A/N: Thank you kmb123 and Jayden for the great reviews! Jayden, I'm sorry to hear that you are having some trouble with your notifications, but I do try to update at least once a week, usually on Tuesday, unless something comes up in real life. So, if you still have trouble, just check to see if there's an update.
Happy Independence Day (or at least soon!). Be safe and have fun!
Here's the next chapter! Enjoy! Reviews make for happier days!
I approached the line and waved to a few of the men that I saw as I headed to Doc Roe's foxhole. I climbed in and sat next to Roe. Doc Spina was in the hole with him, so I nodded my hello. "Hey Doc. Doc."
They smiled at me. Spina replied, "So, I heard that you and Roe found some interesting things on your little walk this morning."
I briefly looked at Roe, who was busy searching through his things. I looked up at Spina. "I guess you could say that."
Before any more comments could be made, we heard a shout coming from above us, "1st Sergeant Lipton!"
A distant reply came, "Sir?"
We looked up to see Dike standing at the edge of the foxhole that we were sharing for the moment. Dike peered down at us with such anger as he asked, "What's this? Two medics in one hole, and the General's daughter, too?" We held his gaze, unsure of what to say or do. He asked, "What's gonna happen to us if you take a hit, huh?"
Lipton approached us cautiously. He asked, "Sir?"
Dike tore his heated gaze off of us and looked at Lip. "1st Sergeant, where's my foxhole?"
Lipton looked at him in disbelief. He pointed behind Dike. "It's back here, sir. Maybe...maybe you missed it, huh?" Dike just glared at Lip, which made me feel bad for the guy. Lip stated, "I'll walk you back, sir. You're a bit close to the line here."
Dike looked at Lip, then back down at the three of us and muttered something before stomping away from us.
I sighed as I shook my head. I was growing more and more frustrated by that man and there was nothing that I could do.
Spina chuckled as he looked at me. "Didn't you say that you grew up with that guy?"
I chuckled as I replied, "Something like that...yeah."
"Was he this bad then, too?" Spina questioned.
I stood up and climbed out of the hole. I looked down at him as I replied, "You'd like to know, wouldn't you? I guess you'll just have to ask him." I smiled as I walked away from him.
I walked away from them and started to check the line. It became a habit, along with Lipton, to make sure that the men were staying in their foxholes during the times we figured we'd get attacked.
I would walk passed the men as they talked with their buddies who ventured over. As long as they were in a foxhole, I didn't care. In fact, I sort of envied them for being able to share some heat amongst themselves. I was stuck in my foxhole wishing I had a blanket or something, but I got to walk around and that helped keep me warm most of the time and the times when I wasn't walking, I was running because of the enemy shelling us. I think the adrenaline helped.
I wasn't able to think too much more on the matter as the enemy figured now was a good time to give us a good morning present. The shells exploded all around us, shaking the ground underneath us.
I stumbled and fell to my hands and knees. I scrambled to regain my balance and ran toward any foxhole, shouting along the way, "Get to a foxhole!"
Another nearby shell hit and exploded causing me to fall completely to the ground. I slid a little in the snow, but crawled quickly into a foxhole that was abandoned. I huddled there, waiting for the shelling to cease.
I'm not sure why, but I lowered my head into my knees, praying that it would be over soon. I felt the urge to cry but knew that now wasn't the time. I didn't know what brought it on but I was scared to death. I could deal with jumping out of planes into enemy territory and being stranded in a tree but this was something worse. This wasn't war anymore, it was a game...a deadly one at that, and we were like gophers getting blown out of the ground by farmers.
Just as quickly as the morning shelling started, it was over. I thought I had heard in the midst of the shelling someone call out for a medic, but I wasn't sure. I slowly stood up, peering over the edge of my foxhole. I waited another moment or two before figuring that it was safe to climb out.
I started checking the line. As I passed by each foxhole that had a man, I asked them, "Are you okay? Everyone all right?" They'd nod and tell me things were okay, and I'd move down the line, checking the next.
Eventually, I made my way over to Roe and Spina, who were sitting in their foxhole together. I knelt down and asked, "You guys okay?"
Spina smiled as he replied, "Fit as a fiddle."
I scoffed as I shook my head. I smiled as I couldn't keep a straight face with his sarcastic and overly happy comments. Spina was able to make sure that everyone's spirits were high, and I was glad to have him on our side. He helped a lot of men keep sane during these months of being in this frozen wasteland.
Roe looked up at me, breaking my thoughts. "We need to find 3rd battalion, or someone. We are in dire need of supplies."
I nodded as I stated, "Yeah, I know. I'll let Captain Winters know that we're heading back out to try again. Grab another man to come along."
"Looking for a party, Lieutenant?" Spina joked.
I glanced down at him as I started to stand up. "I think we need to be prepared. Call it instinct, but after getting shelled, I think that I'd rather have an extra hand, just in case." After that, I walked away from him.
