Page 24 of Leave Me Behind
Eren shifts to sit beside me, lowering to my level. He’s so beautiful and lovely. His face is untouched by scars the way Bradshaw’s is. Yet with his unmarked beauty, it lacks the characteristics and journey that his brother’s hold.
“I hate to tell you this, but you two are on the night watch,” Eren says with a bit of sarcasm to lighten the mood.
“Yeah, I figured.”
“Do you want me to stay up with you guys? I know he’s been… difficult.”
“That’s an understatement.”
Eren chuckles. “I don’t think he hates you as much as he lets on. He’s been reluctant to have anyone replace Abrahm, but none of them want—” he cuts himself off.
“A Riøt soldier.” I finish it for him, staring out into the dark woods.
He sighs and nods. “Yeah.”
I raise a brow and ask, “Is that why the Malum Squad hasn’t been sent out on a mission for so long?” He nods, his frown creasing his perfect face.
“Partly. But the main reason for the sudden push to get us back out there is because this mission is very,veryimportant. Which is why—” he pauses again and meets my gaze. God, his kindness is getting annoying because he’s making me finish his sentences.
“I was assigned.”
He nods.
“I’m not giving up.” My mouth is dry. There’s no way I’m not going on this mission. It’s the only chance I have to get justice for my squad. For Jenkins.
Eren’s forlorn expression deepens. “I truly believe it’s because he doesn’t want what happened to Abrahm to happen to you. Not just because you’re from a bad squad.”
A bad squad.My chest deflates.
I shake my head and sigh. “Yeah, sure.”
He lets the quiet air remain between us, then mutters, “Shall we get going?”
I follow him to the Humvee waiting at the checkpoint and endure the glares the rest of the squad throw at me on the drive back to the base and over dinner. I don’t bother bandaging or looking at my injured knees. The pain is a dull throb, but at least it gives me something to focus on other than the disdain surrounding me.
eight
. . .
Nell
Bradshaw holdshis assault rifle loosely as we stand watch. My eyes are already heavy but we’re only a few hours in. It’s darker with the cloud cover tonight. Even the forest creatures are quiet under the grimness of it.
He hasn’t said a word since ourscuffleearlier. I shut my eyes for a moment.It’s better this way.I’d rather be detached in case something happens on a real mission. I tried to be friendly with him, but he wants nothing to do with me.
“I think I heard something,” Bradshaw whispers, the sound of his voice sends chills down my spine. My eyes snap open and I’m instantly alert, but I don’t hear anything.
“Where?” I say back in a hushed tone. He nods straight ahead and I take the lead, walking slowly and looking in every direction for any sign of danger. I stop once I get twenty feet from our post. “I don’t see anyone, it’s clear?—”
A foot plants squarely on the center of my back and I’m forced to the ground. I break the fall with my forearms but pain shoots through my body regardless. My thoughts whirl.
I look up and find Bradshaw standing above me, Jefferson and Pete to either side of him. Horror sinks deep into my chest. “What the fuck are you doing?” I snarl as I try to get up, giving them a chance to say this is a joke and not what I think it is.
The second I’m on my knees, Bradshaw shoves my shoulders back and I’m flat on the ground again, only this time he straddles me, pinning my torso and arms to the ground with his body weight.
I wriggle desperately beneath him. Fear threads through my bones, increasing my breaths, making them strangled and raspy. “Two assaults in one day? You’re a fucking productive psychopath,” I shout viciously before spitting in his face. My heart beats rapidly against my ribs and the only thing I can see are Bradshaw’s harrowing pale blue eyes. He ignores me but Jefferson and Pete share a mildly concerned look like they aren’t completely onboard with whatever he’s talked them into doing.
I try to focus on the anger. Fear makes you irrational, at least anger is a bit more grounding. I take a deep breath and calm myself.He hasn’t done anything yet. Maybe he won’t do anything. They’re just trying to scare me.
