100% by your side Dawsy-forever
A shocked hush fell over the village with the only movement coming from the swirling sand. 'Qaseem, ask them what they want' Cpt James commanded. Qaseem called out the question to Molly's captor. The answer came back with spitting venom. 'He said women have no place in a man's world and she put ideas into the young girls heads about going to school, so she has to be punished then the British and Americans will see that they shouldn't interfere in Taliban business'. 'Oh God no' James's head dropped into his hands. 2 Platoon were in shock. Their faces mirroring the anguish in Captain James voice. Abdul and Qaseem spoke between themselves. James steeled himself. 'I'm 100% here for you Dawesy' he shouted
'Qaseem tell them that as a decorated Captain in the British Army I am more valuable than a women medic, and they can have me as a hostage in exchange for the woman'. All eyes were now on Captain James. The respect tempered with fear and confusion was plain to see on everyone's face – even to an outsider like Abdul. 'Sir?' Kinders looked at Cpt James. 'Don't see we have a choice Kinders. No way will I risk Molly's life. Qaseem do it now' he was emphatic in his command. 'Captain James, please allow me to try and negotiate with them before you do that' Abdul said. James's face was contorted with pain. 'Two minutes Abdul then I'm going out there'
Abdul – shouted out speaking rapidly. Qaseem translated to the others. 'He's saying that if the Taliban agree to release the woman he will persuade the Captain who's with them to allow safe passage out of here and they will not follow them, call for back-up or attack their village' Everyone waited for the response. The insurgent reached forward and grabbed Molly round the neck, pulling her backwards into his shoulder. ' Careful mate yer nearly broke me neck' James and the others heard her shout. 'Shut up' he screamed at her in English, 'shut up he tightened his grip and Molly cried out gasping for breath. It was all too much for James and he stepped out from behind the wall with his hands in the air. 'Qaseem tell them what I told you say earlier' Qaseem followed him coming out from behind the wall, stood beside him and repeated James's command. The insurgent twisted Molly's head so she was looking straight at her beloved Boss Man. The pain in his dark brown eyes bounced into her's. She gasped with pain as the insurgent grabbed her hair and wrenched her head back again. The insurgent laughed and spoke to Qaseem. 'He says why would an Army Captain offer himself as a hostage to save a woman. Women are only good for child bearing, cleaning and cooking'. Movement behind them, made James and Qaseem turn round. 2 Platoon and Abdul came from behind the wall and lined up beside them.
'Tell him where we come from women are treated with respect and remind him that Dawes saved one of his men after the attack on the bunker. To her he was a soldier that needed help not the enemy', James said. Seeing 2 Platoon, James, Qaseem and Abdul lined up in front of him, weapons in hand, spooked the insurgent and he started shouting and dragged Molly backwards by her neck, her feet dragging along in the sand, causing her to scream with pain as she tried to drag his hands from her neck. He fired the pistol in the air as a warning to them not to move. 'Don't anyone move' James screamed out 'stand still'. Shouting came from behind the insurgent taking him by surprise and he loosened his grip on Molly. James leapt forward but before he could reach her shots rang out. The insurgent and Molly dropped to the ground.
James crawled towards them. 2 Platoon, Qaseem and Abdul dropped to their bellies. Kinders screamed 'eyes to the right sniper'. They looked through their sights but couldn't see anyone. 'Where Sir' shouted Fingers. Another volley cut across the sands behind them. James lay face down. 'Take cover, take cover' shouted Kinders. They moved rapidly backwards heading for the shelter of the wall. Qaseem crawled towards James and the motionless bodies of the insurgent and Molly. James raised his head. Qaseem nodded at him and they both crawled forward once more. 'Please please God let my Molly be alive' tears fell down his cheeks. They finally reached them. The insurgent was still alive but bleeding heavily from his side and left leg, pistol still in hand, body pinning Molly down. Dark red liquid was running along the ground from under the insurgent. James was in sheer terror. Could the blood be from Molly. The insurgent raised the pistol towards Molly's temple, finger on the trigger. A shadow blotted out the sun, Abdul stood over the insurgent and pumped a single shot into his head. James leapt forward in seconds and pushed the pistol into the air fearing the shot to his head would cause the insurgent to involuntarily pull the trigger. It did.
He pushed the insurgent off Molly and cradled her head in his arms. 'Molly, Molly,' he rocked back and forth calling her name. Shots rang out again but he was oblivious to everything except his precious Molly. Qaseem pushed him to the ground and covered them both with his body. Abdul dropped to the ground as bullets ripped through him. A loud bang silenced everything as grenades thrown by 2 Platoon hit the area the shots were coming from. Kinders called out everyone's name. 'Here Sir' they each called out in turn. No casualties. 'Go round the back of the wall and check out the area where the shots were coming from' ordered Kinders. 'Corporal' they shouted. Kinders crawled out from behind the wall weapon at the ready.
He saw the body of Abdul lying in the sand. Qaseem moved from shielding Cpt James and Molly. 'I'm ok' Qaseem shouted to Kinders. James was lying beside Molly stroking her face. 'Molly I love you so much, and I'm gonna need to spend the rest of my life with you so don't you dare leave me.' he said as he gently kissed her on the lips. Molly groaned and opened her eyes. 'I'm gonna be 100% at your side forever Boss Man. Yer don't get rid o' me that easily' she lifted her hand and stroked his cheek. His face broke into a beaming smile as the tears rolled down his cheeks and onto her face. Qaseem felt tears falling as he remembered his wife and daughter. Kinders was lying on his belly watching them in disbelief. The Captain and Molly. It was clear they were very 'loved up'
To be continued!