Reaching the front of the cold beach wasn't hard and following Gibson's path seemed to be the best thing to do. They lazily walked down to meet up with one of the large groups of men away from the Mole. Speaking of such, the mole was large stretched out pier of white planks which seemed to be fit for purpose. The only place it seems a destroyer or bigger could dock. Though any had yet to show up. As they walked Tommy noticed the wounded had been stretched out behind them and some were being tended to, the plan was probably to evacuate them first and then the healthy ones could follow. Meeting up with the nearest group he stood close to Roussel and tried to make himself appear smaller. They brushed up against each other but the contact was rather pleasant due to the lack of it of their time spent here.
Suddenly a small commotion began at the front and it appeared to be a happy one, If the cheering was anything to go by. Gibson mimed a boat on some waves and since Gibson was taller it made sense he could see what the cries were all about, still, it was a relief. A boat had made it. They'd be home soon. Some men retreated from the groups and began grabbing the wounded on stretchers to take them to the mole where the Ship could be seen docking. It seemed they'd have to stay put until all the wounded were taken care of.
After a few hours of waiting, most of the wounded were boarded but there was still a few to go. Though some had passed away. It was only when most of the men stilled that the telling noise of humming and a shrieking siren could be heard from above. Looking up with a hope it was quickly evident that the noise wasn't coming from in front of them like they hoped but from the side. Bombers. German Bombers. Stukas. 'Oh shi-' before he could say anything else Gibson pulled him to the ground and much like them, everyone scrambled to get down in time kicking up grey sand as they went. The sound became Harrowing and above them swooped in the bombers starting their loads. Shaking the ground and causing dust storms as they went it was only time before they came to their part of the beach. Luckily the bombers were slightly slow in dropping bombs and so there was a little gap where you had a chance of living, unluckily Tommy couldn't tell if they were in one. Time slowed and the only sound was the ticking of his pocket watch and his own heart thumping. Dust fell over them and debris started to rain down. Screams were muffled behind his ears and he couldn't tell if he was shaking or if it was the ground. Probably both. After about fifteen minutes, that felt like hours, he felt Roussel move. At least he was alive. Opening his eyes he looked around and noticed the planes had left, leaving a living nightmare in their wake.
bodies were strewn left and right and he was sure he could see limbs among the sand, gagging slightly, he turned to see the mole. Luckily their way out had survived but the land hadn't fared as well. The beach was littered and the gouges along the beach left behind would make it troublesome to move around as quick. There were men in the panic with shouts of 'Where's the bloody air force?!' and 'We're gonna die down here! Bastards!' sending shivers up his spine. The ringing in his ears had worsened and everything was blurry. He turned to look at Gibson and nodded. Besides, the next wave wouldn't be far health shouldn't get in the way of escaping. Gibson turned and began advancing towards some of the stretchers left behind. But what he saw made Tommy's blood run colder. Halting he took in the sight. Gibson's trench coat had been torn open from the shoulder to below his neck into his lower back. The under jacket and shirt ripped back and it was just red. Dark red. Pooling around a gruesome tear in his skin. Either he hadn't noticed, surprisingly, or didn't care but Tommy still had to prove his concerns. As he rushed to meet him, shaking his arms around and motioning to his back, Gibson turned his head and placed a hand on his back removing it to only see red.
A small sound of recognition was his simple reply 'well take it off eejit! let me grab something to patch it with, God there's no medical care. what are we gonna-' he didn't know why he was speaking, Gibson couldn't understand him. He gestured to his pants and shirt and made a plus symbol with his red stained fingers. The message probably to get something to cover the wound and stop the bleeding. He scurried around and found a shirt and some trousers which he ripped in two halves and jogged back over.
When he returned Gibson had removed his layer and was slipping off his shirt to make the wound accessible. Cringing and trying not to throw up what little he had left in his stomach he helped the other man wrap and pressurise the wound. After he found some new clothes to interchange with his current ones, Tommy didn't want to think about how they were getting these clothes and pulled himself off the floor. Hissing and shifting his back slightly, Gibson gave him a short smile before walking to grab a wounded man on a stretcher. Motioning for him to get in front. The man was barely breathing and suffering from chest wounds. They hoisted him up with Tommy at the front, Gibson at the back, and began moving quickly. It wasn't till they heard the familiar hum that they started, for lack of better words, legging it.
Scrambling through the scattered soldiers and then dead they started making their way to the mole. As much as he wanted to keep the man alive Roussel seemed to have other ideas as he forcibly began pushing forward to get there faster. The Stukas were quick in returning and began their second bombing. This time, however, pushing the way they had left. Making their way towards them. The mole was packed full of soldiers and only admitting Englishmen and the wounded. The bombs were getting closer. Tommy had never felt such an instinct to run, pushing past the generals and the men they began the trip along the mole filled with men.
The planes had reached them at this point and began bombing the bottom of the mole, His heart was thundering in his ears and the sounds of everything else were quiet in comparison. As the planes flew over everyone ducked down, the destruction of parts of the Mole followed. They were up again and pushing through. They came up to a single plank singed with burn marks and the harsh rocks beneath. He hesitated when two of the men gave him encouraging looks and one hollered 'You can make this one mate!'. Without a second glance, he briskly walked across the plank to the other side, feeling the way it sunk with the combined weight of the three. It was over in a few seconds as they both ran across and were strangely applauded.
The planes had momentarily ceased as they ran up to the Destroyer that had docked. Everyone was frantic but the two carried the man on regardless. The relief was short lived as the captain yelled for 'you two!' to get off the ship as it was leaving. Gibson went in front and began moving forward. Tommy did a double take of the ship before swivelling around to get off but couldn't see Gibson. His panic was quickly eased away as he heard him 'psst'ing him down from below the Mole. He started clambering down to meet him and staying out of sight. Are all French people such minxes? Probably. They sat and waited for the ship to start leaving before they could climb in through the side portholes.
As soon as the boat had begun moving after being cut loose the quiet humming had returned and was presumably coming back for round three. Oh, golly. They held onto the large rafters underneath and waited. The boat hissed as it was hit and the screams echoed. Squeezing his eyes shut he waited. Roussel hissed at him and he opened his eyes to see the side of the boat shifting horribly into the mole. Oh God, it was going to crush them. Painfully at that. Men had already begun jumping ship or grabbing onto the mole. Roussel dragged his arm back as he made his way further under the mole and he followed. But as he looked back he saw one of the men, probably Gibson's age, drowning beneath the cold, dark and terrifying waters underneath the beams.
To hell with it.
Shrugging Gibson's hand off he went over and shouted at the man while reaching out to him. He seemed to notice and grabbed his hand, as he started pulling he realised he wasn't exactly strong and felt Gibson's arms around his waist to anchor him back. Pulling the man into safety they all took a deep breath. The boat in front of them screeched as it sunk crushing and drowning it's men as it went. Tommy sub consciously buried his face with his eyes screwed shut into the man's chest to avoid looking at the gruesome scene. Gibson seemed to cough and he pulled back startled and with a red face. God damn it. The man seemed to smile and shifted back. He was about to ask if he was alright or what his name was before they were rocked to the right and downwards. They grabbed the concaving beams in panic for support when they realised something with utter dread in their eyes. The mole was sinking.
(AN - woohoo another chappie, I wonder who this mysterious man is ;) - anyway, review if you would kindly! :DD - I appreciate it all )
