Coming Home [Tom Hiddleston]

The Nightmare

Chapter 6

Warning - Possible Triggering

Loading my M24 Sniper Weapon System up. It is a military and police version of the Remington Model 700 rifle. Just as I finished loading up my gun, I heard a grenade go off. I opened the lid of the bloody tank and saw the Afghans out there. They had grenades in hand getting prepared to throw them. I hoisted my gun up and aimed at one of the Afghans. I shot him square in the middle of his face. After I did that the other Afghans were alerted and were trying to figure out where that bullet came from. I shot seven more before a grenade came right at me. I turned to my side getting back in the tank trying to shut the lid but wasn't quick enough. The grenade blew up and I was unconscious in seconds. I woke up weeks later in the infirmary hardly breathing.

After I was recovered my stubborn self made a huge mistake. I went back into the field and I wish I could take that back. I was beating myself up about not being quick enough to kill all of those Afghans. Day in and day out I would practice my aim. During the day I would shoot at a target with my gun and at night I would use knives so it was quieter. I wouldn't stop until I was at my best again. I had barely been eating and rarely slept. I thought that I didn't deserve it. I was training with my gun and I felt really sick. I fainted and the nurse at the infirmary said that I was dehydrated and I had a lack of food in my system. I soon was well again and I got back in the field. Now this is where the mistake comes. Me and my buddies were going against some Afghans and I watched every single one of my friends die in front of me. The rage built up inside of me and with no hesitation I killed every one of them 19 bastards. I somehow even saw the three hiding behind some broken pillars.

I woke up with sweat dripping down my face. Tom woke up and saw me. I couldn't breathe. No matter how hard I tried no air was coming into my lungs. "Breathe Alara. Breathe." I still couldn't figure out how to do it with my heavy breathing and my heart racing. Tom put my hand on his heart. "Follow my breathing Alara." He took a deep breath and so did I. Soon my breathing was regulated.

"Are you all good now?" I nodded not being able to talk from my throat being sore and still being in shock a little. "Nightmare?" I nodded again. "What nightmare was it this time?" "The grenade and my friends."

Tom engulfed me in a hug trying to comfort me as I laid my head on his bare chest. Nothing can comfort me from this. It will always be in my head haunting me no matter what I do.