Christmas
Larry turns to go up the pass. Keeping low, he maneuvers around huge boulders, trying to hug the mountainside, for cover. Trying to step over a large rock, he slips and hit’s the ground.
He fells a sharp pain in his side. “Must of hit a sharp rock.” He thinks. His right hand goes to his side. It’s wet there, wet with blood. “I didn’t stumble, I’ve been shot.”
Shots begin to ring out from both sides. “I’ve got to find some place for protection,” he thinks. Looking around him, he sees an opening between some of the larger boulders. He tries to stand, but can’t, so crawls toward the opening. “It’s a tight fit, but you’ve got to get in there,” he tells himself.
It’s tight, but he manages it. Once inside, it opens up to more room, enough for him to sit against a rock. “Lost a lot of blood, better get that stopped.” Taking off his ammo belt, with trembling hands, he opens the pouch which everyone in the field carries, with the bandage in it. Lifting his shirt, he puts the pad against the wound, grimacing as he does. Then he raps the loose cloth around him, and ties it in the front.
****
His mouth is dry. He smacks his lips, and opens his eyes. Unable to focus for a moment, then he sees his ammo belt still there across his lap. “Must of passed out.” He thinks. Picking up the belt, he manages to get the canteen out, and takes a sip. “Wonder how long I was out? Don’t hear any gunfire, must be over.” He tries to move toward the opening, but doesn’t have the strength. “Better rest a bit.”
“Huh?” His head pops up. For a moment, he doesn’t know where he is. The pain in his side quickly reminds him. Picking up the canteen for sip of water. “Better go easy on this, don’t know how long I’ll be here, or have been for that matter.”
“As much as I hate those, M.R.E.’s I could sure use one now.” He knows, without nourishment, he’s not going to gain his strength back easily. “This may be your tomb,” he thinks then passes out again.
****
LeAnn sits bolt upright on her bed. She thinks for a minute, then rushes to her computer.
Dear Martin,
You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I know where Bubba, Larry is. You know we are twins, right? Well sometimes twins can know things about each other like no one else can. I know where he’s at and he’s still alive, but going in and out of consciousness. She hits send and waits. It seems to be taking forever, then.
Dear LeAnn,
I’m game.
“Yes!”
Dear Martin,
You know where you saw him get shot? There’s a small cave under the rocks close by, not too far, he crawled to it. He’s too weak to crawl back out.
Dear LeAnn,
We’re on it.
****
LeAnn told her parents all about it, but they are not sure. It doesn’t help, that days have gone by with no word from Martin.
Tricia is jarred awake by a sound in the living room. She listens and hears it again. Turning to her husband, Shannon, she shakes him. “Honey! Wake up! There’s someone in the house.”
“Huh?”
“I said there’s someone in the house.”
He wakes up this time then he hears it. “What the?” Slipping out of bed, he puts on his robe and picks up a bat.
“Be careful,” Tricia says.
Quietly he opens the door. Slowly crossing the floor from their room to the living room. Bat raised high, he burst into the room.
“Hi Pops!”
The bat drops and hits the floor. “Bubba’s home.” He shouts.
Sleepy faces come from every room, all rushing to see Bubba. Shannon tried to hug him, but Bubba backs away. “That might hurt a bit, dad.” He holds out his hand for him to shake.
No one seems to notice the man, standing next to Bubba. Larry turns toward him. “This is Captain Martin.”
LeAnn steps forward. “Was he where I said, and why didn’t you tell us you found him?”
“He was, and he wouldn’t let me tell you. Said he wanted to surprise you all at Christmas.”
She turns to Bubba. “We’ve been worrying about you all this time so you could surprise us. If you weren’t hurt, I’d kill you.”
“Now come on sis, Merry Christmas.”
