37 Days In A Strange World

by Dave Hazel

  “Maybe Mansfield shit his pants,” Larry laughed.

  “Shut the hell up,” Mykal whispered harshly. “It’s no joke. Whadda ya think it is, Towbar?”

  “I am not sure what the scent could be,” he said, eyeing the overgrowth around them. Towbar used his sword to move branches and vines. “Whatever it may be, it has been here recently,” Towbar said and looked closer to the overgrowth at the rock wall. “The scent is stronger by the rock wall.”

  “Is it an animal?” Boris scanned the area. “What is it?”

  “I do not know. I have never encountered such an odor.”

  Mykal picked up on the dank, musty, stench. He knew whoever or whatever created the smell didn’t travel the path they walked on. The heavy vegetation hadn’t been cut through until they cut through it and he didn’t notice any odd smells on the trail. It came from within the mountain.

  “Could it be those red-eyed things we found after leaving that village of Palomee?” Kurt asked.

  “No. I am sure it is not such creatures. I will never forget that smell I detected from them. This is not that smell.”

  “I really don’t smell anything,” Boris whispered with an eerie nervousness. “Do you think it could be him?” He nodded toward Mansfield’s body. “Could it be his ghost?”

  “What? Are you outta your friggin mind?” Larry whispered.

  “It could be his ghost,” Boris declared and looked fearful.

  “Are you jerkin’ me around? Are you getting a little goofy in the head like your brother over here,” Larry whispered and nodded to Kurt, but kept looking in all directions.

  “I’m not smelling imaginary ghosts,” Kurt whispered.

  “Everyone, shut the hell up,” Mykal whispered harshly.

  “I just wanna get outta here,” Boris said quietly.

  “Are you guys screwing with us?” Larry whispered.

  “Have you ever known Towbar to screw around?” Mykal fired back, but he never took his eyes from the giant. “Just shut up till we figure out what’s going on.”

  After several minutes Towbar stopped straining his ears for sounds that weren’t there and he stopped sniffing at the odors. He moved closer and stared at the rock wall for several minutes. He turned to give his report. “Someone or something has been here. It is something I have never been in contact with before. If you look closely,” he pointed to the mountain wall. “You can see where some of the plants have been pushed away. The ground is much too hard to find footprints. However, something has been here. This is strange indeed,” he said more to himself than for the benefit of the others. “It came from within the rock wall.”

  “Do you think it’s the Sosos?” Mykal asked.

  “No. This creature or these creatures have a completely different kind of foul scent. This is not the smell of Sosos. My concern is that these creatures appear to be intelligent. They have gone into the mountain and hidden their activity. I do not know if they are aligned with the Sosos. Tomorrow, after the situation in camp is under control I am going to bring a search party here to discover what has been here.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Mykal volunteered immediately.

  “Oh! You sick bastard,” Larry gawked and laughed out loud.

  “What? It’ll be a great prank, trust me,” Kurt laughed. He held Mansfield’s head by the hair in one hand and the sharp dagger in his other hand.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Mykal gasped, shocked by the sight of Kurt holding Mansfield’s severed head. He didn’t know if he should laugh or cry at the surreal sight of his close friend holding a supervisor’s detached head in hand like there was nothing strange about it. They had crossed over into the bizarre. Things would never be the same.

  “I have a great prank in mind,” Kurt laughed. “Trust me, you’ll bust up over this one.”

  “Who you gonna pull a prank on with a head?” Mykal asked.

  “Edwards. Who else?”

  “How’d you cut his head off so fast?” Mykal asked and realized this discussion would never have taken place back in the world. They were forever changed!

  “This blade is really sharp,” he said holding up the large dagger he took from a dead Soso. “The bone was the hard part, but this knife cut right through it. This blade is better than those Ginsu knives you see advertised on TV all the time.”

  “Am I losing my friggin mind?” Mykal asked. “Don’t pull a prank with that head. Edwards will think we killed Mansfield.” Mykal examined his thoughts and tried to determine if he even really cared. ‘Have I become so cold hearted and calloused that I’m okay with this?’

  “Don’t worry about it. I have it all worked out.”

  “Whadda ya gonna do?” Rich pried.

  “You’ll see. Just trust me on this.” Kurt then held up the severed head and stuck his tongue out and pretended to lick the lips of the dead man to get a laugh.

  “Knock it off you sick moron,” Larry laughed at the sick sense of humor.

  “He’ll never say no, right?” Rich laughed for Kurt.

  “I think we should rid the body by dropping it over the side,” Towbar pointed to the edge of the mountain far from the path. “I plan to bring a search party here tomorrow. Cover the stone slab with dirt, leaves and grass to hide the blood.”

  “No problem Sarge.” Kurt playfully saluted the giant. He dropped the head while he, Larry, Rich and Boris grabbed the body by the arms and legs and tossed it over the side. “So long sailor,” Kurt laughed as they watched the body fall into the trees.

  Larry grabbed the head by the hair and tossed it at Boris. “Here, you carry him Boris,” Larry laughed when the head hit Boris in the chest and fell to the ground with a noticeable thud. Some of Mansfield’s blood stained Boris’ shirt. They all laughed hysterically. Even Towbar smiled at the humorous scene.

  “Don’t you have any respect for the dead? You idiot,” Boris giggled because he didn’t catch the head.

  “Oh man, we’re becoming way too sick,” Mykal said and shook his head in disbelief. “I doubt if we’ll ever return to normal.”

  “Normal? What’s normal?” Larry scoffed. “Look around.”

  “This is the new norm,” Boris said. “Which could be bad.”

  “Well grab your head and let’s get outta here,” Larry said.

  While they traveled back to the vehicle they discussed what their story would be should they be asked about Mansfield’s condition or his whereabouts. They would deny ever leaving the camp with him and would say they were not aware that he left. If others claimed they saw them drive off they would say they went to Gartolin to get food. If others claimed to have seen them talking with Mansfield, they would all agree Mansfield asked questions about death arrow poison and wanted to know about a cure, but any more than that they would play dumb.

  6.

  When they returned to camp they blended in with the others and went almost unnoticed. As a group they busied themselves by helping the wounded. Others started work on removing the dead. A continual busy atmosphere swirled around the camp all along the length of the pit. Then they joined others who searched for dead among the Soso bodies.

  Mykal had just returned from washing and changing clothes. He joined his friends when Lt Edwards stormed to their area. “Sgt Graves, I demand to know where Sgt Mansfield is.”

  “Excuse me, Sir? Whadda ya asking me for? He’s your buddy.”

  “Sgt Graves, I demand to know where he is right this instant. I know you were talking with him not long ago.”

  “How’s that mean I know where he is?” Mykal replied.

  Larry, Kurt and Boris started to chuckle. “Sgt Weston,” Edwards turned to Larry. “You’re an NCO in the United States Air Force and you are putting your career in jeopardy so you better tell me where Sgt Mansfield is.”

  “How’m I supposed to know where he is?” Larry shrugged as others began to gather around. Larry looked at those gathering. “What? Was it my turn to baby-sit him? And to tell you the truth Sir,
I don’t have an Air Force career. I’m not one of the gung ho types. I don’t think we’ll ever be going back to the world anyway, so I really don’t give a rat’s ass about my so called career,” he replied which triggered an atmosphere of humor.

  “Traginsky and Jones,” he turned to Boris and Kurt. “I’m giving you airmen a chance to tell me where Sgt Mansfield is. Did these NCOs have anything to do with his disappearance? Did they do something to him? If you come clean with me I’ll see to it that no charges are brought against you.”

  “Whoa, whoa, hold on a minute here, Sir,” Mykal cut in. “What are you talking about? Are you seriously trying to accuse us of doing something? What are you saying?”

  “I saw Sgt Mansfield leave with you people and now he is nowhere in camp. You men returned but he didn’t return.”

  “What?” Mykal acted shocked and surprised. “First of all we never left. We’ve been busy with the wounded and the dead. When the four of us and Towbar left Mansfield’s side he was with you,” Mykal lied and pointed at him. “You were with him last.”

  “That’s right Sir,” Kurt jumped in. “The last time I saw Sgt Mansfield, he was with you, Sir.”

  “Me too,” Larry quickly added his testimony.

  “That’s what I saw too,” Boris piped in.

  “And when Towbar gets back he’ll say the same thing,” Mykal declared. “When we left Mansfield, we left him in your care.”

  “So we have to ask you, Sir,” Larry spoke loudly so others would hear him. “What did you do with Sgt Mansfield?”

  “No! I saw Sgt Mansfield leave with you,” Edwards argued and grew angrier. “I demand to know where he is.”

  Mykal turned to some of the others standing there. “Sam and Rich, where have we been all day? Haven’t we been here helping you guys with the wounded and removing some of the dead?”

  “Yes Sir, dat’s a fact,” Rich said and winked at Edwards.

  “I saw them all here the whole time as well,” Sam lied.

  “Mister Dosch, I’m not sure if you guys have seen us the whole time or not, but could you tell Lt Edwards where we have been all day?”

  “Sure Mykal,” Roy Sr. said and tilted his cowboy hat back on his head as if eager to answer Lt Edwards’s question. “They have been here the whole time Lieutenant. Ain’t that right boys?” He asked his sons who agreed enthusiastically.

  Mykal was glad they would side with him though they were not sure of all the details or the accusations. Mykal was even more surprised when Stinky Feet Smith voluntarily added that he saw them there the entire time as well.

  “Need I say more?” Mykal smiled. “Do you need me to get any more witnesses? I can get tons of townspeople who saw us here the whole time. One thing I would like to add though, it’s not very wise to come around here making false accusations and threats when you don’t have all your facts straight.”

  “What? Was that a threat? Did you just threaten me?”

  “No Sir, I was just saying it’s not the right thing to do if you don’t have your facts straight, Sir!”

  “You’ll all pay for this,” Edwards threatened as he backed away. “If it takes till my dying days, I will not stop searching until I uncover the truth.”

  “You do that Sir,” Larry said.

  “That may be sooner than he thinks,” Boris whispered.

  “Sir, d’ya ever think that maybe that fat pig bastard went to get something to eat?” Kurt chuckled.

  “How dare you call him names? He’s a senior NCO.” Edwards slapped his hand to his side. “You’re going to pay for this.”

  “Sir, you were the last one with him,” Mykal said calmly as a lasting statement.

  SSgt Mousy Black and A1C Shit Eater Putman joined Edwards when they heard the arguing. Jake walked up behind them as well.

  “What’s going on here?” Jake asked. “It seems like a riot is about to break out.”

  Edwards ceased backing up. “Sgt Irwin, I’m so glad to see you. I need an investigation started. I have reason to believe that Graves and Weston, along with Traginsky and Jones have murdered Sgt Mansfield.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Larry yelled out. The crowd mumbled and those accused shouted their denials.

  “They have everyone here lying for them and covering up for them. I don’t understand why the people here would cover for them. I know for a fact that I saw Rob leave with them. I fear he is dead and I can’t find him anywhere.”

  “Jake, I mean Sgt Irwin,” Mykal called out angrily. “Before this goes any further listen to the facts. Sgt Mansfield was hit with a death arrow. Was he not LT?”

  “Well yes, but he was alive and well when I saw him last.”

  “Jake, first of all there is no surviving a death arrow. If he’s not dead yet, he’s gonna die soon cuz of the poison. We were all talking to him about the poison. He wanted to know about his chances of survival and Towbar told him the truth. Towbar told him he’s gonna die. When we left him, Lt Edwards was the last one to be seen with him.”

  “Liar!” Edwards shouted. “They’re lying.”

  “Oh right, everyone here is just making it up to go against you, right Sir?” Larry asked and fought hard not to laugh.

  “Jake, ask Towbar when he gets back. Ask the townspeople and anyone here,” Mykal said confidently. He knew everyone was on their side and would go against Edwards. “We didn’t leave here.”

  Larry spoke up. “Mansfield knows his time is short. Maybe he went off with Ski and the religious people to ‘get his house in order’ as Ski calls it. You know, get himself right with God. You know how Ski is about his religious stuff. The LT’s always got a bug up his ass about us, and I don’t know why.”

  Jake looked at Mykal and rolled his eyes. “Sir, we’ve all had a trying day today. We’ve all lost people who were close to us and we had to fight for our lives. Could it be that you’re just under a tremendous amount of pressure and strain and you’re getting a little worked up? Is it possible that Rob did go off to seek help or maybe do that praying stuff? I was with these guys for most of the day and I didn’t see them leave here, Sir.”

  “You’re taking their side?” Edwards gaped in disbelief.

  “No Sir, I’m not taking anyone’s side,” Jake said politely and as respectful as possible. “But that’s a very strong charge and there are plenty of people here saying that it didn’t happen. And if Rob was shot with a death arrow, as you yourself just admitted, there may have been something else that took place. Let’s allow this to rest until more evidence surfaces. This is a big area. Rob may have gone off to find help on his own or he may have sought spiritual guidance with Ski and the religious guys. Sir, he has to be around here somewhere.”

  “Liar, you’re a damned filthy liar like the rest of them,” Edwards yelled and shook his head.

  Jake showed no emotion at the insulting accusation. “Sir, I just want proof or more facts,” Jake said calmly.

  “I don’t believe this,” Edwards gasped dejectedly.

  Jake’s tone turned aggressive. He took everyone by surprise. “Sir, what do you want me to do? You think something happened, so should I arrest them, try them, and execute them just because you think something may have happened? If this continues, I may have to question your sanity,” Jake said boldly.

  “You’re a liar too,” he pointed towards Jake’s face as he started to back up again. “I know I’m not going crazy. I know I watched Rob leave with them and now he’s not here. There will be a full and complete investigation when we get back.”

  “If!” Kurt yelled out which resulted in some to chuckle.

  “Sir, are you gonna include Finn, Miller and Light as subjects in that investigation?” Larry yelled.

  Edwards paused and lowered his accusing finger. “Sgt Irwin, if you’re lying for them,” he resumed in a more rational tone, “and if Rob is dead, you’re just as guilty as they are.”

  “Sir, if I find evidence of foul play, I’ll bring it to your attention.
Then I will personally help with the charges.”

  “Let’s not forget that he was hit with a death arrow,” Larry yelled out. “If he’s not dead yet, he will die soon. You can’t pin that on us just because you don’t like us, Sir.”

  “Enough!” Jake yelled and raised his hand to silence them. “I want this verbal bickering to end.”

  “Sgt Irwin, you’re just as much a worthless NCO as they are. You are a disgrace to that uniform you’re wearing. You are a disgrace to our flag and our country.”

  Jake looked like he wanted to lash out. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Sir,” he replied calmly.

  “There’s only one thing worse than a worthless NCO,” Larry yelled before Jake could stop him. “That’s a worthless officer who is a yellow coward.”

  “Your day will come,” Edwards threatened and turned away. “Mark my words. Your day will come.” When Edwards walked away Black and Putman followed him.

  “Your day will come too, you chicken shit bastard,” Boris mumbled.

  Jake raised his voice. “Stop all this nonsense right now. This is getting way outta hand.”

  “Screw him, Jake,” Sam argued. “He came over here accusing people of killing fat-ass Mansfield. He was shot with a death arrow. He’s gonna die if he’s not dead already. Edwards just wants to pin Mansfield’s death on us. So screw him!”

  “Did you guys kill Mansfield?” Jake asked calmly.

  “Are you kidding me Jake? Seriously?” Mykal demanded.

  “I have to ask.”

  “No, damn it,” Mykal barked. “Maybe Edwards killed him despite the fact he has a death arrow in him. I really think the LT’s losing his mind. Just for the sake of argument Jake, let’s say any of us wanted him dead. He was shot with a death arrow. Why in the world would we be so stupid to kill him when he doesn’t have much time left? It doesn’t make any sense. Maybe he went to Gartolin trying to find a cure. With all that happened today, how is this put on us? Jake, I’m getting pissed off.”

  “Jake, seriously.” Larry smirked. “C’mon now, would we do something like that?”