ran from that dangerous place. Suddenly a gunshot could be heard and some dust was kicked up just beside her feet.

She raised her hands and saw a group of soldiers. However, they were leering and whistling at her, “This chick is fine! Let’s have some fun with her!”