Coming Home

The recruitment office was my home. It felt so right to be here again. It felt so right to have my hair pulled into a tight bun, to have a uniform on, and to bark orders at others. It was like a magical gift from God.

Today was a busy day. It was one of those days when I knew the next time I looked at the clock, I would be heading home. I loved those days. Did it mean we got a bunch of people signed up? Hell, no. It just meant that we spent most of our time talking to potential candidates.

"Hi, how can I help you today?" I asked, looking into the eyes of two fresh-faced high school graduates.

"I'm thinking about joining the Marines."

I smiled. "Figured as much. What are your names?"

"I'm Henry. This is my friend, Oliver." They looked like fraternal twins. Oliver had black hair and brown eyes but with light skin. Henry had blond hair and blue eyes with tanned skin. It was almost like they needed to switch their skin color for it all to make sense.

"Pleasure to meet you both. My name is Lieutenant Martinez. What all do you want to know about the Marines?"

Oliver nudged his friend. "Mainly, we're interested in the Force Recon." A huge smile spread across Oliver's face. "Aren't you the first woman in combat?"

"Yes, I am." I smiled back at them. "Well, let me tell you a bit about the Marine Corps first and then we can dive right into the Force Recon stuff. So the Marine Corps really does live by the motto: the few, the proud. Being a Marine is so much more than infantry or shooting. It's about a brotherhood. A lot of people will give you shit for being a "jarhead," but the Marines are the first on the line.

"Before you can even think about going to the Special Forces training, you have to pass basic. Basic is about eight weeks and then you have to spend a bit of time in school before heading off to the training. School can last anywhere from two months to two years. It really just depends on what you want to do."

They both nodded, but I could tell they just really wanted to hear about Force Recon. I could understand why. I was the same way when I had walked into a recruitment office.

"So what do you want to know about Force Recon?" I asked, a smile on my face. I would always have fond memories of my days in special forces. It may have taken away my leg, but it gave me Matt and Charlie.

"How can I help you?" I heard one of my fellow officers ask. "Oh holy shit!"

The unmistakable sound of an AR-15 going off hit my ears. I was out of my seat faster than I ever thought I would be. My eyes scanned for where the shooter was. I saw him. He had been in here several days earlier. His health record was bad though, and we had denied him access to the military.

"YOU FUCKERS ARE GOING TO PAY!" He shot the gun again, in a spraying motion. The bullets missed a few people, but the hit most of those in the office. I watched as bodies dropped and it took me back to the early days of Iraq.

At first panic rushed through me and then it was pure adrenaline as I dove in front of the two high school students. I used my body as a shield as the shooter sprayed through the office again. I could hear screams and smell the metallic taste of blood. This was quickly becoming a blood bath.

I saw the gun flash and I knew something wasn't right. The sound of the gun echoed in my ears and then several sensations bit into my skin. It was at that moment I knew what had happened.

It wasn't Iraq or Afghanistan that took me out. It wasn't my leg or my anger. It wasn't old age or my rage at Matt. No, it was some crazy asshole with access to an assault rifle. He was the one who got me.

Dropping to the ground, I saw the blood seep out of me. I always thought death would be instant. This was not. I could still hear screaming, the sound of the gun... all why I watched my life slip away.

Death wasn't easy. Death sucked. And this was mine. The last thing I saw was the pool of blood my body had created.

Notes

AND I'M STILL AN ASSHOLE!