The Light In The Dark.

Chapter 27- Crossroads part 1

After Veghel, Easy Company and the rest of the 101st Airborne had moved on after ensuring the civilians were all alright and made their way to Schoonderlogt. Upon arrival the men and women of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment were assigned to the left side of the Island defences and were relieving a British division, who were very much so happy to be leaving. The island wasn't anything fancy of the sorts, but they had managed to settle in. Second battalion was positioned in an area named Randwijk, their Command Post was set up within the houses in Randwijk.

Without enough men to cover all of the ground he had been assigned to, Winters had been forced to outpost the lines. They had maintained contact between by using patrols, runners and radios.

Judith had, unfortunately, caught some illness a week before. It had left her shivering, sneezing, coughing, tired and just drained as she was unable to eat as much. The men within her platoon did their best to keep her warm as well as providing company for her so that she didn't get lonely whilst fighting off the illness. Guarnere had offered to try find some strong alcohol to see if making the girl drink that would help in anyway, he claimed that it's how medicine is made and alcohol is affective at cleaning things. Judith smiled with all her strength when he had said it but she just ended up frowning again as she found it so hard to smile.

Don had many times given up his poncho and blankets for her to use, he knew keeping her warm would be efficient with her recovery. Plus Roe had said he would try to find extra blankets but many of the men offered up their own. Muck and Penkala sat with her to tell her jokes and try to get her to laugh, anytime they did they would cheer loudly making everyone within the barn look their way with smiles.

Talbert had found a german Shepard who had most likely been abandoned by its owners on accident amongst the war. He took it upon himself to care for the dog, he had even named it Trigger.

"Hey Judy. How you holding up ?" Tab said as he walked over, Trigger trotting along behind him with her tail wagging.

"I'm doing as I was before Tab. Still ill sadly." Judith frowned, petting Trigger on the head softly as she whined happily in response.

"Least you're not dying huh." Tab smiled before walking away.

Judith watched as he sat beside Luz and Winters talking. After a moment she decided to close her eyes, but just as she did the doors banged open causing Trigger to bark.

"We got penetration!"

"Alleys hurt!"

Judiths eyes opened wide as she tried to sit up. All words were muffled as she watched Liebgott lay a very bloodied Alley on the table in the barn as people swarmed around. With all the strength she could muster, she pulled herself to sit up. Then she had managed to stand, holding a blanket around her and with a hunch she stumbled towards the group. As she got there she almost fell when Liebgott caught her before replying to Winters.

"Crossroads, where the road crosses the dyke."

"If it wasn't for your loud mouth they would've never known we was there."

"Hey you know, back off." Liebgott retaliated.

"He gonna be okay ?" Judith croaked.

"Yeah he is, go lay back down." Winters told her.

"Send a runner for Lieutenant Welsh. Lipton assemble me a squad." Winters ordered.

"Yes sir. First squad on your feet! Weapons and ammo only. Let's go, let's go!" Lipton's voice rang through the air.

Men began to gather their gear, the women gathered theres too. Judith, with a determined look on her face, wandered toward her gear and began to get ready to head out. Some men stopped to watch her as she did, a look of awe on their faces as they watched her pull on her gear and pick up her gun with what strength she had. A small sneeze escaped her mouth as she turned towards everyone before she goofily smiled at everyone.