𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗬 ‣ Jalim

I’m two pounds shy of a bomb.

I’m one shade short of alarm.

I’m too past wrath that I’m calm.

Got two last laughs in my palms.

I’m three degrees west of a hurricane.

Four wheel drive with a ball ’n chain.

My five foot seven is irrelevant.

I’m six six six if you threaten my development.

Don’t Get In My Way, Zack Hemsey

It all went to shit when the Helos got hit. The explosions grew louder and louder. Fire enveloped them in a blossom of miniature stars. Footsteps landed heavily on the dry surface. He found cover behind one of the walls, eyeing the opposing enemy on the other side. As Jason tactically gained ground, he checked his sides.

Bullets brushed past him, as caresses deadlier than sin. Orders moan of pain, and bristling of comments by other soldiers mingled. He sprung forth, aiming his modified M4A1 carbine at the━━Shepard. They turned, a flicker of fear in their bottomless brown eyes. The male rose from their spot with their hands raised, backtracking.

“I swear I will put a bullet through your skull if you don’t get down,” his southern drawl carried his words with dangerous precision. Heartbeat rushed in Jason’s ears. A finger hovered over the trigger.

The shepherd whimpered. Each step leads the man further away from him. Until the young guy had run out of sight.

"Fuck,” Jason swore. “Does nobody understand English around here?” His attention was immediately caught by the familiar presence of someone staring his back down. Jason’s shoulders went slack as his assault rifle hung slightly downwards. “You better not miss.”

Hell, he expected a bullet to pierce through his skull. End his crappy life with it. So this was how it was gonna be━━

“No more killing,” a gentle deep voice that vibrated through his body. There was no mistake, the man was Iraqi. Jason’s eyes flickered over him; a beige Republican Guard M80 helmet with a crimson triangle, the green Iraqi uniform clung to his body. Gaze lowered more as he observed.

With a matching set, the male had a chest rig holding magazine pouches and radio. By the man’s side, he also wore a satchel bag.

Slowly, Jason moved to take down his weapon. Then the earth shook underneath his boots. The floor cracked, sand and stone fell downwards. An earthquake? He wondered. No, it wasn’t the right place for this to fucking happen.

The ground opened up, baring its teeth. And Jason’s reflexes couldn’t save him. His world titled on its head, complete vertigo. For every passing moment, more and more surfaces disappeared.

He fell.

All air punched out of his lungs when Jason impacted on the ground. He coughed up sand that was stuck in his throat. The shook slowly wore off. Jason glanced up, toward the blinding light. A sick dread clenched around his heart. It’s too high.

Jason flickered on the light that was on his earpiece. Digits moved to turn on the radio. It buzzed. “This is Mailman Two-One Actual hailing to Mailman Three. Do you copy? Over.” Only a high-pitched whine responded. “This is Mailman Two-One Actual, Nick, do you copy? Over.” He repeated more strained. “Damn it!”

The only exit that was, consisted of going deeper into the caves. And Jason wasn’t keen on that idea. No shit. Not at all. The silence spread around him like a blanket. He swallowed thickly. Cautiously, Jason walked deeper into one of the hallways.

The assault rifle by the ready.

He checked his watch regularly, to keep track. The roads were curved and twisted. I should’ve taken a lighter with me. Fuck. The flashlight dimly lit up the hallways that were orange and beige. For miles, it seemed, it was only stone and sand.

Jason debated internally whatever he should contact Nick. He shook his head. I’m a damn marine, I will handle this. A distant high-pitched screech suddenly broke the silence. Jason froze on his spot. Goosebumps spread across his skin. His modified M4A1 carbine rose to one of the hallways, the blaze exposing nothing but more road. “I will shoot your fuckin’ brains out, you hear me?” Jason snapped.

If it was one of the shitty Iraqis, he would snap their head off. No questions asked. A brush of wind touched his cheeks. Jason twisted his head in the direction. Nothing.

Cold long fingers squeezed his shoulder. Copper eyes flickered. Within a moment’s notice, Jason was propelled against the wall. The force hurt like a son of a bitch. Ache dug into his bones. He scrambled up ━━ Stars vividly blistered crosswise. The unmistakable scent of death hit his nostrils.

Shadows camouflaged the person’s features. Jason squinted. He wriggled in its iron grip. The palm briefly was exposed to the light; displaying its sickly purple skin. It bulged and flexed in the blaze of his flashlight. He was caught up in the distraction long enough for the thing to smear black goo down his mouth.

Jason attempted to clash his mouth shut. Eyes teared up by the violation of his personal space. His nails dug into the flesh, tearing it up. The anomaly or whatever the fucker was, increased the pressure around him. Panic flared up his veins. Dizziness made Jason lightheaded. He kicked as hard he could.

Against his own will, the assault rifle slipped out of his fingers. It landed with a thud to the ground. Each breath became a struggle.

A shook vibrated through the tunnel. And another. Another. The creature hissed, releasing its hold around him. Jason slumped to the floor, coughing. He crawled over to his weapon. Hands securely laid on the metal. The familiar weight was a relief.

A loud screeching noise erupted from the person. It fleed out of sight quicker than Jason was able to turn. Once again, the silence was his only company. He had to get moving.

An opening revealed an ancient temple. A few columns were laid in bits and pieces. Some were more complete than others. Jason stepped down the steps until he hit the bottom.

This was as good as any to━━

“Jason?” Nicky’s voice called. He appeared from one of the cave exits. His soft dark aquamarine eyes met his. A slight tension on his shoulders. The telltale signs of distraction on his frame; the fingers ready on his trigger, the minor fidgeting with his palms, the hunted grimace, eyes flickering.

“Nick,” Jason breathed out. “Oh, God, ‘m happy to see you.” His observant eyes caught tacky wounds, scratches, mostly. To be honest, Jason saw Nicky being distracted. The same as back on the Helo. “I was beginnin’ to think I was the only one to survive that shit storm.”

Jason continued, “ain’t this somethin’? ’Cause I’ve no idea where on God’s green earth we’ve landed.”

Still no response.

He ignored it, for now, ━━ Could be Nick was half-listening after all. “We need to go topside, regroup with the rest of the squad, and signal for medivac.” Jason pushed the encounter with thatpersonin the back of his head. Priorities were getting his squad accounted for and safe. Screw the weapon silo.

“Sergeant Key! Pull yourself together. Eyes wide!” Jason snapped. The place was crawling with Iraqis. They couldn’t afford to be distressed. Not when any second they were sitting ducks for the enemy.

“All good,” Nick finally answered. He straightened his back. “Just wasn’t expecting to fall into the fucking earth.”

Jason did a brief nod, glancing away. The man had a fair point, nobody could’ve predicted that piece of crap. “I hear ya.” His hands tightened their grip on his modified M4A1 carbine. With a good pace, Jason began walking forwards. “You ever seen anything like this? The hell is this place?”

“Pass,” was Nick’s quick reply, “I flunked History at school.” His flashlight showed more columns in the darkness. And various tunnels. “Tell me you don’t feel it.”

Jason squinted, twisting his head toward Nick. “What?” The rich light on Nick’s black features. What we’re not gonna do is talk about our fucking feelings.

“I don’t know, something,” Nick continued. In turn, ignoring Jason’s silent message to stop it.

He laid his nonchalance downthick, “I don’t feel shit.” Hell, Jason had enough on his plate. That earlier squirter didn’t help his paranoia. I didn’t touch grass for years but this takes the fuckin’ cake.

“You sure about that?” Nick countered, breaking his line of thought. He kept close. Just as they were trained inside the wire.

Jason pressed his lips into a thin line as they covered more ground in the temple or whatever the hell it was. “I’m fuckin’ sure.” The cold dread laced around his heart; tugging at his heartstrings. As a Lieutenant Jason couldn’t afford uncertainty. Not when his whole squad depended on his decisions.

The Checkpoint was a stark reminder of the shortcomings of his leadership. It won’t happen again. Jason kept his vigilance up high. Better to be safe than sorry.

Nick found a giant door made out of wood. With his palms, the sergeant struggled to move it. It barely slid an inch by Nick’s (rather admirable) efforts. “This thing is heavier than it looks, give me a hand.” Nick gave a nod toward the entrance. “I need more muscle.”

Jason walked over to the side, fingers tightening their hold over the door. He put all his strength into his feet and pushed. “You been skipping gym again?” Jason huffed amused.

It finally loosened ━━ Merwin’s screams filled the hallway. The soldiers glanced at each other. Without a pause, Jason’s words shattered the tension, “That’s Merwin!”