In the background I heard the 2nd squad machine gun open up and the burst of a hand grenade. I never heard one of the new ones they were carrying go off but I hoped they were the only ones with them. I also hoped they didn't kill of all the hostages saving them.
I knew we were going to take casualties, the rarity was not taking any, I just didn't want any screamers until we got everyone loaded up and moving. I also had a real problem with wounded and dead kids.
All this was running through my head while I worked on orientating myself. I was about to lead us back the way Rodriquez was facing when I heard a kid scream from the opposite direction. The same one the three Apaches had come from. I started running in that direction. The scream which, in my head at least, had never stopped.
The only thing I did right next was take the corner wide. I wasn't thinking anymore. I was slipping away fast to a place I had only come close to, and not all that often in the past few years, the place where I didn't give a shit. I didn't think. I didn't care. Where everything happened in slow motion around me, where only one thing mattered and that was to kill. I had already tasted it today, now I gulped it and I loved it.
In any conflict, war, fight, whatever you wish to call it. Those who use or abuse children in that are nothing but pure evil.
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered how so many of them make it to a trial. I believe that forgiveness is not an option and is ultimately given. But I withhold the need to be repulsed and disgusted first and hope the forgiveness is a 2 way street.
Jim in MO.
Jim,
ReplyDeleteYeah.
hope the forgiveness is a 2 way street.
I would count on it and if it isn't -- oh well.