Pick Up the Pieces by Kelly Utt

Author:Kelly Utt [Utt, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Standards of Starlight
Published: 2020-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

4

Journey

It’s raining outside. I hear water pounding on the roof of the building. The sensory stimulation is nice. Even though I can’t see or smell the rain right now, knowing it’s out there makes me feel alive. It’s good to be back in my modern body. This one feels most like home. I guess that makes sense. It should.

The news isn’t all good though. I get the sense that this rainstorm is foreboding. A bad omen. If I were a superstitious man, I’d be concerned. Maybe I should be concerned. I intentionally push the thought away as fast as it arrives. I’m not in any position to worry right now. I’ve got to find Liam. Colonel Becker is right. It’s time. Long past time, if you ask me. I have to rescue my uncle and then get home to help Roddy find Ethan. I must forge on in spite of bad omens. My family is depending on me. Of course, I care deeply about the safety of my fellow Americans, too. I want to do my part to thwart the terrorists and prevent an attack on U.S. soil.

It’s overwhelming when I think about how many people are counting on me.

I remind myself that I only need to tackle one thing at a time. I’m just glad the Colonel has cleared me for the mission. Apparently, Adam and Barney aren’t here. Maybe Becker told them to back off. I don’t much care what happened to them, as long as they don’t try to hold me back again. The more strength I gain, the more I’ll be able to fend for myself and resist their attempts to sedate me. They ought to be glad my shoulder hurt as badly as it did when they came at me with the syringe. I can tell the injury is feeling better already. It’s still sore, but the pain doesn’t have the same edge to it. Adam and Barney won’t be able to take me down like that again. Not if I can help it.

“On your feet, soldier,” Colonel Beckett says.

He’s alone. I wonder where Colonel Winton is, but I don’t dare ask. I just want to get moving before anyone interferes. I leap out of bed, pleased with my newfound level of energy. I wonder how long I was out. I’m a little woozy, but I feel much better than I did earlier.

“Yes, sir,” I reply, standing up and at attention. “I’m ready for duty, sir.”

The Colonel nods. “At ease,” he says. “Sit back down. Save your strength.”

I do as he says and plop back onto the bed. My injured arm is in a sling. I wonder if I can take the sling off for the mission. Since I haven’t spoken with a medical doctor yet, I have no idea. It’s probably better not to ask. Once I’m out in the field, I’ll do with the arm as I see fit.

“Yes, sir,” I repeat.

“Major Hartmann,” Colonel Becker begins. “I trust you know what’s at stake.”

“Yes, I do, sir,” I confirm.

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