Part 2
Peter stared at Winston. "Like hell you're going to do this on your own! Ray's our friend."
Winston whirled around. "He's my friend too."
"Yeah, and he's in trouble because of YOUR past. They had no right to take him!" Peter was angry and he wasn't bothering to hide it, either.
Egon gently touched Peter's shoulder. The physicist turned back to Winston. "Winston, if you feel you must do this, then go. But Peter and I will also look for Ray. We are a team, and there is no I in team."
Winston nodded. "Thanks guys," he said, sighing.
"Winston?" Peter said.
"Yeah, buddy?" Winston asked.
"I'm sorry I was upset with you earlier. I'm just worried about Ray," Peter said, putting a hand on Winston's shoulder. "I know how hard it must have been over there."
Winston closed his eyes. "You have no idea, Peter. Come on, let's go find him."
Peter nodded.
Egon smiled. He was glad that Winston had finally come to his senses. They would have a better time finding Ray together.
****
Mike looked at Dwayne as he stood up and looked down at a now unconscious Ray. "Man, that was fun! I've hadn't had this much fun since... Well, you know."
Dwayne looked back at Mike and John. "Okay, you morons. Get Chubby on the plane. We leave for 'Nam tonight." He watched as they picked Ray up and smiled. Everything was going as planned.
As he walked out, Dwayne left a note where he knew Winston would see it. The note read: Zee, we're taking your friend to the same place the girl died. Come and get us.
****
Once they were on the plane, Dwayne sat down in the co-pilot's seat while John made a last minute check up. "Okay, Taylor. Let's get going "
John nodded as the plane went down the runway and took off.
When Ray finally woke up, he was very unfamiliar with his surroundings, just like he was back in the warehouse. "W-Where are we?" he moaned.
"You don't recognize it, Stantz?" Dwayne asked. "Well, why should you? You were only in high school," he laughed. "I'd forgotten."
Ray guessed, "'N-Nam?"
"Very good. Chubby gets a gold star," Dwayne said. "Maybe now you'll start to understand things from our point of view."
Ray didn't say anything. He was too scared. He looked around. It looked like they were inside a small hut made of grass and it had definitely seen better days. It had bugs crawling all over the place and snakes as well. He shuddered. Ray hated snakes. Bugs he could take, but not snakes. "My friends will find me," he said, knowing that he was speaking the truth.
Dwayne put his face in front of Ray's. "That's what we are counting on, Chubby."
"STOP CALLING ME CHUBBY! MY NAME IS RAY STANTZ, NOT CHUBBY!"
Dwayne stared angrily at him. "You think that you're calling the shots now, partner? I don't think so!" He punched Ray full-force in the stomach.
Ray leaned forward as far as he could, gasping for breath. "You're a jerk!" Ray wheezed and Dwayne punched him again.
"Anything else you'd like to add, you little twerp?" Dwayne asked. "You know something, Stantz? You're nothing in this world!"
"I don't have to listen to you," Ray said, trying not to cry. "I'm more important in this world than you ever will be!"
"Oh really? Who else are you gonna listen to? Those so-called friends of yours?" Dwayne laughed. "Do you honestly THINK Winston even cares what happens to you? He didn't with us, so why should he with you?"
"Because he's my friend," Ray snapped.
"He was ours too," Dwayne said angrily. "Or so we thought."
Ray stared at Dwayne and the others. "I don't believe you! Winston would never be friends with the likes of you!"
Suddenly Dwayne spotted a large and heavy stick lying on the ground of the hut. He picked it up and struck Ray hard on the head with it. The occultist crumpled to the floor. "Get him out of my sight. You know where to put him."
One of the men nodded as he grabbed hold of Ray's legs and dragged him away.
Dwayne smiled. "Okay, Zee. We're waiting."
***
Egon shook his head as they stared at the empty warehouse. "Ray was here but he's not now."
Winston walked over to the chair where he figured Ray and been tied up and saw the note. He cursed under his breath. "They took him to 'Nam."
Peter hurried over to him. "What do you mean they took him to 'Nam?"
Winston handed him the note and Peter scanned it. "Then I guess we go to 'Nam."
"Peter, there is no way you're going."
"Sorry Winston, but we're going, so we better get back to pack."
Winston shook his head. He knew there was no way to talk Peter out of this.
Soon the three Ghostbusters were on a plane that was for Vietnam. It had been a long trip - well over twenty hours in flight, not including connections between airports, and both Egon and Peter were jet-lagged. They tried their best to stay awake but sleep soon overcame them - even though they had tried to sleep on the plane. Winston looked down at his sleeping friends. "I'm sorry guys, but I've got to go the rest of my way on my own."
Winston left Egon and Peter sleeping in their hotel room. Several hours later, he arrived in the place he knew that Dwayne and the others would be - the place where the girl died thirteen years earlier. "Hicks, I'm here!" he called out.
Dwayne stepped from the hut. "Well, well, well. Lookee who's here. Nice to see you, Zee. Too bad that Chubby here can't say the same thing." Dwayne stepped back and Winston let out a gasp as he saw Ray hanging upside down by his legs. He was shirtless, unconscious and there wasn't a place on his body that wasn't bruised or bleeding.
"What did you do to him?" Winston asked angrily.
Dwayne laughed and pointed to Ray, "Don't worry, Zee. He's still alive."
"Look man," Winston said. "I'm the one you want! Leave him alone!"
"But he's been the perfect guest so far! No complaints from him," Dwayne smiled.
"That's because he can't complain," Winston snapped and ran over to Ray. Dwayne suddenly stuck his foot out and Winston landed on his face. The men all laughed, but Winston got up and went to Ray. "Ray-Ray man, wake up-" Winston cried.
"W-Winston? Y-You came-" Ray moaned, his eyes half-open.
"Of course I did, buddy," Winston said. He quickly turned back to Dwayne. "Cut him down, Dwayne!"
Ray closed his eyes and fell into unconsciousness once again. Winston angrily ran towards Dwayne. Dwayne smirked as he pointed his gun at him.
Winston stopped short. "Look Dwayne, it's me you want. Let him go," Winston pleaded.
"What, and then everything will be all peachy again, Zeddemore? No, I don't think so!" Dwayne said.
"Why keep him? What more could you possibly do to him?" Winston asked angrily.
"Make you suffer," Dwayne replied angrily. "Like you made us."
Winston gulped. "Look man, you put yourselves in that prison-" he began.
"No, I believe you did!" Dwayne said angrily and punched Winston in the stomach.
The guys laughed as Winston leaned over, grabbing his stomach.
"I don't want to fight you, m'man," Winston said angrily.
"Like you can anyway, queer boy," Dwayne said, laughing at him.
Winston's face turned red with anger. He lunged at Dwayne, who swung with his feet, kicking him in the stomach. Winston fell back and John, Kenneth, and Mike grabbed him by his arms. Winston struggled, but he couldn't get loose. Dwayne went right up to him. "Let us go man," Winston growled.
"Forget it," Dwayne said. "You deserve to die just like any other trader," he snapped and punched Winston in the eye just like he had done to Ray earlier.
"Oh, so you think you're so tough acting this way man?" Winston asked angrily.
"Tough has nothing to do with it, Zeddemore," Dwayne snapped.
Winston glanced at Ray, who was still hanging upside down. Winston shuddered and turned to face Dwayne.
"Look, let Ray go! Please," Winston said, feeling helpless. Some help I turned out to be, he thought.
"Let him go? Forget it, Zee. You just don't give, up do you?" Dwayne laughed. "Like I said, I want to see you suffer, and to do that I'm going to have a little fun with your friend here because I know how close you two are."
"Yeah, what a couple of losers!" John said, laughing.
"You're the only loser I see at the moment!" Winston snapped.
This time, John hit Winston on the side of the head with the rifle. He passed, out hoping the others would get there soon.
Dwayne kicked Winston again then turned to Ken. "Take this pile of dirt and strap him to that table over there and do the same thing to Chubby."
Ken nodded and told John to help. Ken grabbed Winston and pulled him over to the table while John took his knife and cut Ray down and took him to the table. Soon, both men were tightly secured.
****
It was night by the time Winston opened his eyes. He was lying on a flat and hard surface. His legs and arms were stretched out and strapped to it. He moved his head and looked over and saw that Ray was in the same position.
"Ray, hey! Homeboy, say something." Ray didn't say a thing. Winston stared at him. He could see a bone sticking out of his left leg and he cursed Dwayne. "Ray! I promise I'll get us out of here. I'll find a way."
****
"Like you found a way to save me. You pig. I died because of you and now so will your friend."
Winston stared in horror at the ghost of the girl who died so long ago. "N-No... I was trying to help you - please, you have to help us - I tried saving you, remember?" Winston asked.
"All I remember is being shot dead on the railroad tracks from one of your friends!" the ghost said. "I will have my revenge on ALL of you!"
Winston gulped. "They weren't my friends - not after what they did."
The ghost moved over to Ray and she touched his forehead. "I think his skull may be fractured."
Winston tried to turn towards the ghost. "What do you mean?"
The ghost turned back towards Winston. "He's shouldn't have to pay for your crime. He is innocent." She stood very still and wept. "He shouldn't have to pay for your crime, Winston Zeddemore!"
"Oh God, no! Please help him!"
"I can't! I can help no one now." The ghost disappeared and Winston screamed then wept bitterly.
"Ray?"
Winston looked over at his friend. He knew he had to get over to him. Ray needed him. He began working on the ropes to his hands and eventually was successful. He then sat up and untied his feet. He got off the table and hurried over to Ray and quickly untied him. He felt Ray's forehead gently. He was burning up. Winston's eyes watered. "This is all my fault, buddy," he said. "But you've gotta pull through. We need you too much. You've gotta wake up buddy... Please," Winston whispered as he stared at Ray.
"Ray, I know you probably can't hear me too well right now, but I'm gonna try anyway, cause I need to talk to someone, and I want you to try and wake up for me," Winston said, sighing. "Let me tell you what happened so at least you have a better understanding of it."
Winston closed his eyes as his mind focused on his past. "Days had gone by and that poor girl was beaten up, just like you are now, buddy," Winston said as he held Ray's hand.
*****
"Zeddmore!" Dwayne said.
"Yeah?" Winston asked angrily.
"Stay behind and keep watch," Dwayne snapped.
Winston nodded, sighing. They wouldn't let him do much else. They didn't trust him.
"We have to move!" John said a little while later.
"Get the girl, Zeddemore!" Dwayne ordered.
Winston nodded and went over to her. The girl was coughing and not looking too good. He gave her some water.
"What do you think you are doing?" Dwayne asked. "Helping the enemy?"
"She's not the enemy!" Winston snapped.
Dwayne tossed the cup of water out of Winston's hand. "She is too the enemy! All gooks are the enemy."
Winston stared at Dwayne angrily.
The girl continued coughing.
"Man! She's going to give us away!" John said angrily. "I say we just shoot her."
Dwayne nodded. "Yeah, shoot her, Zeddemore," he said, handing Winston the gun.
"I won't do it!" Winston protested.
"You do it, or you will die with her!" Dwayne demanded angrily
"Forget it!" Winston snapped, throwing the gun on the ground. "Look, just let her go! You won't have to shoot her then."
"So she can rat on us?" John cried. "Forget it!"
Winston sighed.
"Look at those gooks over there." John said, pointing. "Ready to fire or ambush us. I say we take them all out."
The girl continued coughing, looking up at them.
"Damn it! Shoot her now!" Dwayne ordered.
Winston suddenly fired his gun up into the air. The others stared at him in horror.
"Are you mad, Zee! They know our location now!"
"You can't shoot her, Dwayne! Winston cried. "I've made sure of that."
"Damn it, Zeddemore! I should shoot you!" Dwayne yelled as they were being fired at. He didn't though because he needed Winston's help.
The girl, seeing that they were busy arguing and returning fire, ran down the track, but she didn't get very far when she was spotted.
"Hey! She's getting away!" John cried.
"Shoot her, you moron!" Dwayne yelled.
One of the men was having second thoughts - this had gone too far. "Do your own dirty work!" Mike said angrily.
Dwayne stared at Mike furiously. "Mike, I'm ordering you!" he said.
"Don't do it, Mike! You don't have to do this!" Winston cried.
"Mike stared at Winston, who started to take the gun from him. Mike suddenly changed his mind and decided that Dwayne was right. Before Winston could get the gun from Mike, John hit him over the head. Winston watched as his eyes tried to focus. John stepped in front of Mike and fired four rounds into the girl's back and she crumpled to the ground.
"Noooo!!!!" Winston cried just before he passed out. Hours later, he awoke and saw that he was in a M.A.S.H. unit. He vaguely remembered being taken to a helicopter and then to the M.A.S.H. unit.
A few days later, Winston was released. He knew he had to tell someone what had happened. He walked into the local bar on the base and saw Derick Henzi. "Derick!" he said. You've gotta hear this."
Derick looked up as Winston told him what had happened in the field. Derick stared at him. "You serious?" he asked, wide-eyed. "I thought they were teasing!"
"No! They did it. They beat, shot, and killed her," Winston said angrily.
Winston was about to say more when John walked in. "Hey Zee," he said, suddenly stepping up to Winston's face. "Just wanted to remind you that what happens on the field stays on the field. Get my drift?"
"U-Uh sure. Derick and I were just chatting, that's all."
John nodded, looking annoyed. "Okay. Just see that you don't, if you know what's good for you."
Later that night, Winston returned to the hooch. He went to lie down on his cot when suddenly he saw something being thrown in. It rolled under his cot. He looked underneath and saw it was a grenade. He quickly grabbed it and threw it into the woods. He dived to the ground as the grenade exploded. He couldn't believe they were trying to kill him. He decided to go to Lieutenant Huller and tell him what happened. Unfortunately, nothing was done about it because Huller didn't believe him.
"Zeddemore, listen. You guys were all stressed out. Do you really want to bring it upon yourself to rat on your fellow soldiers? Do you realize what that will get them? It could get them prison time, and for what? It's war out there. They were probably a little nervous just like you were," Huller said.
"Begging the Lieutenant's pardon, but they killed a civilian. They had no right to beat or kill her!"
"That will be ALL, Zeddemore. You're dismissed."
Winston left the duty hut, not knowing what he should do. Even Huller didn't seen to care. He returned to the bar and ordered a drink. Five beers later, someone walked up to him and place his hand on his shoulder.
"Hello. You're Winston Zeddemore?" Winston didn't even look up. "Well I'm the chaplain here. The name is Perrie. I saw you over there and thought you might like to talk."
"I'm a little drunk, sir," Winston said honestly, not wanting to talk to the chaplain at the moment.
"That doesn't bother me, son. What bothers me is why you are doing this to yourself in the first place."
"Oh, it's a looonggg story, sir that no one will do a damn thing about," Winston said sharply, staring at the beer can.
"The answer's not in the bottom of that beer, my son," the chaplain said.
"It's not?"
"Zeddemore, what religion are you?"
"Catholic sir," Winston said, still staring at the beer.
"And I'm a Baptist but that doesn't mean we can't talk. Am I correct?"
Winston nodded.
"Son, I'm ready to listen. I mean really listen," he said. "And I'm ready to believe you too."
Winston placed his head down on the counter and wept. The chaplain placed his hand on Winston's shoulder.
Winston wiped his eyes as the memory of that night flooded through his mind. He looked back down at Ray, who stirred a little and moaned.
"D- Do you believe you will go to hell for watching something that you knew was wrong?" Winston asked.
"Let me hear your side of the story."
Winston nodded and told the chaplain what happened. The chaplain stood up. "I can't believe that Huller would let his men get away with that. War is one thing but right-out murder is another thing. Son, you have to come with me and tell Colonel Snyder."
"Why should I? So he can brush it under the rug too? No one gives a damn."
"You're wrong, son. Colonel Snyder does. Now let's go tell him."
Winston nodded and together they went to Colonel Snyder and after Winston told his story, a full investigation was launched.
Winston took them to where the body was buried. The men were charged for murder and Winston was the eyewitness. The four men: Dwayne Hicks, John Taylor, Mike Scott, and Kenneth Rodgers were found guilty of killing Kim Sue and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.
As they were being led out, Dwayne turned to Winston. "Don't worry about us, Zee! You'll see us again - believe me! You'll see us again."
Winston looked at Dwayne with contempt on his face but inside he was scared.
"So that's the whole story, kid," Winston said, staring at Ray. "All this is because of me, and I'm sorry for it." His eyes watered as he stared at his friend. He looked at the small bone that was sticking out of Ray's leg and cringed. "God, Ray!" Winston said. "Please be all right."
Winston held his head in his hands. Ray groaned a little. "Ray?" Winston asked.
Ray's eyes flickered open slowly. He flinched in pain.
"Ray, it's okay, pal. I'm here - you're going to be all right. Try not to move too much," Winston said tearfully.
Ray's eyes watered as he drifted in and out.
"Oh God," Winston muttered, wishing there were something he could do for his friend. "Not again! I can't go through this again." Winston lowered his head and said a prayer for his friend. Suddenly, the ghost reappeared. "Please..." Winston said, with tears in his eyes. "I know you think I did this, but please - help him. He's innocent of this. Please don't let him die."
"Can't-" she said. "I can't."
"You have to. Ray needs help," Winston said.
"Nothing I can do now," she snapped angrily. "Nothing!"
"Then get someone who can help," Winston said. "Can't you see how badly he's hurt?"
She nodded. "Yes, I see. But what can I do? I'm a ghost, not flesh and blood."
"Our friends - The Ghostbusters - find them."
She nodded and disappeared.
Ray groaned again and tried to move his left leg but whimpered in pain instead.
"No, Ray. Don't move your leg," Winston said, realizing that he had to immobilize it somehow. Winston looked around and saw some pieces of sticks on the hut's ground. He picked up two pieces that were about the same size, tore off his shirt, and ripped it. Then he tied the sticks in place tightly around the leg to help keep it immobilized. He noticed that Ray was sweating. He felt Ray's forehead again and he knew that Ray had a high fever.
"Oh God," Winston said. "We really do need a miracle."
Dwayne and his buddies suddenly walked in. "Well, well, well. I see that you're awake, Zee and poor Chubby here isn't. Boys, take him out and bury him."
TBC
Peter stared at Winston. "Like hell you're going to do this on your own! Ray's our friend."
Winston whirled around. "He's my friend too."
"Yeah, and he's in trouble because of YOUR past. They had no right to take him!" Peter was angry and he wasn't bothering to hide it, either.
Egon gently touched Peter's shoulder. The physicist turned back to Winston. "Winston, if you feel you must do this, then go. But Peter and I will also look for Ray. We are a team, and there is no I in team."
Winston nodded. "Thanks guys," he said, sighing.
"Winston?" Peter said.
"Yeah, buddy?" Winston asked.
"I'm sorry I was upset with you earlier. I'm just worried about Ray," Peter said, putting a hand on Winston's shoulder. "I know how hard it must have been over there."
Winston closed his eyes. "You have no idea, Peter. Come on, let's go find him."
Peter nodded.
Egon smiled. He was glad that Winston had finally come to his senses. They would have a better time finding Ray together.
****
Mike looked at Dwayne as he stood up and looked down at a now unconscious Ray. "Man, that was fun! I've hadn't had this much fun since... Well, you know."
Dwayne looked back at Mike and John. "Okay, you morons. Get Chubby on the plane. We leave for 'Nam tonight." He watched as they picked Ray up and smiled. Everything was going as planned.
As he walked out, Dwayne left a note where he knew Winston would see it. The note read: Zee, we're taking your friend to the same place the girl died. Come and get us.
****
Once they were on the plane, Dwayne sat down in the co-pilot's seat while John made a last minute check up. "Okay, Taylor. Let's get going "
John nodded as the plane went down the runway and took off.
When Ray finally woke up, he was very unfamiliar with his surroundings, just like he was back in the warehouse. "W-Where are we?" he moaned.
"You don't recognize it, Stantz?" Dwayne asked. "Well, why should you? You were only in high school," he laughed. "I'd forgotten."
Ray guessed, "'N-Nam?"
"Very good. Chubby gets a gold star," Dwayne said. "Maybe now you'll start to understand things from our point of view."
Ray didn't say anything. He was too scared. He looked around. It looked like they were inside a small hut made of grass and it had definitely seen better days. It had bugs crawling all over the place and snakes as well. He shuddered. Ray hated snakes. Bugs he could take, but not snakes. "My friends will find me," he said, knowing that he was speaking the truth.
Dwayne put his face in front of Ray's. "That's what we are counting on, Chubby."
"STOP CALLING ME CHUBBY! MY NAME IS RAY STANTZ, NOT CHUBBY!"
Dwayne stared angrily at him. "You think that you're calling the shots now, partner? I don't think so!" He punched Ray full-force in the stomach.
Ray leaned forward as far as he could, gasping for breath. "You're a jerk!" Ray wheezed and Dwayne punched him again.
"Anything else you'd like to add, you little twerp?" Dwayne asked. "You know something, Stantz? You're nothing in this world!"
"I don't have to listen to you," Ray said, trying not to cry. "I'm more important in this world than you ever will be!"
"Oh really? Who else are you gonna listen to? Those so-called friends of yours?" Dwayne laughed. "Do you honestly THINK Winston even cares what happens to you? He didn't with us, so why should he with you?"
"Because he's my friend," Ray snapped.
"He was ours too," Dwayne said angrily. "Or so we thought."
Ray stared at Dwayne and the others. "I don't believe you! Winston would never be friends with the likes of you!"
Suddenly Dwayne spotted a large and heavy stick lying on the ground of the hut. He picked it up and struck Ray hard on the head with it. The occultist crumpled to the floor. "Get him out of my sight. You know where to put him."
One of the men nodded as he grabbed hold of Ray's legs and dragged him away.
Dwayne smiled. "Okay, Zee. We're waiting."
***
Egon shook his head as they stared at the empty warehouse. "Ray was here but he's not now."
Winston walked over to the chair where he figured Ray and been tied up and saw the note. He cursed under his breath. "They took him to 'Nam."
Peter hurried over to him. "What do you mean they took him to 'Nam?"
Winston handed him the note and Peter scanned it. "Then I guess we go to 'Nam."
"Peter, there is no way you're going."
"Sorry Winston, but we're going, so we better get back to pack."
Winston shook his head. He knew there was no way to talk Peter out of this.
Soon the three Ghostbusters were on a plane that was for Vietnam. It had been a long trip - well over twenty hours in flight, not including connections between airports, and both Egon and Peter were jet-lagged. They tried their best to stay awake but sleep soon overcame them - even though they had tried to sleep on the plane. Winston looked down at his sleeping friends. "I'm sorry guys, but I've got to go the rest of my way on my own."
Winston left Egon and Peter sleeping in their hotel room. Several hours later, he arrived in the place he knew that Dwayne and the others would be - the place where the girl died thirteen years earlier. "Hicks, I'm here!" he called out.
Dwayne stepped from the hut. "Well, well, well. Lookee who's here. Nice to see you, Zee. Too bad that Chubby here can't say the same thing." Dwayne stepped back and Winston let out a gasp as he saw Ray hanging upside down by his legs. He was shirtless, unconscious and there wasn't a place on his body that wasn't bruised or bleeding.
"What did you do to him?" Winston asked angrily.
Dwayne laughed and pointed to Ray, "Don't worry, Zee. He's still alive."
"Look man," Winston said. "I'm the one you want! Leave him alone!"
"But he's been the perfect guest so far! No complaints from him," Dwayne smiled.
"That's because he can't complain," Winston snapped and ran over to Ray. Dwayne suddenly stuck his foot out and Winston landed on his face. The men all laughed, but Winston got up and went to Ray. "Ray-Ray man, wake up-" Winston cried.
"W-Winston? Y-You came-" Ray moaned, his eyes half-open.
"Of course I did, buddy," Winston said. He quickly turned back to Dwayne. "Cut him down, Dwayne!"
Ray closed his eyes and fell into unconsciousness once again. Winston angrily ran towards Dwayne. Dwayne smirked as he pointed his gun at him.
Winston stopped short. "Look Dwayne, it's me you want. Let him go," Winston pleaded.
"What, and then everything will be all peachy again, Zeddemore? No, I don't think so!" Dwayne said.
"Why keep him? What more could you possibly do to him?" Winston asked angrily.
"Make you suffer," Dwayne replied angrily. "Like you made us."
Winston gulped. "Look man, you put yourselves in that prison-" he began.
"No, I believe you did!" Dwayne said angrily and punched Winston in the stomach.
The guys laughed as Winston leaned over, grabbing his stomach.
"I don't want to fight you, m'man," Winston said angrily.
"Like you can anyway, queer boy," Dwayne said, laughing at him.
Winston's face turned red with anger. He lunged at Dwayne, who swung with his feet, kicking him in the stomach. Winston fell back and John, Kenneth, and Mike grabbed him by his arms. Winston struggled, but he couldn't get loose. Dwayne went right up to him. "Let us go man," Winston growled.
"Forget it," Dwayne said. "You deserve to die just like any other trader," he snapped and punched Winston in the eye just like he had done to Ray earlier.
"Oh, so you think you're so tough acting this way man?" Winston asked angrily.
"Tough has nothing to do with it, Zeddemore," Dwayne snapped.
Winston glanced at Ray, who was still hanging upside down. Winston shuddered and turned to face Dwayne.
"Look, let Ray go! Please," Winston said, feeling helpless. Some help I turned out to be, he thought.
"Let him go? Forget it, Zee. You just don't give, up do you?" Dwayne laughed. "Like I said, I want to see you suffer, and to do that I'm going to have a little fun with your friend here because I know how close you two are."
"Yeah, what a couple of losers!" John said, laughing.
"You're the only loser I see at the moment!" Winston snapped.
This time, John hit Winston on the side of the head with the rifle. He passed, out hoping the others would get there soon.
Dwayne kicked Winston again then turned to Ken. "Take this pile of dirt and strap him to that table over there and do the same thing to Chubby."
Ken nodded and told John to help. Ken grabbed Winston and pulled him over to the table while John took his knife and cut Ray down and took him to the table. Soon, both men were tightly secured.
****
It was night by the time Winston opened his eyes. He was lying on a flat and hard surface. His legs and arms were stretched out and strapped to it. He moved his head and looked over and saw that Ray was in the same position.
"Ray, hey! Homeboy, say something." Ray didn't say a thing. Winston stared at him. He could see a bone sticking out of his left leg and he cursed Dwayne. "Ray! I promise I'll get us out of here. I'll find a way."
****
"Like you found a way to save me. You pig. I died because of you and now so will your friend."
Winston stared in horror at the ghost of the girl who died so long ago. "N-No... I was trying to help you - please, you have to help us - I tried saving you, remember?" Winston asked.
"All I remember is being shot dead on the railroad tracks from one of your friends!" the ghost said. "I will have my revenge on ALL of you!"
Winston gulped. "They weren't my friends - not after what they did."
The ghost moved over to Ray and she touched his forehead. "I think his skull may be fractured."
Winston tried to turn towards the ghost. "What do you mean?"
The ghost turned back towards Winston. "He's shouldn't have to pay for your crime. He is innocent." She stood very still and wept. "He shouldn't have to pay for your crime, Winston Zeddemore!"
"Oh God, no! Please help him!"
"I can't! I can help no one now." The ghost disappeared and Winston screamed then wept bitterly.
"Ray?"
Winston looked over at his friend. He knew he had to get over to him. Ray needed him. He began working on the ropes to his hands and eventually was successful. He then sat up and untied his feet. He got off the table and hurried over to Ray and quickly untied him. He felt Ray's forehead gently. He was burning up. Winston's eyes watered. "This is all my fault, buddy," he said. "But you've gotta pull through. We need you too much. You've gotta wake up buddy... Please," Winston whispered as he stared at Ray.
"Ray, I know you probably can't hear me too well right now, but I'm gonna try anyway, cause I need to talk to someone, and I want you to try and wake up for me," Winston said, sighing. "Let me tell you what happened so at least you have a better understanding of it."
Winston closed his eyes as his mind focused on his past. "Days had gone by and that poor girl was beaten up, just like you are now, buddy," Winston said as he held Ray's hand.
*****
"Zeddmore!" Dwayne said.
"Yeah?" Winston asked angrily.
"Stay behind and keep watch," Dwayne snapped.
Winston nodded, sighing. They wouldn't let him do much else. They didn't trust him.
"We have to move!" John said a little while later.
"Get the girl, Zeddemore!" Dwayne ordered.
Winston nodded and went over to her. The girl was coughing and not looking too good. He gave her some water.
"What do you think you are doing?" Dwayne asked. "Helping the enemy?"
"She's not the enemy!" Winston snapped.
Dwayne tossed the cup of water out of Winston's hand. "She is too the enemy! All gooks are the enemy."
Winston stared at Dwayne angrily.
The girl continued coughing.
"Man! She's going to give us away!" John said angrily. "I say we just shoot her."
Dwayne nodded. "Yeah, shoot her, Zeddemore," he said, handing Winston the gun.
"I won't do it!" Winston protested.
"You do it, or you will die with her!" Dwayne demanded angrily
"Forget it!" Winston snapped, throwing the gun on the ground. "Look, just let her go! You won't have to shoot her then."
"So she can rat on us?" John cried. "Forget it!"
Winston sighed.
"Look at those gooks over there." John said, pointing. "Ready to fire or ambush us. I say we take them all out."
The girl continued coughing, looking up at them.
"Damn it! Shoot her now!" Dwayne ordered.
Winston suddenly fired his gun up into the air. The others stared at him in horror.
"Are you mad, Zee! They know our location now!"
"You can't shoot her, Dwayne! Winston cried. "I've made sure of that."
"Damn it, Zeddemore! I should shoot you!" Dwayne yelled as they were being fired at. He didn't though because he needed Winston's help.
The girl, seeing that they were busy arguing and returning fire, ran down the track, but she didn't get very far when she was spotted.
"Hey! She's getting away!" John cried.
"Shoot her, you moron!" Dwayne yelled.
One of the men was having second thoughts - this had gone too far. "Do your own dirty work!" Mike said angrily.
Dwayne stared at Mike furiously. "Mike, I'm ordering you!" he said.
"Don't do it, Mike! You don't have to do this!" Winston cried.
"Mike stared at Winston, who started to take the gun from him. Mike suddenly changed his mind and decided that Dwayne was right. Before Winston could get the gun from Mike, John hit him over the head. Winston watched as his eyes tried to focus. John stepped in front of Mike and fired four rounds into the girl's back and she crumpled to the ground.
"Noooo!!!!" Winston cried just before he passed out. Hours later, he awoke and saw that he was in a M.A.S.H. unit. He vaguely remembered being taken to a helicopter and then to the M.A.S.H. unit.
A few days later, Winston was released. He knew he had to tell someone what had happened. He walked into the local bar on the base and saw Derick Henzi. "Derick!" he said. You've gotta hear this."
Derick looked up as Winston told him what had happened in the field. Derick stared at him. "You serious?" he asked, wide-eyed. "I thought they were teasing!"
"No! They did it. They beat, shot, and killed her," Winston said angrily.
Winston was about to say more when John walked in. "Hey Zee," he said, suddenly stepping up to Winston's face. "Just wanted to remind you that what happens on the field stays on the field. Get my drift?"
"U-Uh sure. Derick and I were just chatting, that's all."
John nodded, looking annoyed. "Okay. Just see that you don't, if you know what's good for you."
Later that night, Winston returned to the hooch. He went to lie down on his cot when suddenly he saw something being thrown in. It rolled under his cot. He looked underneath and saw it was a grenade. He quickly grabbed it and threw it into the woods. He dived to the ground as the grenade exploded. He couldn't believe they were trying to kill him. He decided to go to Lieutenant Huller and tell him what happened. Unfortunately, nothing was done about it because Huller didn't believe him.
"Zeddemore, listen. You guys were all stressed out. Do you really want to bring it upon yourself to rat on your fellow soldiers? Do you realize what that will get them? It could get them prison time, and for what? It's war out there. They were probably a little nervous just like you were," Huller said.
"Begging the Lieutenant's pardon, but they killed a civilian. They had no right to beat or kill her!"
"That will be ALL, Zeddemore. You're dismissed."
Winston left the duty hut, not knowing what he should do. Even Huller didn't seen to care. He returned to the bar and ordered a drink. Five beers later, someone walked up to him and place his hand on his shoulder.
"Hello. You're Winston Zeddemore?" Winston didn't even look up. "Well I'm the chaplain here. The name is Perrie. I saw you over there and thought you might like to talk."
"I'm a little drunk, sir," Winston said honestly, not wanting to talk to the chaplain at the moment.
"That doesn't bother me, son. What bothers me is why you are doing this to yourself in the first place."
"Oh, it's a looonggg story, sir that no one will do a damn thing about," Winston said sharply, staring at the beer can.
"The answer's not in the bottom of that beer, my son," the chaplain said.
"It's not?"
"Zeddemore, what religion are you?"
"Catholic sir," Winston said, still staring at the beer.
"And I'm a Baptist but that doesn't mean we can't talk. Am I correct?"
Winston nodded.
"Son, I'm ready to listen. I mean really listen," he said. "And I'm ready to believe you too."
Winston placed his head down on the counter and wept. The chaplain placed his hand on Winston's shoulder.
Winston wiped his eyes as the memory of that night flooded through his mind. He looked back down at Ray, who stirred a little and moaned.
"D- Do you believe you will go to hell for watching something that you knew was wrong?" Winston asked.
"Let me hear your side of the story."
Winston nodded and told the chaplain what happened. The chaplain stood up. "I can't believe that Huller would let his men get away with that. War is one thing but right-out murder is another thing. Son, you have to come with me and tell Colonel Snyder."
"Why should I? So he can brush it under the rug too? No one gives a damn."
"You're wrong, son. Colonel Snyder does. Now let's go tell him."
Winston nodded and together they went to Colonel Snyder and after Winston told his story, a full investigation was launched.
Winston took them to where the body was buried. The men were charged for murder and Winston was the eyewitness. The four men: Dwayne Hicks, John Taylor, Mike Scott, and Kenneth Rodgers were found guilty of killing Kim Sue and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.
As they were being led out, Dwayne turned to Winston. "Don't worry about us, Zee! You'll see us again - believe me! You'll see us again."
Winston looked at Dwayne with contempt on his face but inside he was scared.
"So that's the whole story, kid," Winston said, staring at Ray. "All this is because of me, and I'm sorry for it." His eyes watered as he stared at his friend. He looked at the small bone that was sticking out of Ray's leg and cringed. "God, Ray!" Winston said. "Please be all right."
Winston held his head in his hands. Ray groaned a little. "Ray?" Winston asked.
Ray's eyes flickered open slowly. He flinched in pain.
"Ray, it's okay, pal. I'm here - you're going to be all right. Try not to move too much," Winston said tearfully.
Ray's eyes watered as he drifted in and out.
"Oh God," Winston muttered, wishing there were something he could do for his friend. "Not again! I can't go through this again." Winston lowered his head and said a prayer for his friend. Suddenly, the ghost reappeared. "Please..." Winston said, with tears in his eyes. "I know you think I did this, but please - help him. He's innocent of this. Please don't let him die."
"Can't-" she said. "I can't."
"You have to. Ray needs help," Winston said.
"Nothing I can do now," she snapped angrily. "Nothing!"
"Then get someone who can help," Winston said. "Can't you see how badly he's hurt?"
She nodded. "Yes, I see. But what can I do? I'm a ghost, not flesh and blood."
"Our friends - The Ghostbusters - find them."
She nodded and disappeared.
Ray groaned again and tried to move his left leg but whimpered in pain instead.
"No, Ray. Don't move your leg," Winston said, realizing that he had to immobilize it somehow. Winston looked around and saw some pieces of sticks on the hut's ground. He picked up two pieces that were about the same size, tore off his shirt, and ripped it. Then he tied the sticks in place tightly around the leg to help keep it immobilized. He noticed that Ray was sweating. He felt Ray's forehead again and he knew that Ray had a high fever.
"Oh God," Winston said. "We really do need a miracle."
Dwayne and his buddies suddenly walked in. "Well, well, well. I see that you're awake, Zee and poor Chubby here isn't. Boys, take him out and bury him."
TBC