1
DYING TO SEE YOU
Kail Stone
“Incoming!” A blast rattles the metal chassis, blurs the air with shockwaves and shrapnel.
The chopper wrenches about in the sky, twisting, whipping through the revolutions so fast every part of me hurts, and I black out while throwing up.
I wobble back into existence, ears ringing. I might be upside-down.
I can feel nothing below my neck, and breathing…breathing is dispensed in infrequent gasps and scary whines. I try to push at whatever is over my face. Nothing happens. It might be blood flooding my eyes. For all I can tell, it might be the contents of my eyes or my brain. Feet, legs, still nothing. If no one comes to get us, ASAP, I’m done for. My life doesn’t flash before me, it rumbles in like a tank, smacking me for all the things I didn’t do but should’ve done. Most of all for not going through with my love for Hailey.
Prom night…
Sitting on the steps of your house, in the low light of pink-purple dusk, holding your shoulders as you sob out your heart, because your mother has just died. I kissed you that night, but it was a brotherly kiss on the forehead, in comfort. The corsage withered, and I nearly tossed in the garbage.
The funeral.
My foster family leaving town. I kept a piece of the corsage from the prom. Kept the award from school we shared for that Shakespeare assignment, and the panties I stole for a prank then never told you about it. Kept the air you breathed in my lungs, remembering your scent.
Years went by and when I found you again, you had a computer degree.
Your face swims into view, and I smile.
You were shacked up with Yates, a hacker. My last night as a civilian, and I sent him hard stares across the table at your apartment, thought you were in bed with each other, hated the other stuff you were doing together.
Months later, in town and only hours away from shipping out with my unit, I sent you a text.
KAIL: Hailey, remember me?
The big grin on my face when you replied.
HAILEY: Kail! It’s been a while. I missed you. Where are you now?
KAIL: Here. Shipping out soon with my unit. I can’t say more. You still with Yates?
HAILEY: We’re business partners, so yes. With? Really with? That’s a no. Did you think we were together, like fucking? Meet me somewhere?
I let out a scream, pumped my fist.
We met at a bar, kissed in a dark corner, then found a hotel.
I remember that night.
How I entered you and stopped, fathoms deep, engulfed by the pulsing wet heat of you. I remember your face, your eyes, your mouth, and how you squirmed under me. The whimpers. You, pleading me to move. How I tied you up, reddened your rear, left you sleeping with a sweet, satisfied smile curving your lips.
“We were meant to be together,” I whisper through the blood in my throat.
I told you I’d spank your butt, tie you down, then do bad things to you next time we meet, if you weren’t a good girl. I should have kidnapped you and gone AWOL.
I suck in a long, squeaky breath.Is that pain? Am I feeling my ribs again? Pain is good. My legs are still…gone. Really gone? Have I cracked my spine or lost them?
The chopper is smoking the air, making breathing even harder, but I may’ve been thrown a long way. It’s behind me in the trees, judging by the distant snaps, pops, and creaks. By the rustle of leaves in the wind, above. By the lack of heat. Not that far though. If it explodes and burns, so will I, and I can’t move.
Do they even know we’re down? I can’t hear any cries or sirens. The pilot sent a mayday, but did anyone hear?
I’m going to die here.
