WARZONE - König

16 - Pt. Two

The pair shortly arrive to the building together, a slow panic settling in as Nadja realized she'd just left the women alone completely defenseless. But relief washed over as she opened the bathroom door to find them still alive and well, just scared shitless. 

They all exit the village back to the truck, having cleared the area of enemy, and Nadja takes the flashlight she snatched from the warehouse and shines it on the back tire. Two holes were blown into the sidewall, making it completely unrepairable, but the truck also had no spare tire and they had no tools to change it regardless. Now feeling hopelessness sink in, Nadja checks Konig's watch for the time. 

"We have four hours to get to the LZ. I have no idea how far we are--so let's just move as fast as possible." She says with exhaustion, then looking to the women and speaking in Arabic. "We'll have to travel on foot from here. Are you okay to do so?"

They nod their heads with tired eyes, Nadja feeling the pressure of the situation weigh down on her shoulders. She lets out a heavy exhale, taking her backpack from the truck as they start heading north on foot. 

Soon into their travels, dawn arrives, the sun peeking over the horizon and guiding their way through the cold desert as their bodies begin to numb. But along the way, one of the women brings to Nadja's attention that they need to pee. They stop for a moment as the women walk off together behind a small hill to relieve themselves, leaving Nadja and Konig standing together in silence. 

She crosses her arms, looking down to her leg with the bandage wrapped around her thigh covered in dried blood. Konig steps closer, pointing to her leg as she looks up to him. "How're you feeling?" He asks kindly, his voice raspy from dehydration as they were running low on water. 

"My whole body is frozen numb." She chortles quietly. "Once we get home the pain will probably hit me all at once. I might be bedridden for a week." She jokes with a tired smile, her lips dry and cracked as the bags beneath her eyes grow darker. 

Konig looks away for a moment, awkwardly stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Do you think..." He begins, pausing momentarily. "We could see each other again?" 

Nadja tilts her head, not fully understanding the intent behind his question. "On another mission? Unlikely. I'm not sure what's going on with my unit, but it sounds like chaos if Captain Price had to take over." 

"Ah..." He hums. "But, outside of work..." 

"Oh..." She perks up, reaching for her nappy hair as it grows past her shoulders, twirling the ends in thought. "Well... I--" She laughs awkwardly. "I don't really get out much, I'm not sure if I'd have much time..." She replies, her eyes darting around at the ground before looking back up to Konig with an almost guilty expression. 

He takes in a sharp inhale, beginning to speak but is suddenly cut short as the three women make their approach, fixing their dresses and flashing a satisfied smile to Nadja. Returning the gesture, Nadja glances to Konig who stares ahead before continuing onwards, silence falling amongst the group once more. 

As the sun rose, heat kindly beamed down as the winds died out. Nadja offers the last few sips of water to the women who generously take it, leaving a tiny bit for her as they hand the canteen back. She looks to it for a moment, pinching her dry lips, but hands it to Konig in an act of selflessness. He takes it without thinking, drinking the last sip, then handing it back to her as she packs it away. 

They were soon to approach the LZ, 0900 coming up on the clock. With no way of communication, they hoped desperately to beat the time and get onto the heli with no complications. But as it goes, luck was not on their side. 

They approach the village of sector 1, Konig checking his watch as they were ten minutes from the arrival time. They bring their weapons up, fully prepared for enemy contact as they keep the women close behind them. Nadja points ahead as they were just at the village edge to the other side where the mountains circled them. "There's an opening on the other end of the village between the mountains, lets drop the smoke there. Keep your eyes sharp."