-Are we all set?-I asked the boys. They all shook their heads affirmatively.-Let's go then!-Clark cleared his voice and looked over my shoulder. I looked back and saw John and the big boss.-Right on time. We were about to leave.
-Yeah, about that... Look...-The boss looked at the boys and then at me.
-Get loose, boys.-I told them without even looking at them. They didn't move.-Now!-I looked slightly over my shoulder and they left, pretty pissed.
-Jones, I just got a call from the president. He gave me strict orders. The plan is cancelled. He said he's not financing the rescue.-I couldn't believe what I was being told. I ran my hands on my hands on my face.
-Are you calling the quits?-I looked up as I took a deep breath.
-No.-I looked him in the eyes right away, surprised.- No one gets left behind. The president knows nothing about the war!-I couldn't help but smile.
-Never felt so proud for wearing this uniform, sir. It's good to know some people are still trying their best to do what's right.-I looked at John for a few seconds. He rolled his eyes.
-Listen, Jones. This makes the mission take new proportions. I can't cover you and your team anymore. I'm gonna give you as lost in battle, dead. Your families will get the news. I can't finance you either. You can't take the car. Take the ammo and the comms but nothing else.
-I understand, sir, but...
-I'm not done yet, Jones. You can't stop for refills on any other base. You can't ask for help. If it goes right, then we did it. If it goes wrong, I was never involved. Did you understand?-I was shocked.-I know it makes me sound like an idiot but I gotta protect myself as well.
-Fine, but who's gonna protect us?-He looked down. I shook my head and turned my back on them.-See you when we're national heroes. Just sit back and relax, sir.-I really couldn't believe. I was more than pissed off!-Let's go, guys. We're hitting the desert on our feet.-I said as I passed them.
They asked questions and more questions, all at once. I didn't understand anything again. They opened the gates for us and from that moment on, we were on our own. It was hell outside! A massive gun fire, fire everywhere, dead bodies everywhere we looked. We literally ran for our lives. I sure as hell wasn't gonna fight a war that wasn't mine! My battle was tough enough. We fired a few rounds but my orders were clear. Waste the less possible. I wasn't exactly swimming in supplies! We ran until we were out of sight and pretty much safe. The darkness was our new best friend.
-Let's head down this dune and sit. We need to chat.-I informed them. The night was growing colder and colder. We were literally in the middle of nowhere! We got down and sat.-Guys...-I scratched the back of my neck.-It's fucked up...
-Not good...-Taylor whispered as he looked up and sighted.
-We are on our own. Lost in battle.-They all looked at me, confused.-The president cancelled our mission. My orders are to keep moving in the shadows.
-Lost in battle?-Parker asked.
-That's what they'll tell our families.-They lost it. Clark and Richard got up right away, screaming at me. Taylor and Parker were arguing with me as well. I looked down and just let them scream all they had to scream. I then noticed Hunter was silent. I looked at him. He smiled at me and spoke. I couldn't hear him but I read it in his lips. "I trust you". It meant the world to me. Eventually, they got tired and sat down in silence as well.-May I speak now?-They all looked hopeless, defeated.
-It doesn't matter, Ellie. We're all gonna die...-Clark whispered.
-That's enough. Look, I understand. They're gonna hurt our families and make us go through hell just because the asshole sitting in the white house thought a car was too much to finance! Ain't nobody here more pissed off than I am! Don't forget I got your lives in my hands. If something goes wrong, it's nobody's fault but mine and believe me! I've been there! It's not a nice position to be at! The one who should back us up, the big boss, turned his back on us. If we succeed, he was behind it. If we fail, he knew nothing. I get it! It's fucked up! It pisses me the hell off too! But hey! This is what we were trained for. When everything around us is crashing down, we're standing tall. When everything around us is on fire, our mind is cool! When everybody's staring at the obstacle, we are going over it together as one! Come on, guys! Don't y'all remember the main reason why we came here?!-I got up.-We're here to knock some sense into these bastards! We're here to do what's right! To defend and protect the innocent! Come on! It's just a rock in our shoes. Take a look at the positive side. We're on our own, which means, it's our rules, our terms. We decide what, when and how.
-Ain't nobody innocent here, Jones! This is a lost land!-Richard walked away.
-Where are you going?!
-Away! I'm done with this!-He kept walking.
-Get back here, Richard!
-NO! I'M FUCKING DONE! THIS IS BULLSHIT!-He threw his gun to the floor and started ripping off the uniform.-YOU'RE ALL SO FULL OF BULLSHIT!-I walked up to him and tried to stop him. He punched me so hard in the nose, I almost passed out. I was laying in the sand, seeing the stars in the sky plus some others that came out of nowhere.
Oh man... I was already so done with everything... I was feeling just like Richard, ready to give up and send it all to hell. All that speech, I didn't believe a word of it either. I felt betrayed and abandoned! But I had a team depending on me. I had those guys to look after... And we had brothers of guns waiting for us, counting on us to give them a lift. I had so many lives on my hands, it would be easier to just lose mine once for all! But I was never a quitter and when the lesson on how to give up was given, I was out there pushing my limits! So I did what I always do. I got up. I did what I do best and I got right back up on my feet. The boys were all staring at me.
-I don't care how you feel..-I wiped the blood coming from my nose.-I don't give a flying fuck! I don't care if its a pain in the ass, I don't care if it hurts! You all better get your shit together and stick to my white ass like glue! It's grinding season boys! So rise and grind, motherfuckers, grind!-I pushed Richard back aggressively.- It's not about how hard you can hit, mister! It's about how hard you can be hit and still get back up! So how much can you take, Richard? Are you done? Is this all you've got or are you just uncomfortable?-He didn't answer.- Get back in your place and use that grey thing inside your head called a brain! If by tomorrow you still wanna go away, I'll gladly kick your butt out of my goddamn way! Are we clear?!
YOU ARE READING
Army Strong
Teen FictionI was never meant to be a stay at home kind of wife. I was never meant to simply get a job, pay bills and die. I was 19, looking for a purpose. I was just another kid who had finished school but soon found out the whole sea of opportunities they tel...
