'I long to be like you
Lie cold in the ground like you
There's room inside for two
And I'm not grieving for you
I'm coming for you'
Evanescence, 'Like you'
CHAPTER 2: Bloody inscription
It was decided to cart them to Fort Owen, California, where the trial had to take place. On the way they didn't exchange any word. They were still too sick at heart because of recent friend's death to think about escape from transport.
But when they got there and every one of them took place on wooden cot in one of three separated, adjacent cells, some ideas of escape began to appear in Hannibal's mind. However he knew that before he'll start planning anything, there's need to clear the air between him and his men. There was no other mode than talk about what had happened, though this method didn't suit to colonel's taste. As a man, soldier and veteran of two wars he not really knew how to talk about feelings, mainly with other men.
He sighed, stood up from wooden cot and walked over grid. Clenched his fingers on one of the bars and said:
'BA? Do you hear me?'
No answer.
Guard gave gray-haired man a once-over. He was warned, that prisoners may try some tricks.
'BA? You hold grudge against me for Murdock's death, right?' How couldn't he? Smith couldn't forgive himself, that few seconds of inattention have cost life of his friend.
'I don't wanna talk about that.' BA snapped back
'Hannibal, stop talking shit.' Face spoke up hoarsely, his voice unused for many hours. 'For every one of us Murdock would do the same. He loved us...More than any of us deserved it. He would do this second time without hesitate. We're only humans, everyone has right to make a mistake.'
Colonel was surprised by sobriety of lieutenant's statement, all the more, that he reacted so emotionally at the time of pilot's death.
Next day they've met with attorney. After elaborating line of defence, when lawyer asked, if they would like to add something, Face asked:
'Could you organize for me paper and something to write?'
'Letter? You don't have any family, lieutenant. You've grown up in an orphanage, you are a bachelor.'
'I'd like to write to nuns, who work at this orphanage' blonde replied
'You are well informed.' Hannibal said and puffed to cigar
'It's a part of my job. I'm afraid that the fulfillment of your request will be impossible. Lynch and Decker have already said quite enough to prosecutor how you're capable to use oridinary items. Security considerations, hope you understand.'
'Yeah sure, I'll open lock by pen refill.' Peck was ironic
In the evening, when the light in cells was switched off, Face has bitten his hand stronlgy and with his own blood started writing on the wall, barely seeing anything bland light from corridor.
At the morning his body was found hanging on the grid on belt.
When BA i Hannibal have heard, that something is going on beside lieutenant's cell, they've sprung up from wooden cots and stood at bars. They saw corpse covered by bedsheet, being carried on a stretcher. Baracus with wild yelling has started beating his fists against the wall, Smith slumped on his knees. Nobody ever told them, that bloody inscription was saying:
'Thanks for all those shared years. I'm going to Murdock.'
To be continued...
