Animosity

Chapter 30 - The Last Stretch

          Photo: Members of a rifle platoon ready themselves for combat.

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        "We're almost there."

        The words took a little while to fully register in my brain, to roll around like a droplet of water as I stared down at the yellowed, tattered map. My hands were steady as they gripped the paper, wrinkling it just slightly, the faded ink warped around my fingers. Soft morning sun shone onto the page, and I cleared my throat gently, tilting the map upwards as I spoke.

        "...What?"

        There was a pause, and then Hank spoke from his position leaning just slightly over my shoulder, voice quiet as he repeated his earlier declaration with a hint of plaintiveness.

        "The camp. Ngōc. We're almost there."

        The chiseled boulder I was perched on felt uncomfortable under my weight, and I shifted slightly in my seat, letting my eyes become glued to the paper in front of me. My gaze traced down the harsh inky lines, the strong sweeps of marker that laid out our path, and I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. A soft morning breeze was flowing through the air, ruffling my jet-black hair, stirring the short grass that peppered the ground beside us. The tent was sprawled out to our left as if it was exhausted, sagging slightly around the group of three that slept inside of it. The rest of the camp was warm and empty, silent save for me and Hank's quiet conversation.

        "You're right," I answered finally, giving him a hard, lingering glance as he moved to sit beside me. Tiny loose pebbles crackled under his boots, and his large frame came into view, messy brown hair and murky eyes swimming in my peripherals. I could feel the warmth radiating off of his body when he brushed my shoulder, sidling closer as I cleared my throat anxiously once again. "We, uh... we can make it today. If we travel quickly we can make it by nighttime."

        "Mmm." He nodded in agreement, reaching out to take a corner of the map into his slender fingers, dog-earing the paper absentmindedly. His voice was clogged with an emotion I didn't recognize, tone strained and expectant as he turned his body to better face me. Reluctantly, I did the same, palm sweaty against the cool gray rock underneath me.

        It was silent for a moment as we looked across at each other, daring each other to make the first move, to say the first sentence. A heat was creeping up onto my neck as I realized just how long it had been since we were together, and I hurriedly returned my gaze to the ground at the thought of it.

        Finally, he arched his back, stretched, and spoke. "Around this time tomorrow, we'll be at the camp."

        "Right."

        "Are you looking forward to it..? I mean... seeing other people, that is."

        I let out a sigh of relief, lacing my fingers together. Allowing a tiny grin to dance over the corner of my lips, I gave him a tired, playful nudge. "Seeing anyone but Devy'll be a blessing."

        He chuckled under his breath, matching my own quiet giggle, and for a moment, I felt happiness surge between both of us like electricity. It... it felt nice. It had been so long since I'd spoken to him like this, under friendly terms, laughing like we used to every day. The sun was peeking out farther and farther from behind the mountains, spilling waves of red and gold over the horizon, warm and pleasant as they ran their fingers over my skin. Looking up at Hank, seeing his eyes sparkling in the comforting light, it was almost as if the war was a million miles away, some distant problem that other people could solve.