The Eyes of Fate (Currently in Rewrite)

Chapter 56

Ranger winced as Sentinel stepped into a pile of leaves, making them crunch loudly in the early morning woods. For as good as his eyes were, the kid seemed to step in every leaf pile in his path. Ranger really hoped there weren't any patrols nearby.

"Sorry," He mumbled, keeping his voice low like Ranger had told him to.

"It's alright, just try to keep your eyes open for any others, and try to avoid them."

He mumbled about how he should already be seeing them, and Ranger found himself chuckling. They continued through the woods until Sentinel put a hand on his back. Ranger froze, and then he heard it too.

Footsteps, several sets, and all heading their way. 

Ranger ran to the nearest tree and knelt behind it, setting his rifle down in a leaf pile and drawing his pistol from behind his back. Sentinel followed his example and slammed into another nearby tree, making sure to stay where Sentinel could see him. He dropped the spotter scope he was carrying and pulled his own pistol from his back, his eyes locked on Ranger's. 

Ranger could see the panic building in Sentinel's eyes. They were flicking rapidly between the where the approaching footsteps were coming from and the gun in his hand. Ranger waved his hand to get his teammate's attention, and when he looked over mouthed words to him.

We are going to be okay. I promise.

Sentinel shook his head hard enough it almost made Ranger dizzy. Remembering his training for helping shell-shocked comrades, he put his hand on his chest and motioned for Sentinel to do the same.

Copy. Me.

Ranger started breathing, slow and deep. He ignored how close the footsteps sounding, tracking them only in his subconscious. He kept his focus on Sentinel, trying to get the kid to breathe at the pace he was setting.

In. Hold. Out. Nice and easy. He kept at it for a few moments, until the panic in Sentinel's eyes started to die down.

Keep. Going.

Sentinel kept breathing, closing his eyes but keeping his hand on his chest. His hand was tapping a rhythm, slow and steady, and Ranger let himself smile for a second before he focused on the matter at hand. He could hear voices now, lots of them.

"Man, you guys can't march together for shit." One voice, clearly female, was saying. 

"Oh shut up. We're not soldiers, we don't have to march together." A second one said, this one a deep male bass.

You aren't doing a march if you're in a forest with no paths, dumbass. The part of Ranger that would forever be Army thought. You're just out on a hike.

The group was walking by on his left, and Ranger was momentarily grateful for that, since Sentinel was on his right. They would need to move around their trees as silently as possibly, without getting spotted by the enemy. Ranger knew he could drop them all without issue, but then their cover would be blown.

"Why are we even out here, anyway?" A third voice spoke up. "It's not like we're gonna find anything."

"Cardinal wants people on guard constantly to make sure those demons don't sneak in." The first voice said again. They were getting close to even with him and Sentinel. They'd need to start sliding around the trees.

Wait, this is supposed to be a patrol? Ranger thought again. Jesus, if they're all this undisciplined, Fang and I could just walk in and drop all of them.

"Hah, like those demons would even be able to find us out here." The third voice again. He was feet away. Ranger started sliding around the edge of the tree, hoping that Sentinel was doing the same. "We're so well hidden, Satan himself couldn't find us."