Page 42 of Mended Hearts

DUSTIN

September 2014

Ikick at the moondust as I wait for the rest of the guys. I’ve been ready to get this shit job for the day over with ever since I rolled out of bed. It’s not their fault I’ve been ready since the ass crack of dawn. Surely it’d be easier for me to watch my own back than mine along with Williams’ too. But since we’re heading to what’s been called a kinetic area, guess I’ll wait for my fellow soldiers.

“Williams!” I yell once we make it outside the wire.

He looks over and lifts his head in response. “Adams,” he says as he closes the distance.

“You’ll be going with me today. I want the three of you.” I turn, pointing to Pool, Greyson, and Roberts. “You three go east and secure the buildings. There’s been talk of movement and we need to clear it out if there is any.”

“Yes, sir!” they all say as they turn and start jogging away.

I turn without saying another word and start jogging toward the west end. I hear Brian close behind as our feet lightly push against the dusty earth. As the sun beats down upon us, sweattrickles down my face. The sky is constantly orange. I used to feel like I was on another planet, but being over here for as long as I have, US soil now seems more foreign to me. Sand land is miserable. Surely hell isn’t much hotter.

As we approach the buildings, I slow down.

“Why have I been coming with you lately?” Williams asks from behind as his breathing returns to normal.

“What do you mean?” I pause but don’t face him.

“Anytime we’re sent out, you always make sure I go with you. And it’s only always just us when we have to split up. Is there a reason for it?” He evens with me, standing at my side. I can feel his eyes on me while I debate a response.

The truth should work. “No reason. Besides keeping your ass alive.” I look over at him and see a dumfounded expression taking over his face.

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Quit overthinking shit, Williams.” I roll my eyes, taking a few steps forward.

“I know you know my wife. The tension was thick as shit when I walked up the night of the award ceremony.” His words almost cause me to lose my footing.

I stand still, playing it cool. “It’s a small world after all.” I shrug like it’s no big deal even though it’s everything but.

“Yeah,” he huffs. “There’s just something else.”

“Williams, I don’t have time for your games right now.” My anger’s taking over as his bullshit starts to compromise our position.

“Where’d you say you were from?” he continues prodding for an answer he’s not going to like.

“I didn’t,” I grit out.

“Your middle name wouldn’t happen to be Ryan?”

I stop in my tracks. There’s no way he’d know my middle name.

“Adams is a pretty common name. But I doubt there are multiple Dustin Ryan Adams from Jasper, Georgia.” WTF is this guy, with the FBI? He continues, “I know how you know her. You’re her?—”

“Williams, just shut the hell up. Quit being an oxygen thief.” I quickly pivot toward him, wanting him to just shut up about it all, and that’s when I see him hiding. “Get out of the way.” I jump into Williams, pushing him with all my might. No matter how many missions I’ve been on and all the training in the world, you never fully get used to the onslaught of bullets flying at you. So much enemy gunfire surrounds us. I fall to my knees as I take one to the side.

“Dammit!” I shout, looking down to see red mist oozing out. It’s not that bad. I’ve seen plenty worse. I crouch up on my feet, peering around the building, trying to get a visual on the situation. I need to see where these bastards are hiding and need to see where my men are. I plan on getting us all back alive, but damn, it’s hard to see through the dust and smoke.

“Don’t do it, Adams.”

I look back and see Williams on the ground, doubled over.No, no, no.I was supposed to keep him safe…in one piece. Rushing to his side, I push him back to assess the damage. One wound to his upper thigh. I need to get him to the medics.

I hear a chopper in the distance and know I need to get Williams there, now. I need to get us to where the other guys are. I hear“dustoff inbound”in my earpiece and wrap my arm around Williams and make our way to the location the MEDEVAC is heading. I grit through the pain as I practically pull him with me, his wounded leg being nothing but dead weight.

Finally, our other guys come into view, and I yell for Pool.

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