The Girl In The War (Under Editing)

Part Seven

It was dark and Rose was stood with Malarkey, Penkala, Skip and Luz as Luz told them a story, "you know i got no reason to bullshit you, you might not believe it but you-know-who comes running up to Lip, he's got no helmet, no gear, no nothing" Luz then went into his brilliant impression of Dike "1st sergeant lipton, you organise things here and i'm gonna go for help" the group laughed as Luz carried on "i need to go polish my oat wheat clusters" a cough interrupted the group as Luz was called away by Lip, "night all" Malarkey said as he began to walk away, Rose began to follow him and felt his arm wrap around her shoulder as they walked, they both heard the voice of Skip say "seeya Luz, seeya Malark, night Tiny" Rose and Malarkey made it to their foxhole and jumped inside just as an explosion happened behind them, they both ducked and huddled together and waited for the bombardment to be over. Flashes of light surrounded easy company as the trees exploded under the pressure of the artillery.

Once the bombardment had ended the sun had come up and Malarkey and Rose emerged from their foxhole only find that two of their best friends were dead. Malarkey crouched next to the foxhole that once held Skip and Penkala and Rose lent against a tree looking down into the hole, Luz pulled out Skip's rosary beads that had been burnt, he looked up at Rose who nodded towards Malarkey, Luz handed the beads over to Malarkey who stared down at them. Malarkey walked off and Rose just stayed in her position until Lip touched her shoulder which shocked her and caused her to jump slightly, Lip nodded at the medic and smiled slightly but he did not receive anything back. Just a blank look before she started to walk in the direction that Malarkey had gone.

Later that day Malarkey and Rose were snuggled together looking at Skip's rosary beads with blank expressions, when Lip walked over to them "hey Malark, Tiny" the pair looked up at the 1st sergeant "didn't i hear you say you were looking to bring a lugar home for your kid brother?" Malarkey nodded before Lip reached into his pocket "well, why don't you give him that?" Lip handed him the lugar that had ended Hoobler's life "it's Hoobs right?" Malarkey asked and Lip answered "yeah, i was gonna get rid of it but i thought... Captain Winters was wondering if you want to go back to battalion and work as his runner for a few days?" Malarkey looked at the gun while he answered "no thanks i think i'll stay here" Rose leaned her head on his shoulder as Lip said "well why don't you go back for a few days, say goodbye to Buck, i'm sure it'll mean a lot to him" Malarkey nodded and Lip stood up and told the soldier "you be careful with that" and Lip walked away. He stopped for a moment before looking down at Rose and opened his mouth, Lip didn't know what to say but when he saw her snuggle closer to Malarkey he knew that they needed each other at the moment so he walked off.