By the time we got to the Forward Operating Base or FOB, as we called it, the battle was over, or so we thought. My Sargent told me to stay in the truck. I gave him an understanding nod and watched him step out into the desert. I rapidly made my rifle ready. I hid low in the back of the tactical vehicle. The sun shining hot through the windows of the truck. The vehicle driver and I were the only two inside I put my rifle to my shoulder and aimed at the back door. Before I had time to do anything. I heard screaming and gunfire. I could hear more gunfire coming from the distance. Though the thick armor of the truck did muffle a lot of the noise coming from outside. I was ordered to stay put, but my instincts were telling me to help. I was itching to get out. Though, I knew I could never defy my Sargent's orders. Soon the screaming stops and so does the gunfire. I can hear vehicles revving in the distance. They were coming closer. I looked over quick to the driver, he was shaking and looking out the window. "Who's coming?" I whispered to him. He didn't say anything. "What's going on out there?" I whispered a little louder. "You don't want to know." He replies. Still staring, I don't even think he was blinking. I wasn't even sure if he was breathing.

His Kevlar dipped a bit to the back as he went to wipe the sweat that was forming on his head. His brunette hair sticking out a bit. His eyes were wide in shock. Pupils dilated in fear. I wondered what happened out there. "They are coming closer." He stated, not looking away from the vehicles coming our way. "Who? Good or bad?" I growled, hoping for a better answer. "I'm going with bad. They are riding in trucks and fucked up looking jeeps. There's at least ten of them." He cried. I needed to look myself. I threw my rifle over my back and kneeled on the seat. I slowly peaked up out the small bullet proof glass. What I saw would haunt my dreams forever. Dust clouds were forming as the trucks made their way towards us. They all had weapons ready. I looked down around our vehicle as best as I could. The desert sand wasn't tan anymore, it was the deep red of blood. It's almost as if the ground was the one bleeding. There were more casualties littered the ground than when we first arrived. That was from what I could see out the tiny window. I spotted my Sargent, well what was left of him. It looked as if he wasn't wearing a bullet proof vest. The vest was tattered and torn, riddled with bullet holes. He didn't look much better. There was no way even a corpsman could save him.

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There was arguing happening on the other side of the door. The door was indeed stuck. A grin formed on my face. Though not for long. One of them fired at the door. The bullet hitting the metal of the truck caused me to jump a bit and put my other knee down. I quickly got back into position. The shot shook the door loose and the men on the other side pulled them open wide. I froze staring at them. I needed to shoot. They hadn't noticed me yet. They were too busy barking at each other. I shook my head and got myself out of my trance. I took a deep breath, looking though my scope, aimed it at the guy on the left and pulled the trigger. Straight though his heart and out the back. His blood splattering on the truck behind mine. His companion looked at him in shock. I quickly reset myself and aimed at the guy on the right. Took another deep breath and shot him, before he could turn and look at me. His blood also splattering the truck behind. As quick as I could, I ran and jumped out of the truck. I heard shouting behind me as I ran, then bullets speeding past me. I knew they were going to keep chasing me. I wanted to check for survivors, but I had no time. I would surely be next on the kill list if I did.

I noticed woods up ahead. I could lose them if I ran into it. My camouflage uniform would fit in nicely. I heard a vehicle start up in the distance. "Shit. Shit. Shit!" I said to myself. I had to hurry. Even with the weight of my vest, kevlar and weapon, I was still seemly faster than the guys chasing me. Thank god for that. Someone was looking out for me today. A few more yards and I will have made it to the woods. I held in a scream as a bullet grazed my left arm. I knew I couldn't stop. I tried as hard as I could to ignore the pain. I was so close to the woods. I could almost feel the leaves and branches about to hit my face as I ran to them. I jumped as hard as I could and flailed my arms and legs as I tried to land over the brush. I got smacked by a tree branch and landed on my back on the ground, but thankfully over the brush. I could hear the enemy closing in. Shouting out orders. I had to get up, but somehow, I couldn't. My back was killing me. I kept trying. Their voices getting closer. I used the butt of my rifle to help myself get up. Standing up a little slow, but once on my feet I was able to start running again. There was no way I was going to get captured.

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"I need to go back to the convoy." I finally spoke after a few silent minutes. I felt his eyes shift to me, but I chose not to look up at him. "The enemy could still be out there. We need to wait." He objected. "There could be other survivors. I need to find out. What if back up came. I need to get back to base." "Or you get killed the minute you walk out." He yelled over me. I sat up straight, my eyes snapped to his. He didn't look angry anymore. He looked concerned now. "I need to at least see. Can I please have my weapon back?" I stressed, holding my hand out. I saw him look over at my weapon that he had placed in the corner of the room, which made me take a peak as well. It was leaned up against the dirt wall, magazine still loaded, fourteen rounds left. There were small specks of red near the tip of the barrel. From taking my two shots, doing what I had to do. I tore my eyes away and looked over at Jasper, his eyes peering at me. I stared back, not in anger this time, but in curiosity. I could tell he was thinking about my question. He eventually took his eyes away from me, he gave a low sigh. "Let me make sure the coast is clear. You can have your weapon back, you're probably a better shot than I am anyway. Just promise you won't shoot me." He urged. I gave him a single nod and gently took my weapon back.

I held it with pride as I looked it over. I untucked part of my shirt and wiped off the bloody specks. I unloaded the magazine, pulled my weapon apart. Inspecting every last inch of it. I knew he hadn't done anything with it. I was watching him the whole time, but I had to check anyway. It was like instinct. I put it back together, loading the magazine, then cocking it back, making it ready. I tucked my shirt back in and pulled my blouse back on. Then my vest. I looked around for my kevlar, only to remember it being ripped off my head. "Ready?" He asked, looking me up and down. I gave another nod. He slowly started to climb back up the tunnel. I waited a few seconds before following. I caught up to him and saw him lift of the hatch. He waved his hand behind him at me. Signaling path is clear. He climbed out but stayed low to the ground. He held the hatch up for me to climb out. I crawled out and stayed low. I heard him close the hatch behind me. He crawled up next to me and gave me a look of confusion. "Stay behind me. When we get to the edge of the woods, we need to stay low and use the brush as coverage." I whispered to him. He gave a nod and we started.

I stood up but stayed low. Jasper doing the same. We started heading towards the FOB. Trying to keep as silent as possible. Every now and then we would have to stop and listen. As we started getting closer to the edge of the forest, I started feeling the sweat slide down my face. The sun started to blind us as we go closer to the opening. I slid on my knees when we got to the edge. Staying low and behind the brush, I peered over the branches and leaves. I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't see anyone either. It was eerie and cold. The sky seemed to gray. Looking at the convoy from this side, you would never know there was a genocide on the other side. I moved a smidge to the left, so I could see in between one of the trucks. The first thing I spotted was the blood, then the body. I backed up and fell on my butt. I started to breath deep. Would I be able to go down there? "Are you sure you want to go down there? It looks like they left." Jasper inquired. All I could do was nod. I stood back up. I brought my weapon in front of me, ready for anything.

We slid down the hill of sand, landing us next to a truck. We kept silent, in case anyone was still around. I'm surprised our trucks were still here. I put a hand up to keep Jasper on this side. I went around the truck, peaked out and made sure it was clear. Only thing you could see were the dead bodies of my comrades. I lowered my weapon and walked back around to Jasper. "Clear" I told in a monotone voice. He opened his mouth, but he didn't say anything. I wasn't going to wait for him to figure it out. I went to the other side, hoping to find survivors. I decided to start with the back of the convoy, then once I got to the front, I'd go check the FOB. The walk seemed to be longer than it was. I had to maneuver around my comrades. My heart was slowly breaking as I saw the men I had come to call brothers, the women I called sisters. They never had a chance. The last truck was a troop carrier. I dreaded looking inside.

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He was leaning against the mine roller attached to the truck. His arms wrapped around the metal arms, holding himself up. I knelt next to him and start applying presser to the wound to his shoulder. He's already lost a lot of blood. I looked down at his rank and his nametag. "Lance Corporal Diamond, can you hear me?" My voice tight, hoping he would answer. He gave a low groan as he attempted to lift his head. I took my right hand and pulled off his Kevlar and wiped his dirty blond hair out of his face. The weight lifted off his head made it easier for him to look at me. His eyes darted back and forth from Jasper to me, before they closed back shut. "Stay with me Diamond. Come on, stay with me." I hollered, wiping some dried blood off his cheek. I had Jasper help me bring his arms down and lean him against me. The bullet went through his shoulder and I needed to stop the bleeding from both sides. "Jasper hold this down, while I hold down the back. I need to pack it, then bandage him." I explained. He gave me a nod and did what he was told.

I ripped off his first aid kit that was attached to his vest. Opening it with one hand was not easy, but I managed. I took out the packing and tore it open with my teeth. I took the garment I was using to stop the bleeding off and quickly started packing. As soon as I got enough in there, I put a large bandage over it. I proceeded to do the same with to the other side. This time I had two hands, but I was behind him. Not that it made a difference. Jasper watched intently as I worked. Once I had both sides finished, I brought Diamonds left arm in front of him across his chest and made a makeshift sling. I lifted his head back against my shoulder and gave him some water. Which he drank greedily. His eyes opened slightly, looking up at me.

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I rummaged through different downed buildings. Most of the explosions ruined anything inside, bodies lay throughout the rubble. Friendly and enemy. It was a horrid sight to see. I hope no one ever has to go through what I'm going through right now. Never in my dreams, did I think this would happen to me. Let alone be one of the only survivors. I need to stay focused. It's getting harder and harder to find anything. The sun is now setting. Why hasn't anyone come looking for us? After looking around some more, it was getting darker. I had to get back to the others. I started to make my way back. Trying to not stumble over any of the bodies. Unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky. As I started to pick up speed and try and get back quicker. I didn't notice the body in my way as I jumped over one. I fell flat on my face. I gave a loud grunt. I slowly put my arms under my body to try to push myself up. As I get on all fours, I look in front of me. There in front of me lay a Kevlar, it was turned so I could the inside. Blood splattered the inside, but I could still make out the picture of a women and two children. The women had long curly brown hair, a huge smile formed on her face. The children looked more like their mother. It was two girls, both had their mother's curly hair, though one had brunette hair and the other was a strawberry blonde. Their small button noses, stood out, the natural blush on their high cheekbones, all seemed to come from the tall women in the back. I don't know who the father is to tell what features they got from him. Sweat and blood was built up on the picture, but not enough to tell who was in it.