This week Morgarna and Gail are still helping Paul and his dog Sam come to terms with their traumatic end. Apologies for any repetition.
Morgarna had explained everything to Paul but she could tell he really was still very confused.
“Okay I can see this is not working …I think the best thing I can do is take you back to Hellmand and let you see what happened, that way you’ll see with your own eyes and you can then relax.” Getting up Morgarna took her C.O.T.A.S. and called Merlin. A minute later the anomaly arrived and they all including Sam jumped.
Landing on the hot sand was a pleasant sensation for Gail she had not liked the snow at all as she’d been dressed for the beach.
They were standing by the side of the road they could see an army convoy approaching, walking towards them was a man carrying what looked like a child, he was praying quietly to himself. Paul went to make a move towards him.
“No point” snapped Morgarna, no one can see, hear or feel you.” Paul stopped short and looked at her. ‘We are only here to watch.” She added.
The driver of the armoured car at the front of the convoy stopped, from the lorry behind a young man wearing jeans and t-shirt jumped down to the road. Pushing his sunglasses up with his middle finger he walked up towards the man holding the child. “Salam alaikum” he called and smiled as he approached the man.
As they watched the passenger door of the armoured car opened Paul and Sam got out and followed Rashid.
Watching, Paul was fidgeting, but Sam seemed restful and relaxed.
Rashid was asking the man about the child…. The man was sweating profusely and shifting from foot to foot. He was definitely on a high…
Rachid knew the guy was stressed. He sensed rather than saw Paul approaching, taking off his sunglasses he looked straight at Paul
and slowly, very slowly he ran his left hand over his jet black hair.
“That’s it that’s his sign for danger” said Paul to Gail “he’s warning me ” …
Gail watched as Paul, on the road, made several flapping movements with his hand.
The driver of the vehicle watching through binoculars saw this and understood. He put his arm out of his window , first he did a thumbs down the a gun signal followed by two fingers and finally a backwards motion.
The vehicle at the rear of the convoy started to reverse the other vehicles followed suit. The second vehicle in the convoy was a Foxhound, out of its two front windowd two soldiers appeared guns trained on the man with the child.
Morgarna lit a cigarette as she watched Paul walk up and stand alongside Rashid, his arms outstretched offering to take the child.
The man was shaking and Paul and Rashid were stock still. The man suddenly dropped the child…. Paul and Rashid saw there was no child just a bundle of clothes. Paul and the man were eye to eye, Paul shouted at Rashid “run” while he stared at the man who had tears running down his face. His tunic had opened slightly and Paul could see the suicide vest and the man’s sweaty hand on the device’s trigger.
Rashid started to back away, Sam moved towards the man and lay at his feet.
Paul held the man’s gaze willing him not to move.
Back at the Foxhound both soldiers hand the bomber in their sights, and waited their signal.
Rashid had turned now and was sprinting back towards the convoy. Paul said to the man you don’t have to do this you really don’t.
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Rashid was almost back at the convoy when the two soldiers got the signal to fire, they both aimed at the head of the bomber. Unfortunately for Paul and Sam the man depressed the trigger seconds before he was hit in the head.
An earth shattering explosion took the two men and dog out! Paul watched open mouthed as he, Sam and the bomber were blown to pieces, there was blood and body parts all over the place.
Looking towards the convoy he saw Rashid was safe and in one piece .
“You saved Rashid ” Gail said gently.
Paul took Gail’s hand and said to her and Morgarna, ” thank you ladies ….what happens now?”
Morgarna smiled and said you saved Rashid , he went home to his family and he is still alive. He and his wife have a photo of you and Sam in their house…
“What about the bomber” Paul asked “He has gone to his end, his destiny”
Gail looked askance but Morgarna motioned to her not to say anything !
Paul looked at Sam , “Oh! You beautiful boy you have been so loyal to me ” He bent down and hugged Sam who licked him and wagged his tail. Then turning to Gail and Morgarna he asked “what happened to us? “
“You were flown back home together, buried together and your family celebrated your beautiful partnership.” Morgarna touched his arm… Now you and Sam need to go!”
“Where?” asked Paul .
Gail smiled, “this way over here ” A door with a huge rainbow on it had appeared, Gail smiled there a special concession for you two , you are both going through the rainbow door together. Neither of you have to wait for the other. “
After Gail had seen Paul and Sam through the door and had a glimpse of them crossing fields towards a group of people and dogs he seemed to know she turned to Morgarna and asked.
“Why the snow, why the fort?”
“Last thoughts” Morgarna smiled “he was so hot and nervous, his mind had taken him back to a winter of his childhood when his family had visited the fort one New Year “…..
Gail was just about to say more when the Anomaly appeared and they jumped.
The two landed bump in what looked like an excavation. There was a protective roof above them and they were standing in front of a beautifully vibrant painted fresco in an otherwise dilapidated building.
“What now Merlin” Morgarna hissed as her C.O.T.A.S. started to ring
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