Ch.1

'Called in'

[July 2012]

Seeing through the dust and dirt felt impossible especially with bullets flying by her head she returned fire but she couldn't tell if she hit anyone before she could check she screamed out in pain as a bullet lodged itself in her leg causing her to fall to ground she could hear the enemy falling in on her now but the sound of gunfire close to her head made her look up and see a comrade firing murderously.

[July 2019]

The woman woke up a sheen of cold sweat covered her entire body she looked to her side and saw her husband still asleep and also saw that the digital clock read 'four forty-five' pulling the blanket off of herself and swinging her legs off the side of the bed once her feet touched the floor she set her hands on her legs she took a deep breath before getting up and leaving the room stealthily walking down the hall she made her way to the kitchen she stopped at the counter and started coffee then headed for the fridge and pulled out milk opening a cupboard she pulled out cereal then went to the dishwasher and pull out a bowl fixing herself a bowl she returned the milk and cereal to their respective places then sat at the island and ate her meal after she finished her breakfast she set the bowl and spoon in the sink just as her coffee let her know it was ready with a 'ding' pulling a mug down from a cupboard she filled it with the hot drink then tossed in a spoon of sugar before going out to her chair on her porch sipping her drink watching the distant interstate only a few cars were present sitting in her rocker she could hear the neighbors starting to leave for work looking at her phone the clock read 'six o'clock' finishing her coffee she got up and made her way to the master bathroom shrugging out of her clothes she went and grab some clothes from the drawer as she walked back to the bathroom she saw her husband stirring a bit she closed the bathroom door then started up the shower testing the water before she stepped in a few minutes later she stepped out trying off with a towel from the rack dressed in a old T-shirt and leggings she stepped back out on the porch as the neighborhood was coming to life now she checked her clock now reading 'six-thirty' doing some routine stretches she set her airpods in her ears selecting the workout playlist and hitting the random button 'I Love Rock n Roll' started playing as she started her morning run.

She ran through the neighborhood down past the man-made pond.

She waved at a man starting his mower up as she continued past him.

She saw a kid riding his bike throwing papers onto the porches of the many residents residing in this suburb she continued on.

The song that played next was 'Bad Reputation' an old man was out walking she gave him a quick two fingered salute as she ran past him as he saluted her.

She got back to her home then pulled her phone out it read 'seven-thirty' she walked back inside and closed the door she went to the kitchen for a drink and saw a note on the fridge held by a magnet pulled it off the fridge.

"Got called into work be home around six. love you. ~ David" she read before filling a glass with water downing it then heading to the bedroom pulling out clothes she heard someone knock on the front door she set the clothes down on the bed then headed towards the door.

Answering the door she opens the door to a tall man looking like an army general.

"North." The man said simply.

"Mitchell." North answered plainly.

"President's orders." Mitchell said handing her official papers.

Reading them over North looks at Mitchell.

"Tonight." Mitchell said shortly.

North only nodded.

"See you at the briefing." Mitchell said as he saw a boy emerging from the hallway.

Closing the door after him North laid her back up against it she reread the papers again.

"Mom?"

"Hey buddy..." North greeted the boy sounding exhausted.

"You gotta leave again don't you.." the boy asked.

North looked at him with tired eyes.

"Of course." The boy said.

"It's my job. I'll be back before you or dad even notice." North said hoping she was right.

"Whatever..." the boy said retreating down the hall.

"Hey! Don't walk away from me.." North said trying not to raise her voice.

"My birthday is today!" The boy shouted angrily. You were gone for my sixth birthday too. But this time your leaving on my birthday. It's bullshit!" The boy ranted angrily.

"Don't use that kinda language!" North yelled temper flaring.

"Or what!?" The boy tested.

"Or I'll!--" North said but didn't finish knowing this wouldn't solve anything.

"What?!" The boy challenged.

"Go take the trash out." North told him seriously.

"What?" The boy asked.

"It'd better be done by the time I'm out of the shower." North said walking to the master bathroom.

Picking up the clothes from her bed she went and got in the shower where she sat down and closed her eyes.

Hearing the sound of a man yelling profanity she looked up and saw her last standing teammate Walker.

"Get off your ass and on your feet Rook!" Walker said helping North off the ground.

She propped herself on the rock she was using for cover as she leaned on it she pulled her M4 over the cover to return fire after a couple rounds were fired she saw an object land next to her and Walker.

"Grenade!" North yelled scrambling away from the cover Walker rolled to another rock as it exploded shrapnel finding its way into North's chest and stomach as fell back she saw more grenades flying through the air she saw also as they were about to explode.

But the sound was interrupted by her phone's alarm going off pulling North out of her thoughts standing up she finished showering she stepped out and slipped into some jeans a black tank top and a denim jacket she combed her hair then pulled it into a bun then walked out to the bedroom where she grabbed the papers and her car keys she slipped out of her room to the living room where her son waited.

"Take the trash out?" North asked.

The boy shook his head defiantly ready to fight.

"Happy birthday buddy..." North says after letting out a sigh. "Don't make your dad do that. Ok." She added.

"Ok." The boy said sadly.

North then kissed him on the forehead. "Happy birthday..." she said one last time before walking out the door.

She got in the car and started it but texted her husband before she left the attached garage.

"They called me into work be back soon. Love you." She hit send then started to drive towards where the briefing was being held this was the worst time to be called in.