STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SIX

The weeks turned to months; winter blustered on and on for a while, then was lost to a glorious spring of sunshine, flowers, green leaves and birds nesting. Angel grew round with the promise of new growth and birth. There were anxious moments and sometimes fear tried to shadow the night, but Angel was held in the prayers of her friends. 

Even Thomas was beginning to glance at a Bible from time to time, his mind opening.

But Jason held out, entrenched in doubts and shadows he alone knew from the deep past.

He is in a shallow pit. It is very hot and humid. The air drones with insects that afflict them mercilessly. He feels alone, but knows other members of his force are around. Occasionally, he hears a muffled cough, a tiny creak as someone moves position carefully, minutely. There were distant crumps of shell explosions. Some came nearer, one almost on top of them, with soil, mud, grass and leaves blown high in the shivering air in a sort of small tornado.

The temptation to run, to break cover is overwhelming, but he resists.

He cannot betray his friends or himself. Small arms fire breaks out in a staccato burst of sound.

The soldier cringes lower. He thinks of his wife, safe and beautiful, of his son, innocent, wide-eyed, smiling, of a long cool drink, a cold shower, long sleeps in a comfortable bed...The images flicker and are lost. He cannot afford to be distracted.

There is a whispered order to move up front. They all obey, as silently as possible. But the move is ill-fated. Shells fall all around them and there are sudden groans and terrible screams. He is hit. He stumbles to his feet and tries to find some of the others to help, but cannot and must retreat alone, stumbling, falling, getting up and staggering on.

There is a click. Someone has him in their line of fire!

He cries out hopelessly. Then his wife is there, calming, soothing.

Just a nightmare, but so terrible, so real.

Jason knows it has been triggered by the two assaults on the shop. How can he overcome?

He feels alone and helpless. Even afraid, though he cannot admit this to anyone.

Just limp along and hang on somehow.

STONES OF FIRE WILL CONTINUE ON MONDAY