WARNING: Bloody and graphic depictions of war, injuries, death, and bullet wounds.
Chapter Twenty-Three: Hill 122
June 11-30 (D+5 to D+24)
She should apologize; Richard did not deserve Suzie snapping at him. She knew she could have died in the middle of France if not for Richard swooping in like a guardian angel and pulling her cowardly ass from the battle.
She wanted to apologize, but the fighting ramped up in June, leaving little time for rest, let alone a serious conversation. The 90th Infantry Division stormed its way across France, taking out Nazi strongholds and pushing the frontlines further and further inland. It took three whole days of fighting to capture the town of Pont I'Abbe, and they suffered heavy casualties. Every ounce of energy went into the mission; an outlandish and rather stupid mission considering the lack of experience the 90th had.
Colonel Thompson got shot by several machine gun slugs in the abdomen, sending the 358th into a frenzy. Days went by and many assumed he would not make it. He survived and the brass sent him home, much to both the dismay and relief of the 358th.
Colonel Partridge replaced Thompson on June 13th and picked up the slack. With Pont I'Abbe under Allied control, the 358th moved on to Gourbesville and then to the next town.
A murky swamp blocked their path just past Gourbesville. Water squelched between their toes with each step, making the process slow and time-consuming. Laden with heavy equipment, several drowned while wading through the thick mud.
Suzie would have drowned. Too focused on outside interference to watch her path, Suzie stepped into a deep hole in the swamp. Her heavy backpack drew her head under the water and darkness swallowed her into its muddy jaw. Panic took hold and she thrashed in the water until Richard dragged her out and into a shallower part of the mud. Richard lost his pistol, and Suzie her binoculars, in the process, but a breathy "thanks" and a quick pat on the back were all the acknowledgment they gave each other.
She should apologize; Richard's lack of conversation unnerved her.
Bypassing the swamp meant cutting through the towns of Le Calais and Reuville, both of which were under the watchful eye of the Nazis. The advancement resulted in more Allied deaths, but the 358th succeeded.
They earned a brief spite of rest while holding a defensive position so the other units of the 90th could advance. Now south of the Douve River, the 358th awaited further orders and held the frontlines from collapsing against the might of the Nazi forces.
Alice and the other nurses rejoined the 358th and attended to the injured. She gave Suzie a brief hug and a once-over to make sure neither Richard nor Suzie had any injuries before hurrying on to the injured and dying.
The dead were either loaded into Jeeps and hauled away or, if too grisly or unidentifiable, buried on location. Many soldiers died from mortars or shrapnel, making the task of digging mass graves became a detested and gruesome chore. The first time she helped bury the dead, Suzie threw up and almost passed out after seeing a soldier's head hang limply off his neck, only attached by the visible, broken neck bone. A mortar had blown up nearby him, smashed his face in, and nearly decapitated him.
Other than whispered prayers, nobody talked while burying the dead.
And Richard did not talk, hardly ever, the entire time they slogged across France. After their argument near the Meredet River, Suzie and Richard did not talk aside from a few "stay safe"s and "watch out"s.
Ma always said that Suzie's stubbornness could end in stupid decisions and hurt feelings. Turns out, Ma knew Suzie better than she knew herself.
Suzie had to suck up her pride and apologize for snapping at Richard when he only tried to comfort her. Maybe she should tell him the truth—that she had been lying about her identity and was nothing but a stubborn, idiotic woman in way over her head.
She wanted to go home and never fight again. She wanted to throw her gun into the swamp and run away. She'd swim all the way to America if nobody would sail her home.
She messed up. Someone lied about Hydra to mess with her head, Bucky probably died a long time ago, Steve had been missing for months now, and Becca needed her older sister more than the army needed Suzie. She originally thought she joined the army to find Bucky and seek revenge for Travis's killers. Now, she knew she joined to run away from her problems. Running away did not solve them; it only made it worse.
She abandoned her sister, lied about her identity, killed people, and yelled at her closest friend. She wanted it to end.
The end, though, did not come anytime soon. Nor did her problems go away.
They only got worse.
July 1944
Hill 122 stood as a visible blockade in the way of blazing a divide across Nazi-controlled France. After weeks of fighting throughout the entire month of June, July arrived with many casualties. The 358th were fewer than when they first arrived in Europe. Battleworn, exhausted, and different leaders replacing previous ones in almost all regiments of the 90th, everyone wanted a break.
But Hill 122 would have to come first. The nicknamed "Hill 122" stood as an impenetrable fortress in the Mont Castré Forest. The hill served as the Nazis' "eyes", allowing them an almost unobstructed view of the forest. Not only did the Germans use every hedge, tree, bush, and ravine to their advantage, a heavily fortified bastion sat atop the hill and gave the Germans a deadly wall of defense.
Once again outmatched, the 90th relied on their unceasing guts and perseverance, sheer skill, and most of all, a miracle. Hill 122's reputation greatly preceded it. If the Allies had any hope of breaking through the confines of the forest, smashing through the core of Nazi resistance, and liberating the nearby towns, the hill needed to fall.
Battle-hardened yet weary, the 358th joined the rest of the 90th to execute their plans to capture Hill 122. They hoped to flank the hill from different sides and overtake it.
The enemy's reaction was immediate and violent.
Nazis gunned down Allied soldiers the instant they stepped from cover. In the orchards of the town of Prétot, the 359th engaged in close-quarter combat, even resorting to hand-to-hand combat when necessary. The 358th attempted to capture another nearby town of Saint Jores. Nazi tanks met them with a fierce counterattack, forcing the 358th to briefly retreat. Once the sun went down, Saint Jores finally fell into the hands of the 358th.
The 90th secured other towns within the next few days, tightening the ring around Hill 122. Mortars and artillery swept the frontlines, making it difficult for the 90th to send in more supplies. The Germans kept watch atop the hill and mowed down full groups of soldiers who stepped too close.
Pushing town by town, soldier by soldier, the 90th kept coming, undeterred by the might of the Nazi defenses. Fireworks of exploding mortars and screams of injured soldiers lit up the night sky on the 4th of July. What better way to celebrate America's Independence Day than running headfirst into an unbreakable wall?
Still, the 90th persevered and the ring around Hill kept tightening and tightening. The 90th finally shattered a hole in the defenses on July 5th and seized a small but mighty hold against Hill 122. The Germans, feeling the force of the attack, called in paratroopers who descended from the skies like harbingers of death.
In a vain attempt to disrupt and disorganize the units, the Nazis attempted to drive wedges between the different divisions of the 90th. Attacks, counter-attacks, and counter-counter-attacks ensued. Whole groups perished on both sides of the battle, yet nothing could stop the 90th from completing their mission.
Days of fighting followed one after the other, each side of the battle trying their hardest to win. Ready to attack, the 358th and other regiments of the 90th gathered in the dense forest of Mont Castré. Trees provided cover while also concealing the enemy. Sunlight streamed in through small cracks in the thick foliage, painting the air in golden strips of light. Large boulders and stony ridges roughened the terrain and slowed the advancement.
Still, the forces pushed through, taking out enemy soldiers hiding in the forest. Machine guns from unseen Nazis ripped a bloody hole through the 90th's forces. Against the assault, they charged.
On the brink of breaking out from the forest, Suzie and Richard hunkered down behind a ridge while a volley of grenades and bullets bombarded the nearby trees and soldiers. Vazquez joined them and together, the trio returned fire, exhausted but determined to succeed.
"Those damn machine guns," Vazquez muttered. "It's always the machine guns."
"Richard and I can take them out if you give us cover," Suzie suggested.
Richard nodded and together, he and Suzie charged forward, guns blazing while they ran for the next ridge. Vazquez shot a hidden German soldier who sprang out of the tangled undergrowth like a gun-wielding goblin.
Leaning against the stony ridge, once again stuck fighting against machine guns and grenades, Richard and Suzie carefully aimed their rifles and took out the closest Nazis.
The bullets slowed as the machine gunners fell.
"This is becoming a habit of ours, taking out machine guns, isn't it, Richard?" Suzie said.
No response.
The silence did not surprise her, considering the amount of focus it took to aim and shoot far-away targets while under constant fire. They had yet to talk after their argument, so Suzie did not blame Richard for not joking in the middle of a battle.
Still, something unnerved her. She couldn't feel his presence beside her, watching her back like she does for him.
"I need a better angle for the last one. Too many trees," Suzie said. She expelled an empty cartridge from her rifle's chamber and reloaded her magazine clip. "Think you can cover me?"
Again, no response.
"Richard?"
A pit of worry deepened in Suzie's core, and she turned expecting to see Richard crouched nearby with his rifle pressed against his shoulder in concentration.
"Richard?!"
Scanning the area below eye level, Suzie spotted Richard's long legs sprawled on the ground. She followed his outline up to his stomach.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no! Richard!" Suzie cried. She dropped to her knees and tossed her rifle aside.
Richard's hands pressed against his abdomen. Blood pooled out beneath his intertwined fingers, staining his pale skin pink. His eyes screwed up in pain and he heaved out shaky breaths.
"No, no, no!" Suzie placed a trembling hand against Richard's. She hadn't heard him get shot. Why didn't she hear him get shot?
"It's okay, it's okay, it's okay," Suzie repeated, trying to comfort Richard and herself. All thoughts of the fight slipped away as she patted her jacket's pockets, searching for the small med kit. For the life of her, she couldn't find the damn things.
"Hey, look at me," Suzie said. She cupped Richard's cheek and waited for him to open his eyes.
"Riley?" Richard muttered. His skin already started cooling down.
Please, no.
Not Richard.
Why Richard?
"Yeah, just-just…don't…just hold on," Suzie sputtered. Digging in her pockets, she pulled out the cigarette box containing her secreted tampons.
Richard's hazel eyes fell onto the box. "I don't think those are gonna help."
"Shush. Lemme see."
Richard dragged his trembling hands away from the wound. More blood poured out, darkening the olive jacket and dripping onto the ground.
Suzie flipped out her pocket knife and cut open Richard's shirt. A round hole in Richard's right side spouted blood like a bubbling fountain. The edges were charred and jagged and the blood pulsed out from the hole along to Richard's heartbeat.
Damnit. Damnit. Damnit!
Not. Him.
Please!
Feeling around on Richard's back, Suzie's fingers traced another hole, causing Richard to shout in pain.
"Sorry," Suzie muttered. Her hands flailed about in front of her as she tried to think. Her hand brushed against Richard's before she yanked it away and adjusted her helmet. "There's an exit wound. We don't have to dig out a bullet."
Richard let out a weak "yay."
Giving up on finding the med kit, Suzie's eyes fell onto the cigarette box lying on the ground. It would have to work. She snatched up the box, tore it open, and pulled out a tampon.
"What's that?" Richard asked, somehow still talking while bleeding out. As much as she missed his voice, Suzie wished he would stop for one. Damn. Moment.
It's not like he might bleed to death or anything.
"A tampon," Suzie replied. She tossed the box aside again and kneeled closer to Richard's side.
"Those are for women."
"Brilliant observation, Mr. Lawyer, sir."
Figuring since tampons were first invented for bullet wounds, Suzie gently pressed the tampon against the hole in Richard's side. It would serve as a temporary solution while she searched for her med kit.
An agonizing minute later, she finally managed to locate her med kit. She dumped out the contents onto the ground and removed the tampon. Flicking it to the side, she grabbed and unraveled the roll of bandages. Amidst heavy fire, Suzie tucked a thick piece of cotton gauze against the wounds and started to wrap the bandages around Richard's abdomen.
While bandaging the wounds, Suzie watched Richard squeeze his eyes shut again and his chest convulse against the pain.
"Hey, what's your favorite flower?" Suzie asked, saying the first idea that came to mind in an attempt to distract herself from Richard's pale face slowly turning ashen.
"What?" Richard muttered. He shook from head to toe and his skin felt clammy whenever her fingers brushed against his stomach.
"What's your favorite flower? And why?" Suzie repeated. She already probably used too many bandages, but she could still see the blood seeping through.
"Sunflowers," Richard said after a pause, "'cause they're tall and strong and happy." He winced and let out a pained grunt as Suzie finished up the roll of bandages and tightened it. "What's yours?"
"Lilies," Suzie said. She fished around in the med kit for some pain medicine. "I'm a little biased 'cause Lily's my middle name."
A flicker of confusion crossed Richard's face. "That's a girl's name. Why—"
A bullet whizzed by, causing them both to flinch. Suzie ducked lower and grasped Richard's hand. "When this is all over, we need to talk."
Glancing over her shoulder, Suzie spotted the last machine gunner. He must have moved closer because the bullets sent dirt and stone flying into the air. Just a few meters away, he stood in perfect range for Suzie to shoot him. However, the closeness also meant that Richard could get shot again. Richard need medical help and he wouldn't get it if either of them got hurt.
When Suzie let go of Richard's hand and crouched against the stony ridge, Richard lifted his head in pain and grunted out a weak, "Whaddya doing?"
"Something really freaking stupid."
Suzie unclasped her helmet, yanked her handgun from the holster on her hip, and took a deep breath.
This is for Richard, you Nazi bastard.
Tossing her helmet high above the ridge, Suzie waited for several bullets to pierce the thin steel. In one swift motion, she stood up, aimed, and fired a bullet straight between the man's eyes.
The man emitted a satisfying "thump" when he fell.
Good. Go burn in hell, Suize thought. She crouched beside Richard again right when Vazquez joined them.
"We need to move," Vazquez said. He glanced at Richard shaking on the ground and gave Suzie a somber frown. "We need all able-bodied men right now. We've got something big planned."
"I'm not leaving him." Suzie administered the pain medicine and double-checked the bandages. The bleeding must have slowed because the outside of the cotton still showed white.
"Barnes, we're about to break the Mahlmann Line. He'll be fine," Vazquez assured firmly.
"He needs medical attention," Suzie countered.
"And a medic will come soon. It's now or never."
"I'll wait 'til a medic comes. 'Til then, I'm not leaving." Suzie glared at Vazquez.
"It's an order."
"No."
Becoming frustrated, Vazquez's jaw popped as he ground his teeth together. "I'm higher ranking than you. I'm obligated to tell the brass about any insubordination."
"I don't give a damn. I'm. Not. Leaving." To prove her point, Suzie plopped herself down and sat crossed-legged, her rifle perched on her lap. All respect she had for Vazquez evaporated. Why would she ever leave an injured friend?
His brown eyes flashing in mounting anger, Vazquez rolled his shoulders and pressed his lips together in a tight frown. He looked as if he had aged ten years. "Barnes, if you follow my orders, I'll forget about this argument, understood?"
"He's my friend," Suzie reiterated. "I owe him so much right now. I care more about him than this stupid little mission."
"This isn't a 'stupid little mission!' It's vital to our success in this war!" Vazquez shouted.
"You need to rethink your priorities."
"I'm perfectly aware of what my priorities are!" Suzie snapped. She waved a hand in the air, dismissing him and the conversation. "Do what you need to do. I'll join you after a medic comes."
Eye twitching, Vazquez huffed and whirled away from the cover of the ridge. He disappeared behind the trees, leaving Suzie and Richard in relative safety.
"You didn't need to do that," Richard muttered. His eyes drooped half-closed and he continued to tremble. When Suzie grabbed his hand again, the clamminess had turned into an unsettling cold.
"I owe you my life. I can't leave you like this."
Tears welled in Suzie's eyes. Richard was dying. Another friend—another brother—dying right in front of her, slowly slipping away from the joys of life. He might never marry his beloved Helen and have many cheerful children. He would make a great dad, a great lawyer, a great friend.
Not him. Don't take him away from me. He doesn't deserve this, Suzie prayed. Please!
She knew Vazquez would report her for insubordination. She didn't care. Richard's safety mattered more than her position in the army.
"Hold on for me, Richard," Suzie whispered. "I'm here. I'm not leaving. Just hold on for me, okay? It's gonna be okay."
Sitting with one hand clasped in Richard's and the other on her rifle, Suzie waited and hoped and prayed for a medic to arrive soon.
I've had this scene planned for a while. I apologize to any Richard fans. Steve and Bucky will show up briefly in the next chapter. I hope to write and post it soon. I've been rather busy recently, so thank you for your patience. Feel free to let me know about any questions, comments, or concerns. :)