"Welcome home, Marco. Been a long time huh?" Janna said as the young man pulled out a duffle bag from the trunk of the taxi car. He wore a jacket, even if it was hotter then hell right now with a hat coving his face.
"Thanks, kind of surprised to see you here?" He went over to the driver and paid. Marco walked up to the Filipino with a limp.
She closed the distance and pulled him in a hug, "You really shouldn't be, you need some help with that?" Janna felt his free hand reach over to the small of her back.
"I'm good, let's get a taco." The two adults walked over to the shack.
"Why don't you have a seat? I already put in an order and it should be done by now." Janna moved to his side as she guided him to a table.
"Thanks…" It felt weird for him to be back in Mewni Creak. Marco hasn't been home in eight years, he left after turning nineteen.
The town still smelled the same it used to. He scanned the area making sure everything was safe. He knew there was nothing to worry about, but some habits are hard to kick.
…
"Wow… he's really back?" Oscar said to Janna as he offered her the tray with their meal.
"Yup, not even his parents know he's back." She turned on her heels and went over to the table the male in question was sitting at. He looked uncomfortable as he pulled on his jacket to cover his right hand.
"Relax big guy, there isn't any haji's around here." She laughed at her own joke as Marco let out a sigh.
The last few years haven't been the best for him, "Is it that noticeable?" He reached out for a taco and takes a bite.
"Just a little, it's funny. As much as you have changed, I can see the old Marco in there still." He didn't know if that was a good or bad thing yet.
"Lot has changed around here." He wanted to change the subject.
Janna rolled her eyes, "Yeah, any reason why you didn't tell anyone else you're coming home?" She had a good idea why, but had to hear it from him.
Marco shrugged his shoulders, "I didn't want a big welcome home party from my parents." He had tried to stay in contact with them as much as possible, but it was hard seeing how his former life profession got in the way.
"Sooooo where you planning to stay at? Assuming you're not going home after this." Janna couldn't pull her eyes away from his right hand that was covered in scars.
He could feel her eyes looking over him as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "I put in a deposit on an apartment not far from here". Marco moved his hand under the table and lowered his head.
"Hey… I'm sorry about that." Janna was a little ashamed about staring at him.
"It's okay." He was used to people giving him odd looks and it was the reason he wasn't ready to go home yet.
They sat in silence eating their meal, Marco knew it was a bad idea to come back home. As his mind started to regret the decision, the sound of a car backfiring rattled him…
…
"Alright guys, we go in and take the target alive. Intel says the town just has a civilian population, but I'm not holding my breath. Make sure you're all top off on ammo and ready for anything that might come for us." Marco was briefing his team on the night raid mission.
SGT Jackson points a stick over at the sand table on the ground, "Sir, what's the number of folks in the house?"
"CO said there should be five plus the target. While they believe everyone else is a civilian, I'm not buying it. SFC James, we need to stay sharp and do this clean. Last thing we need is the mission getting messy." Marco looked over to his long time friend.
"Ay Sir, you heard the Lieutenant. We SP in five with second platoon providing overwatch. Mount up!" The squad went over to their vehicles that were waiting from them.
"Psssssss Jonesy, I got a bad feeling about this one…" SGT Jones racked his .50 cal MG to make sure it was lubed and ready to sing if need be.
"Same here, but LT will make sure we come back in one piece like always. And stop calling me Jonesy, PFC Smith." The gunner kicked the back of his driver's helmet.
"Ouch Srage, don't need to be a dick about it. Jeez man, that hurts!" The two Soldiers augured back and forth.
…
"Marco, this mission stinks to all fuck. You sure we got all the info?" SFC James asked his platoon leader.
"S3 is doing the best job they can with our resources, but we should be ready for anything that comes our way. This reminds me of that time we were in Kandahar." The two men shared a laugh.
"That was a long time ago and we were the same rank then, I can't believe you betrayed the NCO Corps and went Officer." James has been riding Marco's ass for a long time over his career decisions.
"Yeah, yeah, but the pay not so bad and I get to boss you around now!" They laughed even more before heading over to their respected vehicles. The convo was made up of three MRAPs with Marco in the lead truck and the James in the rear.
Marco opened his door and chambered a round into his M4, "Alright men, lets head out."
…
Janna watched as Marco's body stiffened up, "You okay?" She could tell something was wrong as he seemed snapped back into reality.
"Yeah… Sorry to cut this short, but I should head out." Without another word said, he pulled out a few bills and left them on the table. He stands up and grabs his duffle bag ready to leave.
"But you barely eat anything!" Janna yelled at his back while Marco walked away.
"I'll catch you around and remember, don't tell anyone I'm back." It was nice to see a familiar face, but Marco just wanted to be alone for the time being.
"Yeah… sure…" The Filipino just sat there dumbfounded by how short their meeting was.
…
"Here you go sir, it's not much, but it's four walls and a roof." The landlord opens the door to Marco's new home.
"Thanks, it'll due for now." Marco grabbed the keys that were offered to him and shuts the door. Before venturing any further into the apartment, he placed his duffle bag on the ground and opened it. First item on top was his Sig P320 9mm, Marco grabbed the weapon and cleared his new home.
He was a little sloppy seeing how he was getting accustomed to his new body, but the place was deemed safe in no time. The apartment was already furnished with the bare essentials. Twin size bed where he would be sleeping, a decent size tv in the living room with a couch, and the kitchen had what he needed to cook a meal.
Marco grabbed his bag and placed it in the bedroom as he removed his jacket. He then sat on the bed that squealed out loud, "I guess I've slept on worse?"
The day had been long and tiring on him, so he deiced a shower would make him feel fresh and ready to unpack. His white shirt was pulled off as he groned raising his right arm into the air. Then his black boots were kicked off as the pants followed shortly. Marco sat on the bed looking at the prosthetic limb that ended halfway down his right thigh.
His shacky hands removed the limb and stand it up next to the nightstand, Marco hops over to the bathroom and stares at his own reflection. He couldn't recognize himself as he saw the many scars covering the right side of his body, "What the hell did the do to you, buddy?" He asked himself.
Marco ran his left hand over the serval deep scars that were on his face. It was a wonder how he was able to keep his eye. Then he extends his right arm in front of him, it was a mess, but still workable. He was able to keep the mussel mass he had before the incident, but it was harder than ever to stay in shape now.
Last were the scars over his chest that went all the way down to his stomp…
…
"Reaper 12, this is Blackjack Mian, over?" Marco and his squad were on their way back to base, the target was ambushed and came in with the little fight, for the most part. He received the radio transition from his earpiece.
"This is Reaper 12, send it." The LT kept on scanning their surroundings while responding to the call, the mission wasn't over until they rolled through the entrance control point.
"Roger, aerial support is reporting a roadblock ahead of you. They're heading back to base for refuel and want you to be aware, out." That wasn't good.
"Ahhhh fuck me, man! I just knew it, I fucking knew this was too damn easy!" Marco's driver said as everyone on the convoy received the transition.
"SGT, mind taking care of that?" The LT pulled out binoculars to see up ahead. It was clear to see a car with it's hood open and smoke coming out of the engine bay. He didn't like this, not one bit.
"On it, sir!" SGT Jones kicked Smith in the helmet again.
"Will you stop doing that! You're going to give me a damn concussion one of these days!" Everyone in the MARP laughed as the roadblock came closer into view.
"All channels on this net, stay alert. Be ready for anything that might come our way, out." Marco had to keep him men clam and ready for battle.
"Relax Smith, the base is just a few klicks-" Before Marco could finish his sentence, serval men popped up from the ditch alongside the road they traveled on. He watched as three rocket-propelled grenades were fired upon his vehicle.
The insurgents were trying to knock out the lead truck and stop the convo, there was nothing the LT could do as he reached over to his gunner and pulled him into the truck. He readies himself for the impact as the truck was sent over on it's side and rolled two times.
…
Marco was dring himself off after the shower when he heard a knock at the door, "Who the hell could that be?" He said to himself having a skinking feeling at the bottom of his stomach.
"Who is it?" The male yelled out across the apartment as he wrapped the towel around his waist.
"It's your next door neighbor… I got you a pie and wanted to say hello." The woman on the other side of the door said with a warm tone.
"The hell? People still do that now in days?" Clearly, he was confused.
Marco coughed out loud, "Ummmmm could we meet later, I'm a little busy right now." He still hasn't stepped foot outside the bathroom.
"Oh yeah… sorry for bothering you, but I wanted to make you feel welcome… maybe later?" The woman sounded like she was let down, but hopeful that she will be able to say hi in person.
He was starting to feel like a dick, here was stranger trying to be nice and friendly with him. Someone that had taken time out their day to make or buy him a pie and he was being a massive dick. Marco tightens his jaw, "Give me a second."
The male started to hop over to the front door forgetting his appearance for a moment. Once the door was open, the female looked familiar. Marco looked down at the woman, seeing how he was over six feet tall. Everything was silent for a moment as the two adults stared at each other in shock.
"Ma… Marco? Is that you?" She couldn't believe what she was seeing, it had to be a mistake. The fake blonde takes a step closer to get a better look at him, but there it was. His long time trademark beauty mark on his face. While it looked like it was almost torn off, there was no denying, this was Marco Diaz.
The male leaned his head to the side not believing it was really, "Jackie Lynn Tomas…?" He thought to himself.
Things were awkward, to say the least, last time she had seen him was when Marco was shorter and went off to basic combat training. The male was still holding onto the doorknob as his grip tightened and his heart started to beat faster. Though it wasn't for the same reasons as in the past, it was more out of fear of someone seeing him in such a way.
Marco wasn't ashamed of his new body, he just hated the questions that people would ask about what caused such damage, "I'm sorry, but you got the wrong person." He slowly closed the door, before it shut all the way.
It was stopped, "Is it really you, Marco? It's been years the last time I've seen you." Jackie could only guess his new appearance was due to the war. Her uncle was a Vietnam veteran that lost his arm in the war, she knew not to ask questions that dealt with time overseas.
"..." He didn't know what to say and the door was opened again.
She gave him a warm smile with tears in her eyes, "Someone looks like they've been working out... a lot." It was a true compliment as she started to giggle.
The young man smiled and started to laugh himself, it had been such a long time since he's done that, "Just a little… want to come in?" He asked making way for her to come in.
Jackie had taken up the offer and placed the pie on the kitchen counter as she wiped away a tear at the corner of her eye. Marco shut the door and looked over to her, "If you don't mind… I need to put myself back together." He chuckled a little more and hoped to his room.
"I'll be here." Jackie was able to see a tattoo on his left shoulder, it was the Army Airborne wings with a black and yellow Ranger tab over it.
…
"ROLLOVER, ROLLOVER, ROLLOV-!" One of the Soldiers yelled before his door was torn off the hinges and his body followed. The cabin was instantly filled with fire and shrapnel as the truck made it's way down the other side of the ditch.
"FUUUUUUUUUUCK!?" While the truck was going end over end, Marco's door was opened and slammed shut instantly. He lost his grip holding onto SGT Jones's leg as his body was thrown around like a ragdoll. The last thing he saw, was PFC Smith's front ballistic window blown out with blood everywhere.
The sound of gunfire could be heard before he passed out.
...
"LIGHT THOSE MOTHER FUCKERS UP!" SFC James yelled into his radio as the remaining vehicles to the convo provided cover on Marco's downed truck.
The roaring sounds of the M2 Browning machine guns were defining to anyone not wearing ear protection. Another RPG went off and slammed into the back of James' truck, he was the first one to dismount and had ended the enemy's life that fired the rocket.
"FUCK YOU!" He shouted at the down combatant, other Soldiers were on the ground now taking slaying anything that fired upon them.
SFC James had a clear view of Marco's truck now, it was ablaze laying back on it's blown out wheels. He found the upper half of SGT Jones's body next to his truck, "MEDIC!?"
The firefight ended just as fast as it started, everyone was still on high alert as they secured the area. "Aww shit, Sergent! He's fucking gone!" SPC Holt said, everyone that could see the mangled remains of Jones, knew he didn't have a chance.
"Damn it! You guys stay up here and throw down some fire extinguishers, you two follow me!" SFC James issued out the orders as his medic and rifleman approached Marco's truck.
The men found two more dead Soldier that was ejected from the truck, they put out the flames over Marco's door. It was a mangled mess, but by some miracle, they got it open. "Oh fuck man, don't die on me!" SFC James found the LT slumped over with one of the seatbelt straps holding him in place.
…
"That wasn't weird…" Marco muttered to himself as he attached his right leg and put on an old pair of Ranger panties and a brown shirt. His long hair was damp still and he thought about cutting it as he walked out into the living room.
Jackie had a plate with pie on it waiting for him, "Why don't you dig in? It's not homemade, but it's still pretty good!"
Marco grabbed the fork and cut a piece out, "Thanks, how did you know someone moved into this place?" That question has been bothering him every since he heard the knock at the door.
The fake blonde walked over to his tv turned it on to cover over the silence in the room, Marco was able to check out her butt from the short trip, "The owner of the building comes into my shop a lot and keeps me updated on who's moving in or out."
He hummed out loud over the flavor of the pie, "Hmmmmmm damn, that's really good. I've been eating crap over at Walter Reed hospital for months!"
She started to giggle and was happy to see him in a better mood now, "Best pie in town. It's really good to see you again, Diaz."
Marco gave her a smile, "Yeah, right back at ya. Janna welcomed me back into town before I came over here. You and her are the only ones that know I'm back. If possible, I would like to keep it like that a little longer."
Jackie made her way back to Marco and placed a hand on his right arm, his whole body froze, "Your secret is safe with me, I was wondering what Janna meant when she said she had a hot date today." The fake blonde ran her hand up to his shoulder.
The hair on the back of the male's neck was standing up, he was clearly uncomfortable for me to contact, "Thanks…" His left hand pulled hers away slowly.
She had a hurt look on her pretty face, but didn't take it too hard, "Sooooo you got any plans while you're home? A lot has changed after you left." Things were finally getting to normal in Mewni Creak before he left.
...
"I GOT HIM! GO CHECK ON THE DRIVER!" The other Soldiers moved out and got to work on the driver's side.
Marco felt his body being cut away from the truck and then placed on the ground. He opened his left eye to see the night sky above him, the sound of people yelling and the ringing in his ears were killing him, "SERGEANT!? THE DOOR WON'T OPEN!?" Just then, the engine blew up pouring liquid fire all over the area as yelling from the last member in the truck could be heard.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!? GET ME OUTTTTTT!? IT FUCKING BURNNNNNNNS!? HELP ME!? AHHHHHHHHHHH!?" PFC Smith regains consciousness finding himself, literally in hell. The other Soldiers from the squad tried to put out the fire and open his door, but there was nothing they could do with all the damage done to the truck.
The medic was already working on Marco to stop the bleed, "St...stop… get-get Smith out!" He was trying to stop the aid being provided to him.
SFC James came into view, "MARCO, BUDDY!? WE… WE… CAN'T!? I'M SORRY MAN, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO!?" He was working with the other Soldiers to open the door before coming over to Marco's side. His gloves we scorched and the smell of burning flesh filled the LT's nose.
Marco was able to see the wreck as his whole truck was covered in fire, he could now see Smith between the flames. The young Soldier's flesh was melting off his body as he screamed and tied to put out the fire, "MOOOOOMMMMMY! MOOOOMMMMMY! IT HURTS! IT HUR- MAKEIT, MAKEIT… STO… AHHHHHH-!"
Soldiers were doing anything they could to try and get their friend out, it was useless… he was gone. Marco past out again and will never forget that blood curdling scream.
"I'M LOSING HIM, SOMEONE GET A NINE LINE SENT UP!?" The medic shouted as he started to resuscitate his LT. SFC James was already sending up the report to high up to get a medevac bird on the ground.
…
"I haven't made any plans yet, to be honest, I have no idea what I'm doing here…" Marco felt like his life had no meaning in it anymore, now that he was no longer a Soldier.
Jackie didn't like how that sounded as she pulled out her cell phone, the male arched an eyebrow, "What are you doing?"
"Well, I doubt you have anything in the fridge so I'm ordering a pizza for us." She had no plans on leaving him alone right now. She had a bad feeling something would happen if he didn't have someone with him.
"Hey, you really don't have to do that. I got everything under control here." Marco was lying, he puts up a good front that everything was okay, but anyone that knew him. They could see right through his facade.
She had to come up with something to stay with him, "Well… how about this. I'm getting over a bad break up and… I really don't want to be alone right now." While not a total lie, she did just brake up with a long time girlfriend, but she was well over it by now.
Marco had nothing to say to try and get out of this situation, maybe being around company would be nice, "Uh… okay."
Reaper- Just wrote this up today because why not?