A touch from you

Lance Corporal Jason Smith woke up bright and early that morning, ready to begin a new day. He had slept late the previous day due to his constant thoughts about his father who was a professor of law in Harvard law school.

Jason Smith's mother passed away four years ago when he was only sixteen and in the tenth grade and ever since then, he hasn't been able to come to terms with the fact that his precious mother was no more. They were very close when she was alive and even till now, he still saw flashes of her beautiful face in his dreams.

"Jason, up up. Time for the morning parade.'' a voice said.

The voice belonged to a fellow Marine, his roomate and his best friend, David Rowe. Jason sighed, saying a quick prayer before he climbed out of the bed. He pulled out a clean white shirt, shrugging it on before he made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Jason Smith was huge with a broad shoulder and Chestnut hair. He had a gap tooth and when he smiled, a dimple was prominent. He usually stuck up for his fellow marines but all he was after was protecting his integrity.

"Alright, we're good to go. I'll go roundup everyone else while you prepare the parade ground.'' Jason said.

"Aye aye boss", David laughed.

He was a bit shorter than Jason but his heavy build made up for it. Jason smiled as he made his way to the big bunker where most of the other Marines stayed. He took out his whistle, blowing it with all the energy he could muster and soon, the junior Marines began climbing out of their bunker.

"It's still early", one groaned.

"I know Brian but we have to do this, orders from above.'' Jason smiled.

He really didn't blame them because most of them were just starting out and weren't quite used to the rigorous lives they lived.

"Are we going to get food when we're done?" he asked.

"Yes Brian, we will as soon as we're done with the parade.'' Jason chuckled.

Soon, all the junior Marines were outside and ready to begin the parade which was headed by Jason. Despite the cold, they were able to have a successful parade and soon, Jason dismissed them to go have breakfast.

He made his way back to his bunker, in need of a cool bath before going over to the kitchen to grab some breakfast. Jason had a huge appetite and hoped that some of the food was still available. He knew what the junior marines could do especially when they were left with a lot of food.

Just then, his best friend David walked in grinning like a Cheshire cat. His jet black hair was tousled and Jason knew that he just had a play-fight with one of the junior marines.

"What's funny?" Jason asked.

"Heard from a reliable source that we'll be going out of the barracks to town for a few days.'' David said.

"Really?" Jason asked.

He couldn't believe what he had just heard. None of them had been to town for almost two weeks now as a result of the constant meeting they had with their platoon sergeant.

"Yep but Sgt O'Neal is expected to tell us more about this when he comes later today or tomorrow morning but since you're his representative here, I thought you should know about it so it wouldn't take you as a surprise when he informs us.'' David said.

"Good thinking, thank you Dave.'' Jason grinned.

He was grateful for this news because it made him look forward to something. He always liked to go out to town because it reminded him that there was a completely different world outside the barracks.

"You ate?" David asked.

"Nahh but I'm heading there now. Boy, I'm starved.'' Jason chuckled.

"Same here. Let's go.'' David said.

Jason shrugged on another white shirt before the duo made their way towards the kitchen. When they got there, Jason was glad to see that there was still a surplus of food just waiting to be eaten. He grabbed whatever he could as he and David made their way towards a far corner at the cafeteria.

"Have you heard?" David said quietly.

Jason looked up, munching slowly on his food as he tried to make out what David was talking about.

From the look in his eyes, he knew that whatever David was about to say was serious and he wasn't one to carry rumors.

"There's some people working for the enemy amongst us. I don't know who they are but it's best we be careful of the people we talk to around here.'' he said quietly.

Jason stared around as if trying to see who was the enemy but no one paid them any attention as they were all focused on their meals.

"Let this just be between the two of us.'' Jason said.

"Of course. I understand, we really can't trust anyone at the moment.'' David said.

"Has word about this gotten to the squad leader?" Jason asked.

"That I'm not sure of. He's not even around, he went to town late last night.'' David said.

"It's possible that he actually went to town in respect of this and if so, it's more serious than I thought.'' Jason said.

"Yes. Something like this isn't one to play with.'' David said.

Jason cut into his chicken wings, throwing it into his mouth. He munched slowly as his mind filtered through all the marines he talked to, trying to figure out who was likely to betray them.

"If you're thinking about who could betray us, it's better you stop. You'd be surprised when you find out that it's the least person you expected.'' David said.

"Is it certain that Sgt O'Neal would come in today?" Jason asked.

He needed to talk to him and try to find out if he had any knowledge about what was going on. When things like this happened, Jason wasn't one to just brush it away. He would try all his best to find out what happened and get to the root of it.

"To be honest, I don't know. I haven't seen him for a week now, what's wrong?" David said.

He sipped slowly from his cup of tea as his mind was focused on what he had heard.

"Just wanted to see him and talk to him about something.'' Jason said, finally.