Redamancy ✷ Simon Riley

Chap 2)

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨
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A thin layer of perspiration seemed to gloss Poppy's skin the longer she stayed seated in her seat on the helo. It wasn't a symptom of possible nervousness or trepidation about the mission they were on or the territory they were going to land in.

This might have been the Sergeant's first time back on active duty in about a year but she was not concerned. No, it was merely the simple fact that she was hot. She had many layers on and yes, they were protecting her body from being hit by searing bullets but many layers, combined with warm air weren't helping her.

It appeared to get quite warm in the middle of the night in Al Mazrah. Her smooth palms had become slightly clammy within the fabric of her camouflage gloves and the back of her neck was slick but it didn't bother her much.

A lot of people may have said that being adorned in a heavy uniform with a military bulletproof vest and a semi-automatic around your shoulder would be tiring to carry. That they would hate the disgusting feeling of being damp with sweat in clothing and protective gear they couldn't remove but it didn't trouble Poppy.

The new mother had been in a hospital room for hours in active labour and she was wearing less thick clothing in that hospital room than she was now and she was still scorching hot.

She had felt like the witch from Hansel and Gretel, like she had been pushed in the steaming oven to roast alive. It had felt like melton lava was running through the pipes that were her blue veins rather than her tepid blood.

Poppy recalled demanding she take her annoying hospital gown off and sit in her sports bra; she was that boiling. Her mum, Kirsty had smiled at her in amusement at her firm tone but she understood her daughter's adamant request.

The Sergeant had burst out in tears because of how uncomfortably sweaty she had gotten and it hadn't helped that she was having painful contractions at the same time at that moment.

Her mum had leaned her head against her very own and reassured her that it would all be okay while wiping the sweat from the back of her neck and forehead.

Kirsty had carefully swiped sticky locks of hair out of her daughter's face so she could see properly while thumbing her salty tears away.

As long as Poppy could remember, her mum had always been there for her and she reverenced her dearly for it.

The marines that were sitting against the metal interior wall of the helo opposite one another knew they were getting closer to AQ territory. You could hear the RPGs and gunfire ricocheting in the near distance even over the strident sound of the blades spinning above.