Page 188 of Taeja

Twenty sighed. “Cya tek this fuckery at all. They should’ve discharged us.”

Zain’s jaw ticked. “Byfield won’t let you go because he knows it’s what I want.”

“Mi been a tell unu from day one seh Byfield a battyman.”

Jollof laughed and punched Twenty. “Stop it.”

“I’m not lying, though.”

Zain sighed, nostalgic as he watched them. Laughter was the only thing that got them through all the gruesome missions they’d been through.

Though they were trained for it, killing was never easy. It left a permanent bloodstain on hands, minds, and souls.

Especially now that Marco and Sea weren’t alive. Especially Sea. She was the comedian of Squad Four. Laughing didn’t come as easily anymore since she passed.

Zain adjusted the dog tag around his neck. “Did he say when?”

Twenty shook his head. “Dem goodly gon tek forever cause dem nuh waa we tell yu nun.”

Jollof scoffed. “Like that’ll happen. I don’t care what they said, I only answer to Sergeant Stark. I’d rather kill myself before serving this country again.”

“Let’s start a suicide pact,” Twenty suggested, and Jollof chuckled.

Zain glared. “Shut the fuck up,” he hissed, and they sobered up. “No one’s dying, and no one’s going anywhere. Leave.”

Twenty and Jollof saluted Zain, then they complied with his order.

By the time hewas done speaking, Taeja’s hand was in his hair. Her fingers gently caressed his scalp. “Did you figure something out?” she asked, and he nodded. “Can I ask?”

“I know you’re going to ask, even if I say no.”

Chuckling, Taeja pulled back to playfully glare at him. “Zain, mi cya stand yu.”

“That’s why you’re sitting on me.”

“Stop being sexual. I’m sore.”

“I’m not being sexual.”

“Sure. Back to my question, please.”

“You’re not gonna like what I have to say,” he said, watching as she grew serious. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about it, but I was still trying to find a way around this.”

“I don’t like how this sounds…”

Zain’s throat dried. He held the back of her head and made her lay down on him again. “One reason I’ve been angry is because I’ve been telling Byfield not to let my men go. He should retire Squad Four or find recruits to replace them, but he’s against it. The other day I went to Kennedy and asked him for an alternative.”

“Wait,” Taeja interrupted. “Kennedy’s the boss of your boss, right?”

“Byfield isn’t my fucking boss,” Zain snapped, sighing after Taeja’s eyes widened. “Sorry. Yeah, if that’s how you wanna put it.”

“It’s fine… Continue.”

“Even though Lieutenant Kennedy is the one who ordered the torture, he’s easier going. He just likes punishing soldiers when they break the oath. If it was up to him, Squad Four would’ve been dismantled, and we would’ve been killed. But it’s up to a Senior Sergeant to dismantle a squad, which Byfield doesn’t wanna do. I… spoke to Kennedy and offered a proposition. I’ll rejoin the army for PNG, and if we make it out alive, my men and I will get discharged.”

Taeja sat up and looked at him. “Ifyou make it out alive?” she asked, and Zain nodded as a chill ran through his body. “You really love them, don’t you?”

“I don’t love them,” Zain said. “They’re my people. They’ve never been out in the field without me. I need to get them out of this and get them a good life.”

---