24th May 2024 – Morning - Robin
Her life had become one long journey, each assignment strung to the next, no time off, no vacations and certainly no place she could call home.
It was what she had always wanted.
And contradicting to what everyone else thought of her lifestyle and whether it really was what she'd actually wanted out of life, Robin was content and happy with it.
The thrill of chasing the next big story was still exhilarating and she still enjoyed visiting new countries, cities or regions.
After all, it was what she had always wanted.
Warzones had become one of her favorite things to cover lately, and WWN was more than happy to send her to the hotspots.
Wearing bullet proof vests and being escorted by soldiers was thrilling. Hearing explosions and gun fights got her adrenalin pumping like nothing else and of course the men she was surrounded by were ripped, and in constant fight mode.
It was her thing, and she really wasn't lying when she told people that she loved her job and covering dangerous developments throughout the world.
Then everything changed on May 24th, 2024.
The day started out like any other. It didn't end that way though.
It was a slow day at camp, a couple of convoys were supposed to leave around noon but nothing out of the ordinary.
She was scheduled to interview a doctor at a hospital in a smaller city an hour away from camp. Routine.
The group consisted of herself, her cameraman Ben, and two soldiers, George and Stan.
"Ready gorgeous?" George hollered when he noticed her approaching the jeep.
It made her grin.
George was a good guy.
"You are going after all, huh?" She asked while closing in the last couple of steps.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He replied as he opened the car door.
May 24th, 2024 – Morning - Barney
"Hurry up sweetie; we are going to be late." Barney hollered through the fortress.
"I CAN'T!" came a whiney noise back.
He followed it to its source and watched a very frustrated Ellie trying to tie her shoes.
"Honey, why are you wearing your fancy shoes and not your slippers?" Barney asked as he squatted down.
"Because I want to wear these today." Ellie replied sternly.
"Then you should have asked for my help." He suggested as he tied the shoes for her.
"I want to do it." She replied, but didn't actually try to take over.
Barney finished and got back up, "come on, we have to hurry or you'll be late."
Ellie hated to be late for pre-school and hence started running right away.
"Daddy I can't find my jacket." She yelled.
Barney took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. He knew it was part of being this age but lately Ellie was really good at pushing his buttons.
"It's by the door." He replied patiently.
"No it's not." She was close to a meltdown.
"Yes, look." He took his own coat off to show her hers.
"Oh."
Her preschool was merely three blocks away and as every morning they walked, stopping at a bagel shop for their breakfast.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
It made him smile, "I love you too honey."
Ellie grinned and snuggled her head against his arm.
He would have never chosen this life but now he wouldn't trade it for the world.
May 24th, 2024 – Midday – Robin
"Really? You don't like "Field of Dreams"?" Stan asked surprised.
"Nope." Robin replied.
"Why not?" Ben asked.
The atmosphere in the jeep had been fun. They were already on their way back from the hospital and everyone was looking forward to the afternoon.
Weirdly the horrible things she came in contact with on a daily basis weren't really affecting her as much anymore.
Sure there were stories that impacted her as well, but strangely most of them didn't anymore.
"It's just a silly premise if you ask me." Robin replied.
She noticed how George put the jeep in a lower gear, slowing it down and croaked her head to see what was going on.
Another vehicle was blocking the road ahead of them.
"That doesn't look good." George commented.
"Nope." Stan said through gritted teeth, "can you get out?"
George shrugged and put the jeep in reverse, "put on your bullet proof vests."
Ben started to move next to her but Robin was too intrigued to move.
"Robin? Put the vest on now." George repeated while looking at her through the rear-view mirror.