Chapter Five
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Justin sat on the floor, crammed between two cots. Everyone else was asleep, but Justin just couldn't. In two weeks that they had been in Kirkuk nothing had happened. People were starting to talk about how they had been sent over for nothing, but Justin had a horrible feeling. His whole body tingled with anticipation, like he knew something was coming. The lull before the storm.
He looked down at the pad of paper and the pen on his lap. He didn't want to worry his family, especially Austin. Still, he needed to tell someone. He picked up his pen, and paused again, thinking of just how to word what he wanted to say. He had to choose his words carefully. Finally, he started to write.
Austin,
Hey baby, how are things back home? Things out here aren’t bad. Nothing's happened at all since we got here, and some of the guys are saying we'll probably be sent back home soon. That's definitely a hope of mine.
I have to tell you, though. It seems kind of odd that it's so quiet all of a sudden. Maybe it's just me, but I kind of have a bad feeling about all of this. Don't worry, though, I've been wrong before. I'm probably wrong this time, too.
How's mom and dad? Tell them I love them and I can't wait to get back home and see them. I'm sure you and mom have been busy, what with a wedding to plan and all... I love you so much, baby. And hey, it's looking like I might even be home in time to see our baby be born. That'd be awesome.
Well, I better get to sleep. I'll talk to you soon. I love you, Aussy.
Love,
Justin
Justin re-read his letter and decided it was okay. He stuffed it into an envelope and crawled into bed, setting the letter on the stand on the other side of the cot. He was just about to fall asleep when he heard something off in the distance. He sat up at once when he felt his cot tremble beneath him. Other cadets had woken up as well, and were all looking around with a mix of curiosity and fear. Justin peered out the window next to his cot and jumped up immediately. Fire was spreading quickly through the camp, and more fires were starting up all around the camp.
"Justin, what's going on?" James asked, alarmed.
"I think we're under attack..." Justin said, turning to look at his friend.
Chris jogged into the room, looking alarmed as well. He quickly got everyone to settle down and looked around at all of them, obviously nervous.
"Okay guys, come on. We have to get to work putting those fires out before they destroy everything. Keep in mind that we're under attack right now, so be careful and stay under cover as much as you can. If you see the enemy, you all know what to do."
And with that, all of the cadets disbanded, heading off to different places around camp to start putting the fires out. James tagged along with Justin, Lance following them. James went to step around the corner outside, but Justin grabbed him and pulled him back, just as gunshots were fired into the ground right where he had been standing.
"Under cover means you don't go strolling around corners!"
"Sorry..."
Justin went around a different way, keeping close to the wall. It was dark enough where they were so they couldn't be seen easily. Lance and James stayed close to him, both frightened.
"We've gotta find Jc, Chris and Joey... Follow me."
Justin kept his gun close to his side and quickly looked around the corner. Deciding that it was clear he turned the corner and crept along the wall, keeping his eye out the whole time. Lance and James followed close behind him. He looked around another corner and moved back just as a gun was fired in his direction. Justin took a deep breath and looked around for another way out, and spotted Jc, Chris and Joey across the road, also trapped behind a building.
Chris had seen Justin and knew that it would be best to get over to them. He looked at Justin and Justin nodded, as if understanding what Chris was going to do. He turned to Joey and Jc and told them what to do. Both men looked nervous at the thought, but were ready to do it, anyway. Justin looked around and spotted where most of the shots were coming from, and pointed them out to Lance and James. Once they were ready, Justin nodded at Chris.
Joey was the first. He took a deep breath and ran as fast as he could towards Justin. He could hear guns going off, but he didn't stop running until he was safely behind the building, next to Lance. Then it was Jc's turn, and he did the same, and slammed himself against the wall of the building next to Joey, breathing hard. Now they had to get Chris across.
Chris looked around the corner, and everything seemed deathly quiet. The silence only made him more nervous, but he knew he had to make it to the guys. He stepped back, took a deep breath, and took off towards the others. Gunshots cut through the silence that had fallen, and Chris stumbled slightly, feeling a searing pain travel up his right leg. He didn't stop, though he thought as though he'd rather be shot then continue running on his leg.
Chris stumbled again just before he reached the safety of the building, landing hard on his right side. Justin jumped out from behind the building and grabbed Chris, dragging him behind the building and setting him against the wall. Chris was breathing hard, and the guys all noticed blood seeping through his right pant leg.
"I'm okay, it's just --" Chris stopped in mid sentence and groaned when Justin touched his leg gently.
"You guys keep an eye out while I wrap his leg," Justin said.
The guys spread out to keep watch as Justin went to work on Chris's leg. He rolled Chris's pant leg up carefully, revealing a bullet hole. There was another hole on the other side, so Justin knew the bullet wasn't stuck in Chris's leg, and he also knew that Chris could still walk on it, so no serious damage was done. Justin tore of a part of his tank and wrapped it around Chris's wound, tying it tight to help slow the bleeding.
"We gotta get you help soon... Just sit tight for now," Justin said as he stood up.
Chris went to protest but decided against it and nodded in agreement. He put his head back and closed his eyes in an attempt to block out the pain. Justin watched him with concern for a moment, then went to join the others.
"Guys, we gotta do something. Hiding's getting us nowhere," Joey said.
"I know. Okay, we know where some of the enemies are, so we can get them from here, but one of us needs to stay with Chris and make sure he's safe," Justin said, looking over his shoulder at Chris.
"I'll stay with him," Lance volunteered.
"Okay, Lance. You stay behind and watch over Chris, the rest of us will start taking these guys down."
"How do you suppose we do that?" James asked.
"Shoot like you're life depends on it and pray you hit them before they hit you."
"Our lives do depend on it."
"Even better. Now let's go."
Justin went to the side of the building again, and saw the head of one of the shooters a short distance away. Justin took advantage of the fact that he was watching the other way and fired in his direction, hitting him with the first shot. He could hear the others firing off behind him in different directions and knew if they stuck together they'd all have a chance.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"A little over two hours ago our base in Kirkuk was ambushed. The situation is now under control, and sources say there have been no deaths, but several injuries. We'll keep you updated on this situation, as well as any other new developments as they come."
Justin watched as one of the reporters that had been allowed on base gave a brief description of what had happened. He knew that Austin was probably watching, and knew that he needed to let her know that he was all right. He asked for permission, and was granted a few minutes to call home. He dialed Austin's number and bit his lip as her worried voice came on the other end.
"Hey Aussy."
"Justin! Oh my god are you okay? I was just watching the news..."
"Which channel?"
"Six."
Justin stepped outside the door and looked around spotting the news reporter from that station, with the camera pointing in the direction Justin was. Justin waved.
"I see you!"
"Good. I don't have long to talk to you, but I wanted to let you know I was all right, and that I love you so much."
"I love you too, Justy... Are your friends okay, too?"
"Chris got shot in the leg, but he's fine. They patched him up and everything, but he has to take it easy."
"Oh wow... tell him I hope he feels better soon. And tell all of them to be careful. I'm looking forward to having them all at the wedding."
Justin smiled at the thought.
"Well baby, I gotta go now. I'll talk to you soon, all right?"
"Okay Justy, be careful and take care. I love you."
"Love you too, Aussy. Bye."
Justin hung up and set the phone back down in the office. He made his way over to the medical office, where the guys were. He walked in and was greeted by a chorus of hi's.
"Austin said to tell you all to be careful, and she hopes you feel better soon, Chris."
"Awesome. Hey Justin?"
"Yeah, Chris?"
"Thanks for saving my butt back there."
"Anytime."
| Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six |
