Reflections | D. Jackson

two. [june 6th, 1944]

THE WALK BACK up the beach with Wade is, for the most part, silent. This is save for the few times he boosts me up the rocky battlefield, to which I thank him. Mainly I stare ahead in the direction we're leading, with eyes open wide, arms out slightly at my sides so as to keep my bloody fingers away from my body.

Men stare as I climb up towards the road, at both of us really, but mainly me. They're visibly confused on my location on the beach, knowing full well I was meant to have been on the complete opposite side. They're also struck by my appearance, so I have to swat several medics' helping hands away from me.

"I'm f-fine." I shiver, putting my hands in the air and sighing, waiting for the man prodding me for details to back away. "Please, guys."

Onlooking soldiers sitting atop rubble in groups watch silently when I pass, finally out of the sea of medics. Wade is only a foot or so behind me, and pats my back as we walk.

"Let's go to the tents, Caddel." He mutters. pushing me lightly in gentle guidance.

I appreciate the gesture, swiping my tongue across my top lip and sucking the back of my teeth. We walk slowly, and LI can hear him breathing erratically, synchronizing with me. Its still dusty from the battle, and bodies still litter the gravelly landscape.

"I'd like to say its nice to meet you, but it really wasn't." Wade chuckles slightly, his hand still on the small of my back.

I don't smile, but I do agree.

"I-"

My throat is dry and scratchy when I try to speak, and the sound of me speaking below a scream or above a hiss is foreign suddenly. Wade notices as I clamp my mouth shut, after moments of hesitation. He seems pitiful, so I shrug at him barely.

"Is this your first time in the field?" He wonders quietly, still lingering behind me slightly.

I take my time before responding, gathering the will I have to speak.

"No." We near the tents, and I see large amounts of men crammed into the small spaces. "I was shipped out over a year ago. Cicily."

He responds simply with a small "Ah."

Suppose it only makes sense I elaborate, the man probably thinks I'm shell shocked or something.

"I've never swallowed so much blood, I'm just extremely nauseous." I finish frankly.

"Jesus," Wade mumbles, shaking his head at the thought. "You're covered in it, I should've guessed."

I nod feverishly, just wanting to get to work and focus on what's important: the men who fought and were wounded for our country waiting for my help.

I need to find my Company as soon as possible, and the medic tent is probably the best place to do so. Not one of them have I seen since the landings, and in full transparency I highly doubt my Captain or Sergeant are alive. They were front and centre when the doors lifted and the bullets hit. With there only being one boat on Omaha carrying members of the Battalion, I fear the small number of survivors I'm about to encounter.

"My god!" A recognizable feminine voice screeches from the tents, but I'm unable to make out her features due to the shadow. "Auden?"

Holy shit, it's Nancy. Her long blonde hair has since been removed from under her helmet, and placed into a bun for treating the wounded, but I can still marvel at its beauty.

She runs out from underneath the tents with glossy eyes, crushing me in a hug that knocks both of us to the ground. The air is knocked out of my chest and I express so with an 'Oomph'. I cry out in pain when we hit the ground, my thigh burning against the dirt, and Nancy gasps. She springs up and forcibly examines my body for what hurt. Wade introduces himself vaguely, but helps me off my feet as she moves her inspection down to my leg.