The Cold Recesses of our Minds

5

Night has fallen. It's only hours before the next day. I lay on the ground of the foxhole.

"Snow angels," I sigh. Liebgott looks at me strangely. "Thats what I miss about childhood," I sigh and stand up.

"Being carefree," Liebgott nods his head. I smile.

"I'll be back, I'm gunna talk to Winters," I climb out of the hole. Liebgott doesn't answer. The last time I left to talk to Winters I came back with a cut on my arm. Mostly because I fell on my face.

I was walking to Winters. I didn't look at the ground. I take a step and fall into someone's fox hole. I land on a branch that cuts through my clothing and sheers through my skin. I don't even cry out. A person sits in the foxhole.

"Lieutenant Dike, erhm," I get up off the ground.

"Are you alright there Captain?" Dike asks. I nod. I look around and see Winters rushing up to the hole.

"Richarson what are you doing?" The classic line comes out of his mouth.

"Fell in sir," I climb out painfully as my arm screams in pain. I stand up and hold my left arm in pain. Winters suppresses a smile at my problem dazed expression.

"Go make Doc look at it," Winters waves me off. I nod and scurry through camp. I find Roe talking to people about the cold weather.

"Lieutenant New Boo- Richardson,'' Lipton nods to me. He sees the blood on my arm.

"Hey doc have any bandages or something?" I grimace. Roe looks at me.

"Not for your arm," Roe shakes his head.

"Alright," I shrug and apply more pressure. I start to walk away.

"Maybe ask around if you find one I'll patch you up," Roe calls back. I stop and turn around. I nod. I then have a thought. I smile.

"By the way it's Captain New Boots now," I nod to Roe and Lipton. I see them look at each other. I walk away with a smile. I hold my arm. I really need to sew in the patches. And maybe fix my arm.

I've been injured before. In fact it was during Carentan.

The day was full killing and stabbing people. Unfortunately I happened to stumble upon a group of German soldiers.

"Webster what the hell are you doing?" I hiss as I see him running up behind me. I lean against a grey building. A hear gunfire and what not all around the town.

"Sorry Sergeant figured you'd need help," Webster flashes a kind smile. I signal him to be quiet. I hear scuffling and movement near the building to my left. Could be locals but unlikely at this point. I tiptoe through the street and to the other building. I listen hard. The people are louder over here but it must be only one or two soldiers. I motion Webster to cross. Soon both of us are near the building. The soldiers are on the other side.

I take a deep breath before running to the back. I hear Webster behind me. I aim my gun as I turn the corner.

10 at least.

10 fucking soldiers.

The one closest to me let's out a yell and grabs his gun. I take his yell as my cue to shoot.

My gun shakes in my hands as I shoot them. Webster helps as we take them all down.

"Holy shit," I mumble under breath.

"That was incredible," Webster nods. I smile and look down. Before I can do anything a German soldier on the ground reaches up and stabs me with his bayonet. He pulls it out just as Webster yells and shoots him.