Crimson [840658]

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The plane journey back seemed endless, it felt like we were in the sky for days rather than a couple of hours. I spent the majority of the time just looking out the window at the dainty and fluffy white clouds below us, though it was bright and blue it felt dark and muggy, but that was because I was still surrounded by sorrow and grief.

When we did touch down, and I didn’t even flinch during the turbulence, I somehow felt a bit better. It was only a tiny bit, but it was something and that was the main thing. I think it was just the fact I was on home soil again and I could see my family, that’s what kept me sane.

Sandy was the first one off, all our luggage was already waiting since we were in an armed forces plane. Codie followed looking just as she did when she stepped on the plane, it was horrible seeing her like this but I felt hopeless. I wouldn’t be able to console her, she needed her family and time to process everything, I just hoped it wouldn’t take her too long. Finally when I stepped down on UK ground I let out a breath of relief, the sky was dark and overcast, the weather pretty cold as usual, but I was home and that was the one thing keeping me going right now.

Someone on the team must have called our families and told them the news, because when we got through to the arrivals gate they were all stood there with sympathetic but relieved expressions. I think they were happy we were back, but they didn’t like the circumstances in which it had happened. What made the moment even more poignant and emotional, was seeing Daniel’s parents there. They obviously knew the terrible news because they looked in the same state as Codie, it hurt to see how much pain was inflicted.

I only really cracked when I met my mum’s gaze, that’s when it really hit me. Running over to them tears were now threatening to escape, I knew at any moment I would crack, and I did. As soon as my mum pulled me into her arms the tears split over and I sobbed into her shoulder, she held me tightly not saying anything. “I’m sorry” dad whispered into my ear joining the hug, I had so many emotions running through me that I couldn’t think properly.

After everyone had managed to compose their selves up to a certain degree, the airport staff lead us into a private room saying we could stay in there as long as we wanted. Mum had said that Daniel’s parents had wanted to talk to us before we left, and no-one was about to argue and say no. “I just want to talk to you girls about- about Daniel if that’s okay?” His mum asked, Codie whimpered and her mum pulled her closer to her side. Nodding for them to continue, we all took seats. “Sargent Breman phoned us as soon as he heard the news, he said that –“ she paused trying to compose herself, her husband – Daniel’s dad took her hand. “That he’d been killed in an- an explosion during a raid. Were you all there?” she asked, it must have been hard for the both of them. I nodded and I’m pretty sure the others girls did too, though none of us spoke. “Would it be any trouble to ask how?” she added, looking at the other two girls we all gave each other a knowing look to say okay. I knew Codie wasn’t going to be able to explain any time soon, and Sandy had a look in her eye as if to say she didn’t want to be the one to tell them, so I took it as my duty to tell them the truth.

“We were told the night before that the next morning we would be taking part in a raid to rescue some hostages. We entered the property and found where they were, though we were under fire to get to them. We managed to free them just as there was an explosion on the opposite side of the building-“I paused, my mouth went dry and I had to take a sip of water. I couldn’t meet anyone’s gazes because I didn’t want to see the pain, I knew that Codie and Sandy were reliving something they never wanted to think of again, because I was doing exactly the same thing. But I couldn’t stop now because his parents deserved to know what really happened. “-We managed to get the hostages out through a window, Daniel and another colleague were helping everyone because the window was at quite a height. They helped us up, telling us to go to the truck and that they would both sweep the building to check everyone got out. That’s when-“ I paused once again, I felt sick, I could see it now. Turning around hearing the bang, and then seeing the explosion that ripped us apart. Dad took my hand bringing me back to where I was. “- That’s when it happened, the explosion. As we were walking back, we turned around and the building was gone. I- I’m so sorry” I chocked on the last few words and wiped away a stray tear, I was stronger than this, but it was uncontrollable.