Army Strong

37)Ultimatum

We walked for hours. I was about to reach my limit... Hell! We all had reached our limits long ago! Beyond that, next mark was death. I could feel my body slowly starting to stop answering my commands. I couldn't move right anymore. My head was a damn mess! I couldn't even think right anymore. My throat was so dry, I could barely breathe. I didn't even remember the last time someone had stopped to take a leak, which was a clear sign it was getting really fucked up! We had to find a source of water and we had to do it right away.

Moments before we found civilization, my men started falling. We were all extremely tired. Our eyes just wanted to close. I felt one of my man fall to the ground. And then another. I turned around to find Hunter and Parker laying on the floor, unconscious. It took me a few seconds to acknowledge what had just happened. And even more to make my body move. I checked their vitals. They were alive, which was a huge relief.

-Alright...-I turned to the men I had left.-How are you guys feeling?

-Not good...-Taylor answered after changing looks with Clark and Richard.

-We gotta carry them... No one gets left behind. There's 4 of us, 2 of them.

-We keep it in between everybody, so we can rest.-Clark suggested.

-I know. What I need to know is who feels worse.

-I do!-Richard said, right away.

-Good. Then you're up. You can carry Parker.

-What?! I just said I feel really bad! Didn't you hear me?!

-I heard you loud and clear, Richard.-I picked up Hunter. Taylor helped me to put him on my shoulders. Richard was still looking at me, pissed off, throwing the usual tantrum. I looked him in the eyes.-For Christ's sake!

-I can't!-He screamed at me.

-You grab the man now or you'll be on your own, Richard! Don't test me! I've had enough of your shit!-I screamed right back.

-Fine. Then, I'm on my own.-I lost it. I let Hunter fall to the floor and pointed my gun at Richard. His eyes opened up a lot. He was shitting his pants. Everyone was just shocked.

-You have 5 seconds to start running. It's on!-I told him.

-Jones!-Clark screamed.-Put down your weapon!

-You're not gonna kill me...-Richard whispered, unsure of his words.

-You're right. I won't.-I pointed the gun at his feet.-Your time is up.-I got the gun ready to fire. Taylor put himself in front of him. I looked him in the eyes. Soon, Clark took his side. They were both staring at me. I didn't say anything, neither did I move. The air was tenser than the fucking war!

-Jones, listen to me.-Taylor said, looking deep inside my eyes.-You're not doing this. We're all stressed out. Once we get to the city, you'll realize I was right all along but right now, you gotta trust me. We have enough men down already. Put down your weapon and grab Hunter. I'll carry Parker. It's all good. C'mon! You're supposed to be our leader...-I returned the staring for a few moments and then put down my weapon.

-Once we get to the city-I looked over Taylor's shoulder, at Richard.-You and I are gonna have a serious conversation.-I then turned my back on them, grabbed Hunter and started walking. I was so pissed I was even walking faster than before.

After some time, I asked Clark to carry Hunter for a while. I was exhausted. Our walk didn't last much longer. Soon we found the damn city. Thankfully, we were received in peace. It was more of a village than a city. Everything was destroyed. There were just houses made of straw and blankets hanging from the walls still standing. The leader of the village offered us a place to rest, food and water right away.

Hunter and Parker were knocked out for more 5 hours after we got there. We had no way of getting them an IV. There were no doctors around. We took off their clothes and refreshed them with cold watered rags. We also fed them small amounts of water, mostly just squeezing wet cotton in their lips. There was nothing else we could do. Thankfully it was enough.

-Welcome back, fuckers!-I told as soon as they opened their eyes.-You owe us a dinner once we get back home! We had to drag your fat arses here!-They smiled. Once I made sure they were alright mentally, I grabbed Richard by the back part of his colar and dragged him outside. He tried to fight me but only freed himself when I let him go. I then didn't say a thing. I just looked him in the eyes.

-I get it!-He screamed.-I fucking get it! I feel guilty enough already! I don't need you fucking up with my head! I'm doing a pretty good job at it myself!

-You either vanish from my sight and I'll tell everyone you quit, or you commit suicide or I'll rip that head of yours with my own teeth.-I told him, in a calm tone. He looked at me not believing what he was hearing.

-WHAT?! Are you fucking serious?!-I didn't answer.-You can't do this!-He punched a wall.-YOU CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS!

-You heard me, Richard. If tomorrow morning you're still here, I'll kill you.

-I MADE A FUCKING MISTAKE! I'M FUCKING SORRY! I WAS EXHAUSTED AND THIRSTY! I FELT LIKE I WAS DYING!

-We all did. You refused to help one of your own. You've known Parker since forever and you still refused to help him. He needed you and even though you've been friends for God knows how long, you still turned your back on him! I can't even imagine what you would do if it was me or the other boys!

-BECAUSE I WAS LITERALLY DYING!

-No...-I took a deep breath.-You weren't, Richard. But you will be soon if you don't leave. I don't wanna work with your sorry ass anymore. You add nothing good to this team. For that reason, you either fuck off or kill yourself. If you don't...

-I don't wanna die...-He started crying.

-I don't give a fuck what you want. You've disrespected me multiple times, questioned my orders and last but not least, you refused to help a comrade! That's unacceptable! I do not tolerate that kind of behavior under my watch because every time you open your mouth to cross me, you risk everybody's FUCKING LIVES!-I pushed him back aggressively. He didn't respond. The panic was visible in his eyes. He knew he'd never make it out alive alone... And I knew too.- Now you can go and be the boss. You make the rules, you make the decisions, all by your fucking self. I couldn't care any less.-I turned my back on him. Taylor and Clark were by the door, shocked. I ignored them.

Later on that day, Taylor made his way to one of the few roofs still standing.

-I knew I'd find you here...-He said as he sat besides me. It should be around 4am by then. It was cold as fuck and the village was drowned in silence. He then observed the stars for a few moments.-They look beautiful out here...

-I'm not taking back what I said. Richard is on his own.-I told him, without even looking at him, in a cold tone.

-That's not why I'm here. You're still our leader, which means we trust your every decision with our lives...-He stared at me.-However, I'm out of duty now...

-You're never out of duty, Taylor. Not in this hell.

-I still have my opinion, Ellie.-I looked at him as well.

-Your opinion was not requested, Taylor.

-I know and I do not give a fuck. I think you're being too harsh on Richard and mark my words, you will regret it! Once this is all over, you'll see...-I looked away and shook my head.-He was under pressure! We all were! And some people just can't deal with it!

-He left one of his own behind!

-Then he shouldn't be in this team! And that's nobody's fault but your own!-I grit my teeth and looked at him, pissed. He stared me right in the eyes. Then he took a deep breath and looked back at the stars.-Think about it... The final decision is still yours and we will take it no matter what.

-Loyalty means everything to me.-I got up.-Have a good night, Taylor.-He took a deep breath as I jumped out of the roof.

Man, I couldn't wait to get a full night of sleep. Maybe tomorrow I'd feel nice enough to give Richard another shot. I blacked out the moment my back hit one of the beds they had improvised for us. I was so exhausted...