Ratatatat!
Heavy AK fire poured out of a hut at the far end of the destroyed Syrian village, making it impossible for his team to make their exfil. Connor had thought they’d neutralized all of the hostiles when they’d arrived. Then again, fighting ISIS was like a game of asshole whack-a-mole.
“How many hostiles?”
“I’m guessing at least five.”
“I’ve got this, chief,” Connor said. “I’ll work my way south. Keep them distracted. I’ll take them out, clear the house.”
“Keep your head down, O’Neal.”
“You got it.”
Connor crept along the ground, rifle in hand, wind blowing sand into his mouth. It wasn’t far—half a city block by US standards—and his buddies were laying down some serious cover fire. Hell, he might not even have to toss a grenade if they kept that up. They might take these guys out before he got there.
He reached the end of the village, took cover behind a low stone wall.
Ratatatat! Ratatatat!
Some bastard was still alive in there, keeping the men pinned down.
Connor pulled a grenade off his belt, checked his aim, pulled the pin—and threw it. “Frag out!”
A small child, a boy of maybe five years old, stepped out of the house, big brown eyes taking in what was left of his village.
God, no!
Why the hell hadn’t they known there were children inside?
There was nothing Connor could do.
But then the boy was gone, and Shanti stood in his place.
How the hell had she gotten here?
She smiled at him.
“Run, Shanti!” he shouted for her, motioned frantically, knowing it was too late.
BAM!
The grenade detonated, shrapnel tearing Shanti apart, her blood spilling—
“Connor!”
Shanti triedto wake him from what was obviously a nightmare. “Connor!”
His eyes flew open, anguish on his face. “Shanti?”
He reached for her, searching her as if checking to make sure she was okay.
“I heard you call my name. I thought Naing’s men were here, but you were having a bad dream.”
“Shit.” He nodded. “Sorry.”
“Last time, it was me who broughtyourunning. I won’t keep count if you don’t.”
He closed his eyes, the nightmare clearly still dragging at him.