“I ran to the end of the street and stopped. I didn’t know where to go. I sat down in the middle of the street and started crying. That’s when one of those things almost got me. He came out from behind a parked car and lunged at me. I jumped up before he could get me and ran.”
“I didn’t stop running after that. I dodged at least three more of those things. It wasn’t too hard. They were kind of slow. But I didn’t know where I was going – only that I needed to get away. The next thing I really remember was seeing the school bus...”
Maria blinked once and looked up, as if snapping out of a daydream. Christine had sat in silence, listening to the teenage girl recounting her tale. She still held on to Maria’s hand with both of hers. Maria noticed and looked at her hand. She had squeezed Christine’s hand hard in the telling of her tale. Her grip softened now as she became aware.
Around them the cafeteria had grown quiet. Just about everybody was looking at Maria. Some people had even moved closer, to better hear her story.
Christine saw Nancy at the next table. The older lady’s eyes had welled up, and her body was twitching slightly, as if she had to restrain herself from rushing over and collecting the young girl into a hug. “You poor thing...” She said.
Claire, who was sitting beside Nancy, locked eyes with Maria. She had a sad look on her face, one of shared sorrow. Christine sensed that the two of them had made a connection.
Keith even looked sad. The normally unemotional man gave several small nods when Maria looked over at him, before inclining his head.
Christine’s mom and dad were clinging to each other. The two most outspoken individuals of the group were reduced to a stunned silence.
It was all too much for Maria. She broke contact with Christine and stood up in a rush. “I’m tired. ... Going to bed.” She mumbled as she stepped away from the bench and hurriedly walked out of the cafeteria.
Behind her, Ern had put a hand on Nancy’s shoulder. “Let the girl be.” He said softly, reading Nancy’s intentions before she had even acted.
The rest of the group disbanded quickly after that and went to their sleeping quarters. It was very quiet during the night. The silence was only broken once. By the sound of shooting in the distance.
Chapter Thirty-six
Tammy
October 28, 7:45 P.M.
The intensely loud ‘WHOP WHOP WHOP’ of the helicopter blades above briefly overwhelmed all other sensations. It was so strong, that Tammy felt the pressure in waves on her ear drums.
Assisted by strong arms, she moved further into the fuselage of the massive helicopter. As she passed the trio of radio operators, she saw that they held each other in an embrace. She was sure that she heard BB say, ‘Bye Danny.’
With the marine’s help, she passed several rows of pallets, which sat secured on the floor of the aircraft with netting, covering boxes stacked about chest high. Past the pallets was an open space. Heavy netting hung from the ceiling of the aircraft, ready to secure a load that wasn’t there. The marine gestured for Tammy to hold on to the netting for balance, then turned back to collect another person.
Eventually, the two marines moved everybody to a position along the netting. Once they were done, they took the time to check each person for injuries. The group swayed and moved with the unpredictable movements of the helicopter and clung to the netting. But the marines seemed to have no problem with their balance, moving around with confidence.
Abi was positioned next to Tammy. BB was across the open center area, holding on to the netting on the opposite side. He got their attention with an excited wave.
“This is one of those Super Stallion helicopters, I think.” He yelled. One of the marines was just walking close by and had heard his statement.
He shook his head and came closer so that he could be heard without yelling.
“Close, but no cigar, Boot.” The marine had a distinct Northeastern accent, making ‘cigar’ sound like ‘cigah’.
“This here is a CH 53 K King Stallion, boot. It’s the largest heli in the US military. It’s wicked! Biggah’ than one of them Chinooks!”
Since there was no reply, the marine continued.
“We call him Rocko. Seats 50 comfortably, when we got’s the centerline seats in.” He pointed at some anchor holes that extended down the center of the helicopter from front to back.
“Sorry folks, standin’ room only today!” He guffawed at his own joke.
“You guys are lucky. We were on the way to make a drop, with direct orders to deliver and return to base. Can’t be wastin’ fuel an’ all!”
He grinned at Tammy. The marine had an infectious personality, so Tammy couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“We wasn’t too fah from here when we picked up yoah distress call. The Cap decided we should take a slight detoah and check it out.”
“We’re sure glad you did!” Abi piped up, which elicited another big grin from the marine.
“Well you know the Marines. ‘Semper Gumby!’” He guffawed again. Tammy had no idea what ‘Semper Gumby’ meant.
BB did laugh at the joke. “We owe you, brother.” He said in a more serious tone. “We were seriously FUBAR!” He extended his hand to the marine.
“Hey, we had ta get our good deed in fer the day!” The marine answered as they shook hands.
“Name’s Willy Boyne.”
“Nice ta meet’ya, Willy. I’m Frankie. Frankie McLellan. That there is Johnny Hershey. Like the chocolate bah!” He said with a chuckle.
“Up front we got Captain John-Michael Dupuis!” The way Tammy heard him say it, it sounded like ‘Due-pee’. “And his co-pilot DeAndre Daniels. But Johnny and me calls ‘em ‘Emu’ and ‘Alf’!” This was followed by a series of guffaws as the marine laughed at his joke. Tammy had no idea what
