Pieces of You by J F Elferdink Read Free Book Online Page B

can’t discern evil from honorable behavior? What do we do now?”
    Bob and Lorenzo, another member of their team, both stared at Mark.
    Their faces reflected confusion, guilt and revulsion, although in different proportions.
    Mark immediately pulled out his walkie-talkie and, using his code name, called the helicopter’s pilot.
    “We have a stricken child here; please give an approximate time for pick up.”
    A few minutes later they heard the whirring of the helicopter’s rotor blades over a compact clearing, the closest landing spot. While waiting for touchdown, Mark couldn’t help but wonder if the tiny child would survive. If so, would she ever learn the circumstances of her rescue? Would she grow up hating Americans?
    Mark silently prayed for her survival as the helicopter rose and moved beyond their view.
     
    Action didn’t stop for a child down and Mark’s team moved stealthily in the direction of the fighting.
    Just a few minutes later more shots rang out, dispersing the funereal pall over the trio. As Bob was turning toward his friends, he suddenly collapsed into the mud and the water below him changed to crimson.
    One long scream, a sound of unspeakable agony pierced the air and he fell silent.
    A long drawn out “No!” was all Mark and Lorenzo could utter as they dropped to the ground to dodge the hail of bullets. As he made his way over to Bob’s body, Mark placed another emergency helicopter call.
    Once again, the whir of rotor blades resounded low in the afternoon sky, a blanket of blue stretched loosely enough over the battleground to let the helicopter plunge through.
     
    As the helicopter rose and flew over the ridge, separating them from the remains of their brother of the past sixteen months, the two men observing its ascent were unable to look at each other.
    When the craft was no more than a tiny dot in the sky, each left the site alone, walking mechanically into the underbrush.
    ‘What am I doing here?’ Mark thought, as he plodded through an alien world where all natural light was filtered through the grimmest shade of gray.
    A hand seemed to reach into his chest, compressing his heart so that he could hardly breathe , and every thought tightened its grip. If only this creature which had him in its clutches could have squeezed him into oblivion, he would have been overwhelmed with gratitude.
    ‘Bob, where are you? I need you man; you’re the brother I always wanted. How could a merciful God allow you to die in the prime of life and in this desolate place? Why wasn’t it me instead?’
    Mercifully, a numbing weariness spread through Mark’s mind. Just before he lost consciousness, he thought he could hear Bob calling to him.
     
    ***
    When he opened his eyes, Mark could hear birds singing and leaves rustling, not the usual strange stillness of interludes in a war zone. Zachri and Bob were there, pulling him to his feet.
    “Was I dreaming? I thought I was seeing you blown apart in front of me all over again.
    “ No; I remember the details too vividly, including the helicopter crew lifting you gently into a body bag. Am I dead, too?”
    Zachri answered.
    “Your body is still in the Swiss clinic, temporarily separated from your spirit. It would be extraneous luggage for this journey.”
    Mark was bewildered.
    “Let’s see if I have this straight: My buddy, who died forty years ago, is on leave from his just reward to help me make a few modifications to our collective memories?
    “ Don’t think I don’t love having Bob whole and walking this earth with me, but if this is real, then all of my previous life has been illusion. Now that’s a chilling thought!”
    Zachri replied.
    “Although in your worldview there are no parallel universes , quantum physicists have begun to support the theory of their existence. At some future date, your scientists will have proof that spirits like Bob and I exist. You already have that proof; you can look at us, experience us, and touch