The Lost Ones

The Lost Ones - Chpt 2

*Mike/Thatcher's POV*

"Here ya go. Let the medics take care of you"

I gently helped IQ sit at the back of the van. One medic went up to her for a check-up and I stood back, leaning on the van's doors, watching her intently. As they were patching her up, I reflected to the first time I met her.

Start of flashback

"Hello there, I'm Mike, codename Thatcher. I'm from the SAS."

The woman I was trying to get the attention of, stopped what she was doing and turned around. I shook my hands with this blonde-haired woman in front of me. I swallowed the saliva stuck in my throat, trying to suppress the gasp that was threatening to escape my lips. Out of all her beautiful features, the thing that took my breath away was her sharp, azure eyes.

"I'm Monika, codename IQ. I'm from the GSG 9. Nice to meet you." She replied, a stunning smile on her face.

She has a beautiful voice. I smiled in return.

End of flashback

"Ja. You are fine now miss, just remember to drink plenty of water. Your cuts are superficial so don't worry about them" One of the medics mentioned to Monika.

"Thanks." She replied gratefully.

A stretcher passed speedily by the van, my view blocked by the four paramedics attending to it. From what I saw, there was blood dripping slowly from it. Monika stood up hurriedly and ran towards it, concerned for the injured party. I followed closely behind. Abruptly, she stopped her hands going to cover her mouth as she bursts into tears. I ran to her, covering her view while trying to get a view of my own. It was the captain. It looked very grim.

As I stood there, caressing Monika's hair, staring into the commotion, I recalled the time I was a similar predicament. With my wife. My beloved late wife.

Start of flashback

"Hmmm... Isn't this nice? You, me alone finally. It was so hard to get our free time together." Maria, my wife said, hugging me tightly, resting her head on my chest.

I chuckled hugging Maria tightly before releasing her, leaving my left arm on her waist, leading her to our car. We had just finished a wonderful dinner at our favourite restaurant in London. It was my furlough from the SAS and I wanted to do something special for her. God knows she puts up with plenty of my nonsense. Once we reached the car, I opened the door for her, like a gentleman should, grasping her palm as she sat comfortably on the seat. This caused a giggle to leave her lips. We acted like teenagers that night. I would have done it differently if I knew what would happen. She deserved so much better.

I hurried to the driver seat and started the engine. I changed the music track to our wedding song, I love you for sentimental reasons by Nat King Cole. As I started to sing the lyrics poorly, I earned a soft punch on my shoulder and laughter as I pulled the car from the parking lot. I still remember her sweet laugher that night. How could I forget it?

As we drove through the dimly lit country road to her parent's place, a sedan on the opposite lane was driving erratically. The car seemed to be slightly alternating between the two lanes. Maria and I did not seem to notice this as we were busy amusing each other by singing, her with her beautiful voice and me with my horrible one. If only I was paying attention. She deserved so much better than me.

Without warning, the driver of the sedan crashed into the left side of my car. I reached out for Maria, doing my best to pull her out of danger, only to injure my left hand. Immediately as the cars stopped moving I rushed out of the car and ran to the other side, the adrenaline numbing the pain in my arm. Using all my might, I ripped off the door, unbuckling her belt and pulled her out of seat, into my arms. I checked for her pulse, thanking god for that. I called for an ambulance immediately. Unfortunately, as I took a greater look at her condition, I knew that she would not last long. I saw her eyes flutter open, revealing her soft, beautiful brown irises.

"Honey?" I asked, choking on my tears.

I did not care about the damage. I wanted her to stay alive. No. I needed her to stay alive. She smiled, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Honey, it hurts." She complained.

"I know honey. I know it hurts but hang in there for me. You can get through this. Please. I need you." I begged.

"It's okay honey. You did your best. I know it's bad. You know I hate it when you lie –" She coughed, blood spurting out from her lips.

I could her the sirens of the ambulance getting closer. I cried silently. I kissed her face, to do all I can to tell her that I love her. No matter what.

"Promise me that if I don't make it, you find someone who will love you as I do." She continued.

"NO. You will make it. I know you will. I love you so, so much. Don't leave me. Please." I begged, my tears falling freely now.

Maria smiled, reaching up to my cheek with all the strength she had left and squeezed it.

"I love you too." She replied.

Maria's eyes lulled open, heaving her final breath. I cradled her closer to my chest, wailing. The paramedics have reached the scene, assessing the situation and remedying it as best as they could. I kneeled there, crying.

"I promise Maria. I will do you right." I sobbed uncontrollably, her face cradled to my chest.

The paramedics pulled me off her so that they could check on me. In my weakened state, I complied, the adrenaline wearing off, the pain coming back to me. They led me to the ambulance and patched up my arm. I gazed off to the medics loading my wife onto the stretcher and into the ambulance. I thought to myself.

This is my fault.

End of flashback

"Mike? Are you all right?" Monika called, her teary eyes, looking up into mine.

Unknowingly, I felt moistness on my cheeks. It was from my tears. I hurriedly wiped my tears, replying to Monika.

"Yeah. It's nothing." I forced a smile and loosened my hug.

Surprisingly, Monika hugged me tighter, looking at me straight into my eyes. Her beautiful azure eyes.

"If you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here." She smiled warmly, hugging me tighter.

Smiling back, I nodded my head. Then we stoodthere. Arms wrapped around each other. Both trying to shield the other frompain.