Pulse

Chapter 2

Briggs

    My heart was racing madly as I pushed down a hallway. I kept asking them to take me back, to let me go back and get my men. But they wouldn't listen to me. Nobody was listening to me.
    My heart and mind were still back in the war zone. I couldn't comprehend what was going on around me.
    I am placed in a room when I swear I see an angel. The light from the window lit her up, and damn, I saw the most divine creature. Then my mind goes back to my men, my team my friends, who had been by my side since I joined the army when I was 18.
    "Miss?" My voice comes our coarse and rough. I clear my throat so she can understand me. No one is listening to me.
    She looked up over the clipboard. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled; for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. I couldn't blink or get my body to cooperate. My eyes couldn't look away.
"Hey, Mr. James." She spoke softly. Her lips were all I could focus on; they looked soft and plush; they were between coral and pale cherry color with a glossy sheen. Just beautiful.
Focus man, your men need you.
    "Get me out of here. Can you get me a phone?" I ask desperately, hoping it's not too late.
    "Sir, you've been badly injured. It would help if you stayed here. Your in no shape to leave."
    "I...I need to go back; my men need me. I have to get back to them."
   "Sir, there are two other men that we're brought here with you."
    "Who? Where is the rest?" What is going on?
    "I'm not sure of the names, but I can check."
    "Go check," I commanded like she was one of my men, and she should obey. She didn't seem to be flustered by my tone.
    "Okay, I'll be right back." She walked out fidgeting with her pink nurse scrub . . .Damn! she has a beautiful body; I couldn't help but stare at her luscious ass as she walked away.    Mmmm, this is cause I haven't been in contact with a female for over a year being stationed in Iraq.
    It hadn't even dawned on me until she left that she didn't even flinch or cringe looking at me. I haven't seen myself, but I can tell my face and body are messed up. I hurt everywhere.
     I am lost looking out the window, getting flashes of the last thing I remember are the smoke, bullets, and loud explosions.
I jump when I hear my name.
    "Briggs??"
    "Shit!" My heart pounded so fast that I could feel it intensely in my chest.
    "Sorry." She jumped back nervously.
    "So, do you know an Axl and Carter?" She asked.
    "Yes!" I nod my head.
    "Okay, they are here."
    "Are they okay?" I asked nervously about the news. They have to be okay.
    "Well, they are stable and heading in the right direction, but they are hurt pretty badly just as you are." She spoke in a soft tone. Like she's trying to express this horrible news but not make it sound so bad.
    "What about the others?"
    "I'm sorry." She looked at the ground. Her eyes gave herself away. Tears ran down her face, but she quickly brushed them off.
    "They're gone?" I asked.
    "Yes." She nodded her head. Tears filled her eyes.
    "All of them?" They can't all be gone. I am freaking Hank, Shane, Bradley, and Paul with wives and kids back home. How can this be happening? Why didn't I die? I have no one.
     "This can't be right." I shook my head, trying to understand what she was telling me.
    "I'm so sorry." She took a seat on the bed and placed her hand on my bandaged hand.
    I pulled my hand away; I didn't need her pity or sorrow-filled eyes.
    "Get out!" I yelled.
    "But..."
    "I said get the fuck out!"
    She didn't budge. She just sat there staring at me with giant tears welling up in her eyes.
    "Briggs, you're here for a reason."
    "You don't know anything." I barked back.
    "I may not, but I know that life is precious, and you can either throw it away or live it for those who didn't get to."
    "Life sucks, steals, and takes away everything great." I was shouting at her.
Still, she didn't flinch or quiver in fear.
She stood up and looked out the window.
    "Say something damnit?"
   "I get you are hurting and going through hell, but you should be thankful that you are still here." She's trying to make me see the silver lining in the wake of tragedy.
    "You don't know shit. You don't know loss or suffering." I held my fist to my eyes, covering my ears. Do not show weakness.
    "You don't have to keep it together or act all tough this does suck, and you will get through shit, but maybe watch how you treat people." I pulled my fists away and just stared at her.
   "GET OUT!" I said through clenched teeth, feeling my emotions hitting the surface.
   She walked out...fuck!!
   I grabbed the first thing I could and knocked the IV standover, which ripped the IV from my arm. Blood started squirting out.
    I grabbed for the call button. The nurse came back in. She rushed over when she saw the blood everywhere.
    "Shit!" She sounded scared, but she worked quickly putting gloves on, then ran around and found something to put over the vein to stop the bleeding.
    She was gentle. She smelled fucking delicious. Like cherries and Vanilla.
   "Thank you." I laid back feeling stupid.
    "Are you alright? Did you pull that out on purpose?" She cautiously looked me in the eyes.
    "No, my temper got the better of me," I say guiltily.
    "Maybe bring it down a notch." She said compassionately.
    "Thanks, captain, obvious." I sneered.
    "Would you like to go for a walk?" And by walk, I mean I push you, and we head somewhere?"
   "Can I go see my friends?" I begged, needing to make sure they were ok.
   "I can see if they are up for visitors."
She stepped up and fluffed my pillow behind me. Her body was so close, pressing against me. Her smell was making me go berserk under my gown.
   She moved away like she was nervous again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to enter your space. I just wanted to make you comfortable."
   "Thank you," I mumbled.
   "So walk or no?"
   "Not sure I can even move?"
   "Why don't we see if you can move?"
   "Okay." I nodded.
    She moved the blanket off me, and I was tenting huge in my gown. She quickly covered me back up. Her cheeks went bright red, turning away from me; she moved across the room
   "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I laughed, feeling a little embarrassed.
    "Hahaha, I just wasn't expecting that." She blushed.
    "Trust me, you and me both." We both laughed.

Layla

   "What's your name?" He asked me.
   "Layla," I replied.
   "Guess I need to know your name to know who to call for."
   "Are you just going to be yelling it?" I gave him a little attitude.
   "Hahaha, I'm sorry." He ran his hands over his face. He suddenly stopped. He ran his hand slowly over his burnt face.
"Fuck! I'm a monster."
    "No, Briggs, you're not." My eyes teared up. Keep it together, I told myself.
   "Why are you crying?" His eyes locked on mine.
   "I'm sorry," I spoke quietly, unsure of what to do for him.
    "Don't look at me like that." He sounded pissed and angry again.
     I looked away. My heart hurt for him. I hurried out of the room, feeling myself losing it. I couldn't keep it together. I wanted to be there, but I didn't know what to do.

......

   I let him be for some time, then I pulled myself together and walked back in. He was asleep. Even in sleep, it didn't look peaceful. He had deep creases on his forehead like he was dreaming in battle mode.
   I took a seat and went over his chart and checked his vitals. His heart rate was rapidly increasing. His body began to shake, and his head moved back and forth. I stood up and placed my hand on his arm. His eyes shot open, and he looked spooked. "Where am I?" His chest was rising and falling fast.
    "You're in the hospital, " I spoke calmly.
    "Is everyone ok?" His voice shook with worry.
     I shook my head, scared that I wouldn't be able to speak.
   "Fuck!" He banged his fist on the side table.
    "Axl and Carter are here."
   "I want to see them."
    "Let's me see if they can have a visitor."
     His hand shot out and grabbed mine.
     "Am I dead?"