Semper Fi by Keira Andrews

Author:Keira Andrews [Andrews, Keira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780993859854
Publisher: KA Books
Published: 2014-11-11T08:00:00+00:00

1942

Mosquitoes buzzed incessantly, and Jim batted them away from his face. As the early rays of dawn penetrated the jungle canopy, the flies came to life in the squalid heat. The stench of the dead invaded Jim’s nose, and he breathed shallowly. It was no longer such a shock—the sight and smell of bodies—but Jim hoped he’d never get used to it.

The river, no more than thirty feet across, was littered with the Japanese, who had kept coming, wave after wave. Too close for mortars, so Jim, Cal and Sully had fired on the enemy with their rifles and what little ammunition they had, thankful for the machine gunners.

Beside Jim, Cal cleaned his rifle silently. Sully, feverish and likely infected with malaria, leaned against a tree with his arms wrapped around his knees. He muttered, jerking restlessly, and finally Jim asked what he was saying.

“Wanted to die.”

Cal raised his head, and he and Jim shared a glance. Cal cleared his throat. “What’s that, buddy?”

Sully didn’t seem to hear, his eyes fixed on some faraway point. Jim took a candy bar from his sodden pack and crawled over to the boy. “Here, have some breakfast.” He unwrapped the chocolate and held it up to Sully’s mouth. “Go on. You’re fine. We’re all fine.”

“I know.” Sully took a bite, chewing slowly. “It’s those crazy bastards. It was like they wanted to die.”

“Not that they wanted to. They just weren’t afraid to.” Cal spoke quietly.

“For what? I mean, what the hell are we doing here?” Sully’s sunburnt skin flushed even redder.

“We’re protecting the airfield,” Jim answered. He knew that wasn’t what Sully was asking, but he had no other answer to give.

Sully didn’t say anything else, but at least finished the candy bar. After he tossed the crumpled wrapper toward the river, he blinked. “Where’d that come from? All they’ve given us is that damned rice.”

“I had it from before. Don’t really like chocolate.” Jim could feel Cal’s eyes on him, and willed Cal not to call out the lie.

“Thanks, Johnny. That hit the spot.” Sully wiped his stained sleeve over his forehead. He closed his eyes and fell into a fitful sleep, still sitting up.

When Cal arched an eyebrow, Jim just shrugged. “He needed it more,” he whispered.

Cal was about to reply when their attention was drawn to a fellow Marine splashing into the fetid water, wading straight to the bloating corpses of the enemy. When he reached the first, he yanked open the man’s mouth.

Joe’s drawl drifted across the water. “What’cha doin’ there?”

The Marine, who Jim didn’t recognize, grinned. “Lot of these bastards got gold in their teeth.” He held up a pair of pliers. “I’m gonna go home a rich man.”

Jim’s stomach churned. He’d heard others talking about collecting souvenirs, and many of the men were desperate for an officer’s saber. He could understand the satisfying feeling of triumph such items could bring, even though the thought of robbing the dead didn’t sit right. But this was something else entirely.

Cal shook his head.

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