I clicked off my radio and began to leave.. I walked through the doorway and down the hallway. When I was about halfway to the nurse’s office, I passed Tex and Williams, but they didn’t say a word. They saw me and visibly hurried up down the hallway. I noted it as I kept walking. Then I got to the nurses office, I took a deep breath then walked in.

“Damnit Gomez, hitting the fucking thing isn’t going to get it open. The cabinet is full on reinforced steel! Why the hell do you think the LT didn't try to rip it open with his crowbar, it wouldn’t work and the best it’ll do is dent the door and make it harder to open. All you’re gonna do is hurt yourself and then it’ll be my job to fix whatever you break!” Doc said in a subtle and defeated voice.

“Yeah! Well I don’t see you trying anything! You said there could be medicina in there. And we can use that!” Gomez retorts.

“Yeah I know! it’s just-“ doc stops and looks at me and his eyes widen. “Holy shit! What the hell happened Lieutenant!” His eyes Not leaving my face.

Gomez quickly turns around and he recoils, “Jesús, ¿estás bien?”

“What the hell are you both talking about?” I asked confused.

“Sir, go into the bathroom, and take a look at yourself.” Doc said pointing to a small door off to the side.

“Oh-kay? Oh, and here.” I tossed Gomez the keychain. “it’s a bit bloody but there might be a key.” I walk to the door of the bathroom as doc rushes up out of his chair.

“Holy shit let me see those!” He grabs the keys out of Gomez’s hands and starts checking them on the door one at a time.

”Hey Punta! Don’t just rip it out of my-“

I walked into the bathroom, closing the door as I entered. I attempted to turn on the lights, but power was still out. I grabbed a Chemlight and cracked it. I looked into the mirror and I was horrified by the sight that had befallen me. My face was completely splattered in blood and grime. I freaked out and quickly turned on the water spicket. I ripped my combat gloves and helmet off and threw them to the ground. I began to rub my face with the water desperately trying to get the blood off of me. I watched as the clear water turned red with every stroke on my face. Eventually I grabbed a white towel hanging a few feet away from me and cleared my face of the water. I looked into the mirror, my skin even more pale than it usually was, and my brown hair soaked with sweat and water. My brown eyes, glancing all over my body, finally stopped on my own eyes. I gripped both sides of the sink as my reflection stared back at me. I kept remembering the face of that kid I had on my ID. As I thought of that kid I was, and who I am now, I felt as though there was this complete absence of something in me. As if I wasn’t the same person at all. And I was looking at this stranger in the mirror. I shook my head and looked away. I said under my breath:

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“What the fuck is wrong with me! I should be fine! This is my job! Don’t slip up now.” I quickly noticed a stream of blood coming down my forehead. I dipped my head down to wash it away. As I brought my gaze back up, fear completely took hold. I sat in horror as I realized there was a man behind me. He was wearing our OCPs and his throat was bleeding profusely. I stared at him, into his brown soulless eyes. On his name tape it said “Kelly”. I began to hyperventilate as I quickly ducked my head into the water again. When I came back up, he was gone. I scrubbed for what seemed like hours after, then I reached down for my helmet and gloves. I put them back on as I took one last look at myself in the mirror. I opened the door to find Doc visibly perplexed and angered.

“Fine you slut! There is one last key! Please for the love of God work!” He inserted the key and twisted.

“….click” the lock turned and the door opened.

“THANK GOD! Now let’s see what goodies we have here!” Doc said, licking his lips with anticipation.

Doc examined the medicine cabinet, “Yes! Holy shit Yes! There is Peroxide! Neosporin! Gauze! Bandages! Tylenol! Even some splints and syringes! Gomez quick! Grab my bag!”

I begin to leave, but then Doc calls me.

“Lieutenant! Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. I have a lot of issues I need to work through when all this is over and I know that. But thank you for helping me with this. It'll help a lot.” Doc stopped for a moment, looking away, then looked back to me. “And thank you for pulling me back earlier. I-I needed it.” Doc looks at me with eyes of genuine sorrow yet sincere happiness.

I shook my head at Doc managing a smile, “No problem Doc. Just make sure it doesn’t go to waste.”

I turn as I hear him say “Oh it won’t sir! I can promise you that!”

”Sir! Wait! Come back! You didn’t get any blood or excrement in your mouth or eyes, right?” He asked with urgency.

I quickly realized why he was asking, all the blood on me, that was a biohazard. I relied “No, no I didn’t.” I looked at Doc, he seemed reassured, but still weary.

“Lieutenant, do you have any spare clothes?” he asked.

”No.”

“Alright, I’ll ask around, see what I can find!” He said with a smirk, “We can’t have a war hero covered in monster blood for all those press conferences!” He said with a laugh.

“Oh shut up!” I said in response as I rolled my eyes and walked towards the door.

I close the door behind me and walk back down the hallway to go towards the third floor.