Hotel Six: A Call of Duty Fanfiction

Chapter 17: Abdul

"Who are you?" Jess asked in a shrill whisper, her wide hazel eyes staring at a young boy, perhaps no older than ten, who was huddled by the end of the swampy ditch.

The boy kept his own voice low when he spoke, though he didn't whisper like she did. "I'm Abdul," he said. "Who are you?"

She glanced between him and the ditch. "I'm Jessica," she replied. 

Abdul smiled. "I've never before seen a British soldier in person. I knew who you were because Umi told me that you wear a striped flag on your arm... Just like that one." He pointed at the Union Jack on her sleeve. "She told me that you are here to help us."

Jessica furrowed her brows. "I've never seen a civilian here... Is your family still here inside the village?"

Abdul took a step back towards another ditch behind him. "No, my family left with the other refugees to flee the next village. I came back to find Baba... my father; we got separated, and Umi needs him." His dark brown eyes cast to his feet.

She felt a pang of pity. "If your father is here, he wouldn't want you here with him. It's too dangerous out here for you."

He sighed and nodded. Then he looked at her. "Are you here alone? Isn't it dangerous for you, too?"

"I'm here with my team, but I got separated from them, too," she said.

Abdul straightened. "I could help you find them! Maybe if I help you find your team, you can help me find Baba."

She turned her face away a little. "I don't know; I don't want you getting in the middle of all this, kid..."

"Tell me where you lost your team; I'll show you the way!"

Jess grimaced. "Alright, but you have to be very careful. My team is waiting for me by the white water tower."

"There's an easy way to get there," he said. "Follow me." Abdul grabbed her hand and led her through the tunnel into the next ditch, which was much drier. "It's a little tricky, but we can get out on the other side and stay away from the bad guys." He guided her through intricate alleyways, only stopping a couple of times when Jessica heard footsteps and pulled him out of sight of passing enemy patrols. They made it out of the system of houses and into the open of the middle of the village. The sound of gunfire had died down some, but there was still tension in the air; the Russians could be laying in wait. 

Taking cautious glances around, Jess tapped into the com again. "Price," she said. "I'm at the water tower. It's suspiciously quiet; where are you, over?"

She grabbed Abdul and tucked him under her arm when she caught the acrid smell of blood and bowels on the wind. The last thing she wanted him to see was a pile of dead bodies, especially if they were her team. Hell, even she didn't want to see that.

Abdul stood rigid. "What?" he whispered. "Do you see something?"

"No..." she said. "I just smell something."

He closed his eyes. "I smell it, too... They brought the smell," he said

Jessica sighed, a little splinter of sadness in her chest. Little boys shouldn't know what death smells like.

"Jess?" came a call over the com, interrupting her thoughts. Finally! 

"Price, I'm looking at the water tower, about fifty meters away in an alley; where are you, over?" she said again.

"Still here; you're clear to proceed to the water tower; we'll cover you, over."

Jessica nodded and motioned Abdul with her. "Copy, sir, I'll be right there. Out."