When Can I Stop Running? by John Podlaski

Author:John Podlaski [Podlaski, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: novel, history, military, Vietnam War
Publisher: John Podlaski
Published: 2017-05-12T04:00:00+00:00

NINE – LISTENING POST (MIDNIGHT)

Jungle insects and other nocturnal creatures resumed playing their exotic music. The earlier infiltration of their habitat no longer posed a threat; it was safe again to seek out mates. Their activity and sound provided a calming effect on those humans nearby in the Listening Post.

Polack suddenly stiffened, turned his head slightly and tried to focus in the darkness. Listening intently, he waited for the specific sound to repeat itself. The symphony continued at full tilt; crickets and monkeys seemingly making the most noise. He heard the faint fluttering of a bird overhead as it flitted from tree to tree. Then, all at once, the bird called out in the darkness, “REEEE-UP... REEEE-UP... REEEE-UP”. It sounded like the deep baritone croak of a frog – nothing like a bird. It moved to another location and repeated its mating call. There was no response, but nevertheless, Polack smiled broadly, glad to have the bird to keep him company.

One specimen of lizard in the jungle had an unusual mating call that sounded like a bathtub floating toy when squeezed. Its call was high-pitched and completed in two parts. The first, sounding like “FAAA” was sort of a whistle, a sharp trill that rose in octaves. The second sounded more like a sigh, “CUE”, as if the lizard were exhaling. Together, its mating call sounded like “FAAA-CUE... FAAA-CUE.”

On some occasions, these two creatures were both nearby and called out to one another. The bird called out, “REEE-UP” (an acronym for re-enlisting in the military) and the lizard responded with “FAAA-CUE.” Sometimes it would go on for hours and it was hilarious.

Both the Blue Eared Barbet bird and Tokay Gecko Lizards are plentiful in the jungles of Vietnam; each call out to mates during the still of night, and would often keep American soldiers company during their nightly watches. Their croaks and whistles were well known to the men. However, both creatures were better known by their slang names: “re-up bird” and “fuck you” lizard. That night, both serenaded Polack.

A mortar flare suddenly popped overhead, close to the treeline and near the LP position, interrupting Polack’s symphony. Hearing this noise, LG awoke instantly and joined Polack in watching the bright light nearby. It burst in the sky right where the treeline and the east trail intersected. An hour ago, it would have caught the enemy platoon by surprise while they took their break.

Every creature immediately stopped its chatter once the flare exploded, remaining still while the light pulsated over the area. The breeze continued to blow from the west and soon carried the parachute over the LP’s position. Both men froze, knowing full well that movement in the flickering light is exaggerated and would be bound to expose them. The flare, like a spotlight, showered both men with throbbing beams of light. Their only choice was to keep still and continue watching their front, riveted until the light went out. Everything appeared surreal and shifted under the floating torch, opening the door to their imaginations.

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