Growing pains
Hey guys, FrostRoamer here with a new Call of Duty series, Growing pains. This is a collection of one-shots involving Woods having to raise David Mason after Alex's death in Panama. I don't claim ownership to any of the characters in this piece.
As always, reviews and ratings are always appreciated! Stay frosty.
Chapter 1-December 23rd, 1989. Arlington National Cemetery.
Frank Woods sat in his wheelchair, his breath misting in the cold winter air. David Mason stood next to him, staring ahead with red-rimmed eyes. Both were dressed in black suits of mourning. They looked at the empty grave in front of them. Simple, Woods thought to himself, that's what Mason would want. ALEX MASON, it read. FRIEND. 1933-1989. SEMPER FIDELIS. "What does it mean?" David's young voice broke the silence of the graveyard. Woods rolled up his sleeve, exposing his tattoo on his right forearm of the same saying. "Always faithful." Woods said. "He always was kid. Remember that." David nodded. Other mourners began to arrive. Soldiers from Alex's past wars, friends from the CIA, and a woman. Who was she? Woods wondered. She approached Woods and David. "Frank Woods?" she asked. He nodded, extending his hand. She took it. "Dot Mason." She said. "I'm your aunt David." She smiled. Ever brave, David smiled back. "Hi Aunt Dot." He said, extending his own hand. She sighed, and pulled him into a hug instead. "Alex always talked about you." She said, releasing him. "He was so proud of you." David looked down at his feet. She turned to Woods. "I won't ask, Mr. Woods. All I want to say is, anything you need, anything at all, I'm just a phone call away. You were Alex's brother, so you're my brother too." These simple words brought a smile to Wood's face. This woman he'd just met, one he'd barely heard anything about, was prepared to do anything for him and David. Woods thought of Alex. Runs in the family. "Is grandpa coming?" David asked. Woods winced. He knew the bond between Alex and his father had long been broken, ever since Alex never came home for his mother's funeral. He'd seen the letters, before Mason burnt them. "He can't." Dot replied. "He's too ill, but he asked me to tell you both to visit, soon." Fat chance, Woods thought. But he admired her bravery in telling the lie. The conversation halted, as the coffin was brought in. Propped on the shoulders of four strong men, Alex Mason's coffin was brought over to the mourners, and laid down on trestles next to his grave, the coffin open to the elements. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North stood next to the coffin. "Alex Mason," he began "Was one of the very best soldiers I knew. He was tireless, he was hardworking, and he was loyal. He was one of the very best soldiers I have ever had under my command, and he served his country admirably." It was a quick speech, solemn and true. Woods knew Mason would've wanted that. Back in Vietnam, when the morbid reality of it all came crashing home, people used to plan their funerals, saying what they wanted us to do. Mason only had one request. "Make the damn thing quick." He'd said. "Don't wanna be freezing my ass off for too long. Just say what you gotta say, and put me in the ground." Woods wheeled himself forward, leaving David with Dot. Turning his wheelchair to face the mourners, he began to speak. "I knew Alex for a very, very long time. In that time, he was the best brother in arms a soldier could hope for." And I killed him. "We were on a mission once." In Cuba. Trying to kill Castro. " We'd completed the mission, got our ride outta there. We were trying to take off and get outta there, when we saw this blockade at the end of the runway. I thought that was it." I killed my best friend because I was blind with revenge. "Then suddenly, I saw Alex leap outta the plane and sprint for a ZPU, bullets flying around him as he ran. He blew up that blockade in a matter of seconds. He knew he wouldn't make it back. But he wanted to make sure we did." He paused. "I didn't even tell him to do it, he just saw an opportunity to get his team out safely, and he took it. He didn't care for himself. Alex Mason was the best man I ever knew." He finished simply. And I shot him right in the fucking head. The mourners came forward to Mason's coffin, paying their final respects, saying their empty words then moving on, a handshake for Woods, a pat on the head for David, and then gone. Dot and David were last. Dot looked down at her brother, and Woods saw tears glisten in her eyes. "Goodbye Alex." She whispered. Then it was David. He looked into the coffin at his dad. Tears rolled down his face as he sobbed. Woods moved over to comfort him, putting a hand round him and pulling him close while David sobbed onto his shoulder. They stayed like that for a long time. Finally, David turned back to the coffin. "I'm sorry dad." He whispered. "I love you. Say hi to mom for me." And then it was all too much for Woods. Frank Woods, the old warhorse, the terror of Khe Sanh and the bane of Communists tipped his head and began to cry. He cried bitter tears for the friend and brother he'd lost, that he'd murdered. He cried for Bowman, and Weaver, and Swift, and Hudson too, the bastard. All the grief he'd kept bottled up through years of fighting and loss swept through him. It was David's turn to comfort him. Frank Woods turned to the coffin, and realised he couldn't see from his wheelchair. "Help me David." He muttered. David wrapped a strong arm around his back and pulled him into a standing position, Woods standing on unsteady legs, with knees that had been blown apart by a shotgun 3 days ago. By Menendez. He looked down at his friend, lying peacefully. "I'll look after him Alex. I promise." Woods sat back down with David, and they watched as his coffin was lowered into the grave. Woods felt something wet against his cheek. It had begun to snow. "C'mon kid." Woods said. They both turned and left the cemetery. "He loved you kid. Remember that." Woods said as they went. "Did he?" David's stark reply cut Woods to the bone. "I know he was distant kid. He had a tough time of it growing up, and when he was grown up. He was a brilliant soldier, but he couldn't transfer that into being a brilliant dad. One day, we'll sit down and talk about your dad." David swallowed hard. "Okay." He said weakly. "C'mon," Woods managed a smile. "Let's go home." David smiled back.
Alright guys, first chapter done! I'll upload some more soon, but please, let me know what you think so far, and if you'd like any moments in David's growing up! Please review and rate! Stay frosty.