Chapter Nine- Coming as a Hero, Not the Enemy
Someone angrily punched Danny in the face. Danny's limp body fell on top of the hood, rolled off it.
"I should help him." Rafe whispered. "Danny's a good fighter, he should be fine."
The man who was hurting Danny, grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against a wall. Blood ran down Danny's face. The man lifted Danny in the air by the collar. He wrapped his arms around Danny's scrawny neck. And squeezed. Danny's eyes closed, trying to avoid the pain.
Rafe tried to think of a good moment to come to his friend's aid. Once he heard Danny gasping for air, he charged at the man. Danny's eyes widen as Rafe ran up. Rafe grabbed the man off his friend, and threw him on the hood. Now some light hit the man's angry face.
And Rafe found out it was General Lee Walker. He knew he was in trouble. Danny fell to the ground.
"You know McCawley, I could have you kicked out of the Navy for that." Lee said.
"Yes sir. But I could lose something far more important, my friend's trust." Rafe said looking at Danny.
They exchanged eye contact. The blood ran down from Danny's nose. He looked both scared and confused. Lee daringly grabbed Danny's neck again. This time he squeezed harder.
"You like that McCawley, seeing your friend choke?" the general taunted.
Danny struggled for air. The man was crushing his air way, he could barely breathe. He tried to kick, but he couldn't.
"Please leave him alone. He's a really good kid, and a good pilot. He's huge asset to the navy." Rafe pleaded.
"You think I would know something about my own nephew." Lee hissed.
Rafe looked at Danny stunned. "Is it true?"
Danny nodded. The grip on his neck tighten. Finally he just passed out. Rafe looked at his friend, then at the general. Lee smirked, as he dropped Danny. Danny's limp body slid down to the ground.
Rafe took a swing across Lee's face. Besides cracking his jaw, Rafe knocked him unconscious. He crouched down besides Danny. Danny's brown eyes opened.
"Rafe....I'm.....sorry." he said between breaths.
"No, Danny, I shouldn't have said all those terrible things."