A.N- Thanks for the review's and thanks for reading :)
I made my way back to my room. I decided to skip dinner. I had lost my appetite. I thought about Joe and Eugene. I knew I had strong feelings for Eugene, and if I had to choose between them romantically. The obvious choice was Eugene but Joe was a good friend and I don't want to loose him. On the other hand I don't want Eugene and him fighting every time they are around each other. Plus these fights with Eugene are really wearing me down.
I sighed, then my thoughts turned to Ron Speirs. Did he like me or was I just imagining things? I mean he is so damn confusing. Well I shouldn't be to worried, he'd be married in a little while. I'll just have to wait it out. I reached me room and I found Dottie asleep. I kicked off my shoes and changed. Then soon I too was under the cover's and asleep.
The next morning I woke up late. I mean really late it was like 9:00. I cursed and looked over to see Dottie asleep. We both had missed breakfast. I shook Dottie awake.
"What?" She asked sleepily.
"Wake up! We're late.. we need to get up right now." I told her. She shot up. "I'm going to take a quick shower" I told her. I got in the shower and was out in 7 minutes. A new record for me. I got dried off and dried my hair. Dottie jumped in the shower and was out in 10 minutes. We both got dressed in our P.T gear.
I pulled my hair up in a messy ponytail, and then I pulled on my shoes. Dottie left her hair down and pulled on her boots.
"I'm sorry. I didn't set the alarm." Dottie told me.
"I didn't either." I mumbled. It was 9:45 when we finally left our room. We hurried to the field where we were doing P.T. Sobel was no where in sight, and Winters was leading it today. I was glad. We wouldn't be chewed out. Dick did give us a small lecture though, nothing like Sobel would have gave us.
"You guys should know better. You better be glad Sobel isn't here." He scolded us.
"We're sorry.." Dottie said quietly.
"Its alright. Just don't let it happen again." He said before we got into formation. We did jumping jacks, pushups,situps, and all of the basic exercises, for about two hours. By that time I was feeling pretty shity and things just got a hell of a lot worse, because Sobel just came up and he somehow knows me and Dottie were late.
"You can't show up late when a man is dying out in the field! If it was up to me you two wouldn't even be here. Women are just flimsy distractions. Your useless!" Sobel yelled at us in front of everyone. He kept going but I wasn't listening. I feel dizzy and lightheaded. I wobble a little bit. Dottie notices and puts her hand on my arm. Sobel just keeps yelling. My vision started to blur and thats when I blacked out. I heard Dottie scream, but that was it.
I was in a never ending darkness, and then it happened Monday morning happened again. In my dream like state I relived the day I died, and I was scared out of my mind. I screamed as they beat me this time. I cried and I begged for mercy. This time they raped me, and beat me some more before they shot me. It was so vivid, like it was actually happening again. Then I started to wake up.
There was a blinding light when I opened my eyes. I blinked several times trying to get my eyes to adjust to it, and they did. I was lying in one of the nurses station's room. I could tell from the ceiling. I looked over to my right and was surprised to see Speirs in a chair asleep. He looked so peaceful. Gone was his hard exterior he has when he is awake. The chair had been pulled up beside the bed.
I looked to my left and there sat Eugene. He had fallen asleep too. His chair had been pulled up too, but his head was on the bed. Next to our intertwined fingers. I smiled softly. I gently took my hand out of his and slowly started to run my fingers through his soft hair. His hair was black now that I look at it.
He stirred about a minute later. He looked up at me and relief flooded his face. He pulled me into an awkward hug.
"Thank god your all right." He breathed into my ear. I hugged back, and buried my face into his neck. "How are you? Do you need anything?" He asked me pulling back from the hug.
"I feel fine, but some water would help." I told him my throat dry. He nodded.
"I'll be right back." he said pressing a kiss to my forehead. He walked out of the door. I looked back over to Ron. He was still sleeping. His head leaned back on the chair. He's going to get a crick in his neck I thought to myself.
"Ron.. Wake up.." I said trying to get him to wake up. His eyes finally fluttered open. His face showed emotion for a split second then he put on that damn mask of his back on, but his eyes told me everything. His eyes showed worry and relief all in one.
"Hi." I said quietly amused.
"Hey... Are you okay? Do you need anything? How long have you been awake?" He asked seriously, his voice still had a hint of concern.
"Yes I'm fine. Eugene is getting me water right this second. Not long." I answered all of his questions.
"Oh okay." He said looking me in the eye.
"You didn't have to stay." I said quietly.
"I wanted to. Plus you wouldn't let me leave." He said. I looked up in confusion.
"Wouldn't let you?" I asked confused.
"I was here helping on of the men from my platoon and to see if my ankle was getting better, when I saw them carrying you in. I was concerned and came over to help. You latched onto my arm and wouldn't let go. It got to the point where I had to carry you by myself..." He trailed off a troubled look came over his face. "Then you started screaming and hollering. Towards the end of your screaming fit you held onto me tighter and you asked me not to let them hurt you again." He said his intense eyes locked with mine. I looked away, not wanting to get lost in them. Not wanting him to see the truth.
"Oh.. I'm sorry. I must have hurt your ankle. " I said my eyes glued to the floor.
"Its fine. I was just wondering what kind of a dream you were having, and what kind of an experience is causing the dreams.." He told me. He really was asking me, but it wasn't obvious.
"I..." I was about to tell him about my night mares when Eugene came back with my water.
"Here ya go." he told me in that Cajun accent of his, that melted my heart. He offered me a smile and the cup of water. I smiled sweetly back. He glared at Ron. Ron just stared back.
"I should get back." Ron said, looking at me. "I hope you get to feeling better." He told me, my eyes captured in his powerful gaze. I nodded dumbly.
"Thanks.. for everything Ron." I told him quietly.
"Your welcome" He replied as he hobbled out the door. I took a sip of my water.
"Thank you Eugene." I told Eugene. He nodded.
"I'm sorry Kayla. For yesterday I mean. I shouldn't have started that fight, but he was kissing you and it made my blood boil. I've never been so jealous in my life. I guess its because I've never felt this strongly for a girl before, but I want you to know that I am very truly sorry. I 'll give you as much time as you need." He apologized. I thought for a moment.
"Eugene I forgive you." I said. He looked up surprised.
"You do?" he choked out. I nodded. He leaned in, to give me a kiss. I met him half way, and I kissed him senseless. We pulled back a few seconds later, and smiled. Maybe things will get better after all. Eugene had to leave shortly thereafter, but Shifty came to visit.
"Hey you." I said to him.
"Hey. You nearly gave me and the rest of the company a heart attack." he said with a very serious look on his face.
"I'm sorry. I didn't get to eat dinner yesterday or breakfast this morning. Then we did all of that exercise. Just got dehydrated that's all." I told hem explaining why I fainted.
"Well just don't do it again. Your like my sister, and I don't want you to get hurt." he told me. I smiled at him.
"I won't." I said softly. That's when Betsy came and kicked him out, and told me to rest. I did. Things are starting to look up.
June 23,1943. Camp Mackall, N.C.
We have been at Camp Mackall for a little while now, and we were currently completing one of the exercises. This particular exercise included the whole company, and we were basically practicing warfare. We were one team, and we had an enemy. The objective was to take out the enemy. Just like real war, just nobody had to die. Wouldn't be nice if all wars were like that? Just one big game, with no lives lost, family's destroyed. With no damage whats so ever. Yeah like that would ever happen.
Well back to the exercise. We are in a trench type hole in the ground. It was probably an old dried up creek, from the looks of it. We were surrounded by tree's. The enemy team was out there waiting for us to fall into their trap. I knew we would, because of Sobel. He was good at training troopers but was a terrible combat leader. Even now he looked lost and confused. We were in an excellent postion to attack the Enemy but he didn't see that. Sobel had just called for the map. He looked down at it, then looked around dazed.
"We're in the wrong position" he said uncertainly. Still looking around confused. Richard slid up next beside him. "We're in the wrong position." He repeated looking at Richard. Richard started to tell him, that we were in the perfect position and how we should stay here, but Sobel retorted.
"They're right out there somewhere" he said pointing his finger. "Lets just get em'" He said tapping Winter on the arm.
"Sir,we have perfect cover here." Richard said trying to make Sobel understand, but he just didn't get it.
"Lieutenant deploy your troops." Sobel ordered, before moving.
"Second platoon move out." Winters said. Everyone did a double take, looking at him confused. Then everyone looked at each other with looks that screamed WTF? I just looked at the ground and rolled my eyes, because of the events that were about to unfold. We moved out of the trench and started walking behind Sobel. He had his hand gun out, and I have to say he looked ridiculous. I was behind him, but I knew what he looked like from the front, and I giggled to myself. Skip gave me a look. I smiled back. He just shook his head.
All of a sudden, about 10 men came out of the brush, wielding guns pointed right at us. I wasn't surprised at all so I just stood there, while some guys took a knee. Everyone looked really pissed off. I would have been too, if I didn't know all of the stuff I do know.
"Captain, you've just been killed along with 95% of your company. Your outfit?" The field exercise leader came over with a clip board. Sobel begrudgingly gave him our information. Everyone gritted there teeth in anger and aggravation.
"Leave three wounded men on the ground, and report back to the assembly area." The leader told Sobel. Everyone really was pissed off now.
"God damnit" Sobel whispred under his breath. Eugene looked at me with an angry expression.
".You." He pointed to three random men. They didn't look to happy. We all returned to camp.
Later...
We all packed our stuff. We were moving out. I know we are going to New York to get on a ship to England, but nobody else knew that. Dottie was standing off somewhere with George, while I sat with Cobb, Joe, Popeye, Shifty, and Liebgott. I was beside Shifty. We were waiting to get on trucks.
"Yeah you got to admit. He's got no chance. Either the krauts will get em... or one of us." Cobb told all of us. I kept quiet.
"Who Sobel?" Liebgott asks.
"Yep." Cobb replied shaking his head.
"He screwed up one maneuver." Shifty said, defending Sobel. I smiled up at him proud of him. He smirked down at me.
"Well you know I'm always fumbling around with grenades. It would be easy if one went off by accident." Leibgott added.
"Well, They must have put him in charge for a reason." Shifty said.
"Yeah, like the army wouldn't make a mistake." Leibgott retorted. I was about to say something when someone called my name. I looked up and saw Lew calling me over to where he, Dick, and Some man were standing. I went over to them.
"Hey you guys." I greeted them.
"Hi how are you?" Richard replied.
"I'm good." I said.
"That's good." he said.
"We just wanted you to meet some one. This is Harry Welsh from the 82nd airborne division. Harry this is Kayla McAlester, one of our female medic's." Lewis said. Now I remembered who he was. I stuck my hand out for him to shake. He took it and shook it.
"Nice to meet you" I said smiling at him.
"You too. I was surprised that they would let women into the military. Don't get me wrong I thinks it's a pretty good idea." He replied.
"Thanks. Not many men share the same opinion as you. I'm not the only female medic here. Dottie's around here somewhere." I said looking around for her. I didn't see her anywhere. "Thats weird she's not around ,but I'm sure you'll see her sometime." I told him. That's when they called for us to get onto the trucks. After that we got onto a train. Then it was onto the Ship.
The troop ship had many rooms, but the main was very large. It had floor to ceiling, beds. It was a mad house in there. Some of the men and myself went up top to watch the statue of Liberty go by as we sailed away. I was standing next to Blithe. It was hard to look at him, because he was going to die. I hate knowing the men's fate. Soon it was just open sea. I went below deck into the big room. I was currently beside Bill listening to the chatter. Joe was down in the cot in front of us, and Donald was in the cot behind us. Several other Easy company guys were around us.
"Hey guys, I'm glad I'm going to Europe. Hitler gets one of these" Joe flipped out his switchblade, "Right across the wind pipe. Roosevelt changes Thanksgiving to Joe Toye day, and pays me ten grand a year for the rest of my fuckin life." Joe finished. I smirked at the comment, knowing Hitler was going to end it himself. No allied help needed. HaHa I sarcasticlly to myself.
"What if we don't get to Europe? What if they send us to North Africa?" Smokey said above us.
"My bother is in Africa. He says it's hot." Bill said beside me.
"Really? Its hot in Africa?" Don replied. Sarcasm dripped from his voice.
"Shut up" Bill said in his heavy philly accent. I giggled. Bill looked down at me and smiled. I returned the favor. "The point is it doesn't matter where we go. Cuz' we get into combat, the only person you can trust is yourself and the fellow next to you." He finished.
"As long as he's a paratrooper." Joe told us.
"Oh yeah? What if that paratrooper turns out to be Sobel?" George countered, while he climbed up the cots.
"If I'm next to Sobel in combat. I'm moving on down the line and hook up with some other officer like uhhh... Heyliger or Winters." A man said.
"I like Winters. He's a good man, but when the bullets start flying.. I don't know if I want a Quaker doing my fighting for me." Bill said standing up.
"How do you know he's a Quaker?" Don asked.
"He ain't Catholic" Bill said.
"Neither is Sobel"
"That pricks a son of Abraham" Bill said. My ears pricked up. I knew what was going to happen next.
"He's what?" Leibgott asked.
"He's a Jew." Bill replied.
"Oh fuck..." Joe said under his breath. Then he jumped down from his cot. "I"m a Jew." He said, getting up in Bill's face. That's when I decided to intervene. I jumped up and got in between them.
"Stop it the both of you. Save it for the krauts." I told them. "You need to stop being so damn sensitive. So what he called Sobel a Jew. Which is actually true." I told Leibgott, pointing my finger at him. I used my stern "Mother's voice" " And you." I said turning to Bill. "You need to keep your mouth shut. What's wrong with being a Jew? Not a damn thing. Now do you have any idea what Jew's are going through over in Europe right now? Huh?" He shook his head no. "They are going through some bad shit right now. So I better not hear you bad mouth a Jew. Unless of course it's Sobel. You can talk bad about him all you want." I said. Bill looked shocked. I Laid back down. Bill slide in beside me.
"I'm real sorry Kayla" Bill whispered. I had my back turned to him, but I turned over and faced him.
"Thats all right Bill. There's nothing to be sorry for." I told him, cooling off a little bit. I smiled at him. He smiled too. I yawned.
"It looks like Sleeping Beauty needs some more rest." Bill told me. I nodded and closed my eyes and dozed of to sleep.
A.N- So how'd I do? Leave a review and let me know. I will have the next chapter up as soon as possible, but you know how that goes... haha... Thanks for reading and make sure to review. Oh and Have an awesome weekend :)