keep me breathing - john price x oc

5. lost and found

 Flashback

2019

"Fuck!" You shouted to no avail, the bunker door was closed shut, and it separated the rest of your team from Sergeant Thompson and yourself. You were deep in enemy territory, sent to assist a team of soldiers who were trying to locate a HVT. In the middle of it, there seemed to be a distress call from civilians who hid in a bunker. You and two other soldiers of your unit were sent to investigate, and while you secured the bunker, someone was supposed to stand watch.

"What are you going to come up with this time, for the report, Lawrence?" Thompson teased you, clearly finding it funny to do so, over being a little more panicked that you were locked in.

You rolled your eyes. "Very funny. We need to get out of here."

You saw him shrug, then turn to put his rifle on a barrel, starting to inspect it.

"Talon-1, this is Talon-5, come in." You spoke into your radio.

Radio static followed, then you heard the voice of your team leader. "Go ahead, Talon-5, over."

"Talon 1, Talon-5 and Talon-6 are locked in the bunker we were sent to investigate, we need assistance, over."

Radio static. "That's a negative, over."

What? You looked over to your teammate, who suddenly stared back at you, now starting to show a little concern.

"Talon-1, please repeat."

Radio static. Nothing more.

Not trying to panic, you remembered that in emergency situations, you were allowed to radio blindly. Hopefully this was one of those situation if your own team was not helping you. You took a deep breath and prayed that someone would hear you, because you didn't know if this could go anywhere but end badly. Stuck in the middle of enemy territory, you were found food for the vultures, if any of them discovered you were trapped.

You pressed the button on your radio."This is Talon-5 in the blind, how copy?"

Nothing but static followed, so you sighed and repeated your last sentence. Then, finally, after some more static, there was a voice.

"Talon 5, this is Echo 3-1, loud and clear. What's your status? Over."

You sighed in relief. "Echo 3-1, I am stuck in a bunker near the northern riverbed. We were sent in to check on civilians, but it was a trap. Requesting help."

"Copy that, Talon-5. Sending backup. Can you report your exact location? Over."

You had nothing with you. "Negative."

"Roger that. Hang tight, we will find you. Over."

You sighed. And hoped this was actual help and not another trap.

Some time passed, in which your teammate didn't say any other word to you. He was busy being back to ignoring you. You got used to it by now, but still always felt saddened as soon as it happened. Interactions only happened when they needed to, but apart from that, chatting wasn't a thing anymore. At least not with you.

Then suddenly, you heard a lot of noise followed by the heavy door slowly opening. You were greeted by a few soldiers with their guns aimed at you. You started raising your hands, but soon as they realized you were not hostile, the weapons were lowered, and you were offered a hand instead.

"Captain John Price." You took the hand and you shook it. He was incredibly handsome, even covered in dust and sweat and layers of tactical gear. And that name, you had heard it before. Or read it, rather. This was the team you were here for to assist.