Friendly Fire

Lieutenant Willow (11) The Scout Routes

I had run off into the barracks to quickly grab my gear, pack a small push-cart with minimal supplies as bait to lure these attackers to us, and head towards the scout routes. Not only did I just lose my best friend but now Colonel Hitchen and Sergeant Collins are losing our new recruits on the scout trails that I designed myself after checking out this place when the base was first formed.

The guilt is hitting me. I am to blame for their disappearances.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted by Lieutenant Davis and Private Riley. Turns out they have been following behind me from a distance for the past few minutes, guns in hand and daggers at their sides. They're ready for anything that we may come across. I draw in a breath and begin leading them through the scout paths in silence. My mind is still under an ocean of guilt for all those that we have lost over the past few weeks because of arrogance. We should've nipped this in the butt when it first started to happen.

Lieutenant Davis reached out and gently took my sweaty hand which shoved the damn cart along the path. Sure it wasn't heavy as I packed lightly with things that we can sacrifice as bait in case we do run into trouble and need to bail or lose it to this threat that has been wiping out our scouts left, right, and center. Lieutenant Davis then whispered sweetly into my ear.

"Hey... talk to us... we are here to help... we will solve this... don't you worry about a thing, Lily... we got your back as always..."

I smile softly and gaze into his hazel eyes that almost look orange in this light. Not like the fruit orange, more of autumn leaves orange. Orange like the sun on the horizon while it sets. Orange like a wild crackling fire at the darkest hour of night. I can't get enough of it.

I glance at the bags under his eyes though and feel bad for him tagging along knowing and seeing just how fatigued he is. He won't last long on the trails and if we do bump into anything or anyone that is potentially lethal, I fear he may not be able to defend himself the way I know he can.

"I know..." I breathed. "But you should turn back now and get some rest in your bunk... we will return in 12 hours or so..."

He simply shook his head and took both the lead and gently nudged my side enough for me to lose my grip on the cart and took over pushing for me regardless of his need to sleep. I wondered just how long it would take before he collapsed before my eyes. I am not one to argue with him, but at the same time, I'd hate to drag his butt back to the base. Even if Private Riley helped me lift him onto the push cart, it would put us in a vulnerable position if one of us had to push while trying to get away then the other firing and losing precious bullets. We'd be too slow. Too slow to get away.

"I will be fine... what are the chances we run into anything... besides, you're refusing my help... don't do that..."

"You're stubborn you know. And why don't you two get a fucking room already."

Just like that, Private Riley made us both blush. We completely forgot he was following us from behind. But I must say, it's cute seeing Lieutenant Davis fluster a little as his baggy eyes widened while fixed on the path dead ahead which created a bit of an awkward silence for the rest of the walk.

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We walked the dirt paths for hours and so far we have seen and heard nothing except for the birds chirping, the sound of bushes rustling from small woodland creatures, and the sound of the cool breeze that came and went every now and then.

As we continued further, everything suddenly went silent and still as if someone cast a spell to make time stop. Something is definitely here. As we were treading onward, I didn't hear any wild dogs or bears, there were no tracks that even implied that they were in the area. I reached for my gun and held it outwards waiting for a threat to jump out at us.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the boys do the same. We all paused and listened for what felt like an eternity. No one dared to breathe as we waited in silence for something to emerge. But nothing.

"False alarm?" Private Riley whispered and lowered his gun, thinking we were all clear. It was a big mistake on his part as we took gunfire seconds later.

I was quick enough to duck behind a tree while Lieutenant Davis abandoned the pushcart and pulled Private Riley behind a bush. Again, another stupid move as it is hard to see through bushes like that without popping your head over them to even attempt to get a good shot.

I kept my eyes peeled for any targets but these people were moving fast and swift. At least six of them. I couldn't keep my eyes on them long enough to predict their next move to fire at them. Just as I was about to attempt to pull the trigger my vision was blinded by a smoke bomb. The smoke was thick, and suffocating, I started to cough uncontrollably and forced myself to bravely flee outside the smoke cloud for some fresh air before my lungs did end up filled with toxic carbon monoxide.

I had pressed myself up against a tree to catch my breath as I was on the cusp of faltering to the ground just in time to hear Lieutenant Davis yell something which was followed by a loud explosion. Grenades. We need to bail before things get worse.

I turned my back and started to run back towards the base but I forced myself to glance back and what I saw was Private Bane, holding a dagger in her hands as she approached Lieutenant Davis' and Private Riley's location. I could've sworn I was seeing things. Private Bane is dead. She's dead. There is no way for her to be alive. There is no way for her to be here. There is no way that she would even dare harm us. It's impossible. Smoke swallowed her up and what I heard next was unbearable. The sound of Private Riley screaming in pure agony, choking, gasping. He must've been stabbed as I didn't hear a gunshot within their area.

"Private!" I called out through a series of coughs but there was no response.

I didn't see the damage that had been done until Lieutenant Davis fired a few shots and emerged from the bushes with Private Riley in his arms. His shirt was stained a rich, crimson red from a big deep gash that went from one end of Private Riley's belly to the other. As long as his vital organs aren't affected, he could pull through, but, judging by the fact that he's coughing up blood and trembling. It didn't look good for him. Especially since we are a few miles away from the base. He'll bleed out and die.

"Cover me! Retreat!"

I nodded softly at him and fired back at anything that moved. At any noise that erupted around us, we ran in the direction of the base.

By the time we got away from the frey, we stopped briefly to try and get Private Riley's wound to clot up by wrapping my jacket tightly around his stomach. He groaned at the pain and only spat up more blood. There has to be some kind of internal damage. He'll die.

"We have to keep moving... he'll have a chance if we rush him to the infirmary..."

I gently cupped Lieutenant Davis' cheek to reassure him that everything would be fine but I was greeted with that stone, cold-hearted expression of his as he stared down at his bleeding friend for a moment.

"Yeah... yeah, you're right..."

In a swift movement, he lifted Private Riley in his arms again and held him firmly to his chest in hopes that would add more pressure to the wound and get it to clot up faster but it was also out of reassurance towards Private Riley. Letting him know that Lieutenant Davis will not let him fall like this.

"I... I don't... want t-... to die... pl-please" He spoke in a hushed weak tone before closing his eyes and falling limp, blood still seeping out of him and onto Lieutenant Davis's clothes and hands.

I saw the panic in his eyes and he started to run faster than he's ever run before. Rushing through the gates that surrounded The Elite Strike Force base and ushered Private Riley to the infirmary.

"I need a medic!" He cried out while his legs started to shake on the spot as he handed Private Riley over to one of our medics.