Call of Duty Ghosts: The Aftermath

Chapter 45

0958 hours

Merrick

Holding my hand to my bleeding arm, I stumble towards the shore, where the rest of the soldiers are.

Holt looks up as I get closer, and he runs over.

"Any sign of them?" He asks quickly, and I sigh, then shake my head.

"Nothing. I have no idea if they're even....."

I cut myself off, then look up at Spike and Jimmy as they walk over.

Jimmy rubs his arm, biting his lip.

"So..so there's still no sign of David or Keegan?" He asks quietly, and I hesitate, then shake my head. Spike clenches his fist and grits his teeth.

"They HAVE to still be alive! Keegan can't be-"

I shake my head and meet Spike's eyes.

"Spike, I get it. I don't want to accept it any more than you do, but...I think Keegan and David are gone. The rod hit right where they were, and then the jets bombed the entire East sector." I say, and Spike goes to say something, then he closes his mouth and stalks off, walking over to Cody, who meets my eyes sadly.

I shake my head, and he closes his eyes morosely.

Jimmy walks over to a rock and sits down, throwing pebbles towards the ocean, now churning with debris from the attack.

I can't believe.......

I don't want to accept it, but......

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, and sit down on the ground, leaning my head on my arms propped on my legs. Holt crouches next to me and puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Captain, I understand. I've lost many a man before, but this, losing Russ, it hurts more than any of them. He was an amazing kid. Determination and strength. He held those two qualities as if he himself had invented them."

Jimmy glances over with a frown.

"Stop talking about him in the past tense, like he's already gone. I know he's not! Or David! I know they're alive! I just know it!" He shouts, and Ryan walks over to sit next to him.

"Jimmy, it's one thing to hope. It's another to waste time denying the inevitable." He remarks, and Jimmy narrows his eyes.

"I hate your pessimistic attitude, Ryan! You never think anyone is ever gonna survive-"

"I DON'T THINK THAT, JIM! I'M JUST MORE READY THAN MOST TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH!" He retorts, and it goes quiet, as all the other soldiers on the bank look up to find the quarrel.

Jimmy stares at him with wide eyes, then tears run down his face.

"You don't get it, do you? They were our friends, Ryan! Our FRIENDS! And you just want to abandon them! Well, I hope that you have enough conscience left to feel guilty!" He yells, then he jumps up and storms off.

I watch him go with wide eyes, then look back to Holt, who shakes his head. Jackson walks up towards us, also watching Jimmy go.

"Damn, I've never seen him that mad." He states, and I shrug.

"We all wish it weren't true. Now I've lost two of my men. Logan is awol, and Keegan is-"

I choke on his name, closing my eyes with a deep breath.

"I wish I could have......I wish I could have said goodbye...." I mutter, then a shout from down the beach makes my head turn.

Cody comes running up to me with wide eyes.