Page 12 of Bullets and Dandelions

I grunted as it hit the ground hard.

“Keep your eyes closed,” Lieutenant Moss ordered.

I closed my eyes as they pushed me into the hospital at a dead run. Was Pops or his creepy boss behind this? Or was this Sergeant Stone’s doing?

“This is the patient I told you about, Doctor Morrison.”

I took a quick peep at Doctor Morrison. He wasn’t much taller than me and he looked as exhausted as I felt.

“I’ll take good care of her. If you’ll wait outside, I’ll examine Private Reynolds.”

Lieutenant Moss pointed a finger at my face. “Don’t try anything. I’ll be on the other side of the curtain.”

“Yes, sir.”

A young nurse came into the curtained area and handed the doctor a clipboard.

Doctor Morrison flipped through the attached papers. “Hmmph. They want me to check you for dehydration, anorexia and multiple contusions.”

“I’m not anorexic. I’ve lost weight because they put me on half-rations. I am dehydrated from a lack of water, and the bruises are from a fall I took.”

“Who put you on half-rations?”

“Captain Harris,” I answered.

“Why?”

I couldn’t say they were trying to break me, so I simply shrugged. “You would have to ask him.”

“Help her remove her shirt, Peggy. I need to look at her contusions.”

“Yes, doctor.”

Before I could move, Peggy yanked my tee shirt off. I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Damn, that hurt.

“You took quite a fall.” Doctor Morrison said as he poked and prodded me.

If he poked me one more time, I was going to punch him.

“I want you to start an IV with a saline drip, I need two vials of blood taken and weigh her, Peggy. According to her file, Private Reynolds has lost twenty pounds since boot camp.”

“Yes, doctor.”

“Excuse me,” I interjected. “Could I get a couple of aspirins and something to eat?”

“Peggy will take care of that.” Doctor Morrison walked out. “I need a word with you, Lieutenant Moss.”

I watched them move off. “If you have a vending machine, a candy bar would be great. I have money.”

Peggy grinned and wrapped a blood pressure cuff around my right arm. “I have a stash of chocolate in my locker. As soon as I’m finished here, I’ll get you a couple of bars.”

“Bless you. You aren’t going to put me in a hospital gown, are you?”

“No, as soon as the IV is done, they’re taking you back to the brig.”

“Oh, goodie.”

Peggy grinned and removed the cuff. “Did you really assault Sergeant Stone?”

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