It was on January the 22nd when Winters and Holly were called into their commanding officer's office. It's where he asked them if they'd be interested in Officer Candidate School. Holly wasn't surprised that Winters had been picked to try-out, but she was completely surprised that they had picked her out. Of course, they both accepted the offer on the spot. It was something they had discussed since the New Year. Holly felt herself grow in confidence because they had seen some potential in her, that she must have missed. However, the commanding officer had something in mind for Holly;
"you're very talented when it comes to…theoretical knowledge, Private Duffy. You seem to have a deep knowledge when it comes to tactics and planning an attack. Your work has impressed us, Duffy. Just as Private Winters leadership skills have impressed us".
The officer gave them a nod;
"good work, both of you".
Holly used to write out stories about battles that took place during wars. She had almost forgotten about that, since arriving in Croft. But while leading the men, her knowledge was put to good use when it came to field exercises and planning movements. Winters had a great head on his shoulders too, especially when it came to thinking on the spot. The pair of them were shining in Croft and full of potential.
Sadly, they'd have to leave Croft.
The pair of them were bound for Fort Benning in Georgia. However, they weren't sure of their physical exam date. Until then, they'd remain at Croft and continue to train the men. They told Trent that night for their plan on leaving Croft. And it seemed he had his own idea about Benning.
"Guys". He said, "I don't think I 'wanna stick with the Infantry. I'm thinking of putting in for the Paratroopers. It's new. It looks exciting. I think I'd like it".
"Are you nuts?" Winters said, "the Paratroopers? That's a suicide outfit. Trust me, you don't want any part of that".
Holly frowned a little;
"what's that?" She asked, "the Paratroopers? Never heard of it".
Trent told her;
"well, it's a bunch of tough fellas who jump out of planes and land behind enemy lines. It's a whole new way of fighting the war, Holly. Only the best fight with the Paratroopers".
She raised an eyebrow and looked at Winters;
"the best?"
Winters shook his head;
"Holly, it's dangerous".
She felt herself smirk;
"the whole war is dangerous, Dick".
"It'll kill you faster". He argued, "they get more money because the job is riskier".
Shrugging, Holly looked at Trent;
"sounds cool, Trent".
Trent smiled;
"I knew you'd back me up, Holly".
"You've just 'gotta do what feels right, Trent". She said, "like, I couldn't jump out of a plane. You'd just die right out".
Trent frowned;
"not really…".
"Why? You're falling from the sky". Holly mumbled, "how low does the plane go?"
He shrugged;
"probably one thousand feet-"
"what?!" Holly exclaimed, "are you fucking mad?! Mate, if you jump from one thousand feet, that's it – flat as a bloody pancake. You're gone forever, Trent".
Winters and Trent stared at her.
Torn between amusement.
Winters eventually told her;
"Holly, they have parachutes".
"Yeah". Trent added, with a tiny laugh, "hence the name…Para – troopers".
Staring between the pair of them for a few moments, she then huffed;
"well…you could have been clearer".
Trent chuckled again;
"Holly, I was clear".
"Shut up". She mumbled, "how was I meant to know?"
Frowning, Holly then looked at Winters;
"Dick, they've got parachutes. How is that suicide?"
He sighed;
"alright, I worded it wrong".
"Yeah, you did". She said, while raising an eyebrow.
Her eyes then move towards Trent;
"go for it, mate". Holly told him, "if that's what you want, then you'll do it".
Winters sighed;
"why do you always do this?"
"Do what?"
"Disagree with me, when you're in a mood?"
Holly rolled her eyes;
"don't be so sensitive". She mumbled, "don't take it so personally. I'm disagreeing with you, because it's not right for us to judge".
"Judge?" Winters asked, "Holly, I'm judging anyone. I'm telling Trent what I think. We're all entitled to have an opinion".
"Great". Holly said, "then let me have mine".
Trent looked between the pair of them;
"are you two…okay?"
"Fine". They both mumbled.
Trent snorted;
"don't seem that way". He said, "what the hell's going on?"
"Nothing". Winters said, "Holly's in a mood".
Holly sent him a tiny glare;
"is that right?"
"Yeah, it is". He said, "you've been weird with me for almost two days".
"Oh, so you keep count of my moods, Dick? Get yourself another hobby".
Winters eyes widened a little;
"Christ – no, that's not it, Holly. I'm not keeping count. It's just easy to count when you're in a mood because it rarely happens".
Rubbing her lips together, she then asked him;
"and when does it usually happen?"
Winters shrugged;
"I 'dunno - like, a few days out of the month?"
Trent felt a smile play on his lips;
"Dick, you're really clueless, huh?"
He frowned;
"why?"
Trent snorted;
"come on…a few days out of the month? Look, I've lived with Dorothy for a while, right? And I know that at the end of every month, I buy her a huge tub of ice cream, chocolate and we put on sad music, so she can have a good cry".
Trent then added;
"and when I say she, I mean we".
Slowly, Winters looked at Holly;
"you want some chocolate?" He asked her, softly this time.
Looking back at him, Holly shook her head;
"no, I want a long warm bath and a hot drink".
Winters smiled sadly at her;
"you can have a hot shower and a glass of water?"
Holly's expression began to soften.
Winters smile widened;
"how about a backrub?" He went on, "I'll buy you ice cream too? You can eat ice cream at the same time".
With a smile of her own, Holly got on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck;
"I love you, you soft git".
Winters chuckled and gently kissed her;
"well? Do you want any of those things, Holly?"
Sighing, she shook her head;
"no…I think I'll just have a shower".
With that said, she kissed his nose and left for the latrines.
When the door closed, Winters looked over at Trent;
"you meant her monthly cycle, right?"
With a laugh, Trent shoved his shoulder;
"you're really smart, pal. But you can be pretty clueless sometimes too".
Smiling, Winters then said;
"when we leave for Benning, you'll be alone in this barrack".
Trent shrugged;
"someone else will take your place in here, Dick". He said, "I just won't like them as much".
…
In the end, Trent decided to stick with the Infantry.
By February, he was transferred out of Croft and was heading to Fort McClellan in Alabama. It was a tearful goodbye for Holly. They had formed such a strong friendship and she was sad to see him go. So much so, that she hugged the man tightly. Even Trent felt his eyes well up.
With a small sniff he hugged her tightly back;
"look after yourself, Holly". He told her, "don't take any crap from anyone, alright?"
Nodding into his chest, she mumbled;
"you too, mate".
When the hug ended, Trent shook Winters hand;
"good luck, Dick". He smiled, "hope you both graduate as Officers".
"Thanks, Trent". He smiled back, "good luck. I'll see you when this thing ends, huh?"
"Yeah". Trent let out a tiny laugh, "we'll meet back for a coffee in Lancaster".
"We will, bud".
When Trent left Croft, it was just Holly and Winters inside their barrack, with fifty men sleeping below them. And with that added privacy, they snuck in a few more kisses and moments of affection. Two days later, they woke up early in the morning and got ready. Holly decided to get the men up, while Winters went off to check on the few men who were busy making everyone else breakfast. Turning on the lights, she called out;
"alright, lads. Time to get up!" She said, only raising her voice a little, "here's the plan of action for this morning, in case you dreamed it all away…you have twenty minutes to get ready. That means a quick shave and also, wash behind your ears. Please. For the love of God. Wash behind your ears…next, we'll have breakfast. And after, you're lucky to have an hour's lecture with me. We'll be going over-"
"Duffy?"
Sighing, she looked towards one of the recruits;
"yup?"
"I ain't feeling too hot".
By that point, the men were up and rushing to grab their shaving kits and uniforms.
All expect Private Garvin. Who did look a little pale.
Holly made her way towards him;
"what's wrong?" She asked.
"I've 'gotta sit down". He mumbled.
Holly frowned a little;
"alright, well sit down, lad". She murmured, "what's going on?"
Garvin sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands.
Her frown deepened.
Holly ended up kneeling in front of him;
"Garvin?" She mumbled, "tell me what's wrong, eh?"
With a shaky sigh, he said;
"I feel weak, Duffy". He said, "my whole body aches…and everything hurts".
Nodding slowly, she then told him;
"you might just be tired, mate". Holly said, "we did a pretty hefty workout yesterday. Winters had you's all running around in circles for hours".
Garvin shook his head;
"it ain't that, Duffy". He whispered, "everything hurts. Even my hair".
"You don't feel well enough to train, mate?"
"No". He mumbled thickly, "I'm sorry-"
"don't be sorry". She cut him off softly, "get back into bed. And I'll check you over".
While Garvin got back under the blanket, two other recruits complained about aches and feeling overly tired. So, Holly sent them back to bed and asked;
"anyone else?"
The others shook their heads, who all appeared to be fine.
"Alright, you three. Let's check your temperatures".
They were all very warm and shivering. Holly told them they all had a fever. And she came to the discovery that they all had the flu. Leaving the barrack, she washed her hands and made her way towards Slusher, who was still sat in the office. Looking up from his desk, he asked;
"what?"
"We have three with the flu".
Slusher sighed;
"great…well, is it just three?"
Holly nodded;
"I'm thinking we should isolate the sick, so it doesn't spread".
"Where will we put them?" Slusher questioned, "we don't have any spare barracks, Duffy. In case you haven't noticed, this camp is pretty damn packed".
Biting her lower lip, Holly then told him;
"set up an isolation ward in the Station Hospital".
"That's only for severe cases". Slusher reminded her, "flu isn't-"
"it can be". She argued, "do you remember the Spanish flu, Sargent?"
He sent her a firm look;
"the flu is only a bad cold, Private Duffy". He told her, "they'll get over it. Send them back out for training".
Holly frowned;
"Sargent, they can't train". She said, "the three of them can barely lift their heads".
"And what if they were out in combat, Private? Would you suggest the same?"
"Yes, I would". Holly told him, "I'd send them back to the aid station, get them treatment and isolate them, so we don't cause a pandemic". She then added, "flu can easily develop into pneumonia in certain people. We might end up hospitalizing half the bloody Platoon if we're not careful here, Sargent. Influenza should not be taken lightly".
Still giving her a hard stare, he asked;
"are they coughing?"
"Not yet". Holly said, "they have the early symptoms. They'll start coughing in a couple of days, probably".
Sighing, Slusher eventually said;
"I can't do anything about it right now, Duffy. For now, it's just a mild case of the flu".
Shaking her head, Holly said;
"that's too bad, Sargent".
Before heading back to the barrack, she jogged over to the mess hall and caught up with Winters, who was lining the men up. When Holly reached him, he asked her;
"where's Garvin, Brown and Spencer?"
"Sick". She told him, "the flu".
Winters groaned;
"crap – really?"
Holly nodded;
"yup".
"Well, did you tell Slusher?"
She huffed;
"he can't do anything apparently. It's not that serious".
Winters frowned;
"it's serious?"
"Of course, Dick". Holly hissed, "it's the bloody flu. We have to isolate the sick but Slusher said there's no room…and apparently, the hospital won't take them in because it's not severe".
Sighing, he crossed his arms over his chest;
"what do we do?"
Holly rubbed her lips together;
"well, seeing as we can't isolate the sick…we have to keep up with our hand washing. As soon as someone starts to show symptoms, we send them straight to bed. I'll see if I can get some aspirin from the medics".
"I'll warn the men".
"No, I'll do it". Holly said, "it needs to be done right".
Winters raised an amused eyebrow;
"and I can't give them the right answers?"
Holly smirked;
"not unless I tell you what to say".
Holly decided to give the men a short warning while they were eating breakfast. Which probably wasn't the best idea, seeing as their cook for that morning announced that he wasn't feeling very well. Holly did her best to assure them;
"don't worry". She said, "he might have started to show symptoms, but it doesn't have to be contagious yet. And besides, I'm sure Private Maxwell washed his hands".
Private Maxwell must not have washed his hands.
For the next day, the men inside the barrack all came down with the flu.
There wasn't a single well man inside the barrack. Only Holly and Winters were safe for the time being. The men were lying in bed, sweating, shivering, coughing and acting miserable. Holly and Winters did their best to care for the men. But one or two had to be taken to the hospital. Garvin was one of them. The flu had developed into pneumonia like she had feared.
Holly decided to take go to the hospital with Garvin.
A few other men had been admitted from Croft with the flu.
The doctors and nurses looked a little stressed, worried it would turn into an epidemic like the Spanish flu. The doctor was about to assign Garvin to the ward when Holly suddenly said;
"he needs an isolated room". She told the doctor, "as do all the flu victims. If we control the virus, it'll stop from spreading outside the camp".
"We have to close down the damn hospital". The doctor muttered, "we move the wounded and sick not infected by the flu, to the city hospital".
"You'll run the risk of spreading the virus further, Doctor". Holly told him, "you have to contain it here. Block off the ward where the wounded and other sick men can't be infected by the virus. And keep the rest of the wards open for the flu victims". She said, "bleach the whole hospital down and start moving the sick and wounded away from the virus".
The doctor sent her a tiny glare;
"I know how to do my damn job, Private".
"I know, Doctor". She mumbled, "but I've done something like this before…with animals".
He huffed;
"so, I should trust a vet?"
"I wasn't a vet". Holly said, "I was a vets assistant".
Holly was soon on her own caring for the sick men. Winters came down with the virus that night. She was rushing back and forth, with no sleep. It was much like the sunstroke outbreak, only this time, all the men were sick. Practically everyone in Croft came down with the flu and eventually, Holly caught the virus. She managed to care for the men until she almost collapsed on the stairs. Winters carried her up to bed.
"Rest now, sweetheart". He told her softly, "I'll take over".
Back on their feet after the flu, Winters and Holly had their physical exam for Officer Candidate School on the 16th of February. It was much like the physical exam they had to pass to get into the army. And with that passed, they had their oral interview ten days later. Neither of them was told the date of their interview. They only had two hours advance notice about the interview. Holly wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not. But Winters was glad, for he didn't feel nervous.
However.
Holly did.
…
Entering a room, five commissioned Officers from different branches of the military were there to give the interview, lead by a Colonel. They all sat down, in a long line behind a desk. The walk towards her mark, where she had to stand, was long and frightening. When she reached the mark, Holly stood straighter than she had ever stood before. Saluting the ranks before her, she introduced herself;
"Private H. Duffy".
"At ease". The Colonel said.
Lowering her hand, she stood at ease.
"Private Duffy". One of the Officers said, "you have been recognized by your superior Officers in Camp Croft, as a good Candidate for Officer School. Why is that?"
"They saw leadership skills in me, sir". Holly replied clearly, "my superior Officers saw some skills, which would be useful out in combat, sir".
Another Officer said;
"Private Duffy…how would you lead your Platoon of men into combat?"
"I would gather intelligence on the enemy position and activity". Holly replied, "form what I would gather, I'd set up a plan of attack and brief my men. And I'd use whatever tactic or movement, to reduce casualties and have a better outcome between my men and the enemy".
"Please, give us your presentation for this attack". The Colonel told her.
"We'd likely move under a base of fire. My mortars would be set-up seventy-five yards away from us, with a good hit on the enemy position. With the machine-guns giving us a good base of fire, the riflemen would move under it and attack the enemy position. Depending on where the enemy is, we could split up into our squads and attack from all sides. Meanwhile, seventy-five yards away from us, our mortars are taking down hot targets and heavy weapons. While my riflemen are clearing the enemy out of their position. With the machine-guns still firing, they're likely pushing the enemy back, allowing us to move further in. When we capture the area, I'll have my men round up any prisoners".
The Officers were jotting her answers down.
One of them said;
"your old Sargent informs us that you have gained a lot of trust in your men. Why is that?"
"I believe I am there to help them, sir". Holly said, "I think Sargent Slusher is referring to a few illnesses we've come across in camp, sir".
"Why do you want to be an Officer, Private Duffy?"
Holly rubbed her lips together.
She could feel sweat form in the palms of her hands.
"Being in the army, sir". Holly said, "it…it changed me. For the better, sir. Having a Sargent like Slusher, shaped me into being a soldier. And I hope a good soldier, sir. Something about being in the army feels right. And training those recruits and watching them find confidence, belief and reach goals they didn't know existed, is a fine job, sir".
Holly wasn't sure if the interview went well. But she could only hope it did.
A few days later, Winters and Holly took their written test. They were in a room full of Sargent's and Corporals who had been in the army for years. Holly and Winters were still only Privates and they could tell, the men inside that room didn't like them very much. Ignoring their looks, they got on with the written test. The General Army Classification test went fine and they both passed.
There, Winters and Holly attended a pre-Officer Candidate School four-week class. The class was placed under the command of a new Lieutenant who didn't know his left from right. It gave Holly a little hope that she might just graduate as a Lieutenant. But the best news came down on the 10th of March when Holly and Winters were finally promoted to Corporal.
It was incredible that they had both been civilians together and soldiers.
Holly had seen a lot of amazing sides to Winters over the years.
She felt lucky to have him in her life.