Page 62 of Trapped

“In basic training, what’s your best skill?”

“I’m good on the firing range. And on the obstacle course. I have the record for the shortest time.”

“Good. So, you’re trying to keep that record. Who’s the next fastest guy?”

“Wolinsky.”

“You’re going up against Wolinsky. You’re going to try your damnedest to beat him again.”

“Yes.” He was watching himself back there in the hot fields, crawling under barbed wire, then scrambling up and running through a nest of tires. And Wolinsky was right behind him. But he was watching it on television. He wasn’t there. They got to the rope and barrier climb and Cash almost lost his grip. But he held on and pulled himself up, then vaulted over the wooden barrier and let himself fall to the straw on the other side where he picked himself up and ran the last fifty yards to the finish line—with Wolinsky puffing along right behind him.

“I made it. Ahead of him.”

“Do you feel good?”

“Yeah. I’m good at this. Good at Army stuff. Not like back in school when I had to be . . . a rebel to make myself stand out.”

“That’s why you did it?”

“Yeah.”

“You could have done better in school if you’d wanted?”

“Yes. And I learned fast in basic training. I think they’re going to ask if I want to join the Rangers.”

“Good.”

“Let’s move forward. Your first assignment.”

“Germany”

“Do you like it there?”

He watched himself on the television screen. It was him, but he was watching it like it was a movie.

“It’s cold and rainy. But the beer is good. And the women like American soldiers. They think they can get us to marry them and take them home. But I won’t be here long. It’s only temporary duty for me. I’m going to Iraq next. We’re going to be training their military.”

“Let’s move forward again.”

“You’re going to Afghanistan.”

He shifted on the bed. He’d felt safe and relaxed, watching himself on television. But now he felt unsettled.

“It’s all right. You’re not there. You’re only watching on television. Can you see the scene on the television?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. It’s safe to watch it on television. You’re learning about the assignment. Who’s briefing you?”

“Colonel Luntz.”

“What does he look like?”

“He’s tall. He holds himself very straight. Dark hair with some gray. A scar cutting his left eyebrow. He’s lucky he didn’t lose his eye.”

“What’s he saying?”

Frustration made his voice sharp. “I should be able to hear him, but I can’t.”

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