Friendly Fire - Surprise

The smoke billowed into evening sky, as if it were trying to spell a message for the Gods above. Gunfire blazed across the desert wasteland, casting is in an eerie, yellow glow. The stench of burning, human flesh stung my nostrils, making it near impossible to breathe. The taste of sulfur made my stomach knot up, threatening to force my small MRE of a breakfast from its depths. My strong, shaking hands gripped the barrel of my M-16, holding on for dear life.1

My tense muscles ached while fear and adrenaline collided and burned within my veins. A battle raged inside my head, my thoughts screaming to be heard over reality. However, reality won over as a young Arab boy stepped aside from an overturned vehicle and aimed a small handgun directly at my head. With only a second to decide on a course of action, I fired a few rounds into the young boys head. Before me lay another dead boy, fighting in a war that did not belong to him.2

“Cassie!” I Shouted. Cassie, its Elizabeth. Cassie, please, tell me where you are! Give me something to go off of.” I pleaded, praying to God I could be heard above the exploding machinery around me.3

I swung my gear to the side in order to climb a strategically placed boulder that was blocking me from my desired destination. Once I made it to the top of the large rock, I took in the scene beneath me. Below me stood three heavily armed Arab men- two stood with their backs to me. The third mans eyes widened in shock at my sudden appearance. Without a moment’s hesitation, he shouted something in a foreign language that I would never understand. While doing so, he pointed a dirty finger in the direction of my shadowed figure.4

In less than a minute, I had three semi-automatic rifles directed towards my rapidly beating heart. My keen reflexes kicked in, not a moment too soon as they prepared to open fire. Not daring to hesitate, I forced myself down the boulder, back in the direction I had just come. My skin split open as my sun burnt flesh slide down the rough surface. A warm liquid rolled down my spine as my feet thudded to the ground. I yelped at the sudden impact and the pain of a rolled ankle. 5

I limped to a smaller stone, resting my worn body against its hard surface. Patiently, I waited for the ambush that I knew was sure to come. I waited for what felt like an eternity, but still no hooded men appeared. Glancing down at my watch, I silently cursed myself. I had twenty-four minutes to find the love of my life and make it back to the rally point. Time was winding down, fast.6

Peeking around the corner, I noted that the coast was clear. Stepping into the open, I caught sight of something that made the blistered ground around me crumble. Not forty yards from me laid a uniformed soldier, burnt to a crisp. On unsteady legs, I made my way over to the lifeless body. Falling to my knees, I took in the horrific sight before me, tears stinging my eyes.7

The sight of burnt flesh and the stench of a decaying human sent my body into convulsions, causing me to spurge my morning banana. Once the dry heaving subsided, I working on regaining my composure. I couldn’t. Yes, it was upsetting because she was my soldier but she was so much more than that. She was my cherished fiancée. I confirmed this when I reached down to the untouched dog tags and read the name upon them: Cassie Susanne Willows. 8

The United States Army has a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, but it was has been hard to keep my love a secret. It all started eight years ago, after I had first arrived in Colorado after attending Harvard Law School. I graduated third in my class but wanted to go on another exciting adventure. That is how I became a Colonel in the United States Army.9

I was welcomed into Colorado Springs and was quickly introduced as Second Lieutenant Summers. My first assignment on active duty was to take the position of a platoon leader. Sure, I got knocked down a few levels but it sure beat sitting in front of a dirty desk, listening to people’s problems and spending all day in court. So, I willing took the job. The job was only meant to last for about a week, maybe two. Charlie Company’s platoon leader was in the infirmary, sick with a terrible case of the Flu. 10

In that week’s time, I met some of the most amazing, crazy, and determined soldiers. Many were here in the hopes of leaving with a clean criminal record, others needed help paying for college or learning to be better disciplined. No matter their race, sexuality, or ethnic background, they all came together as one unit, one family. 11

Among their ranks was a misguided sergeant by the name of Cassandra Willows. Everybody looked out for her, for she was like their little sister. She had an attitude and a mouth that kept her forever in the front-rest-and-lean position. She even had the nerve to pants one of her fellow mates while in mass formation at 0400. For her foolishness, the entire battalion had to drop, without breaks until 0700. Needless to say, after that little stunt, she wasn’t the most popular personnel on base.12

Sadly, in that short span of time, Charlie Company’s Platoon Leader, Striker, passed away. His Flu quickly developed into Bronchitis and his entire body shut down. The doctor’s fought to keep his temperature down and under control while nourishing his body with the needed supplements to continue fighting; but to no avail. Second Lieutenant Striker’s memorial service was held three days later. The folded United States flag was presented to his wife, Mary Striker, who rested it firmly against her swollen womb. She wept silently as the rifles exploded in honor of her husband. Yet, none took it as hard as Sergeant Willows.13

The next morning, I had been informed that Lieutenant Striker was Sergeant Willows’ brother and that it was due to his encouragement that she enlisted into the Armed Forces as well. It was explained to me that Cassandra had been adopted into the Striker family when she was two-years-old, but Bradley was the one that took her under his wing. She grew up with Bradley as her idol. So, when he joined the military, she thought it was only right that she join too.14

The memories quickly faded away as I returned back to reality The Earth shook next to me, stopping the tears that were leaking from my eyes. Standing up, I picked up her dead body and slung her over my shoulders. I wasn’t going to leave her. Dead or alive, she was still my world.