Letters Overseas

Chapter 4

Leigh lets go we going to be late. Hold on I'm writing Ethan.

Sgt. Pierre

Well hello gorgeous sniper. I don't know which look I enjoy better. The smolder look or the in action look. I hope your mission goes well. I'll be thinking of your safety along with your unit. Prayers I've said I hope are finding you well.

So your friend Blake. Since you've been away have you kept in touch at all? He seems like a great friend. If you have held on to him for this long don't be a stranger. I'm glad you gave him my information for emergency purposes.

How has he been coping with the injury? I hope I'm not over stepping my bounds with that question. If I am it's alright to let me know. Sometimes I'm nosey, but it's because I care.

Maybe if you're up for it. We can meet in person. Have lunch or take a walk. I'd like to hear the voice of the soldier who became my friend. One letter is all it took. Weird right. To care for someone you never met. To want them safe from harms way. To think of them often.

I'm worried. I've never worried about someone other than Sam. It's a weird feeling. I hope I'm not over stepping again, but you did say you like honesty and so this is me being honest.

Sam is taking me out to eat dinner tonight. He says I've been moody lately. Maybe I am. I hope this letter finds you well Sgt.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Leigh

—————————-

Alright let's go. We can drop this off on our way to the restaurant. You like him don't you. Maybe. I don't know Sam. I don't really know him. You are getting to know him. I like what I've heard so far. He seems genuine and he's very attractive. Cupid has struck his arrow. Bullseye!!!! Stop it now. You're exaggerating. Chere. You have much to learn. Maybe you can find you a man Sam. One day.

———————-

Sgt.

I usually wait for a response from you before I send another letter, but I've been having vivid dreams. I need to make sure you are alright. Please be alright.

Shots being fired. You being shot. Others as well. People I don't even know. Maybe these dreams are because you told me you were going on a mission.

It feels good to find someone spontaneously and feel a connection. I don't know if my dreams have anything to do with what is happening on your end.

Hope this letter finds you safely. Take care.

Leigh

——————————

Nothing. Not one word. No letter. No communication that something had happened. An entire month. Nothing. Silence. Usually I'll brush off things like this, but the dreams I have are so vivid. Disturbing. Like out of a horror movie.

Ethan and his unit being captured. Being tortured. Killed. No this isn't happening. I'm just getting paranoid. Worrying and stressing over a man I've never met face to face.

I want to. I want to hear his voice. Feel his fingers lace with mine. I want to see his smile. This is so weird. To care for someone I've never met.

Just please be alright Ethan.

——————

Ethan's POV

I put Kayleigh's photo in my pocket and snap it shut. It'll give me something to do when on down time. Stare at her mesmerizing face. Instant attraction. I haven't been with anyone since high school. I guess I'm a reborn again virgin. Women I just don't have time for. Never did. Not anymore, Kayleigh is like an angel. Heart pure.

Two days into the mission, 5 casualties already. My unit is still standing strong. Miles and miles of nothing. Sand as far as the eye can see. Heading into the next town is dangerous. Top guarding and they hate us interfering with their ways.

As we are approaching something isn't right. Get down and take cover. Incoming!!!!!!!!! Everyone check in now!!!!! Where's Corporal Lane????? Lane answer me damnit. Fuck. Staying down behind the building I'm looking for anyone I can get a good shot at. Fuck!!!! I'm hit. I'm hit. Sgt. Pierre has been hit. Send for backup NOW!

Being shot isn't my first rodeo. This time the pain hurts worse. Hit in the side. No exit wound. If I'm not under soon I will bleed internally. Medics 30 minutes out. I don't have 30 minutes Major. Do what you have to do Sgt. 10-4 Major.

Applying pressure and trying not to black out. Sgt. What can I do? Apply pressure. Roll me and make sure I don't have an exit wound. No exit Sgt. Sgt. That's not good is it. No private. How far? 30 minutes. Shit. Shit indeed private.

My unit has taken cover and is awaiting retrieval. I'm going down fast. Who would have thought I'd end like this. When I finally had a chance at something. Wanted something other than the military. I take once last look at Kayleigh's photo. And my eyes close. Darkness total darkness.

————————

I wake with just the sound of beeping. Sgt Pierre you are in the hospital. Do you remember what happened. I got fucking shot. Yes. In the side. The bullet was removed and you lost blood. A transfusion had to be performed. Punctured Lung. Very lucky. Where am I? You are in London. Will be transferred to the States when you are stable. Can I have some water. Of course. I'll be right back Sgt. Thanks.

It's been two weeks since I woke up in London and I've finally arrived back in North Carolina's Fort Bragg my base. I have been put on 6 weeks of leave before I fly out to California for training again for my next tour.

I know Kayleigh is worried about me. At least I hope so. I was told I received two letters while I've been away so I'm on my way to pick them up from the office. My belongings will be shipped at a later date. Not that I have much, but I want her letters. They mean something.

Sitting under a tree at the park I open her letters. As I was right she has been worried. I don't have her number to call. I can research her clinic and reach her. That's what I'll do. I don't even know if this is the right thing to do. Maybe I should ask Blake.

Ethan - Blake. Hey bro. How you doing

Blake - hey. When did you get back in the states?

Ethan - yesterday. Can you fly out here? I'll take care of everything.

Blake - are you alright? Let me know when to be at the airport.

Ethan - we can talk when you get here.

Blake - anything for you ethan.

Ethan - I'll let you know your flight plans.

Blake - have you contacted Kayleigh yet?

Ethan - nope.

Blake - do you not want to?

Ethan - of course I do. But I leave again in 6 weeks.

Blake - well why you wasting time on me. Go get your girl bro.

Ethan - soon. I just got here.

Blake - I gotta go. Look send me my flight information I'll talk with Cara on holding down the office until I get back.

Ethan - how is cara doing?

Blake - misses her son deeply. Says he is suppose to end his tour in a few weeks.

Ethan - alright good. Later