War Inside

“Alyssa, hon, you need to come home.”1

“I can’t. Not yet.”2

“Alyssa Marie! You cannot put your child in any more danger! You know as well as I that I had you two months early.”3

“Then pray, Mother, that I am not like you. I can’t explain to you why I am here, but since I am, for God’s sake, I’m staying. Mark won’t let anything happen to me, or my baby.”4

“You’re in his way!”5

“I’m a journalist, mom. I’m always in the way.”6

“I still think you’re unnecessarily endangering your child. I’d rather you live with us while you’re pregnant, Lyss.”7

“I’m an embedded journalist. I’m protected, mom, really, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Listen I have to go. I’ll let you know soon when my flight leaves for home. Love you.”8

“Love you, too, Lyss.”9

As I hung up the phone, Mark put his arm around me. “You okay?” 10

“I’m staying, Mark–“11

“-And I can do nothing to change your mind. I know, love. I just worry about you being here.”12

“I’ll be leaving soon enough. I want you to be able to leave with me.”13

“I will, Lyss. I will.”14

I leaned against him, willing the constant pain in my stomach away, and feeling him relax, I tried to do the same, for him. A soft moan escaped my throat as my world tilted and a stabbing pain ripped through my abdomen.15

“Lyssa?” he asked, feeling the warmth of my cheeks and forehead with his cool hands.16

“I’m fine, Mark.”17

“You’re burning up, Alyssa! Fever does not mean you’re ‘fine.’”18

“Fever doesn’t necessarily mean I’m sick either.”19

“It’s not something you rule out, Lyssa. Not when you’re pregnant.”20

I got up and as my world spun out of control, gunfire sounded.21

He rushed around the bed to help me get under cover, which drill demanded to get to the basement.22

“Mark,” I whispered as I steadied myself against the nearest wall. “I don’t think I can make it.”23

“Of course you’ll make it. Come on, love, take my hand.”24

I took it as my world tilted again. I closed my eyes against the pain and took a step towards him. “Mark –“25

“It’s okay, Lyssa, I’m here. Lean against me.” His arms drew around me, holding and bolstering me as screams of pain sounded all around us. “Thank God they gave us a ground floor room next to the stairs down to the basement.”26

Chaos reigned out in the hall. Someone called Mark’s name. “No,” I whispered as pain shot through my stomach again. “Oh, God!” I cried as I dropped.27

“For God’s sake, someone help me here!” Mark called out as he held me close.28

John, Mark’s fellow marine, reached my other side. “What’s wrong with her, Mark?” he asked as he helped Mark help me up from the floor.29

“Hell if I know, John. She’s sick, okay? Can that suffice?” he snapped.30

“Perfectly.”31

“Help me get her below. We’ll figure out what’s wrong when this is over.”32

“Certainly.”33

“Lyss, sweetie, all you have to do is hold on to me, okay? If you feel like you’re going down, let us know. If you start feeling weak –“ his instructions were cut off by the sound of glass shattering as gunfire continued to shatter the air of the usually semi-tranquil military base. He halted.34

“Mark?” I whimpered.35

His face paled as he collapsed.36

“Mark, answer me!”37

“John, get her below, now!”38

“Mark, I am not leaving you.”39

“Alyssa – please. I don’t want to worry about you, love.”40

“You need to come with me.” Tears were forming in my eyes. I needed to be with him if he was dying.41

As if he felt my thoughts, he prompted, “I’m fine, Lyssa. Hon, it’s just a leg wound.”42

“Then come with me,” I pleaded. Time stood still in the midst of the chaos around us.43

“John’ll help me down when he’s sure you’re safe. Lyssa, the baby matters more than my leg.” He smoothed my sweat-damp hair. “I’ll see you in a few minutes, love. You first. Always.” He kissed me softly and whispered, “I love you.”44

“I love you, too.”45

“Lyssa?” John prompted.46

I took one last look at David’s pale face and knew. The pain started again, but the terrified look on his face distracted me completely. Tears welled up as I turned away from him.47

“Lyssa?” John repeated.48

I vaguely heard him as my world spun and pains stabbed through my stomach. I felt arms encircle me and carry me away. Down stairs. Grief hit me all at once and I fought the arms as my stomach rebelled. “No,” I moaned as I twisted out of their arms and fell to my knees.49

Someone called my name from a distance. “Mark?” I whimpered, my voice barely audible over gunshots and the turmoil inside my own head.50

“He’s being brought down behind us, Alyssa. He’s being taken care of, I promise.”51

“Swear?” I whimpered softly.52

“I swear to God on my honor as a Marine, Alyssa. We won’t let him die.”53

I felt their arms wrap and lift me away again to carry me down the rest of the stairs to safety.54