A/N: Aw, hell. I just couldn't leave this alone. The rating is subject to change. (In other words, I may feel like writing some sex. We'll see.)
I'd seen blood and injury before, but nothing like this. The sound of agonized screaming emanated from the first tent we approached. Sam flinched and cowered behind me, gripping my arm tightly.
I hope he didn't see what was inside the tent. I only saw a glimpse, and even that was pretty unsettling.
The screamer was a soldier sitting on a cot with his leg sticking out, all discolored and bumpy and oozing. Then the tent flap was pulled shut. His scream got louder, and then it was muffled. And we kept walking by. Joe didn't even turn his head.
As soon as the sickening noise could no longer be heard, Sam hurriedly let go of me. I didn't say anything, but I felt like maybe he shouldn't have pulled away. I kind of wanted to feel like I could protect him. We exchanged uncomfortable little grins and shook it off.
We were led to our tent, where a bunch of other guys were sitting around talking. We just sort of stood outside awkwardly, awaiting further instructions. We didn't really want to go in there. Sure, there were some guys around our age and even younger, but it wasn't like we had much in common.
A young woman shuffled over to us. She looked like she was around our age, but she sure as hell didn't look like any girl from school. Aside from the sword on her belt, she had that sort of tired look. Not just the sort of look you see in black-and-white photos of people from the past, but actual physical and emotional weariness. But she was pretty. She had very feminine features and a cute little nose.
Sam seemed to recognize her immediately and saluted her in greeting, and suddenly she was filled with energy. She gave Sam a curt nod. "Excellent. I am proud to see more young men fighting for France." With that, she marched past us. Joe and I stared after her, open-mouthed.
We didn't say anything for a few seconds, until finally Joe muttered "…Damn, was that Joan of Arc?" A moment passed and the three of us suddenly burst into laughter.
Sometimes, things get so ridiculous, you can't help but laugh.
She was back in a moment, shoving weapons and chain mail into our arms and telling us about the word of God. We put on the armor without complaining. Well, almost.
Sam was giving me the death glare.
Whatever, it didn't bother me.
Okay, so it bothered a little. I didn't mean to upset him; I was just making the best of the situation, lemons into lemonade.
So when Joan went back to the battlefield, I gestured to Joe and Sam. We dropped our armor to the ground and split.
"Well, -- that was-- a waste-- of time." Sam panted.
I just patted his back and didn't say anything while he took in deep, shuddering breaths. Sam's lack of athletic ability was usually at least a little funny, but now I was…what's that word? Concerned?
Joe was looking at me like I grew another arm out of my head. I immediately drew away from Sam and fixed my face. What the hell was happening to me?
I looked away from both of them. I kind of wanted to put my hand on Sam's back again because he was warm and I could feel him shaking and I wanted him to know that I cared. But I didn't touch him.
We sort of just kept moving until we stumbled into another village. It was getting dark. The whole way there, I was worrying about Sam and whether or not he was mad at me. Joe didn't even try to start a conversation; he could feel the tension between us. But I felt like maybe it was a good tension. Like Sam was still upset with me for being a jackass but he could tell I was worried about him.
Or maybe he could sense that other weird feeling I'd been trying to ignore.
A/N: TO BE CONTINUED SOON. SERIOUSLY. Sorry it took me so long last time. (I was gonna write some more here, but I don't want you guys to give up hope.)