Crimson [840658]

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

We got woken up slightly earlier than normal today because apparently we were all urgently needed to complete a mission that had popped up overnight. Sargent Breman had briefed us that a nearby village had been raided and innocent civilians had been killed in the process. Children, women and men had been murdered and they were still under threat from whoever was leading the attack.

As soon as we were told, both Sandy and I glanced at each other with similar anxious expressions, we were nervous. Not just because other people’s lives were in our hands, but also because the last time we were out on a mission we lost someone so close to us. However on the other hand, knowing that, knowing what the stake was made me want to do this even more, to prove not only to ourselves, but everyone who has ever doubted our skills.

Toast was shoved in our faces as we were briefed in more detail, our main focus was to get the children and women out first followed by the men. It did motivate me when there was young children involved, I mean they hadn’t even lived their lives and they could get everything taken away just like that.

Climbing into the truck to take us to the location felt kind of surreal, we were all armed with weapons and every now and again I would meet someone’s eyes and we would share a knowing look. Sandy held my hand as we made our way there, it wasn’t because we were scared or nervous, though that played a part, it was just a supportive gesture. As we got closer my mind focused and I was ready, it was like someone flicked a switch to ‘combat mode’.

“Love you sis” I gave Sandy a quick hug while whispering in her ear once we arrived in the town. Just like the first town had been, this one too felt like a film set.  It had an eeriness about it that I couldn’t explain. From what I could see it looked a lot more civilized than the first, though we were on the outskirts I could already see a few basic shops, though they were closed with tatty shutters down, it was obvious they sold food.

The ground was covered in dry mud and sand, a few trees stood bear with no leaves and the buildings looked like they could crumble at any minute due to being made of old stone. While it was a town, a habitat, it was no way to live. As we moved into groups similar to our first mission I heard the sound of gunshots ringing around us. “Love you too” Sandy shouted as her team moved away deeper into the village.

My team had been assigned to follow Sandy’s, they were our watch team, to go first and not only clear a path for us, but to help us if we needed it. We had been given the task to get all the civilians out and into safety, it would be a hard task but it was in everyone’s interest to do a good job, to succeed.

With my mind focused, weapon ready and heart pounding with adrenaline, we moved into the village following the first team. As we got further in taking one slow step at a time I began to hear noises, and not nice ones either. Faint cries of plea, screams like the ones that would haunt you in your worst nightmares. As we picked up the pace I began to feel like I had been transported into a video game, because that’s exactly what it felt like. The main differences was this was reality, and didn’t have nine lives or whatever silly amount the game creators chose.

My eyes focused on a house that was surrounded by many others, all looking identical. The difference with this one were the noises from inside. I could just about see Sandy’s team not too far away watching in-case we needed assistant, they were looking out in-case we came under attack from another direction. “On three we go in” one of my men whispered in a quite tone. “One” I positioned my gun, making sure the ammunition was loaded. “Two” I took in the figures of the men around me, I’d never seen them look so determined. “Three” My heart pounded through my head, into my ears, and my feet moved forward into the building.