Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE TRUCK CREAKED TO A STOP. Both Schofield and Mags share looks. They're both on edge.
"Bridge is down!" The driver shouts towards the back.
Mags' pinkie tightens against Schofield's. Panic begins to settle in her veins. How will they get to Écoust on time now? The sun had begun to set, leaving them only a handful of hours to report to the colonel of the Second Devons to stop the attack. "End of the line." She mutters under her breath.
"Looks like this is our stop, then." Schofield pushes himself out of the seat. Mags is quick to repeat his actions. Slinging her pack and Blake's rifle strap over her shoulders, she follows him out of the truck. "Good luck, all of you."
"Keep some of that luck for yourselves, mate." Private Rossi calls out to them.
Sepoy Jondalar climbs out of the truck. He digs through his jacket pocket and pulls out a tobacco tin. "I think you'll need these more than me." Setting the tin in her hand, he offers her a kind smile. "I hope we meet again, Margaret." Tears brim at her eyes as she flings her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. She pulls back after a fleeting moment, blinking away the tears that threatened to slip down her puffy cheeks. He climbs back into the truck, nodding a final goodbye to Mags.
The captain that had found them earlier approaches the two. "Next bridge is six miles. We'll have to divert."
Schofield shakes his head. "We can't, Sir. We don't have the time."
"Of course." The captain nods. Holding his hand out, he gives a small smile. "Best of luck to both of you." After shaking Schofield's hand, the man turns to shake Mags'. "Keep this man alive, Nurse."
"'Til my dying breath." She smiles as she shakes his hand.
"That's what I like to hear." The captain chuckles. He turns to leave them, but stops in his tracks. "Corporal, if you do manage to get to Colonel Mackenzie, make sure you've got more witnesses than the nurse."
Both the soldier and the nurse furrow their brows. "They're direct orders, Sir."
"I know," he speaks, his eyes turning grim, "but some men just want the fight."
They both nod. "Thank you, Sir." Schofield nods as the captain turns and leaves. He yells a few instructions to the driver. The two watch as the trucks drive off. The soldiers gaze at the two as they slowly grow further and further. His arm nudges Mags'. "Let's get a move on. Can't waste anymore time than we already have."
Turning to the broken bridge, they stare in curiosity. Halfway through the bridge, it's blown up and caved into the water below. How were they supposed to get across? Perhaps they could climb on the side. Or maybe even walk across the top? Both slowly approach it. This would be a bad time for her to tell him that she never learned how to swim. Maybe the water wasn't that deep. It didn't look too deep. Maybe waist high. She stares down as her hands wring together.
