Dear diary,

We've been trying to persuade the king to stop his tyranny, but to no avail. My citizens want freedom.

My country wants war.

When England found me that day, I remember he told me, "I will protect you, America. You can always count on me to be by your side."

His words ring clearly in my head as I ready myself for battle. My red uniform, my gun, my men. We will fight together and free this country, or die trying.

I'm sorry.
This isn't how I wanted things to be.

I dash out, leading my soldiers towards the British army who is racing toward us. I look up and see Arthur; the English commanding chief. His eyebrows are furrowed in a glare.

What happened to your promise, Arthur?

I scowled at him as well, and ran straight toward him. He slowly raised his gun and pointed it at me. Instead of firing, he thrusts the sword at the end of his musket at me. I barely dodged the sharp end.

"Arthur! I'm an adult now; let me be free!" My voice was filled with desperation as I blocked his gun's sword with my own.

"You won't make it out in this world alone!" He growled. "Let me take care of you!"

I paused. The weight he used with each slash of his sword reminded me of the stories he told me when I was a kid.

"Then, as I jumped from the top of the sail down to the floor of the ship, I blocked the opposing captain's giant sword with only my pocket knife!"

I used to stare at him in awe; how amazing my older brother was.

But that was behind us. I kicked his stomach and he fell to the ground. Soon after, my soldiers overpowered the weakened British army. His men stared at us in fear, and ran for cover. Their retreat caused my men to cheer for our victory.  I smiled in triumph, but as I looked down at the fallen English chief, my heart broke into a trillion pieces.

No... Arthur, don't cry.

He hid has tear-stained face in his hands, and sobbed on the cold floor of the Earth.

"I-I don't want to hurt you," he cried as his gun dropped from his grasp. "I don't want you to leave me!"

My eyes filled with tears as his desperate pleas reached my ears. My soldiers began walking back to our headquarters, pulling me along with them.

No, please! Don't make me leave him just yet!

All at once, the guilt and regret washed over me as I glanced back at Arthur's shaking frame. I wanted to embrace his fragile body, to heal his broken heart.

But I can't.

We walked away, listening to Arthur's screams.

"Alfred! Please, I beg you! Don't abandon me!"

I wanted go back, but I had to be strong. The tears that had fallen from my eyes were disguised by the rainy weather as it soaked our uniforms. I averted my gaze from England, and internally made a promise to him.

I promise you, Arthur;
I will never fight against you again.