Page 101 of Leave Me Behind
The valley is sloped and barren. The second our feet leave the safety of the forest my heart rate increases and thrums wildly in my chest. It’s still quiet out here, but who’s to say how long that will last. Jenkins is a smart man with many resources. I have no doubts that he knows exactly where our extraction point likely is and how to cut us off.
Bradshaw flanks my right while Eren moves stealthily to my left. It’s the exact same way I met them, with me between.
“Wait!” Bradshaw snaps as he stops on his heels. We halt beside him. I search the ground for any IEDs but don’t see any.
“What do you see, Bones?” Eren asks before I can. His eyes narrow on the horizon.
“Movement on the right, close to the riverbank, and the ground has been disturbed just ahead.” Bradshaw keeps his eyes trained on the riverbank. My stomach sinks when Eren nods that he sees movement too.
Pete curses and lifts his gun. “I’ve got bad news, Sarge. Four hostiles to our left,” he says under his breath.
“Fuck.” Eren hesitates and looks around us, trying to think of the best way forward. “We’ll need to move single file and far apart. If an IED goes off… at least we won’t be bunched together.”
“Sarge, they’ll be able to pick us off easily if we fan out,” Jefferson interjects, but Eren shakes his head with finality.
“I’ll go first,” I say firmly, swallowing my fear and stepping forward. They all share a look before Bradshaw gives me a stern look.
“Like I’d let you.” He shoulders past me and all the unease in my chest doubles. Eren gives his brother a sharp glare before leading the way.
“LikeIwould let either of you guide us through hell. We need to keep moving. They haven’t spotted us yet but that can changeat any second. I have the best eyes of us all. I won’t step on one.” Eren doesn’t sound as confident as I need him to.
But it doesn’t matter what I say. We’re already moving. Bradshaw takes slow, purposeful strides across the rugged terrain behind his brother. I wait a few beats before starting behind him. Pete flanks me and Jefferson takes up the back.
I stare at the back of Bradshaw’s heels as they lift and move. We’re three-quarters of the way across the valley when Eren steps down and a distinct sound tears through my soul.
Click.
My eyes flash up, wide with horror.
The sky is angry behind Eren’s form. His gentle smile trembles with the promise of death. Bradshaw tries to run forward, but I grab his shoulders.
“Walk around me, slowly. Come on, it’s okay.” Eren orders, his voice sharp. Pete and Jefferson pass us and walk ahead at a steady pace. Each nods their respect to our sergeant silently. Somehow, the weight of the lack of words makes my chest twist more.
Bradshaw takes one staggered step and then stops, his entire body trembling. “I can’t go on without you,” he chokes as tears stream down his cheeks. “Not without you, Eren.”
“Look at me,” Eren says softly. Bradshaw looks up at him and Eren makes an effort to seem calm. “I’m fine. But I need you two to get the fuck going. I love you. Both of you. Now go.” His tone is desperate. I’ve never seen those deep blue eyes so weary, tears brimming and his jaw trembling to hold back the emotions.
Bradshaw slowly moves past his brother, taking one last look over his shoulder before walking straight.
I stop at Eren’s side and tears fall like drops of rain from my soul.
“I’ll take care of him, Eren,” I promise. His eyes shift with peace and he taps my forehead gently. His fingers feel so cold it makes my heart twist.
“I know you will.” I hold onto his gentle voice and the way it wraps around my heart.
My teeth chatter as I force my legs to move away from him. Bradshaw is already out of the field, with Pete and Jefferson at his side. I reach them and together we continue down the sloped valley, stealing last glances at our sergeant alone in the minefield.
By the time the sound of an explosion rings through the quiet, dark mountains, our eyes have dried and my body jerks painfully in response to the sharp, echoing blast.
No one speaks.
Bradshaw’s shoulders shake with his silent cry. We keep marching forward without Eren.
forty-one
. . .
Bradshaw
