The first mile wasn't too hard but then they hit the inclines which made walking with a crutch a bit hazardous due to the uneven ground and after Hanley almost lost his balance for the third time, cursing at the pain caused when he had to use his bad leg to steady himself, he came to a halt, trying to keep his breathing natural.
"Hold up Saunders."
Saunders had been a few steps ahead checking the ground for any deep ruts or rocks that might cause the LT to trip up. Looking back on hearing Hanley call he noticed the man had come to a stop and now stood left hand gripping the crutch tightly. Moving beside the other man Saunders clasped Hanley's free arm.
Are you alright, Lt.? What happened?
"Give me a minute Saunders." Hanley took another deep breath. "Lost my balance and tried to use my leg to keep from falling."
"Not a good idea?" Saunders commented.
"Not at all." How's it look ahead? Hanley asked.
"Another forty feet or so we'll be heading downslope." Glancing at the LT he made a suggestion.
"You can lean on me when we start down, between my help and the crutch you should be able to keep from falling."
The sun had set and dusk was on its way in, Saunders figured the smart thing to do was to make it over the next hill then call a halt for the evening.
"It's getting dark, LT maybe we should try to find some place to stop for the night."
How far do you figure we'll be from camp when we get to the bottom of that hill? Hanley asked.
"Should be within three miles or so." Saunders took a sip from his canteen then offered it to the LT.
Hanley glanced at the sky, scanned the area around them and looking at the path ahead tried to decide whether or not they should keep walking. Without a clear view of the ground he wouldn't be able to avoid holes or rocks scattered around and even with Saunders assisting it would still be hard not to trip.
Handing the canteen back the LT caught the other man's eye. "Couldn't hurt to look for a rest area." You Ready?
Saunders put the canteen up, adjusted the Thompson on his shoulder adding the carbine and his pack then wrapping an arm around the Lt's waist, gave a nod and when Hanley placed an arm over the Sergeants shoulder they started off.
By the time Saunders and Lt. Hanley made it to the top of the last hill, both men were ready to take a break. It was dark now and if it wasn't for the quarter moon shining bright in the night sky you wouldn't be able to see a thing. The two men came to a halt, peering at the ground ahead trying to see what the easiest route down would be.
Hanley was trying to ignore the ache in his thigh but finding it harder the more they walked the inclines had been tough, forcing him to use the injured leg to a point where it hurt even when he wasn't bending it. Sparing a glance at Saunders he could see the man was a little weary, what with carrying both weapons, the pack and trying to help him walk it wasn't easy for the smaller man, especially up and down hills but the Sergeant hadn't slowed yet.
"Hey, how about we sit for a few minutes, I could use a drink and you look like you could use a break." Hanley shrugged off his pack, eased down to the ground and stretched his bad leg out, wincing a little at the movement.
Saunders took a drink from his canteen while the LT settled then offered it to Hanley who took a few sips then passed it back. Removing the pack and weapons from his shoulders Saunders sat beside the LT, taking his helmet off the Sergeant ran his hands through his thick blonde hair letting the night breeze dry some of the sweat running down his neck and back. Looking up at the sky he let out a soft sigh, closed his eyes and just enjoyed a moment of peace. Tomorrow might bring the sound of explosions, gun shots, smoke might fill the air from burned out vehicles or bombed structures but for this moment on this small hill there was only quiet, a clear dark sky dotted with stars and a quarter moon casting a soft glow on the land around them.
Lt. Hanley was thinking along the same lines as his Sergeant and after a few minutes of silence glanced toward Saunders who still had his eyes closed.
"We should probably start down, if I sit too long my leg is going to stiffen up and it'll take us that much longer to reach the bottom." Are you alright?
Saunders opened his eyes and stood up as he replied. "Yeah, just enjoying the quiet, this is a rare treat.
"I know what you mean." Hanley positioned the crutch so he could use it to stand while Saunders held out a hand to assist.
Once Lt. Hanley was back on his feet the Sergeant handed him the carbine and while Hanley shouldered the weapon and settled the crutch under his arm the other man gathered the packs and the Thompson. As before Saunders wrapped an arm around the Lt's waist for support and slowly they made their way down the hill.
Hanley managed to avoid tripping over rocks and setting the crutch into any small holes thanks to the Sergeant but when they were three quarters of the way down they were met with an unexpected obstacle.
Saunders didn't see what ran across his path but felt a slight weight as whatever it was passed over his right boot startling him and as the animal continued toward the left it came in contact with the crutch causing Hanley to unbalance. Instinctively the LT tightened his arm over the Sergeants shoulder to keep from falling and tried to use his injured leg to regain stability as the creature disappeared into the night.
{Wrong move} Hanley thought as the muscle in the injured thigh started cramping up and what had been a dull constant ache now felt like someone had given him a Charlie horse. {This is just great!}
Saunders was trying to keep them both from falling which was not an easy thing to do when you consider they were on a slope and ninety percent of Hanley's 200 plus pounds was now unexpectedly resting on his shoulders. Just when he thought they'd end up tumbling the LT repositioned the crutch and took more of his own weight allowing both men to recover their balance.
Are you alright LT? Saunders maintained his hold around Hanley's waist as they stood for a few minutes.
"Yeah, let's just get off this hill before something else crosses our path." Hanley said in a tight voice.
It was too dark for Saunders to get a clear view of the LT's face but if the voice was any indication Hanley almost being knocked off his feet had not helped his leg. After readjusting the equipment he was carrying, Saunders tightened his hold around Hanley and they continued down the hill, both men sighing in relief when they made it to the bottom with no further mishaps.
Now that he was on even ground Hanley took several deep breaths allowing tense muscles to loosen up while he scanned the trail ahead. Saunders stood off to the side a few feet ahead of the LT searching for a likely place to make camp for the night figuring it would be safer to head out in the light of morning. Turning around to face the LT, Saunders knew by the way Hanley was leaning heavily on the crutch that the man was probably as tired as he was, maybe more so.
"Well LT, do you want to keep going or should we make camp? Saunders caught Hanley's eyes and wait for his response.
"There's a small stream about a quarter mile from here toward base." Hanley replied with a tired smile. How about we get there and then decide what to do? Checking his watch noted the time was just past nine thirty, as much as he would like to sleep on a comfortable cot in Medical {because let's face it, Saunders will insist I visit the Doc first and the Doc will insist I stay overnight} he'd like to avoid that for as long as he could and by morning maybe his leg would be better.
"Alright, LT, lead the way." Saunders stepped in beside Hanley offering his shoulder as support and the men started toward the stream.
Saunders felt Hanley stumble, glancing at the LT's face could see the sweat glistening on his friends face as the man recovered his balance and continued to walk. It was a cool night but the exertion of trying to keep balanced, trying not to bend his leg, trying not to weigh Saunders down and the constant cramping in his leg was taking its toll, by the time they made it to the stream, there was no doubt whether or not the men would be camping out under the stars.
Saunders led the LT to a small grouping of young trees which had grown by the edge of the bank lining the water. After removing the pack from Hanley's shoulder he aided his injured friend to the ground so that he could sit with his back resting against the sturdy trunks. Once he had the LT seated Saunders found a flat topped rock about a foot wide and maybe eight inches in height and carried it over to his friend.
"I think you should elevate the leg it might ease some of the ache." Saunders placed the rock under Hanley's left knee watching for any signs that it wasn't a good idea. How's that?
"Better, thanks Saunders." Hanley reached into his pack and pulled what was left of his extra t-shirt out and glanced up at his Second. "If we soak this I can use it as a compress maybe it'll do some good." Care to do the honors?
"It would be an honor to serve you Lt. Hanley." Saunders said in mock seriousness.
"Cut it out Saunders." With a grin he tossed the t-shirt toward the Sergeant and was secretly pleased when it hit the other man lightly in the forehead.
Saunders stepped to the stream trying to watch his footing and soon had the shirt soaked, turning he took the dripping material over to the LT and kneeling down placed it on Hanley's thigh causing the man to tense up a first. "Easy Sir, give it a second." Watching as the LT started to relax. You good?
"Yeah, that water is pretty damn cold." Hanley glanced at the stream then performed a quick scan of the area around them, peering into the dark looking for movement but for the moment it seemed quiet.
Saunders had been doing his own sweep but like the LT did not catch any movement, reaching out he picked up his pack and started rummaging through it. Stopping when his hand came in contact with what he had been looking for grasping the object he eased it out of the bag. Taking the container he went to sit beside Hanley.
You hungry LT?
