Hey guys! Sorry the last chapter was kinda boring…
I really needed a filler until I can catch my stride.
Anyway I have some exciting ideas coming up probably after this chapter, so hope you enjoy!
"Carpy, stay down," Jackson whispered. Then he turned to Harper. He saw the anger behind her eyes and said, "Let's go."
Harper followed him around a corner to a particularly high hill of rubble. Harper's trained eyes told her that tower was maybe 450-460 yards away at least. She ducked down next to the tall marksmen and began fixing her scope. Jackson was mumbling as he worked on his.
"2 clicks. Left wind."
Harper glanced back at Caparzo who looked like he was trying to get up.
"Damn it. He's gonna get himself shot," said Harper, drawing Jackson's attention.
"Those sniper's aren't gonna live long enough to shoot him," said Jackson balancing his rifle on a pile of bricks.
As Harper did the same, she heard Wade yelling at Caparzo not to move, and then asking the Captain how he was. As Miller told him to stay put, another shot rang out. Harper stared wide eyed at Jackson who looked back at her innocently. They looked around just in time to see the little girl running across the square toward Harper and Jackson. Harper knew she would give away their position, so she whispered to Jackson, "Move." She elbowed him in the ribs, but he didn't have to move far.
As the child ran by Caparzo he grabbed her leg, and with what strength he had left, he turned over blocking the view of the sniper. Everything was quiet except for the screaming child, but luckily Caparzo had a good hold on her.
Jackson and Harper turned and carefully aimed up at the bell tower. They could see both men clearly. They were both concentrated on Caparzo; waiting for the girl to show herself. The fact that the Germans would even consider shooting at an unarmed 4 year old just fueled Harper's anger.
"Betcha I can shoot mine before you can shoot yours," said Jackson jokingly.
Harper was in no mood for jokes.
"Betcha I don't care," she hissed.
Jackson looked over his rifle at her. She could sense his hurt feelings and said, "I'm sorry. Can we just get this done?"
Jackson's feelings weren't hurt. He was just curious about this girl. She was not like any girl he had ever met before. She was a soldier, but she was also 19. He had to remember that whenever he looked at her.
He looked back through his scope and started mumbling the Lord's Prayer. He lined up the first man's head in his cross hairs and put his finger on the trigger, but waited until Harper had her man lined up. When she did, he didn't even have to look up to somehow know when she was going to pull the trigger. They pulled the trigger simultaneously, and both rifles cracked making the sound extra loud in their ears. Both Germans fell, one tumbling out of the small bell tower and hitting the ground with a sickening crunch.
"We
got em!" yelled Mellish excitedly.
Harper turned and signaled
to Miller that both German's were dead. Miller turned to Wade but
he was already at Caparzo's side. He rolled the private over
letting the little girl scurry out from under him and run to Harper.
She picked the child up and walked to Caparzo. He was still alive,
but not for long. Harper knelt as Wade worked against the clock
trying to stop the bleeding. Caparzo reached into his chest pocket
and pulled out a bloody paper. He shoved it toward Mellish saying,
"Fish its go blood on it… copy it and send it to my dad? Please?"
"Yeah, I got yah Carpy," said Mellish, desperately trying to keep the tears at bay.
Caparzo smiled and then glanced at Harper and Amrita.
"Thank you, Carpy," said Harper squeezing his hand.
"No problem," said Caparzo as he sighed and closed his eyes as the morphine overdose took effect.
Wade sat back on his heels, silent tears dripping down his cheeks. He was not used to loosing one of his squad. So far he had been able to save most everyone. He pulled a green army blanket up over Caparzo and stood. The squad looked down at the ugly army blanket, silently wishing it was them under there rather than Caparzo. Even Amrita was quiet in Harper's arms. Without warning Miller said, "Lets move out."
One by one they trailed away until only Harper and Reiben were left.
"Fuck Ryan," Reiben hissed coldly.
Harper nodded slowly, finding it funny that that was the only thing they agreed on.
"Lewis, Reiben. Move it," said Miller turning and waiting for them. As soon as they turned, Miller said, "and Lewis, give that kid back."
"I cant sir," said Harper glancing down at Amrita.
Everyone turned and stared at her. Miller was openly amused.
"And why not private?" he asked.
"She's an orphan, sir. Her mother was sick." Harper glanced at Wade for help.
"Its true sir," said the medic stepping forward. "the kid has no one."
"But me," added Harper glancing at Miller sheepishly.
"You promised her mother you would take care of her didn't you?" asked Jackson smiling.
Harper returned the smile.
"Fine," sighed Miller. "But she's your responsibility, and we are going to give her to the first base we come across."
"Yes sir," said Harper. She was almost glowing.
"Well that's fucking great," said Reiben shoving past Harper.
"Something you wanted to say, Reiben?" Harper asked, her good mood suddenly turning cloudy. "Hey dumb ass!" she yelled putting Amrita down.
Reiben rounded on her and said, "You just keep finding ways to make this mission more difficult, don't you?"
"She needs me, Reiben," Harper said in a patronizing tone.
"You aren't going to help her! If anything you are only going to get her killed faster!" Reiben shouted advancing on Harper.
"Back up Reiben," Harper hissed when his face was only inches away from hers. "We wouldn't want you to end up like the soldier on the beach, now would we?"
Everything seemed to stop as both soldiers stared at each other. Upham nervously shuffled his feet and Amrita gently tugged on Harper's hand, but nothing could distract either set of eyes away from the other. Nothing until Miller yelled, "Now both of you listen."
He came over and grabbed a fistful of their vests in each hand. He shook them until both had their eyes on him.
"We don't have time for any of your crap! We just lost one of our guys, and all you two can to is argue! Shut your mouths and MOVE OUT!"
Miller let go of both of them and turned back to Hill and the rest of his squad. "Let's go!" he snapped.
"Wow you really pissed him off," Hill commented to Harper as she and Amrita passed.
"She pissed a lot of people off," said Reiben to Hill.
Harper heard him and bent her arm around to scratch her back and as she did so her middle finger came up. She looked over her shoulder and shot a smirk Reiben's way.
"She's a little feisty," said Hill.
"You have no idea," growled Reiben.
Ok guys… the next chapter is going to start in the church. I am going to bypass meeting the wrong private Ryan b/c there is really nothing to gain from it. But anyway I think its going to get interesting in the next chapter so I hope you are ready! Haha
Thanks again for reading and reviewing!
