What happens if the army's only chance of winning the war rest with a girl who wants nothing to do with it. Evangeline is a Gypsy running from her past and trying to survive the future when she is kidnapped by the government and forced to serve in the United States army as a paratrooper. Can the broken gypsy with a strange ability learn to let people in and help her new family survive the war?
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
In the back of a military truck huddled in a corner after being shoved in, a tiny woman shook violently in fear as the back doors swang open making the small dark space erupt in light, trying to squint past the light to see where she was but having no luck she squeezed her eyes shut just as she felt someone's hand warp around her ankle and begin to drag her out. Letting a shriek escape her lips she found herself thrown onto the floor in front of several military officers.
"The girl you wanted, Sir" One of the soldiers said as he saluted to his superiors leaving the trembling women in the dirt.
"Easy soldier" one of the men said as he stepped forward to help her to her feet, terrified of the sudden appearance of the soldier before her she shrank away from his touch. Sitting huddled in the dirt between the truck and the soldier kneeling before her she wearily studied his face. His wise blue eyes held kindness in them, something she hadn't seen directed at her in so long, his red hair was cut in the generic army style mostly covered by his side hat upon which she notice a single gold bar from which she gathered he was a lieutenant, standing closely behind him was another lieutenant he was the same height as the red head and appeared to be the same age the only thing that was different about him was his deep brown eyes that help concern in them and his dark brown hair.
"What's your name sweetheart?" Stepping forwards an older man with a thin moustache and a colonel's badge on his side hat addressed her. Staring wide eyed at the 2 lieutenants before her, and then at the coronel all she could muster was a squeak as her mouth moved up and down slowly emitting no other sounds.
"he asked you a question Freak!" yelled the soldier that dragged her out of the truck as he swiftly brought his hand up and bought it across her face back handing her. The girl shrank even more away from the men and pressed herself into the ground, her shaking becoming more violent.
"Hey!" yelled the dark haired lieutenant at the same time as the red head yelled for the soldier to stand down, both enraged that the private raised a hand to the terrified women cowering in the dirt.
"Stand down soldier, you are dismissed" said the coronal with a disapproving look on his face "shall we try again?"
"Its ok you can tell us" the red head said gently as he knelt back down in front of her. She looked up at him searching his face for a long time then quickly glancing at the brunette as she raised herself out of the dirt so she was somewhat out of it.
"E...Evangeline..." she stuttered quietly.
"well, my name is Colonel Sink this here is 2nd lieutenant Winters and 2nd lieutenant Nixon they along with 1st lieutenant Sobal will be your platoon leaders you will report to them if you have any issues, you will meet lieutenant Sobal and the rest of your company soon, until then these gentlemen will take you to get cleaned up and get you into some clean clothes. Welcome to the united states army Miss." Coronel Sink said as he took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, lighting one as he turned and walked off not sparing Evangeline a glance.
It took some time for Nixon and Winters to coax the petit woman from where she was huddled in the dirt behind the truck but when they finally managed to get her up they began to slowly lead her to the bunkhouses. The further into the camp they got the more populated it became which the found to very difficult to keep her moving, the poor girl looked like a deer court in headlights, her eyes were wide and filled with panic and fear, there were soldiers everywhere that had stopped what they were doing to watch the petit and barley dressed girl walk past. Evangeline aware of all the men watching her pressed herself closer to lieutenant Winters side, noticing this Winters shot Nixon a concerned look that was mirrored on Nixon's face but it wasn't there for long as he started to shout out orders quickly making the small crowd disperse. Finally arriving to Easy Companies Bunkhouse Nixon walked in holding the door open and waited patiently as Evangeline hesitated in the doorway for a second before stepping in to the room. The room consisted of 2 rows of 12 beds all lined up against the wall. Finally noticing that Lieutenant Nixon had walked further into the room and stopped at the last bed at the end of the room she started to step towards where he was waiting.
Evie sat down on the metal trunk that was placed at the end of the bed, lighting a cigarette Nixon sat down on the trunk across from her where she watch him warily as he took a drag of his cigarette letting the smoke linger in his lungs before blowing it out.
"my name is Lewis Nixon but you can call me Nix if you like" he said quietly as he moved to lean his elbows on his knees. "How old are you?" he wondered out loud not expecting her to answer.
"20" she whispered "you can call me Evie if you wish". Just then Lieutenant Winters returned holding a small pile of clothes with an apple on top and leading a younger man in. Noticing her glance towards the new comer winters moved aside so she could get a better look.
"He's a doctor, he won't hurt you he's just going to take a look at your lip and those cuts and bruises" Winters explained as he placed the clothes on the bed and the held the apple out to her which she took with a small ghost of a smile on her lips. Taking that as a good time to approach, the doctor moved slowly so not to startle her kneeling down in front of her he gently took her hands and examined the bruises around her wrist where someone had tied them together. Evie looked down at the young doctor, he didn't look to older then her. He had lightly tanned skin, dark brown almost black hair and brown eyes that made him look older then he was. "Eugene" he said in a voice that was soft and had a slight accent, looking up at her he noticed her confused face making him smile " my name, its Eugene Roe" he repeated as he moved up to look at her lip and face.
"Evangeline" she mumbled as Eugene touched her split lip making her shrink away from his touch. Noticing this he glanced at Winters quickly before turning back to Evie giving her a small smile "you're a tough girl" he said as he stood up and followed Nixon out of the room. Winters watched as she brought the apple up to her mouth and took a bite from it. Satisfied with the fact that she was eating he left her to change into her clean clothes.
"What happened to her?" Eugene asked Nixon once they made it outside.
"We don't know what happened before she came here but she was hit by a soldier when she didn't answer Colonel Sink's questions" Nixon answered shaking his head. "the poor girl is terrified of men"
"which makes one ask the question..." began Eugene
"what did men do to her" finished Winters who had joined them outside. "Eugene go back to the mess hall and finish you meal you've done all you can for her today" nodding and mumbling a "sir" he started off in the direction the mess hall. "oh and Eugene don't mention this to the others yet, we have to handle this situation very delicately" Winters ordered making the doc turn on the spot briefly.
+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
"hey where ya been doc?" yelled Guarnere while shovelling food into his mouth. "ya foods getting cold 'ere" sitting down in his seat across from bill, Eugene was aware of his friends watching him curiously but instead of answering bill's question he simply sat and ate his food in silence listening to his friends talk about PT or Sobal and various other topics.
Shouts of "A-Ten-Hut" rang out through the small building causing men to jump to attention and the sound of forks falling down on to plates rather loudly. Lieutenant Sobal strode into the middle of the room and surveyed the group of men.
"PT gear, 1 hour, we're running Currahee" he barked before striding out. Several groans and moans we heard before the men of easy company started filling out and head to their bunkhouse to change.
Throwing the doors open Perconte swore loudly at Sobal as he throw himself down onto his bed "that's why he gave us fucking spaghetti " a few replies were thrown around as the other guys walked over to their own beds.
"whoa...what's this?" Martin said noticing a Petit girl huddled as close as possible to the wall beside an empty bed, as he stepped closer he watched as her eyes grew to the size of saucers and she moved closer to the wall "hey, hey its ok I won't hurt you" he said shocked at her reaction and drawing the attention of the other men who had started moving towards them. Eugene who was at the front of the room started to shoulder his way through the group stopping next to martin who was still trying to approach the girl. Stepping forward slowly as not to startle her Eugene knelt down beside her aware of the confused men behind him. "what the hell" muttered George bewildered?
"its ok Evie, your fine, these fellas here they won't hurt you I promise" he whispered seeing her relax slightly at his words he turned to the guys. "give her some space will ya"
Slowly one by one everyone turned around and went to their beds to ready themselves for PT. "Alright boys grab your clothes, looks like we're changing in the shower blocks" yelled Bull as he grabbed his stuff and headed out the door closely followed by everyone else except the doc you hung back for a minute before he too grabbed his PT gear and left.
"hey doc, what the hell was that about? What is she doing here?" asked George pulling the doc aside
"I'm not supposed to say" Eugene sighed glancing at Luz
"come on doc it's me! Who am I gonna tell" Luz grinned at the Eugene. Sighing again Eugene looked around to see who else was in earshot satisfied that no-one else would her he turned back to Luz who was waiting patiently with a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
"she was brought in this morning on Coronel Sinks orders, Winters and Nixon where there when she was dragged out the back of a truck. Poor girl was beat by a soldier. Luz she's terrified of men. Don't know what happened to her before this morning" he said shaking his head slowly.
"Jesus Christ" mumbled Luz who was in shock from what the doc had just confounded in him. "come on we better get moving" he numbly moved forward pulling the doc by the arm.
X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X
"You people are at the position of attention" Sobal Yelled at the company before him as he stormed down the line stopping at Perconte.
"private Perconte, Have you been blousing your trousers over your boots like a paratrooper?" he yelled in Perconte's face
"No, Sir" Frank Answered
"then explain the creases at the bottom" Sobal smirked
"No excuse, Sir" Frank paused before answering.
"volunteering for the parachute infantry is one thing, Perconte, but you've got a long way to prove that you belong here. Your weekend pass is revoked" Sobal said as he moved down the line and stopping this time at Luz who immediately presented his rifle for inspection.
"Name" barked Sobal Taking the rifle in his hands and inspecting it.
"Luz, George" George replied confidently
"Dirt in the rear sight aperture, pass revoked." Sobal said tossing the Luz his rifle back and moving down the line again.
"when did you sew on these chevrons, sergeant Lipton? Sobal said leaning in close to Lipton
"yesterday, Sir" Lipton answered unfazed
"long enough to notice this" Sobal said holding up a thread "revoked" he yelled as he left Lipton side to find his next victim. Finding him Sobal Barked "name" in his face.
"Malarkey, Donald G" He yelled handing over his rifle.
"Malarkey. Malarkey's slang for "bullshit" isn't it?" question Sobal as he grabbed the rifle.
"yes Sir" Malarkey replied weakly.
"rust on the butt plate hinge spring, Private Bullshit. Revoked" Sobal barked as he spotted the soldier behind Malarkey.
"Name" he said as he moved in front of the skinny man.
"Liebgott, Joseph D, Sir" Liebgott stated holding up his rifle. Instead of taking the rifle Sobal reached around the private and grabbed his Bayonet holding it up in front of him.
"rusty bayonet. you wanna kill Germans?" he questioned.
"yes Sir" Liebgott Answered proudly
"not with this" Sobal answered as he hit Liebgott on his helmet with the bayonet before taking it and walking out in front of the whole company. "I wouldn't take this rusty piece of shit to war, and I will not take you to war in your condition!" he yelled thrusting the bayonet in to the ground next to him. "now thanks to these men and their infractions every man in the company who had a weekend pass...has lost it, get moving we're running Currahee"
"Hold on a minute Lieutenant Sobal" Coronel Sink said stopping everyone in their tracks.
"coronel Sink, Sir" Sobal said in surprise as he and the whole of easy company saluted the man.
"at ease soldiers" Sink said with a wave of his hand and everyone relaxed.
"can I help you sir?" ask Sobal moving to stand next to the coronel.
"I just came to introduce you and easy company to our new soldier, this girl is gonna win us the war gents" Sink said as he gestured for a soldier to bring Evie over.
"girl. Sir?" questioned Sobal clearly confused as he caught sight of a small girl wearing the smallest size shorts and white top they army could supply and it still appeared huge on her. "I don't understand sir"
"Lieutenant Sobal, Easy Company, this girl is our secret weapon in this war." Sink began to explain, placing a hand on her shoulder which she promptly moved away from. "she was found on a crossroad just outside of a French town surrounded by dead kraut soldiers, in her possession was a single hunting knife. She is the perfect killing machine. " laughed sink cause a few of the men let out a couple of nervous chuckles.
"Sir with respect I don't feel comfortable sending her to war...I mean look at her she's a twig and how do we know she can follow orders" questioned Sobal eyeing up the girl who was staring at her feet that were now covered in small canvas shoes, with her arms wrapped around her frail body.
"do not worry about that lieutenant, she will be in fit fighting conditions by the time you lot get shipped to England" Colonel Sink confidently replied dismissing the question. "have fun on your run men" with that he walked off leaving the small girl standing in front of a confused Sobal.
"Move out, we're running all 12 miles, now move" he yelled "that mean you too soldier" he yelled in Evie's face making her whimper and take a step back. Seeing this Nixon ran to her aid gently moving her to follow the rest of the platoon. "I hope you like running" he laughed turning to watch her jog next to him he was surprised to see her nod her head, smiling to himself he followed next to her as he listen to Sobal shout abuse to the front of the company.