Page 30 of The General's Captive
“Riley!” I shouted out as I threw my arms around him before he had even removed himself properly from the vehicle. I squeezed him tightly and he leaned against the frame, hugging me back in such a tight grip, it was like he never wanted to let mego. I pulled away and ran my hands down his scarred arms, the raised bumps a forever reminder of the first day we met. I looked into those hazel eyes and there was something haunted looming there. I knew him better than anyone, which meant I knew every look.
Something had happened.
Something that pained him.
“What’s happened?” I asked, my voice full of concern as I noticed the mixture of dried dirt and blood on his face. The other soldiers were hauling the supplies out of the truck and from what I could see, it had been a successful run. Although some of them most definitely looked worse for wear.
Riley sighed and wiped his hands down his face in frustration before admitting, “We lost Rodriguez.”
He shook his head, not looking me in the eye. I checked out the other soldiers again and noted that Rodriguez wasn’t with them, as if I needed the confirmation. He had been a good friend of Riley’s before we had met, and therefore by extension, had also become a good friend of mine.
The pain I felt was not uncommon, but it didn’t make it any easier as tears instantly sprang to my eyes, a glimpse of my old self unleashed.
I could see that he was putting on a brave face for me, but then, there was something else there too. Something in his expression. Something he was hiding from me.
“I’m so sorry,” I said and put my arms around his waist. This time he didn’t hug me back. I pulled away and looked up at him, and his eyes darted everywhere else but at me. “What is it, something else happened didn’t it?” I asked as I let go, stepping back just before he pushed himself off the truck.
He didn’t answer me at first and I knew not to push straight away, letting him busy himself with the supplies. Other civilians came to help and welcome back the soldiers. Soldiers who wenton supply runs were seen as kings, because it was the most dangerous job at the base. Everyone admired them, thanked them for their service to the base, for keeping everyone fed.
“Riley? Talk to me,” I said when I could take it no more. I grabbed his arm and tried blocking his path, so he had no choice but to tell me what was on his mind. He sighed, pulling me away from the others.
“Nobody else saw, except for me. I have not said anything because I don’t want to cause alarm. I need to see the Council.” He continued to walk away from the truck and head toward the Council’s office. The ones who had been here the longest and were the ones who made the decisions. Those with the most experience, like Riley.
But I wouldn’t be swayed and I rushed after him.
“What is it, Riley? Tell me!”
My stomach filled with dread as the words he had been holding back suddenly fell out of his mouth. He looked me dead in the eye and admitted everyone’s nightmare aloud…
“The General’s on his way.”
Commander Marian Taylor
Achievements –
Bronze Star with Valor - earned through bravery in combat.
Silver Star with Valor - led a counterattack under heavy fire.
Distinguished Flying Cross - pilot of the helicopter that rescued soldiers in conflict zone.
Personality traits – Bitter, power hungry, quick tempered. (So basically, a grade A bitch)
has grown complacent since her taking command.
Kill class – two (Ok, she’s not a Myth but daaaaamn, she’s got the attitude of one!)
Notes - Don’t ever make the mistake of calling her Marian, or the last thing you’ll see might be a bullet coming toward you.
Every morning a mandatory meeting was held that covered the inner workings of the base. Anything from supply runs, scheduling shifts, and assigning jobs, to defenses in need of upgrading, anything that needed fixing around the base, or even civilian disputes. And of course, these included attack protocols.
The plans had remained the same since I had turned up at the base, two and half years ago, which was essentially,to stay and fight.But that was before civilians had turned up, and while most were trained to fight, there were those that couldn’t. Children and the elderly, mainly, with a few that physically couldn’t due to injuries sustained in action.
“Plans can change!” Riley yelled, his fists pounding hard on the table we were all positioned around. The large map of the town and the surrounding area was, as always, spread out in the middle.
I wasn’t surprised by Riley’s outburst as he had been trying to change this protocol for a while now. But the council’s stance always remained the same, that if we lost the base, we would all be finished. That we had worked too hard making this base a secure place to live and we were to defend it at all costs. Something I understood, but Riley was right, now things were different. We had those that couldn’t fight to think about and innocent lives depending on us.
I reached over and took his hand in mine, hoping my touch would ground him. His shoulders dropped and his tensed knuckles returned to a healthy color, although the dirt and dried blood remained. Because Riley hadn’t taken even a minute to wash his hands before he was storming in here and taking everyone by surprise.
