《...the fuck did I leave my lighter?》

Left alone and waiting for you and Corporal Merwin to come back together, Nick tried to light a cigarette to ease the tensions, but apparently there wasn't the desired effect...in particular, Eric looked at the sergeant suspiciously as he realized that, just before, Rachel had brought a lighter with her, knowing full well that his wife didn't smoke.

Nick didn't seem to care about that anyway, while Jason had his head completely elsewhere, because he hadn't stopped looking at the temple entrance for all the time.

How long had it been? One minute? Two? Well, it seemed too much for him and he would have run right there if that asshole hadn't gotten in the way.

《Tell me what your problem is Colonel, why did you let her go alone knowing what the hell is down here?》  Jason turned to the blond one very frankly, who returned the gaze with a raised eyebrow.

《We're all doing our part here, Lieutenant. I don't understand why you're so worried–》

《She's not a soldier, no? You can't treat her as if she were right fuckin' now!》  With the rifle under his arm, Jason took a step towards Eric, who responded in the same way.  《So, stop this silly game or next time I'll do everything my way.》

He was sure Jason knew what he was doing, it was his squad after all, so Nick didn't step in to separate them...he was definitely tired of the colonel's arrogant attitude, anyway.

《Hey! I'm still in command here and you'd better remember your rank...》  But then, King speculated that Kolchek's behavior was of another nature.

《What's wrong Lieutenant, did that girl make you lose sight of your own duty?》  Eric insinuated with a half smile  《...let's be clear, do you think someone like her would tarnish her reputation by sleeping with any marine? Better let it go.》

Jason pretended those words hadn't touched him in the least if he didn't really want to kick his ass...he didn't care about a guy's opinion like him anyway, as he hadn't even been able to save his own marriage, or his wife.

But out of the respect he owed his superior, Kolchek cleverly decided not to reply that way...but inside him, he strongly believed that wouldn't make the same mistake with you.

And to be honest, he wasn't just any marine at all, he thought with narrow eyes, as he remembered how many times you had smiled, and blushed unconditionally, with him and just with him.

But soon, all three were taken aback by the sound of sudden, creeping footsteps.

《I see you want to keep the fun all to yourself here, huh?》  There, Corporal Merwin appeared before them just like a ghost, opening his arms in the air in front of those bewildered faces.

《—what the fuck Lazarus!》  Nick protested as he walked towards him, none of them had noticed his arrival.

《Eh! Back from the dead, baby!》

Anyway, his cheering tone wasn't shared by the rest of the group, who looked extremely confused.

《Wait a moment, how did you get here?》  Eric raised a hand noticing that the corporal was alone.  《And where is Miss Hale?》

《Oh is the princess here too? That's a shame I haven't seen her for all this time, I'd have asked her to take care of me ahah!》  Merwin laughed at his own joke without noticing the strange silence of the others.

Jason's heart pounded relentlessly in his chest when he didn't see you there, it was possible that you and Merwin didn't meet each other inside the temple?? No, there was definitely something wrong and he intended to find out what it was...

But unexpectedly, it was Colonel King who made the first move.

《I'll go check it out while you fix the radio.》  Although Eric was talking to everyone, he stared at Lieutenant Kolchek for a brief moment before running to the temple.  《I was the one who sent her there, after all. It's my duty to take care of all the members of my team.》

Jason raised an eyebrow at the colonel's change, probably because he felt compelled to do that after everything that was happening to them...or perhaps, to atone for a sin he had committed...

《...of all the things that came out of his mouth today, this one was the most sensible.》  Nick said suddenly as he joined Jason, who was also clearly surprised.

《Mpf, definitely.》  The cap boy let out a short chuckle  《But I'm not sure about it...that's my duty too, especially mine.》

《If it's Y/n, well, you're absolutely right man.》  There, Nick patted Jason on the back, who turned to look at him with an expression of amazement.

《What? She messed up my brain and all, you already know buddy.》  When he saw his friend's face, Nick couldn't help but smile, pointing a finger at him before returning to attend the corporal.

《'Course, but you said it.》

After that, he was sure Jason sent him to fuck off, but still said nothing; meanwhile, not very far from them, Colonel King had reached the top of the stairway and was now close to pass the door.

It was pitch black inside, even with the light from his earpiece he couldn't see beyond a certain range, but he kept walking with little steps, keeping the gun close at hand.

《Officer Hale?》

No reply. Eric began to take deep breaths, you were probably still in the research camp, but it was strange that you hadn't noticed Merwin's absence...

But suddenly, he stopped abruptly when at his feet he saw a pair of boots and then a pair of legs...and finally your entire body lying on the ground, unconscious.

《What the—》

A violent blow to the head knocked him forward, until his body also thudded to the ground; as he fell, his fingers lost their grip on his Glock pistol.
At his feet, the figure of the Iraqi Captain was standing up, after he had hit the American one with the back of his rifle.

[Let's kill these two assholes, so they'll understand who is in charge here!] Dar murmured as if talking to someone else...and indeed, from the darkness of the corridor Salim appeared too.

But his intention was totally different from the other.

[I believe that if we want to get their attention, we'll have to use him.] The Iraqi Lieutenant replied by pointing at Eric [Let's leave the girl here for the moment.]

There, Dar seemed pleased to see that Salim had changed his mind and was planning to attack the American enemies; coincidentally, he was the one who knocked you out earlier, although he had done with kinder methods than his...

Or so Salim had decided to make him believe...shooting American soldiers and keeping that insane war was the last thing he wanted to do, but that was the only way to keep his Captain at bay, without trying to kill you or Eric. And he was doing well, fortunately and for now.

But of course, nothing was going as planned and that was true for both sides...and just then, a quick shot was fired through the cave, hitting mortally the corporal's head while he was still working on the radio.
The two marines couldn't help but move behind some rocks and immediately responded to enemy fire, after realizing that the shots were coming from the entrance to the temple.

• • •

What a fucking day.

If you could, you would have gone back to that morning— no, a month ago, just before taking that shitty flight! This was where your precious dreams and ambitions had led you, to suffocate in that Hell that smelled of dust and blood with every heavy breath.

You didn't move a muscle in your body and no voice came out of your mouth, just your thoughts running like a movie in your head, as if they were the last ones...at this point, you doubted that you would be able to get out of there alive.

Among those thoughts, there was one that intoxicated your mind...the face of a young man with a baseball cap on his head, staring at you with his big brown eyes as he spoke to you in that extremely sexy voice of his...and with those sexy dimples, that appeared shamelessly, obviously with the intention to rip you off! But unfortunately, you couldn't hear any words and wondered what on earth he wanted to tell you...

And your cheeks got wet at the thought that you weren't able to let him know you liked him, even just a little!

But if you were dying, then why could you think about all these things? And why did your eyes tremble every time you heard the sound of a bullet? You were sure it was, just as you came to feel that of your heart.

It was at that moment that you suddenly opened your eyes, breathing deeply and repeatedly. The dim light of those miserable lights and the huge rock ceiling that seemed to fall on you, made you regret being back in that horrible place.

...did I pass out?

You couldn't remember what had happened just before, but the shots not far from you made you think there was no more time to reflect. So, you tried to get up slowly.

You had a big headache, but it didn't look like you got a blow, since you weren't bleeding; you looked around and noticed that you were still inside the temple, but a few steps from the exit.

Right there, you saw what appeared to be a gun a few feet away from you, but you were sure it wasn't yours. Either way, you got it.

Outside the gate, there was the Iraqi Bastard with the beret, that was the nickname you had especially for him, intent on shooting while he was covered behind a giant pillar.

Motherfucker!

But as you stretched a little further, you saw Colonel King lying on the ground, unconscious. You had no doubts that it was him and you were hoping he was still alive...but in order to verify it, you needed to get closer to Dar, maybe taking him by surprise, just like he did with you.

But suddenly, you heard the echo of a familiar voice amid the sound of bullets.

《—COVER ME!!!》

You had no doubts, that was Jason's voice. Apparently, he was trying to approach the temple by being covered by Nick's shots, which managed to stop the Iraqi one for a moment. But like that, he was able to reload the rifle, shooting again when he could have the chance.
But with his back to the door, he wouldn't have time to react if you hit him from behind, you thought as you tried to approach Dar silently.

Please don't turn around...

As soon as you were behind him, you immediately thought shooting him in the back of the head was the best solution, but you waited before doing such a thing.

From your position, there was no one else shooting at the two marines, who were taking cover behind the rocks now, unable to counterattack; suddenly, you recognized the figure of Nick, coming out and running quickly with his head down, probably to flank him to his right, where the Iraqi soldier was completely uncovered by the pillar.

Plus, he didn't seem to have noticed your presence.

《Well, hello there, 'wabbit.》

Nick was ready to fire in his direction, which was yours too, until you saw him accidentally tripping over something, causing him to lose his balance, and that caught Dar's attention.

You heard him scream something in his own language before he aimed the rifle at the sergeant, now unable to defend himself.

Shit!

Without thinking too much, you took a noisy step towards your enemy.

《Hey!!!》

Before Dar could even turn to you, you punched him hard in the face; unluckily, he didn't fall to the ground, but you managed to stun him enough to get your hands on his rifle hitting him again, this time with your right elbow.

《Don't move.》  You said slowly without taking your eyes off the Iraqi Captain, as you pointed his AKM rifle at him; of course, you knew how to use it, but you preferred to unload it by throwing away the charger.

Dar didn't move, but he hadn't even raised his hands in surrender and you doubted he was the type to do it, so the only way to lift the pressure on his person was to point a gun at him...and you showed no fear in doing that.

Until you saw him smile.

Don't try to underestimate me, you sick bastard, do you really think I can't fucking shoot you!?

But very soon, you discovered the reason of that, precisely when you heard the sound of a click coming from behind you. In that moment, you lost all the confidence you had when you realized who he could be...you didn't know why, but you almost forgot Salim was on his side.

[Shoot her, Salim! What are you waiting for!?] The man in front of you yelled, obviously looking for the help of his friend.

[...not yet. If we take her as a hostage, maybe we could use them to get out of here.] This time, Salim turned to Dar with a firm, stern voice and you could hardly recognize it was his.

It was probably just like that and you never knew anything true about him.

But unexpectedly, Salim spoke in your ear switching from Arabic to English.

《Play the game. I promise nothing will happen to you. But now please, drop the gun.》

You hesitated at that moment. You didn't know what Salim had in mind, including what they were saying and you didn't like that at all.

But your choice pissed off Dar, who suddenly came up to you and managed to deflect your gun aside to hit you in the stomach, putting you on your knees.

Well, the idea of ​​keeping you alive seemed foreign to him, until he heard some steps hastily walk up the stairway...

There, he met the menacing gaze of the one who had guessed to be the real leader of all the assholes; after the shooting had strangely stopped, the First Lieutenant Kolchek had decided to run towards the temple, so that his target was completely in his sights.

Jason was about to pull the trigger when he suddenly stopped. He didn't know how or why that was happening, but now you were there, in front of him, with a gun pressed to your cheek.

《Jason...》

He tried not to destabilize his posture when heard your voice calling his name, but when Jason saw who the man was holding you back, well, he completely lost his temper.
He tightened his fingers around the rifle, but didn't lower it, sure he could hit his forehead with a single blow...

But both him and the Iraqis were forced to back away to avoid some debris falling from the pillars, clearly damaged by all those stray bullets.

[Fall back, Lieutenant!] Dar said aloud as he backed towards the door, using you as a protective shield. Salim did that but without turning his back on Jason.

He tried to say something to the marine before running away, until Jason heard another terrifying sound that made him forget it altogether.

《Push forward into the temple! Move!》  He yelled at Nick as Eric slowly recovered from his nap, still slightly dizzy, but able to retrieve his gun on the ground.

Once inside, Jason and Nick made an extra effort to close the doors at any cost, while the colonel made sure there was no one behind them.

《I don't see the Iraqis and where the hell is Hale!?》  Eric yelled at the two soldiers.

《She's not out there, that's for sure!》  Jason replied angrily, getting more strength in his arms.  《Come on Nick! Put your shoulder into it–》

《I'm fucking doing it!》

Maybe, he was tired and out of his mind, because Nick thought he heard a female voice.

《Wait!》

No, it wasn't his imagination, he really heard it, but he didn't understand why was on the other side of the door...

Of course, he could recognize it even miles away.

《...Rachel?!》

As if by a miracle, Rachel's real figure ran through the door before it was completely closed.

《Y-you're alive?》  Nick couldn't take his eyes off as he was so happy to see her and immediately run to hug her, despite her constant panting.

《Have any doubt, marine?》  Rachel returned that intense hug with the sergeant as if it were the only thing she was missing all this time...

Until she broke that physical contact herself.

《Where's Eric?》

Well, Eric had stayed on the sidelines to see the whole scene, but he couldn't help running to hug his wife and this time it was Nick's turn to step aside.

《...I'm so sorry Rache.》  Her husband said in a pained tone and Rachel knew exactly what he was talking about.

However, she didn't appear resentful from that.

《You followed climbing protocol. You had no other choice but to cut the rope. We don't need to discuss it.》

Anyway, Eric tried in vain to continue that chat as he was interrupted by Nick, clearly annoyed to hear his apologies.

《It's him, isn't it?》

At that sudden question, Nick said nothing and that confirmed Eric's suspicions.
Of course, when he learned of the secret relationship between the two of them, he didn't hesitate to hit the sergeant in the face, who reacted in the same way, this time.

《Stop it!》  Rachel stepped between the two men, who seemed determined to continue, ignoring where the hell they still were.

《I tried waiting, Eric. I really did.》

She added in a weak voice then, and not just because of the terrible state she was in, completely covered in blood...she seemed really sorry for her husband.

《Always loyal...》  The other replied without holding back a chuckle, catching his wife's attention again.

《...well, you weren't so loyal when you cut the rope.》  Rachel pointed out, this time with a more bitter tone than earlier.

《—It's good to see you, Rachel. I thought we'd lost you.》  There, Jason decided to intervene, trying to force Nick not to meddle in their private affairs again and with the hope of appeasing their tense spirits.

As if his weren't already troubled enough about his own ones, anyway.

《Who else made it through?》  Rachel asked turning to him, noticing that some faces were missing.

《Merwin's gone and those things...they got Joey, Clarice...》  Kolchek replied until he reached the hardest part  《...and those bastards took Y/n away with them.》

There, Rachel stiffened when she heard Clarice's name, but then her thoughts turned to you and noticed Jason had lowered the gaze in the meantime.
She didn't hold back in placing a palm on his shoulder, maybe with the intention of comforting him, until he began to speak again.

《It was my fault. I should have protected her, but instead— Fuck!》

Jason was clearly frustrated, but the fear had taken hold of him the moment he could have lost you because of a wrong shot, allowing the Iraqis to escape, not understanding why the hell they hadn't let you go.
Rachel listened without saying anything, it was the first time she had seen Kolchek in that way and the reason was obviously clear to her...at that moment, Jason seemed the only person truly in pain before her eyes, maybe because she had decided to ignore both Eric and Nick, for the sake of the entire squad.

Suddenly, the caramel woman patted his shoulder gently  《Then, we have to move on from here. I promise we'll bring her back to you, Lieutenant.》

Just then, Jason stared at her almost immediately and Rachel returned with a smile.

《What? Did you really think I didn't know it? I'm not stupid Jason, I noticed you and Y/n have a crush on each other. The more she denied it, the more I was sure she was lying.》

Hearing that from Rachel embarrassed him deeply, even more when he learned that you thought about him; Nick smiled to see his friend in pain for love and agreed with Rachel in moving to look for you, while Eric remained distant, if not absent...of course, he was still thinking about Rachel and how to get things right.

But it wasn't long before that peace was broken by a violent push on the door; there was no doubt, those monsters were trying to come inside the temple forcibly and the team should have prepared itself to welcome them properly.

《You armed?》  Jason asked Rachel when saw she had nothing in her hand and so he lent her his own gun.

《Make sure every shot counts.》

But the truth was that it wouldn't be enough to stop them completely. Soon, the gate would be destroyed and rather than face that whole swarm of winged monsters, they decided to take refuge in the catacombs, unaware of what awaited them there...

And among them, Jason hoped you were there too.

• • •

Some time earlier, you had set foot in the catacombs with the two Iraqis, where your survival depended especially on Salim's words.

For now, surrendering yourself to them was the only option to avoid the worst, but you didn't know how long you could have lasted, especially along with the bastard one...he did nothing but yelling at you in his language everytime and you could just imagine what he was saying...

For example, when you stopped in front of the final hall, the same where Jason and Nick had placed the explosive charges, Dar abruptly grabbed you by the collar of your top.

《I suggest you keep the middle if you don't want to suddenly blow up.》

You said hatefully and with narrow eyes as you looked him in the face, even if that wouldn't have been a bad thing to see...of course, Salim thought about translating for you and when Dar knew about that, he pushed you into the corridor, gesturing you to go ahead first.

Him and Salim followed you after you had walked the entire path unharmed...but then, Dar thought about leading the group again, since you didn't even know what was beyond it.

[If she makes a wrong move, shoot her. Understood?] Basri gave that order to his subordinate, who replied with a simple glance; luckily, he had already turned to look ahead before he could notice your hateful face.

Yes yes...fuck you too.

Obviously, Salim was standing behind you and didn't seem to be pointing the weapon at your back, just like he did before, but you didn't turn around to find out...Jason was right, you thought, you shouldn't have trusted at him so easily, but you couldn't forget what you had gone through with him, and from which you had managed to survive.

Maybe, that was why you felt a pain in your chest, as if you had suddenly been pierced...suddenly, your fingers wiped away what looked like a tear on your cheek and that gesture didn't go unnoticed by the Iraqi Lieutenant.

There, he took advantage of Dar's distraction to talk to you.

《I'm sorry Y/n, I didn't want things to go this way...》  Salim came close to you, but avoided touching your body so as not to be rejected by you  《...but believe me when I tell you this was the only way to save you and your friends.》

You just looked down, almost amused by that.

《...that's my fault, I shouldn't have left my low guard with you...I should have guessed you'd never be on my side and this is the proof...I hate to admit it, but you've been a good fake friend Salim.》

The man said nothing, he knew that would be your reaction; yes, pointing the gun at you wasn't what he wanted, but it was the only way to stop Dar from killing someone else after saw him shoot one of your teammates mercilessly. Salim wanted you to give up to prevent the same fate from happening to you, and although he did it for a good purpose, you couldn't help but be disappointed.

However, he shook his head to reflect what he had to do to keep you away from Dar, until he heard your voice again.

《Tell me, was your son's story a fiction too...?》

You thought it was another one of his games to gain your trust. When he met your gaze, Salim parted his lips in front of your swollen eyes, proof that they felt hurt and that was a heavy blow to him too.

《Zain is the most important thing I have in my life. I could never lie about him.》  Right there, he put two fingers inside his left breast pocket and pulled out a small photo, showing a young boy who looked a lot like him.

《He turns eighteen today...I had finally returned home after buying a present for him, when I had to leave again for, this.》

His pained expression and his words towards the son convinced you that he wasn't telling a lie and when he saw your expression soften a little, Salim smiled internally, wishing you could truly forgive him in the end...

But your conversation ended when you heard loud shots coming from behind your backs and you were sure the rumble was coming from the main hall of the temple.

[Go faster!] Dar yelled at Salim as he aimed the rifle at you, even though you had nothing to defend yourself with. In any case, you did as he ordered and started running through a narrow dark corridor, behind Salim.

Just later, you three reached a new room, but the presence of artificial lights made you realize that the surprises weren't over yet in that place...

[The Americans will pass this way soon, we have to ambush them...] But before he could finish his speech, a sudden earthquake, accompanied by a thunderous roar, similar to an explosion, made you lose your balance.

The charges, they're burst out!

There, you looked towards the corridor you came from, hoping that the others would appear from there soon, when Dar brutally hit you in the face with his own weapon.

[If you think you can escape, I'll kill you right now bitch!]

There, Salim stepped between you two and when he simply warned you not to provoke him, of course, you did the opposite.

《Whatever your intentions are, they won't work with them. Better save the bullets for what's to come shortly, you bastard!》  You screamed, even though you were staggering and blood was running out of your nose...

At that point, it was Salim's turn to intervene.

[You have to stop with all this Captain! You didn't understand the gravity of the situation, we must get out of here before it's too late–]

He gasped when he saw the rifle pointing at him, leaving also you unable to react.

[Shut up Salim, I don't want to hear a damn word from you anymore!]

But in that moment, Dar realized something he hadn't thought about right away, which was that he might have been plotting behind his back and this explained his lack of hostility towards the Americans...anyway, his anger increased further.

[It's for her, huh? That's why you didn't want to kill her, because you're a damned traitor!!]

Judging by the angry tone with which he had spoke, it wasn't really necessary to know Arabic to understand what he meant, and Salim just looked at him without batting an eye...apparently, he hadn't just deceived you, but also his own Captain and that left you seriously speechless.

Other than stubborn...he's a total freak!

But now, the situation was getting more and more out of hand...and not just for you, because also Salim was in trouble too, so much so that he was forced to throw his gun to the ground.

Shit, this fucking bastard will kill both of us seriously if we don't do something!

Again, you wiped the blood over your mouth without stopping to stare at the two Iraqis, now against each other...

By now, nobody trusted the other anymore.