Part 8 (2/2)
Jack stopped and then turned to look at his friend.
”Seriously, Jack. You do this, you're on your own.” Chandler held out a big hand.
Jack looked back at the building as he started to walk again. As he approached, he saluted the guard.
I don't know him. Same rank as me. Williams.
The man saluted back but raised an eyebrow.
”I need to see the CO, Williams.”
The guard rolled his eyes. ”He left orders not to be disturbed. No exceptions.”
”This is an exception.”
”Not happening. Get your superior.”
Jack reached past him and pounded on the door.
”Are you crazy?” The young soldier thrust his hands down at his sides as he bent slightly at the waist.
Jack shrugged. ”Yeah.”
He waited a second and then pounded on the door again.
”STOP.” The guard was now looking around, unsure what to do. ”STOP.” He looked at his gun, and then back at Jack.
”Are you thinking about shooting me for knocking?” Jack asked incredulously, and then he pounded again. ”SIR, I NEED TO SEE YOU NOW, SIR.”
They both looked back as Chandler jogged up.
Chandler scowled. ”Aunt Haddie would kick my a.s.s if I left you alone.”
Jack smiled, and he tried the door. It was locked.
”You got a key?” he asked the guard, who now looked puzzled.
He shook his head. ”It's not supposed to be locked.”
Jack stepped back.
Well, I've gone this far.
Chandler groaned. ”Oh, man...”
Jack kicked the door. Pieces of wood and metal flew off into the building.
The guard's hands went to the sides of his head. ”Are you out of your mind? What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you?”
”SIR,” Jack yelled as he walked in. ”I NEED TO-”
The CO had thrown a rope over a beam in the main room; his feet swung a few inches off the floor, and his face was a hideous blue. The guard screamed. Jack and Chandler ran forward. Chandler grabbed the CO's legs while Jack cut him down.
”GET THE DOC, NOW,” Jack shouted at the guard, who then turned and bolted.
Chandler started rescue breathing while Jack pushed on the CO's chest.
Breathe. Just breathe. I waited too long... Breathe.
Chandler stopped and then closed his eyes. Jack turned his head away and noticed the scattered pieces of yellow construction paper covered with crayon hearts that littered the floor.
Stick figures. He's got a kid.
The picture was of a little girl holding a soldier's hand on her left. On the girl's right were a woman and a man holding hands. Written in crayon beneath each figure were the words: Daddy, Kylie, Mommy, and my new Daddy.
”Keep going,” Jack ordered.
They both turned back to the CO, and then continued to try to save him. Jack pushed down on his chest while Chandler blew into his mouth. After a moment, they stopped; Chandler tilted his head and leaned low to listen.
The CO's chest rose, and a raspy hiss escaped from his mouth.
Chandler looked up at Jack; his eyes narrowed before he hung his head. ”If you didn't... If you hadn't...”
Jack woke up, gasping and grabbing his throat. Replacement was instantly at his side.
”It's okay. It's just a dream. It's okay, Jack.”
He sat up, panting. Replacement rubbed his back while Jack stared straight ahead.
”Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.
He looked down at his trembling hands and slid them under the blanket. ”Iraq. Chandler and me.” He arched his back, closed his eyes, and tilted his head up as he gulped in air.
”What happened?”
Jack slipped out of bed and walked over to the bathroom. He stopped at the door and then looked down at the wood floor. When he shut his eyes, he could still almost feel the oppressive desert heat. He ran his hand through his hair as he exhaled.
”Chandler saved this guy. I was just remembering it.”
Replacement smiled, but he noticed her eyes glistened.
He walked into the bathroom and then closed the door. When he came back out, Replacement sat up and stretched.
”Are you going out?” She flipped over on her stomach as she looked at the clock. ”It's only seven. You got no sleep.”
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