Army Strong

8)Lost

It was midday when we finally got to the water fountain. We all filled our bottles but we couldn't drink it. We had no idea where that water came from and some types of water kill you faster than dehydration. It's crazy how sometimes what you need the most is what kills you... I guess this water thing is a whole metaphor for life. I don't know. Thirsty was taking its tool on me and my mind was drifting to dark places. We were all in silence. We just kept walking and I had no idea where we were going.

-Let's stop here. You two-I pointed to these 2 guys.-You're responsible for making that water drinkable.-We all gave them our bottles. I then looked around. There was this small mountain just ahead.- You two.-I pointed to Samuel and other guy.-Go check our whereabouts. Take your maps and find our location now.-I ordered. They didn't question it.-Sarg... Suit yourself!-I turned my back on him and sat near this tree. My ribs were killing me. I needed some rest but closing my eyes for thirty seconds turned into a 2 hours nap.

-JONES!-Sarg. screamed and shook me. It scared the living shit out of me. I got up right away.

-What? I was just resting my eyes...

-Yeah, you've been doing that for the last 2 hours!-I was shocked.-Anyway, your men...

-They're still gone?

-Yup...

-Grab your stuff. Let's find those pieces of shit.-I grabbed my backpack and followed their footsteps.

Man, I was pissed. We were losing time! Precious time! It was a half an hour hike if so. Why they hell were they gone for 2 damn hours?! I didn't even consider the fact that something could've gone wrong. I was just focused on finding them and hitting them! Then we heard screams. I thought I didn't care about those guys but I was wrong. We all started running like crazy!

When we found them, the 2 hours were perfectly explained. The boy I sent with Samuel, Louis, was stuck. He placed his feet over some hole in the rock as he was walking and when it was time to pull it out, he disturbed the rocks which gave in and fell upon him, crushing his leg. Samuel was still trying to pull him out.

-STOP!-Sarg. screamed. Samuel looked back.

-Oh, thank God...-He sighted in relief. Louis was crying. I was petrified. For a few seconds, my brain stopped working. I couldn't believe it was happening... And it was my fault.

-Shit! What the hell happened?!-Sarg. was pissed. He walked up to Louis and started trying to lift the rock.

-We will never make it in time...-I whispered. Man, I was shocked! I obviously didn't mean it that way but the boys didn't care. They just pushed me, giving me that disappointed look and went to help the Sarg. I turned my back on them.

I needed to think. That rock was way too big for us to lift it. Leaving Louis behind wasn't an option. Help was miles away! It was easier to go back to the base and call help from there but I didn't even know where I was! And even if we could lift that rock, he'd be bleeding and we'd have to carry him to the base. Something was telling me he'd probably bleed to death before getting there.

You see, I was in charge. I sent them there. I was the one to blame for what happened. I couldn't stop thinking about him having to cut off his leg or something like that. I couldn't think. I couldn't even breathe right so I just sat down and started looking at my map, hoping it would call me down, wishing it would show me some type of shortcut to the base.

-I can't fucking believe this...-Samuel said. He was standing behind me and he was pissed!-Your man is in so much pain and all you can think about is finding the way back to the base?! You ain't worth shit!-He screamed. I didn't answer.-I AM TALKING TO YOU! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FRIENDSHIP! YOU'RE A SHITTY LEADER!-He kept screaming but I found something in the map that made me lose touch with reality right away. There was indeed a shortcut! We just had to get across the river...

-Samuel, check this out...-I got up and showed him the map. He slapped it aggressively, tearing it in 2 pieces.

-You're unbelievable!-He turned his back on me. I grabbed his shoulder and made him face me. He pushed me back aggressively.

-I'm the only one using the grey thing inside my head! I don't think we're gonna be able to push that thing off of him but if we do, he's gonna need help as fast as possible! Now, let's go. I got this.-I walked back to Louis. Sarg. and the boys were still trying to push it off of him. I was just looking.

-Goddammit, Jones!-The Sarg. screamed.-Are you using your mind control to move the rock?! Get your ass over here!

-With all due respect, Sarg... Shut your fucking mouth while I'm thinking!-I walked up to the rock. Sarg. was speechless.-Stop pushing...-I ordered. They did. Louis was in despair. I kneeled near him.-Louis, relax, man. I got you. I'm getting you out of here... You just lay back and enjoy the rest alright?-I gave him a little smile and gathered the boys.-I've got an idea...

-Oh no...-Samuel rolled his eyes.-I'm even afraid to hear it.

-Let's blow it.

-WHAT?!-All of them asked at once.

-Are you out of your goddamn mind, Jones?!-Sarg. pushed me.

-No... Well, kinda but just listen! If we detonate one of the grenades we were given we will create enough vibration to make the rocks move which can possibly make it easier for us to push it off...-They were all staring at me shocked. I shrugged my shoulders.

-You've gone mad...-Samuel sighted and turned his back on me.

-Get back to the Louis.-I grabbed the grenade.

-NO!-They all screamed as I removed the pin.

-Back to the rock! NOW! This is going to fucking work... It has to!

They had no other option. The grenade was going to blow in between the rocks and far from us so the pieces of metal flying to us shouldn't be a problem. I put the grenade in position as they reached the rock and let go of it. I ran to them with the 4 seconds I had until it would blow and as the grenade blew, we pushed as hard as we could.

It worked. We were able to push the rock off of Louis. He screamed so loud you could hear it miles away!  His leg was crushed! It was so gross one of the boys had to turn around and throw up right away. I ripped that side of his pants and used the rope we had to apply a tourniquet.

-I got you, Louis! You're okay... You're all good!-I smiled and we got him up. The Sarg. put his hands in his head and laughed. That's when we heard it. The mountain wasn't happy with us. It roared at us and then it started raining. Raining huge pieces of rock! Oh man...