Disclaimer: I don't own B.O.B
Walking back to my bunk I remember that I forgot to bring a t-shirt to wear under my uniform. When I arrive I walk over to my foot locker and take out a T-shirt. I look around the room to see if everyone's asleep then quickly strip my top off. As I'm about to put on my t-shirt I hear someone say "Oh my god Ash, how did you get that!" I quickly cover my breasts with my T-shirt. As I turn around, I see that George, Jo, Bill are wide awake staring at me, mouths gaping open.
"Um...",I stutter not knowing what to say. What they're asking about is the scars on my back. They're big and ugly.
"How-what happened," asks George.
"Well it's a long story," I say letting out a nervous laugh. I slip my t- shirt on and sit on my cot, they're eyes following my every move.
"Well I was out walking with my sister and well we saw a black girl getting hit repeatedly with a whip. Of course we just moved from Salem, Massachusetts. I couldn't stand it, I knew I had to do something. People were gathered around her shouting rude things. So I grabbed the officer by the arm and shouted "Stop it! Your going to kill her!" Every one looked at me in shock, looking at me like I was crazy. Then the officers said "Well why don't you take her place." And I said "Gladly." The girl she looked at me like I was crazy but then she smiled, I smiled back. Then the officer shoved her in the direction of my sister and Madeleine was shaking. I took my place at the whip thinking this was it. It's all over. The officer rip off my coat and, unzipped my dress and I heard it drop to the floor. I was about 10 at the time. I could feel the wind of the whip and I felt extricating pain and I let out a loud yell. Every time he hit me I would yell and it would get louder and louder. I could hear the whip against my skin. I thought I was gonna die. My sister told me that I took about 20 hits. Then she told me she couldn't take it any more and she put herself in front of the whip and she told me the butt of the whip hit her cheek bone. She told me the officer pointed a gun at her and I heard her say "Go ahead." Then I heard a shouting in the distant. As the Shouting got louder I recognized the voice. It was my older brother I heard him say "that's enough," before I blacked out. That's the story of my scars"
"That's so fuckin touching," says George with a few tears running down his cheeks.
"Yeah that was very brave of you. But at ten years old? That's even braver!" says Jo.
Bill doesn't says anything he just stare sat me in shock.
Walking into the canteen a few days later, I notice Winters in the kitchen. Waiting in line with Jo I couldn't help but look at the Lieutenant, as my eyes scan over his form, and I notice the brand new Lieutenant bars on his uniform. I guess he got a promotion.
Sliding into my place next to Bill and sigh, training's been really hard these past few days, running through nets, rolling in animal guts.
"You don't want it? I'll have it," says Muck as he tries to lean over Franks shoulder and grasp his food.
"I'm eating here," Frank replies.
"Hey get out of here ya fool," I say saying the word my cousin Rachel always says, feeling sorry for Frank.
Suddenly the door slams open and Sobel bursts in shouting, "Orders changed, get up, lecturers are cancelled, Easy company is running up Currahee! Move, move!"
Jogging out the door with the rest of the men to get my PT gear I faintly hear Sobel shout, "Three miles up, three miles down. Hi-Ho silver!"
"You're a wash out Private Hoobler!" I hear Sobel shout from a few lines in front of me. "You should pack up those ears and go home."
"Looks like Gordon's done. Aren't you Gordon? You finished? You don't deserve to get your wings."
"Private Randleman, you look tired. There's an ambulance waiting for you at the bottom of the hill. It can all be over now! No more pain! No more Curahee...No more Captain Sobel!"
After listening to Sobel's constant abuse of the men I know I just can't take it anymore. I don't no what to do!
Finally he gets to me.
"You think your still good for a Company full of men, Neal," He shouts into my ear causing me to wince. I can feel the anger boiling up in the pit of my stomach.
"That's right don't answer, you know your not good enough I don't know who you slept with to get into this company but you sure as hell won't be staying. Coward," he shouts once again causing me to almost trip on my foot. I can feel the tears well up in my eyes. I blink them away. I can feel the glares the men are sending his way.
"We pull upon the risers..." George starts, distracting Sobel.
"We fall upon the grass
We never lad upon the grass...
""Stop! Stop it," I shout all the sudden. "Everyone just stop every thing!" I say standing still and surprisingly they listen.
"I've had enough of this! You insulting the boys. you should no better Sobel," I say pointing at Sobel. I take a step closer. I look hi in the eye.
"Bastard you no better.. I fuckin swear if you insult any of these men, I fuckin swear on my grandmother's grave, cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye I will beat you up!" By then everyone's staring at me then back at Sobel. Then suddenly I remember the whip.
As I look at Sobel he has a surprized look on his face. "Never speak to me like that again!"
All of the sudden he slaps me across the face. the edges of my vision goes black but after a few seconds I regain my sight. I punch him square in the jaw. then he comes back and to slap me again but I grab his hand and flip him over. "Is this not good enough, Sir!"
I get on top of him and start beating him up. Suddenly someone comes from behind me and lifts me off him.
"Let me at him, let me at him!" I shout.
"Sorry Ashley but I think that's enough," Jo says.
"I'm going to let Colonel Stink know about this!" Sobel says running down Curahee.
"What the hell happened," says Winters the men walking away.
"Ashley here attacked Sobel after he insulted us and her," Jo answer.
"I-I this- I don't know what to say," stutters the Lieutenant.
"I couldn't stand there and let him do that! I've had enough of him!" I shout. I feel a hand on my shoulder. By now everyone's gone, but the Lieutenant.
"It's okay calm down. I like what you did. It was brave."
At that moment I can't take it anymore, the tears just come pouring down like a waterfall. Winters pulls me into him and I cry on his chest while he rubs my back. When I think I'm finished I decide to get up. Winters looks at me with a smile but then it fades away as he looks at the side of my face.
"Ashlynn what's wrong with your face," asks Winters with concern in his voice.
"What," I say.
"It's swollen on the left side."
"Oh ah lets just say Sobel slapped me."
"He what!" Winters shouts, with anger in his voice.
"Let's just head back to the barracks," I say.
"Okay."
A/N: Wow. She did it once again. Well thankyou to everyone who's reviewed so far it's really appreciated! So don't be afraid to leave a comment below. Remember that your reviews help support me!
Toodles!