AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cpl. Bailey held himself together long enough to knock against the door of the suburban home tucked away in the foothills. Then fell apart, choking out cries of relief, as his wife and two young daughters pulled him inside. Landon kept his eyes on the residential roads, waiting for the chaos they’d left behind to come following them to this section. Birds flew overhead, a few curious onlookers peeked outside their curtains. It was so surreal, like being transported to a different world. But how long would they be safe out here?
Landon tried not to think about the ticking clock, but Cpl. Bailey’s wife had a lot to bring, so there was plenty of time to worry.
“I wish she’d hurry.” Cpl. Hemming measured the remaining tobacco in his dip can and sectioned off a smaller pinch as they leaned against the side of the AAV, waiting.
Landon glanced over at HM3 Cooper who was crawling into the back of the second AAV, cursing about hoarders. Cpl. Bailey’s wife stood tall, rolling her eyes and pretending to ignore them all as she carried the last box of canned food to the back of the duty van.
“I think we’re ready.” Landon clapped the corporal on the back just as GySgt. Fuimaono gave the order to load up. “One last stop and then it’s your turn.”
“Are you sure Sgt. Brittany has the back roads marked?” GySgt. Fuimaono asked again as he drove the two lane road behind the second AAV that had taken the lead.
“Hard to triple check from here,” Sgt. Sierra muttered under his breath. GySgt. Fuimaono turned, with fire in his eyes, and the AAV swerved hard to the left throwing Landon against the frame of the hatch. He gasped as the air rushed from his lungs.
“He’s got it, Gunny!” Sierra screamed, clinging to the metal frame of the hatch with a death grip. GySgt. Fuimaono righted the course and continued down the road.
Landon dropped to the seat holding his side and staring at the back of GySgt. Fuimaono’s head in disbelief.
“Did we hit something?” Cpl. Hemming cried out from the back as he picked himself up from the floor.
“Just Sierra’s pride.” Landon chuckled and took a deep breath to make sure his ribs weren’t broken.
“Jokes on you. I have no pride,” Sgt. Sierra yelled as the wind whipped around his face.
Landon braced himself when GySgt. Fuimaono made a sharp right turn, muttering, “Stupid Marines.”
