writing_shadows

“I’ll put my knapsack on my back, my rifle on my shoulder…”

Sudden thunderclap blind -- which way is up? -- there, sunlight. Shakes his head, helmet wobbles, pushes himself up to a crouch, rifle coming up quick, stupid, can’t see anything anyway can’t breathe goddamn hundred and twenty degree heat mouth bitter with dust and thick smoke.

No sound, then “Sullivan! Sullivan, god damn it, get away from the vehicle!” Driver’s right, got hit, gas tank or maybe a second with an RPG. Which way? Archway there, people staring, mouths black o, ready -- draws a breath, coughs, almost pukes at the dust but fingers dig into gravel and dust and feet steady under him and go.

Crouched in the archway waiting, breathing slows, spits dust and blood. Sweat like rivers down his face, a young man’s face -- a boy’s really. Small cuts, side hurts -- rib? Breathing's OK -– ears ringing, small stones, leg torn, blood seeping, some straps cut. Sheds them. Leg holds weight. Watch the street: sullen flame, black smoke pouring from the Humvee. Across the street, there: parked cars, Matt, whatsisname the medic. Lead Humvee turning: where’s Jerry?

Whatsisname the medic stretching out toward the wreck, follow his arm: shit. Jerry still in the cab. Head back, blood. Dead? Hurt? Medic hits the street, low crouch, Matt’s rifle up frantic –- which way? Tak-tak-tak, tak-tak-tak: AK. Whosis scurries back to the cars. Ping, ping, musical: hitting the far side of the Humvee. QRF on the way, surely. Second Humvee turret guy swivelling –- where are they? Short bursts -- just noise, no chance of hitting anything. Sam smiles grimly: feels better to be doing something. He can sympathize.

Focus! Hit the other side. Same side as Matt and whatsisname. Should be clear this way. Jerry out in the open. Blood glistening, flowing sluggishly.

Should be clear. If there aren’t more. If he isn’t up on those roofs to see across the street. Thinks: that's where I'd be, but still: get close, won’t be able to shoot down, right? If there aren’t more. If the gas tank doesn’t go. If there’s no RPG. Jerry stirs.

One long stride into the sunlight.