16 October 2000
Afghanistan Refugee Camp
1600H
"Elizabeth, I really think you should go home," Cole said as he stared at his wife with a firm look on his face.
His gaze drifted from her womanly features to her heavily protruding stomach.
"I can't, Cole. I've already told you that," Elizabeth replied as she looked up at her husband.
Cole pressed his lips together. "Elizabeth, it's not safe here and you know that," he said, trying to keep his irritation at bay.
For three days this has been the usual argument that ensued between the couple. Ever since Cole found out that she was expecting, he began pressuring her into returning to America.
He never liked the thought of his wife going to these war-stricken countries in the first place because of how dangerous it could be for her. But she was as stubborn as they came, especially if she had already started doing missionary trips like this before they got married.
It was much the same as her forcing him to quit the army.
It wouldn't happen.
But he had to put his foot down now. She was pregnant and he didn't want anything to happen to her or their unborn child, even if he had only found out that he was going to be a father a few days ago.
Unfortunately, their fields of work made it difficult to stay in touch, sometimes for months on end, but he knew that it was his child. The timing all added up. But he never would've even known he was going to become a father if he hadn't been forced to retreat with many of his injured men to a nearby camp (which was basically an old abandoned town), where Elizabeth happened to be stationed for her missionary work.
"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Elizabeth replied as she raised her shoulders.
"You should've been on the first plane back home when you discovered that you were expecting," Cole responded exasperated.
"How could I? The closest airport was blown up after I arrived and I didn't even know yet!" Elizabeth countered annoyed.
Cole took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "You could've told me and I would've arranged something."
"How, Cole? I didn't even know where you were for the past seven months. And it's not like I'm in a dangerous area," Elizabeth said and crossed her arms over her chest.
Cole stared at his wife dumbfounded. "Elizabeth ... you are in a country at war, and you're pregnant! You haven't even been checked up by a doctor throughout the whole pregnancy."
"There are experienced mothers and midwives here," Elizabeth countered angrily. "It's not like I've been stuck in a jungle-"
Elizabeth cut herself off as she took a sharp intake of breath and held onto her stomach.
Cole's anger immediately evaporated as he moved towards her. "What's wrong?" he asked quickly.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and looking back at her husband.
"Braxton Hicks. It's nothing," she said firmly.
"No, it's not. Maybe you should go lie down?" he pressed as he reached out for her arm, but Elizabeth stepped away from his touch.
"Stop treating me like a fragile piece of china, Cole. I've been perfectly fine these past few months," Elizabeth said and glared at him.
"Elizabeth, this is no longer about you. I'm thinking of the baby and you should start too!" he couldn't help but snap in reply and he saw Elizabeth look at him with both shock and hurt.
Cole looked away, but he couldn't regret what he said. Who cares if he broke a rule or two in using government resources to get his pregnant wife home? He just needed her to be safe.
"Do you really think I would want to lose another baby?" Her voice was soft and filled with pain.
Cole's eyes widened, his heart immediately lurching in his throat as he quickly looked back at her. "Stand down, Elizabeth. That's not what I meant."
"Really?" she asked in disbelief, the tears welling in her eyes. "Do you think I wanted to stay here? The airport was blown up before I even knew I was pregnant and the closest one is over a week's walk away. I didn't want to leave here just in case the strenuous trip would do something! I've been thinking of nothing but this baby since I found out! I ... I can't lose another one," she whispered as she glanced down at her feet.
Cole stared at her for a long moment as she shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks, and quickly turned to walk towards the orphanage. Cole wanted to go after her, but her words kept him rooted in his spot.
A low whistle pulled his attention towards his best friend, Derek Smith. He felt his shoulders deflate as he watched his best friend walk up to him.
"Well ..." Smith began, "that could've gone better."
Cole sighed and looked towards the orphanage where Elizabeth disappeared. "Do you think ... I was being a bit harsh?" he asked, doubt in his voice.
Smith paused for a moment. "Well, you did just accuse a pregnant woman (who happens to be your wife) that she doesn't care about her unborn baby. Considering her condition, I would say that it was."
Cole looked away as guilt filled him. "I just ... I'm petrified of her staying here. What if something happens...?"
Smith cut his friend off by placing a hand on his shoulder. "How about this? I'm quite close to one of my superiors in the Air Force. Maybe I could twist his arm into flying Lizzy back to America. I'm sure he won't mind too much once I explain the situation."
Cole relaxed slightly and gave his friend a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, I appreciate it."
Smith nodded his head. "No problem."
Looking back towards the orphanage building, Cole sighed. "Do you think I should go apologize?"
"Maybe just give her a few minutes to cool down. She's a smart girl and will realise that you were only saying that because you were worried for her and the baby."
Cole nodded and looked at his friend. "If you wouldn't mind talking to your superior as soon as possible. I ... can't relax until I know she's safe back home."
Smith nodded his head. "I'll try reach him right now."
"Thanks," Cole said and they turned and walked towards the place where they set up camp.
Cole knew he couldn't stay in the refugee camp much longer. Being a captain, he was in charge of a few troops of men and a number of them had been badly injured in the last battle. Thankfully, there was a camp set up nearby that they were able to retreat to. But they had a few days at the most, before they needed to move back to the front lines. He would be able to focus on his work again once he knew Elizabeth was safe back in America.
As they walked silently beside each other, Cole kept his head bowed, his gaze watching the way his boots would flick up the smallest cloud of dust with each stride.
He couldn't help but think of what Elizabeth said, the fear in her eyes of losing another baby. It had happened a year ago. She was four months along with a little boy. Although they were nervous to become parents, they were still excited. They had never really discussed having children due to their careers, but it was a welcomed surprise all the same.
Cole had been repairing something in the backyard when he heard Elizabeth scream for him - a sound that still sent a chill running down his spine at the thought.
She had a miscarriage.
Losing that little boy took its toll on Elizabeth. For a solid week she didn't move from their bedroom, silent tears running down her cheeks until there were no more left to flow. She lost so much weight in that week, barely eating. Cole was at his wit's end on what to do for her.
What made it worse was that his sister, a woman who had a very slim chance of carrying a child, managed to carry hers to term and had a little boy. It was almost as though the universe was mocking Elizabeth, saying she was a failure as a mother.
After that, when Elizabeth finally recovered, they decided it was best not to have children. Not only was she petrified of the possibility of losing a child again, but it was for the best since they both had demanding, disruptive jobs.
But losing that baby was what had spurred Elizabeth into coming to this war-stricken land. Her church was planning on sending a team of missionaries to one of the camps which held many women who had lost their children. She felt that it would be a good healing process for her.
Cole didn't want her to go. He knew of the rising tensions since he was being deployed to the same country, but he knew that Elizabeth would never fully find peace unless she went. He left two weeks before her, and he didn't hear from her until he was shocked by sight of her bulging stomach.
Since then, he has made it his mission to try and get her home. He understood her fear of travelling out in the open for over a week on strenuous terrain. She was too nervous to take the risk of another miscarriage.
Still ... he wished he had known sooner.
Cole was suddenly brought out of his thoughts by an hand grabbing him on his shoulder. They were on the outskirts of the camp, near where his men had set up base. He glanced back at his friend who's face held a deep frown.
"Something doesn't feel right," he said with a serious tone.
They jumped at the sound of an explosion and loud yells suddenly rang loud over instant chaos. They twirled around and Cole's eyes widened as he saw smoke rising from one of the buildings.
"We're under attack!" one of Cole's men yelled as he ran from his sentinel post, but he didn't get far before he fell to the ground, a bullet wound in the back of his head.
All hell broke loose as countless men charged out from the surrounding forest, yelling and aiming with their weapons.
"Take cover!" Cole yelled out into the camp and his still-able men jumped to their feet to follow his orders.
Cole and Smith sprinted to one of the sand walls that had been built as a precaution and just leapt over it before gunshots sounded. Cole's heart thudded in his chest as he quickly loaded his revolver and turned to aim between the sand sacks.
"Tell some men to get the women and children to the underground shelter!" he yelled to one of his subordinates before firing into the approaching soldiers, watching as each shot he fired hit its target.
"There's too many of them, Knight!" Smith yelled over the gunfire as more bodies fell to the ground from both sides.
The resonating fires of guns paused for only a moment, but it was enough to make the best friends freeze as they heard the sound of snapping trees.
"Oh no," Smith uttered, dread filling their bodies.
They both stared wide-eyed as a massive tank engine broke through the cover of trees, its tracks not even pausing as it drove over fallen bodies. Gears clicked and groaned as the turret swivelled and fired into the old city.
Cole watched in horror as the old, double-level orphanage suddenly burst into flames. "No!" he yelled and he heard his friend gasp next to him.
"Go!" Smith said and shoved Cole forward. "Don't worry, I'll cover for you."
Cole didn't hesitate as he leapt out from behind the protection of the sand wall and sprinted towards the burning orphanage building. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a soldier aim at him, but before he could pull the trigger, blood spurted out from his temple and he landed on the ground with a thud.
Cole dodged and leapt over fallen bodies as he rushed to the cover of the buildings before running as fast as his legs could carry him towards the orphanage. He just hoped Elizabeth had managed to get out before it was hit.
Twenty yards away, Cole could already feel the heat of the flames when someone suddenly rammed into him and he tumbled to the ground. He hardly had time to realise what was happening before the soldier straddled him and began punching him in the face.
Cole attempted to block the hits as he curled one of his hands into a fist and rammed it into the man's face. The stunned response of the man was just enough time for Cole to grab his revolver and he fired. He heard the man wheeze before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he collapsed to the ground.
Not wasting a second longer, Cole jumped to his feet and ran the last few yards to the building. Dark smoke filled the entrance of the orphanage, and Cole pulled his mask over his face before rushing inside.
The heat was so oppressive that sweat instantly began to pool at the back of his neck as he called for Elizabeth in the chaotic atmosphere. His eyes burned as he ran through the building and began looking through every room. The sound of cries and calls for help caught his ear and he quickly made his way towards it.
When he realised the sounds were coming from behind a closed door, he grabbed the handle and pushed, but the door didn't budge. He hit it harder with his shoulder and, after a few tries, the door swung open to reveal four petrified children, crying their eyes out.
"Come on!" he said quickly, and lifted the youngest one in his arms while the others rushed out to him.
The youngest child buried his face into Cole's neck and sobbed while he quickly lead the others the way he came, but the smoke was so dense it was difficult to breath while flames lapped up the walls surrounding them.
A few times they had to divert their path as a wall would suddenly collapse and it made Cole's anxiety grow for his wife. Without waiting another moment, he grabbed all four children in his arms and charged towards the exit. The children were coughing violently by the time they made it out of the building and Cole ran till they were a safe distance away before placing them down on the ground.
"Where's Elizabeth?" Cole asked them urgently as they tried to recover their breath.
The oldest one pointed back to the building with a shaky hand as sweat and tears ran down his face.
"Top."
It was all the child could say, but that was enough for Cole to understand.
He looked around and saw that the battle was still raging on around them with many more bodies lying on the ground.
"Get to the shelter," he told them. "Run through those trees there and hurry!" he said and the two eldest kids nodded as they grabbed their hands and ran off in the direction they were told.
Cole quickly turned and pulled his mask back over his face before rushing back into the building once more. The sheer intensity of the heat almost made Cole collapse as he hurried to find the wooden staircase leading to the second floor.
Taking the steps two at a time, he flew up to the second level and jumped the remainder when he heard the staircase collapse behind him. But he didn't focus on that as he began calling out his wife's name as he ran into every room. His eyes snapped to the end of the hallway when he heard a shrill cry ring out over the sounds of the burning building and he sprinted towards the sound.
"Elizabeth!" Cole yelled as he grabbed the door handle and pushed against the door but it wouldn't move.
His heart twisted in panic when he continued to hear the cry but no words.
He shoved at the door, but it still didn't budge. He looked around in a panic for something to help him open the door, but there was nothing.
Out of options, Cole gave the door a forceful kick near the hinges. He kicked again and watched the door dislodge, but his kicks weren't powerful enough for it to break completely. He quickly grabbed onto the overhanging ledge above the door and lifted himself off the ground before bringing all his strength forward in a double kick, snapping the door off its hinges.
Cole rushed into the room, but the sight of what greeted him made him freeze. Elizabeth was laying on the hard ground and had taken off her blouse to wrap it in a bundle which she held against her chest. Her body was soaked in sweat and her skin a ghostly pale, her whole body trembling in fatigue while her exhausted eyes stared back at him silently, although the relief was clearly seen.
But what got his attention the most was the blood covering the lower half of her body.
He rushed up to her.
"Elizabeth, what-"
A piercing cry came from the small bundle of cloth and Cole froze when he realised what it was. His face paled. No.
"Cole ..." Elizabeth wheezed softly.
Her voice was weak as she began to cough due to the smoke rising through the floorboards and sticking to her skin.
Cole's eyes widened and he quickly took off his mask and hastily wrapped it around her mouth and nose, hoping she would be able to breathe a little easier.
"Hold on, Elizabeth, I'll get you out of here," he said as he tried to gather her in his arms, but Elizabeth shook her head and pushed the small, still wailing, baby into his arms instead.
"Take Sophia. Go," she rasped.
Her breath grew more laboured as her lungs seized.
"I'm not leaving you here, Elizabeth," Cole said adamantly as he awkwardly held the tiny baby in his arms.
His eyes flickered to the scars littering her chest and his heart hammered against his rib cage as his mind raced to find some way to get them all out of here.
"Please."
The word made him halt as he stared at her wide-eyed. Her face was veiled in an expression which had the ability to haunt dreams - resignation.
Her tears made clean tracks down her face as her chest heaved, her body too weak to move. "Go."
"No, I'll find a way to get us out of here. I just ..." he said as he hastily looked around what appeared to be some sort of spare room with metal bed frames stacked in the one corner.
The only way out was through a window because the stairs collapsed, but the difficulty would be in trying to climb down with one arm. He couldn't carry both his wife and daughter. Elizabeth would have to hold Sophia, but she was too weak to move her head, let alone hold a child.
Cole never felt the amount of panic he did in that moment.
Actually, no, there was one other time. That day when Elizabeth got hit by the truck. He could still clearly remember that day even though it happened ten years ago. He remembered the panic, fear and helplessness as he rushed to her smashed car, not caring that his bike was still idling and that someone could easily take it.
The car had been smoking, resembling a pretzel. His first instinct was to pull her from the wreckage, but the sight of her made his blood freeze in his veins. There had been so much blood, but the worst was seeing that a part of the framework of the car which held the windscreen had snapped and impaled her chest.
He wasn't even sure that she was still alive.
Cole was never a religious person. He could never understand Elizabeth's thoughts regarding faith, but he loved her so he never said anything. But that moment - it was the one time he prayed, just hoping that it would be heard. Just hoping and praying that she would be okay. Because that sight ... He knew it wasn't humanely possible for her to survive it.
He didn't leave her side until he knew she was going to be okay, and he certainly wasn't going to leave her side now.
Come on, Cole! Think!
But Cole was so focused on figuring out a plan that he didn't notice the ceiling creak above them, sudden cracks showering them in dust and smoke.
"Look out!" Elizabeth yelled and, using the last of her strength, she shoved Cole out of the way as the ceiling collapsed.
Cole instinctively pulled Sophia to his chest as he fell to the side and yelled as pain shot through his foot. His eyes snapped to his ankle and he quickly kicked off the beam that landed on him.
His breath came out in harsh pants as he gritted his teeth from the pain. He quickly looked up, but froze as the sight.
For one moment, he forgot everything around him. He forgot the wailing child in his arms, he forgot the building collasping around him, he forgot the throbbing pain of his ankle, he forgot everything as he stared at what was before him; at his wife who had been crushed by a massive beam from the shoulders down. Her face was pressed into the hard wood flooring, her golden tresses veiling her while her left hand was stretched out towards him, her wedding ring glistening as brilliantly as it did on their wedding day.
"E-Elizabeth?" he called, his voice cracking.
He hoped that she would respond, that it was his eyes deceiving his brain. But she didn't and he suddenly felt weak.
"No, please," he begged as tears gathered in his eyes, and he slowly reached out to her.
The floor groaned, and he paused as he felt it tremble beneath him, suddenly realising the predicament he was still in. His eyes widened in horror as large cracks spread across the floor before a portion collapsed under the weight of the rubble, sending Elizabeth down with it.
Cole stared in shock before he noticed that the rest of the floor was beginning to collapse and he forced himself to move. His ankle stung as he put weight on it, but he ignored it and rushed towards the window, not caring that he cut himself as he punched through the glass.
Sophia was still wailing in his arms as he held her close to his chest with the one hand and pulled himself through the window. He turned to look back one more time, but his eyes widened when he saw the smoke being sucked through the broken door and he knew that the building would explode any moment.
Bracing himself, he jumped off the ledge, knowing he wouldn't have enough time to climb down the length of the building. He yelled out in pain as he landed after the ten metre drop and felt his ankle snap under the pressure causing him to collapse to the ground, still holding Sophia tightly to his chest. However, he managed to twist his body just in time to ensure that he didn't crush her.
The force of the landing drained him of any remaining strength as his thoughts grew faint. He vaguely heard someone shouting for him and he looked up to see Smith running towards him with a panicked expression. He didn't have a chance to respond as his friend grabbed his arm and hoisted him up, looping his arm over his shoulders and rushing away from the building.
Once they were a safe distance away, Smith lowered Cole down to lean against a tree and looked at him before noticing the crying baby in his arms.
"Where's Elizabeth?" he asked, and just as he did, the building exploded.
Smith instantly covered his face in case of falling debris, but Cole did nothing as he stared at the flames that lapped up the collapsing building, a small tear making a clean path down his ash-covered cheek and landing on the little baby's forehead.
Little Sophia scrunched up her face from the feeling, her wails pausing momentarily. Her eyes glanced up at the man who held her before they connected with the sight of the flames lifting up into the air as chaos surrounded her.
Her face twitched as she grew quiet ... and never made another sound.