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Copyright 2004 By Cheryl Frederick I don’t own these guys (darn). This story was written for pleasure. No profit is made. Thanks to Nana, for being my beta reader, without her help, I would still be scratching my head. Thanks to CajunJane and Jester, for moral support on my story writing. Warning-Character Death. The Partisan-Conclusion Saunders had no choice but to risk attacking the car; Caje was bleeding heavily. He would bleed to death before they made it back to their lines. The trip would be even more difficult if they tried to carry him, and with a blind woman along…… “Sergeant, I think you should pull over.” Michael called from the back seat. “It’s only a few more miles. Why?” “Your friend is bleeding badly. I think we should try to stop it before we go any further.” When the Krauts captured Caje, he had a bullet in his shoulder. All they did was slap a bandage on it, and the bullet was still in there somewhere. Saunders took his eye off the road, just for a second, to look back at Caje. The Cajun’s face was pale and his sweat-soaked hair hung over his forehead. The left front of his jacket was covered with blood, and you could hardly see any of the green material. When Saunders turned back around, a large shell hole in the road was right in front. He jerked the wheel but it was too late. The front wheel hit the edge, bursting the tire. He struggled to keep the car on the road, while Michael and Babette grabbed hold of anything they could to keep themselves and Caje from flying out. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kirby, Doc and Littlejohn had just arrived with a truckload of supplies. Company was short a few drivers, so anyone who could drive a truck was called upon. Littlejohn and Kirby had driven before. Kirby was always up for riding. He constantly griped about his feet, so he was first in line to offer his assistance. Littlejohn, also experienced at driving, had volunteered as well. “Hey Lieutenant, where you want this heap parked?” Kirby yelled out the window at Hanley. “Just park it over there, Kirby.” Hanley pointed at a row of vehicles being unloaded. “Grab another truck. I want you and Doc to head back for another load. Littlejohn, you stay here.” “Jeez, Lieutenant! My butt’s going to sleep. I been driving for two days.” “Kirby, I’ve got enough on my mind without listening to you gripe.” Hanley snapped. “Lieutenant, what’s wrong?” Doc asked. “I sent Saunders and Caje and two other guys out on patrol yesterday to check Kraut movement.” Hanley paused and rubbed his eyes. “They never made it back” “Aw Lieutenant. You know those two. If anybody can take care of themselves, they can.” Kirby was trying to ease his own mind more than Hanley’s. “Littlejohn and I will go look for them. You just get back on the road ASAP. You got that, Kirby?” “Yessir! Come on Doc. You ready to hit the road…again?” “Ready when you are. Besides, I’m enjoying the ride. Just sitting here, looking out the window, while you do all the work. Not patching holes in anyone, stopping bleeding or taking shrapnel out of anyone. Just riding along.” Doc looked over at Kirby with a big grin on his face. “Aw… Shut up Doc! Sounds like you’re having way too much fun.” Kirby griped. “Just trying to take my mind off other things, that’s all.” “I know, I’m worried about them too.” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> “Lieutenant. Over here.” Littlejohn had found the bodies of the two GI’s who had gone on patrol with Saunders and Caje. Hanley came running over. “They’re dead, Lieutenant.” Littlejohn handed the dog tags to Hanley. “Any sign of Saunders and Caje?” “Not yet.” “Keep looking.” Hanley froze. On the ground lay a helmet and rifle, partially hidden by a fallen log. The rifle had dried blood on it. “That’s Caje’s.” Littlejohn said. “What about Saunders?” “No sign of him, I looked everywhere Lieutenant.” “Wherever they are, I hope they’re together.” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>> The car swerved out of control, the flat front tire making it almost impossible for Saunders to steer. He finally managed to stop the vehicle just inches from a large tree. “Everyone ok?” “We’re fine, but your friend is unconscious.” Michael said. Helping Babette out of the car, he walked her to the side of the road and sat her down in the bushes. “Are you sure you’re ok?” “I’m fine Michael. Please go help the sergeant.” They carried the wounded Cajun into the bushes and lay him down next to Babette. Saunders took Babette’s hand. “Press down here, as hard as you can. I’m going to check in the car to see if I can find something to use for bandages.” Caje gasped and moaned as Babette pressed down on the wound. “He is burning up Sergeant. He has a fever.” She placed her other hand on his forehead. “Sarge” Caje coughed, “I…I’m…th…thirsty.” Saunders grabbed his canteen, sloshing it. Damn, it’s almost empty, he thought. He gently raised Caje’s head. “Here you go, just take it easy; I’ll get you to a doctor soon. Just take it easy.” “Sergeant, how long have you two been together?” Michael asked. “We hit the beach together. He’s a good man. A good soldier.” Saunders removed his jacket and covered Caje. “He’s also a good friend.” “He will be alright, you will see.” Babette placed her hand on Saunders’ shoulder. “She’s right, Sergeant.” Michael added. “I should have had a better plan. I don’t know…maybe…maybe, he was better off.” Saunders shook his head and started to rise. “I…I just don’t know.” he whispered. Caje grabbed Saunders by the arm. “Sarge” he moaned. “I…I would…” A fit of coughing hit him. “Easy Caje, just take it easy.” “I…I would rather die… here… with you … than live in a Kraut prison camp.” His voice trailed off to a whisper, he closed his eyes, and his breathing became shallow and irregular. “Caje…Caje!” Saunders shouted “Dammit Caje! You’re not going to die…you hear me! That’s an order! I gave you an order… you got that? A direct order! You- are- not –going-to-die.” “Sergeant, I hear something.” Michael said. Saunders strained his ears. The sound drew closer. Soon he heard the roar of an engine. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>> “Hey Doc, you think they found ‘em?” “I hope so.” Doc glanced out the window, watching the landscape zoom by. “You know what happens every time those two disappear.” “Yeah, I know, but the Lieutenant will find them. They’ll be ok. I betcha by the time we get back, they’ll be sitting there drinking cognac.” “You’re probably right.” <<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>> Saunders grabbed his Thompson. “Michael, stay here, just in case something goes wrong. I’m going after that truck. I don’t care if it’s full of Krauts. Caje will die without it.” He waited in the bushes. The sound of the engine drew closer and as it rounded the curve, Saunders jumped out, spraying the ground in front of the truck with bullets. “Oh Shit! Hang on Doc!” Kirby stomped the brakes as hard as he could, skidding to a stop just a few feet from Saunders. “Sarge, What in the hell are you trying to do! Get yourself killed? You scared me half to death. What are you doing way out here? Where’s Caje?” Kirby jumped out of the truck, Doc right behind him. “Later Kirby. Doc, over here quick!” Saunders shouted, running to where he left Caje, Kirby and Doc on his heels. Michael was holding Babette. She was crying. “Sergeant, he’s dead. I’m sorry.” she cried. “I’m so sorry.” Saunders, Kirby and Doc rushed to Caje’s side. Placing his hand on Caje’s chest, he felt nothing. Doc glanced up at Saunders, his blue eyes meeting the Sarge’s anxious look, and shook his head. “Sarge, he’s…dead.” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> “Hey Paul.” A voice called him. “I know that voice.” Looking around, all he could see was a bright light. “Theo?” “Yeah, it’s me. I’m over here, by the light.” “But you’re…dead.” Caje started walking toward the voice. “Does that mean…I…I’m…..” “Don’t come any closer.” “Why? What’s going on?” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>> “Doc, Doc… h…he can’t be!” Kirby shouted, grabbing the medic by the collar. “What kinda medic are you? DO something!” He was pleading. “Kirby, there’s nothing I can do.” Doc knew Kirby didn’t mean what he said. The medic could not help but feel useless. The worst part was the dog tags. Every time he removed one, he thought ‘there must have been something else I could have done.’ Reaching for the tag, Saunders grabbed his hand. “No, he’s going with us!” Saunders snapped. “It’s my fault.” He could not look at Doc or Kirby; instead, he began talking to Caje’s lifeless body. “I should have left you with the Krauts; you would be alive now if I had.” Saunders stood up and threw his helmet on the ground. “I didn’t think to get something to use for bandages. I didn’t think to refill my canteen. I just didn’t think.” Doc climbed to his feet and walked over to Saunders. “Sarge, it’s not your fault.” “Back off Doc, I don’t want to hear one of your lectures. You weren’t there.” Saunders snapped, backing away from the medic. “I’m not going to give you a lecture, but I will tell you this. I know you did what was right.” “Right for who, Doc? Right for me… or right for him?” “Right for both.” “If it was right for both, then why is he dead? Doc, just shut up and let’s just get out of here.” Saunders knelt down to pick up Caje. “Dammit Caje, I gave you an order.” he whispered. “Sarge.” Kirby reached down to help Saunders lift Caje. “NO! Saunders yelled. I’ll do it!” <<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>> “Paul, why are you here?” “I’m tired of all this. The death, the destruction, the…killing. This war has brought out something in me. I’ve seen the way the other guys look at me. I’ve heard them talk. I was too good at it …the killing …. and that’s what scares me Theo. I…I am good, too good.” “Paul, in war you are forced to do things to keep yourself alive and to keep your friends alive. Just think if you had not done your part to the best of your abilities. Paul, look down there, at those three men. They may not be alive if it weren’t for you. Go now, before it’s too late.” “But…I could not save you.” “It was my time. There was nothing you could have done. Remember, Paul, you’re a good man; the war will not last forever. Go now, it’s not your time yet. We will see each other again…someday.” Caje suddenly felt himself falling. The End Did you really think I could do it? Hee Hee |
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