Where two fronts meet

Chapter two. Gun shot.

I just hope they find my death letter and give it to my mom. She deserves that much. Ironic really, how I always thought writing these was unnecessary. Yet here I am.

After a bit of silence, scuffling and my heart beating in my throat now, a bigger man comes in through the other door, no gun in hand while one that does follows. He stops, looking us over before looking back out the way he came. He says something in his language and gestures someone to come in. My heart is beating out my chest and sweat rolls down my neck despite the cool morning air.

My eyes widen as Carter gets pushed into the house, gun in his back. Carter is our head. He leads us on missions, and I guess they figured that out. Like us he has is hands tied behind his back, and meets my eyes when they make him stand in the middle on the opposite end of the room, sand crunching under his boots. He shakes his head the smallest bit while giving me a look that says enough. Somethings wrong. Fear wells up in my chest as they make him get down on his knees too. By now I know what he thinks just by the look he has in his eye after having worked with him for years.

Carter is the one I've been getting along with the best. Things stay professional, but the reassuring hand on the arm or shoulder gets done a bit too often. Somethings different between us, and out of everyone in the army, I've gotten the most comfortable around him. Having shared bunks on a previous deployment. Having all meals together during the day. And regular evening chats.

The big guy turns to us. 'See, he doesn't tell me what I want to hear. No good information.' He says as he takes a small step forward. 'I want information, so maybe I go a little rough.' With that he reaches behind himself and pulls out a pistol. My stomach drops, and anxiety and fear fills my chest.

You'd expect a warning. A big dramatic show like they do in movies. Scaring us more, or threatening more. But no. He steps out in front of Carter and turns to him. My eyes widen. The bang fills the room, before he steps out in front of him. 'No!' The scream comes so deep from within me they flinch at the sound. The hole in Carter's chest is a deep dark crimson red. 'No Aiden!' I move forward to go to him but get hold back by the restraints on my wrists. He sinks down back on his legs from the more upright position. My eyes blur as I hear yelling from outside, pulling on the rope around my wrists as hard as I can 'no please. Please!' The beg comes out loud as I scream again. They keep holding me back, as the man that shot him rushes out suddenly. Carter slumps, falling down on his back. I suddenly lunge forward, and I don't care how.

'Aiden!' I roll onto my back, getting my hands in front of me and moving my legs through them before hurrying to his side. 'Aiden.' I immediately put pressure on the wound. He's quiet as he looks at me, face pale. 'Fuck.' I look down and his shirt is soaked in blood already. 'Guys.' Jansen says quietly. The sound of gunfire catches my attention, but I lock eyes with Aiden again. He's still just looking at me. 'You're gonna be okay, just stay with me.' I ramble. 'Guys.' Jansen repeats before the sound of helicopter blades fills the air. 'Is that us?' Brooks asks. 'I'm sorry.' Carter manages to get out. 'It is! It's our guys.'

Tears filly my eyes at the drained and fearful look in Carter's eyes. 'They're here man. Stay with me, we'll get you out of here.' I say as I lean forward more, using my bodyweight to press down on the wound. He groans at the movement. 'We gotta get them.' Brooks says. Gunfire still sounds as the sound of the helicopter fades.

'Stay with me.' I repeat. I don't know how many time I repeat, repeat, repeat until guys in full gear come in. They pull me back and take over before they ask for a gurney over the walkie.

My binds get cut before I get pulled with someone. 'We're getting you out of here, come on.' I look back over my shoulder to see them lift Carter onto a gurney. 'He'll be fine, med Evac is here.' The guy pulling me says. We get loaded into a bird and strapped in. I'm next to Morrison as they fly us back. 'Where's Carter?' He asks after a while. I stare down and my blood covered hands, the look in Carter's eyes and the bang of the gun replaying in my head, making me unable to answer. 'She's out of it, leave here be for a bit.'