Part 76 (1/2)

A sudden scream of unbearable intensity ripped through the earbud and into my head. It hit me like a punch, as if it were coming from an inch behind me.The shriek was male but piercingly, insanely loud. The shock knocked me forward onto my knees and I clawed at the bud, tearing it out of my ear.

All the while the boy stared at me, his face twisted into a grimace that almost looked like a smile.

The scream instantly stopped.

Just like that.

But it seemed to echo faintly inside my head. My eyes teared up and my nose was running. I pawed at my face and the back of my hand came away slick and wet. And red.

I gagged and coughed dark blood onto the sand.

The boy was still standing where I'd told him to, but he touched his face beneath the rippling scarf. There was a weird look in his eyes. Like he was smiling. Or crying. I couldn't tell.

Behind me, off somewhere at an incalculable distance, I heard other voices. Men's voices. Not screaming.Yelling.

Calling my name.

I swung my rifle around on its sling and brought it up as blood continued to pour from my nose.

”Cowboy!” called a voice that was m.u.f.fled and distorted. ”Cowboy, on your nine. Friendlies. Lower your weapon.”

I turned to my left to see Top and Bunny coming toward me. Both of them had their weapons in their hands.Top's was pointed up to the sky and he held out his other hand in a calming no-problem gesture. Bunny's barrel and eyes were both pointed at the small boy.

”Freeze!” he yelled, and through the pain and disorientation in my head I thought that was strange. The boy hadn't made a move, though now there was no expression except fear in his eyes.

Top pushed my rifle barrel aside as he knelt in front of me.

”Where are you hurt?” he said, asking me the same question I'd asked Finn.

I touched my nose.The bleeding had stopped.

”Jesus Christ,” I snapped, ”what the f.u.c.k was that scream? Was that Finn?”