Army Strong

29)Civil war

When I woke up again, the boys were all around me, screaming. I couldn't hear shit. I could only see their mouths moving. Taylor was probably the worst. His eyes were filled with tears and fear. Just by looking at him I could tell he had lost it. All of them had. They had no idea what to do. I struggled to lay my hand on his arm and as he felt my touch, he looked down right away. The tears ran down his cheeks. I read my name in his lips as he spoke. I was gonna talk but I blacked out before I could open my mouth. On our way back to the base, I kept waking up and losing consciousness. It happened multiple times until I really blacked out when we got to the base.

I woke up 3 days later, all alone in bed. By my side there were only other injured soldiers. I sat down right away and looked around. My back made itself feel right away but I found it weird the boys weren't there and the next thought was them being hurt. I couldn't see much from where I was so I ripped the blankets off and got up. I felt a huge pain in my head and back, like a knife piercing both of them but it didn't stop me. My vision got a little blurry. I held onto the bed for a while and when I felt a little better, I started walking around, checking every single bed.

-Lady! Excuse me!-Someone said behind me. I turned around.-You can't wonder around like this. What's your name?-He was wearing army clothes as well, but he was only wearing the green shirt on top. I couldn't possibly know who he was.

-My name's Jones.-His eyes opened a lot.

-Oh fuck!-He grabbed my hand and made me put it around his shoulders. I tried to fight him.

-What the fuck man?!

-You can't! Come with me, now! I am your doctor. Lean on me and come with me or I swear I'm gonna punch you in the face goddamn it!-He looked really worried so I didn't fight anymore.

-Jeez!-I did as he said and he dragged me back to bed.-You better have a good explanation, doc.-I lied down.

-Oh, believe me! I do!-He sighted.

-First of all, where are my boys?

-I don't know who you're talking about but listen, you...

-No! You listen!-I sat down again.

-Be careful, goddamn!

-Shut it! Taylor, Johnathan, Clark and Hunter. Look for those names on the check in list before I hurt you!

-Do you even know how many people here have those names??

-Do it!

-He's not gonna do anything, Jones.-The big fish said.-He's gonna tell us how you're doing.

-Boss, with all due respect but I don't care. I need to find my team!

-Your team?-He looked at me confused and then laughed.-They're not here, Jones. They're out there. It's been three days. I couldn't just let them stay here so I sent them out to do what they were trained to do.

-Oh God...-I relaxed for a bit, knowing they were okay. But then I got a whole lot tenser.-Who's in charge?

-Johnathan.

-Johnathan?-I got a little confused.

-He was the only one with his head still in place. Now shut it!-He turned to the doctor.-How is she, doc?-I looked at him too.

-Well... No permanent damage.-I smiled a lot.

-Fuck yeah!-I laughed.

-However!-He kept going.-You're gonna need some time to recover... Sir, I'd advice sending her home earlier.-My mouth dropped to my feet! I was so shocked I couldn't even function. The big fish looked at him, half confused, half upset.-I know but I wouldn't mess with a hurt spine. For now, it's nothing but if she pushes it, it can definitely become something.

-I'm not going anywhere...-I whispered, not moving a bit. Not even my eyes. I was just... I didn't even know how to react.

-If she stays, she's not leaving the infirmary. I'm sorry, but she'll be dead weight. You don't recover from an explosion like that and besides, this is not her first time. She probably has some elder injuries and...

-I said I'm not going anywhere!-I raised my voice and looked at him.-What do you know, huh?! I feel fine! I was on my feet just 5 minutes ago!

-Jones, you are injured! You will not only slow your team down, but you will put them in danger too!-As he said those words, I got all those flashbacks from when we lost Louis. I snapped at him.

-You know what? Go back to med school. You don't belong here! You know NOTHING about what goes down outside! What the fuck do you know?? You just sit around safe and sound all day long and when you get back you're an hero just like the ones busting their asses out there! So, tell me! What the fuck do you know?! What the fuck are you doing here?!

-I'm saving lives here! You ungrateful piece of shit!

-Saving lives?! You're saving lives?!-I faked a laugh.-Where the fuck were you 3 days ago?! Maybe you could've saved that couple whose bombs went off on me! But guess what? You were sitting on your fucking ass once again! They're dead and somewhere out there, their 2 kid are all alone in this sick fucking world! SO TELL ME! Whose lives are you saving?! 'Cause I haven't seen you save anyone but yourself!

-I saved your life!

-Even if you had... You should've known... Or better, if the uniform you're wearing meant anything to you at all, you'd know! No one gets left behind. I'm not going back home just to be safe and sound. No! Not as long as my team is here!-He looked away and shook his head.-So, bring me whatever I have to sign 'cause I ain't going nowhere and ain't nobody gonna stop me from being near my team.

-I am.-The boss finally opened his mouth. I looked to him.-Jones, you are officially dismissed. You're leaving on the first plane home.

-What?!-I got up.

-Please, sit down...-The doc said but I pushed him away.

-You can't do this! What the fuck?!-I was about to lose it.

-I can and I did. You're going home, Jones. You should celebrate it.-He turned his back on me.

-Why?! I feel great physically!-I scream and he stopped walking, not looking back.

-I know. It's your head that worries me. Have a nice fly, Elizabeth.-He just left. I was petrified. I let myself fall over the bed, in shock. I couldn't even think.

-I'm sorry, Jones...-The doc whispered.

-Don't be... I'm not going home.-A tear ran down my cheek, as the doctor got a confused expression in his face, looking at me.

-What do you mean?-He asked, slightly afraid of the answer.

-I mean, the only way I'm going home without my team is if I'm in a coffin.