Page 42 of Leave Me Behind
My response is callous. “What we do in the dark forces requires people like us. We’re easy to throw away once the job is done.”
sixteen
. . .
Nell
Breakfastaround the campfire is quiet. The awkwardness from last night carried over and everyone is avoiding eye contact with Bradshaw. He has a new mask on today; it’s sharper looking and has rivets on the exterior, still black, but somehow more aggressive with the added texture.
Eren sits beside me, eyes wearier than I’ve seen them. He took two watches last night and is still functioning perfectly. I eat my MRE as I stare out into the forest, thinking deeply about the anguish on Eren’s face last night after I said that Bradshaw and me are the ones easy to throw away once the job is done.
He had become silent and I didn’t mind the words that remained unsaid between us for the rest of the watch.
The march back to the extraction site is painful. My thighs ache and my bones cry out with each step. The mountain air is crisp today, fall is setting in quickly up here. Some of the highest peaks even have snow already.
Harrison’s and Jefferson’s expressions are significantly lighter toward me today. I wonder if it’s because of how well I shot yesterday or if it’s due to the sad story sharing we did last night. I don’t let my mind linger too much on it. No sense in dwelling in Traumaville.
Ian and Pete walk steadily ahead of us, with Eren leading the hostages most of the day, while Bradshaw and me take the rear as usual. We make momentous progress and should reach the extraction point before sundown.
Relief floods through me with the idea of a hot shower and warm sheets.
Bradshaw won’t even look at me. Back to his cold behavior, I guess. But it’s better than his episode last night. At least he’s composed right now. My eyes trace over the smooth lines of his face beneath the mask. I look longer than I should.
The last few hours of the trek are exhausting. Weariness tugs at my eyes and draws heaviness through my aching shoulders.
Bradshaw walks stoically beside me. It’s as if he doesn’t physically tire,ever.
There’s a distinct tightness in the air that settles around us. It chokes me like a venomous adder coiling around my throat and waiting patiently for me to die. I want to talk about what we did last night. The brutal parts and the soft, sensual ones. I turn to face him, his eyes instantly lifting to mine and I open my mouth to speak?—
A bullet flies between us.
My assault rifle rises instinctively and I shout, “Shots fired!” The scuffling and grunts that sound from ahead of us distract me momentarily as another bullet flies at us. This time it hits my shin and red powder coats my pant leg.
It stings like an airsoft bullet, but at least it hit me in the leg and not the chest. I’m still active in the training and not considered a fatality.Yet.
Bradshaw fires into the dark underbrush and it’s followed by a grunt.
After waiting stiffly for a beat to listen for any more enemies, Bradshaw lets his eyes fall down to my leg. Disappointment flashes through his eyes. “You were hit.”
“Yeah, I know, jackass.”
His brows pull lower. “You’re out.”
“What? It’s just a leg hit. I’m fine.” I rise to meet his glare. The others come out of their positions and watch our interaction in silence. The air is cold and clammy against my skin as my blood starts to boil.
“I said you’re out, Bun.”
Eren comes up beside me and gives my leg a gruff look. “He’s right. Our squad takes no faults, Bunny. You’re out.”
Heat races to my cheeks and I want to scream. Are they serious? After everything I proved to them this month, this is where I fail? I look to the others. Jefferson and Pete stare at me with finality. Ian and Harrison at least look a little bothered by the unfairness of it.
“That’s not fair,” I say, challenging the sergeant.
His eyes narrow at me and his voice darkens. “Bunny, you aren’t disagreeing with my authority, are you?” He says it loud enough for everyone in the group to hear. The muscles in my neck flex with rage.
Of course he’d use his authority to try and get me to back down.
“No, Sergeant. I wouldn’tdreamof challenging your decision.” My tone is harsh. Eren’s brows ease, feeling like he’s won. “But my hands are tied. I’m afraid I’ll need to bring this to General Nolan’s attention. How one of his dogs is feral and has a nasty bite. You think they’ll put the dog down? I am Nolan’s favorite, after all.” I unzip my vest and lift my sweater, revealingthe blood-soaked bandages. The wound throbs with the motion, making me wince at the pain.
