Growing Tensions

As social tensions grow between the Marines and civilians, and between the Guards themselves, how will people react?

    Chapter Four: Growing Tensions

 

     David glanced across the passenger seat at Adriana as they slowed to pass through one of the many checkpoints located throughout the city.
    The driver of the car directly ahead of David stood outside of his car. Several Guards went through a quick overview of his vehicle. 
    James Errardi shut the trunk of the car and rested his forearm on his rifle which hung around his torso. He backed out of the path of the car as the driver got back into his seat. He waved the car off and it slowly rolled forward as the operator raised the gate up, and then back down again as the car passed through.
    David slowed the car to a halt and opened his driver door, Adriana did the same. He reached into the back seat and took hold of his backpack.
    Private Crevit raised his gun in readiness as was procedure. James glared at him.

    “Stand down.”James mumbled very softly. Crevit lowered his weapon and took a few lazy steppes back. “Sorry, just procedure.” he said, taking the bag from David’s hand.

    David was slightly taken aback by James’s sincerity and politeness. “Yeah... it’s fine.” he said, looking down at the ground.

    James unzipped the bag and shuffled through it’s contents. He gave a slight nod and shut the bag, “Could you spread your arms and legs, please?” James said.

    David raised his arms out to the sides and spread his legs, glancing over as Crevit began to pat down Adriana. He looked around aimlessly as James patted down his sides. He looked back over at Adriana and felt his stomach drop a little.
    The Guard clearly felt her breasts and a*s while he searched Adriana.
    David lunged towards the Guard in rage. “What the f**k are ”
    He was restrained by James before he could even move. And eruption of noise and startled reaction was clearly audible as weapons were readied. The Guards jumped and darted their vision towards them, raising their weapons and aiming directly at David. A Guard seized him from behind and forced him to the ground, aiming his HK 416 at the back of David’s head, placing his. boot over his crossed hands.
    “What the f**k just happened here?” James said, kneeling down by David.
    He gestured with his head in a jerking motion, “that f****r was feeling up my girlfriend,” he replied. He glared back over his shoulder at his restraining Guard.

    James stood instantaneously and moved briskly towards Private Crevit, who backed up slightly as if expecting to be struck by a heavy hand. “Take your hands off of her, Crevit” James ordered.

    He hesitated to release Adriana, looking back and forth in nervousness and confusion.

    “That’s an order, Private. Release her.” James said, his voice loud and commanding.

    “Yes, sir.” He said, quickly  releasing Adriana and stepping back from her.

    James walked towards Crevit and stopped several inches from him. “Apologize to this woman, immiadiatly.” he said, his mind inflamed with anger and irritation towards his Marine’s behavior.
    Crevit slowly approached Adriana, shuffling his feet a little. He swallowed and moved his lips a few times as he searched for words to say.
Adriana starred back at him with hawk’s eyes.
    “W... I ” he started but was interrupted.

    “Are you f*****g retarded or just lacking in memory? Missing something?” James hissed.

    Nick Crevit’s face grew red with anger. He pursed his lips and reached up, removing his helmet.

    “There you go.” James says. “Private! There are other drivers waiting to get through the checkpoint, your impudence and failure to quickly and effectively comply with my orders is directly infringing upon the ability of this unit to correctly operate this checkpoint,” he spat, “hurry up.”

    Nick inhaled and opened his mouth, face still bright red. “I’m... I’m sorry for...” he mumbled, “for...” he trailed off,

    “Louder, Crevit.” James ordered.

    Nick looked up sharply and cleared his throat. “I am sorry for being disrespectful of you and your body by... by touching you in an inappropriate fashion, Mam.” he stated loudly and clearly. 

    “Good,” James said, waving off the Guards and prompting them to lower their weapons, “let them go.”

    “But, sir...” the guard that restrained David spoke.

    “I said, let them go. There is no crime here. Just a man defending an innocent woman from sexual harassment.” James retorted.
    The guard nodded and took his foot off of David.
    David hesitated but slowly stood, brushing the dirt and bits of gravel from his clothing. He sniffed and walked over, taking Adriana by the arm and throwing his bag into the back of the car.

    As they left the checkpoint, David glared out of his window, up into the sky at the ominously looming thunder cloud that crept slowly over the mountains, barely visible through the thick smog that hung decrepitly over the dead skyline. And David felt sick to his stomach over the incident.
    Rain. The parched landscape seemed to crave it. The Sun still baked the earth where the city lay but slowly the dark shadows of the thunder head slipped over the city, engulfing the still warm ground in life giving shade as water began to drain from the heavy clouds above.
    David pulled his car to the side of the road. He stepped out and into the rain. He rested his hand on the door of his car and starred straight up, far into the depths of the billowing dark clouds.
    Adriana hollered something incoherent through the thundering patter of rain impacting the ground.
    The cold water streamed seamlessly down his face, off his fingertips.
    Adriana starred at her boyfriend as he stood vulnerable in the pouring ran. But couldn’t help but see herself in him. The hot water dripping off her fingertips, the rain off of his, down her body, down his, washing away the tainted world that clung to her skin, naked. His, clothed. It was a minute correlation, but the likes that you witness in such perfect framework... almost never.
    Adriana was silent.
    If she had ever seen a complete definition of who David was, this was it. In other words, her complete opposite. The negative of her every aspect.
    She leaned over the drivers seat and took hold of David’s hand. This immediately jolted him out of his trance like state. He looked down suddenly and ducked himself back into his car, still dripping wet.
   
    He sighed and closed his eyes, “Adriana?” he said.

    She still clutched his hand, “what is it?”

    “Back there,” he said, his voice very quite, as if injured somehow, “you... you didn’t say a word. You didn’t have to. I mean any other girl would have lost her mind and done something stupid, but you...” he trailed off, looking up at her.
   
    “Yeah... and?” she said, equally quiet.

    “Y.. W... Well...” he struggled to find the right words, “I thought you wouldn’t be able to keep your head in those kind of situations. But I mean... you stayed more calm than I did. I guess... I’m proud of you.”

    Adriana lit up. Coming from David, these words were of incredible value. He would often speak of what his father taught im of pride, respect, and honor... and being proud of something, for David, meant something profound. Perhaps even more profound than love. Her voice broke a little and he mouth formed a smile, “thank you...” she said.

●       ●       ●

    Corporal James spoke to Nick inside of a supply tent, away from the pouring rain.
   
    James spoke in a vehement tone, “This is outrageous. Your actions today were not becoming of a US Marine,” he razzed, “I’m having you transferred out of my unit. I may not be able to control Morris’s team when they are on patrol, but I can sure as hell take charge of my own unit, and I’m telling you now... I will not tolerate this behavior. Your being sent to Camp Angel for your new MOS on supply duty by this time tomorrow,” he spat, “Are you happy now Crevit? You’re a f****n’ POG.”

    Nick held his expression, which took all of his willpower, “I do not wish to risk speaking out of turn, Sir,” he said, “but I would implore you to reconsider your decision. I assure you that I would not disappoint you again, Sir.”

    James nodded, “well,” he said, “as much as I’d love to believe that... you have said that on several other occasions. And you have always disappointed me again. I have talked this over with my superiors, including Lieutenant Person. And they all agree that my judgement in this situation is perfectly rational. You are leaving tomorrow,” he said, and then added, rather unnecessarily, mostly for effect, “how copy?”

    Nick shut his eyes tight and swallowed his pride, “Solid copy, Sir.”

Author's Note

tell me what you think

Reviews

[Dani California]

Something tells me that Crevit will be returning -- and not in a positive manner. This is exceptional Dillon. At the risk of repeating myself, you have outstanding skill. I am certainly engrossed. You have amazing insight and ability to capture various personalities... perfectly. As if you are each of them. That's exactly the gift and skill needed in order to write an effective novel. Which you have.

Outstanding! Looking forward to further chapters....

[Nely Amorim]

excellent chapter.. it really brings out my own sense of unfair justice, when people in authority abuse that power.. still a scary prospect for our future undecided... keep on writing I'm enjoying this story :)