Hero

HERO

By

Ronni Meyrick

Copyright @ Wicked Publishing 2016

A Ronni Meyrick story. This book or any parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author, or Wicked Publishing. Piracy is a crime.

Wicked Publishing stories are downloadable on reputable sites. If for any reason you are reading this for free from a non-reputable site, then you are viewing an illegal download. Please refrain from doing so.

Contact information: www.wickedpublishing.net

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @WickedPublishing

AUTHORS NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Editing services courtesy of Ashen White.

Book cover illustration: Shiralyn J. Lee

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Dedication

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and can be anything from a celebrity, a close friend, or a family member.

Our forces personnel should, in my opinion, rank highly on all of our lists of heroes.

My Heroes are: my Mum and Dad, my Nan, and all our forces personnel, past and present.

This book is dedicated to all the men and women in the world who serve or have served our countries so bravely. Thank you to all of you for your service and dedication to our nations.

To my Nan, who sadly passed away in September 2015. In her nearly 88 years on Earth, she filled my childhood and adult years with many happy times and memories. Soar on the winds, Nan. You may be gone, but, you’ll never be forgotten.

To my parents, the two people who always encouraged me to follow my heart, and make my dreams a reality, I love you both. I hope whatever cloud you’re on, Dad, you’re proud of me. I love and miss you more every day.

To my wife, K, I love you. Thank you for your continued love and support, and for also putting up with me when I get cranky or stuck, and in your words, ‘keep me topped up with coffee, and thrust a sandwich at me when you think I need it’.

Acknowledgements

My thanks go out to my beta readers, Jen, Amy and Princess Ameliah. Thanks for all your feedback, ladies, I would be lost without you all.

To my mentors and bosses, Dawn and Shiralyn. For the forehead pokes, and slaps, to get this newbie into some semblance of an author. Teaching me what to do and not do. I will forever be in your debt, and will pay with Bloody Marys and Wine. I love our Wicked Family.

As Always, K, Pat, Denise, and Julie, you all keep me sane, and offer me a place to work and unwind if I need it.

Pat, you’re always at the end of the phone with a willing ear, and helpful advice. Your friendship means more to me than you’ll ever know.

Thank you to you—the reader for supporting me, huge hugs to you all. xxx

HERO

Chapter One

Lights, lots of lights flashed overhead, as Major Holmes was rushed along the corridor to the operation room by a team of medics. The nurses’ voices were muffled, their faces blurred, the only sounds clear in her mind were of gunshots, screams and explosions. She couldn’t grasp what was happening to her, only that the pain was so intense…

Jackie gradually opened her eyes. She couldn’t remember, couldn’t think.

A young nurse leaned over and looked down at her. Everything’s okay, Major Holmes. Just take it easy, and don’t try to talk. You were intubated, and now you’ll feel some discomfort from it. I’ll go and fetch the doctor to check you over. She turned away and hurried out of the room.

Where…am…I...? Jackie closed her eyes.

•••

Regaining consciousness, a coppery taste filled Jackie’s mouth, and all she could do was dry-heave. She winced. The discomfort in her throat made it feel as though the tube was still inserted. Then a recognisable smell hit her nostrils. It was bleach mixed with the faint aroma of vomit. Jackie’s confusion soon dissipated as the reality of her situation filtered through her mind.

She opened her eyes fully and stared up at the stark, white ceiling. The fluorescent lights produced a harsh brightness that caused her to blink incessantly. She tried to swallow, but it hurt.

Her gaze darted from one side of the room to the other in search of answers. She tried to call out but her throat felt as if sandpaper was scraping her inside as she swallowed. Beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her armpits were soaked, yet she was cold. She was subconsciously aware of her surroundings, but she was slow to register why she was in a hospital bed recovering from an operation. To the right of the bed, an IV tree with a bag of fluid hanging from it alerted her to the fact she was hooked up. Staring at it, she breathed in through her nose, as a rush of nervous adrenaline coursed through her body.

Then the presence of someone in the doorway jolted her from her confusion.

It’s nice to have you back with us, Major Holmes. How are you feeling? the nurse asked as she entered the room. Her voice, soft and compassionate, had a slight singing tone to it.

Jackie wriggled and tried to push herself up, but sensing defeat she sighed heavily and sank back down. Where… she faltered as she waited for the pain in her throat to pass. Am I? What…happened— She put her hand to her throat and rubbed.

The nurse poured water into a cup from a jug on the nightstand and picked up a straw, then placed it between Jackie’s lips. Little sips, Major Holmes. She waited until Jackie had taken what she wanted, then put the cup back on the bedside table. You’re back in Britain, at Selly Oak Hospital.

Jackie tried to swallow, attempting to clear her painful throat before she rasped out, What am I doing here? I can’t remember anything.

The nurse turned around and plumped the pillow behind Jackie’s head. I don’t have the authority to tell you, Major Holmes. I’ll contact your attending doctor and ask him to come and speak with you. He’ll be able to answer all the questions you have.

Before you do that…can you help me sit up?

I’m afraid not. We have orders for you to stay lying down until the doctor has seen you. There, she said, finishing with the pillow. Now you should rest. She patted Jackie’s hand and then headed towards to the door. Before she left the room she stopped and turned. You’re very brave, you know. Then she walked out into the hallway.

Something isn’t right… Jackie began to hyperventilate. Her racing pulse brought the onslaught of the sound of her heartbeat thrashing in her ears. Why am I not with my battalion in Afghanistan? Unable to finish her thoughts, pains shot into her right calf muscle, causing her to cry out.

Without delay, the nurse rushed back into the room. Major Holmes?

It hurts! She squirmed as she tried to get some relief. It feels like I’m walking on hot coals, burning my feet, cooking my insides. Fuck! It hurts.

The nurse carefully rolled back the covers and massaged the muscle in her lower leg. Press this button. The Morphine will help to relieve some of the pain. She pressed the button for the IV drip.

Jackie’s whole body relaxed as though magic had been performed.

Better?

Yes, a little.

Okay. I’ll go and fetch the doctor now. She gently placed the covers back and gave a sympathetic smile to her patient. Then the slim, petite redhead left the room. Within minutes she walked back in, followed by a pointy-faced man in a white lab coat, who, apparently, was the doctor.

Good morning, Major Holmes, I’m Doctor Zack McFadden, he said, stepping over to the bed.

Jackie stared hard at the one person who had the answers she needed. What happened to me? she asked quietly. Before he could answer, two people in the doorway caught her attention. Mum, Dad.

Her mother rushed to her side and took hold of her hand. Jackie, love. Her dishevelled hair and the dark circles beneath her eyes indicated how stressed she’d been over her daughter’s welfare. She kissed Jackie’s forehead and brushed her hair back behind her ear, just as a proud mother would.

Jackie managed to produce a fake smile to hide her pain from her parents. Her quick thinking denied them any further hurt over what they were already feeling.

Hey, Jack, her father said, following his wife. Meticulously dressed as always, he looked tired, his face etched with worry.

The doctor moved aside to let the nurse arrange the bed, and enable Jackie to sit upright. He picked up her chart and mulled it over, then took a deep breath. After your incident in Afghanistan four days ago, you were flown to Germany to stabilise your condition, then you were flown here. Do you remember what happened?

No… She looked at her parents for confirmation, then back to the doctor. I remember a loud bang…that’s about it. She turned to look at her mother, to see tears rolling down her cheeks. What’s…happened…to me? she asked, looking back at the doctor.

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this. The doctor’s words were filled with kindness, spoken in a soothing tone. You stepped on an Explosive Device. Your left leg had to be amputated just below the knee.

Jackie tilted her head and folded her arms over her stomach. I don’t think so. She looked to her parents, then to the doctor. I can feel my legs…both…of them. When she looked at her parents again, she expected them to laugh. They didn’t.

The doctor’s eyes narrowed, showing his crow’s-feet as if he was concentrating. Major Holmes, the doctors in Germany had to amputate your leg before they could safely transfer you to this hospital. I’m sorry.

How many times do I have to tell you! she complained, her patience quickly running out. I can feel my legs…both of them!

Okay, Major Holmes, please try to remain calm, he said, taking a step away from the bed.

Even though the head of the bed was raised, Jackie was unable to see her legs because her parents were purposely blocking her line of sight. Mum, Dad, I know you’re trying to protect me, and I love you for it, but could you move out of the way?

Her parents shuffled away from the bed, both wiping the tears from their puffy eyes.

An uneasy tension gave way to a heavy silence. Glances were exchanged, with each person awkwardly judging the reasons for her being there.

Jackie closed her eyes and blew out a deep breath. When she opened them she looked down at her legs. She could see her right leg stretched out along the bed, however, she was faced with the fact there was truth in the doctor’s words. From her left knee downwards, only the clinical white sheet lay flat against the bed. No…No…No…No, this can’t be! She closed her eyes and covered her ears with her hands and shivered. Oh, God, why? This is just a bad dream, I’m going to wake up, come on Holmes, wake up. Dad? she whimpered through shuddering breaths. When he didn’t respond, she turned to her mother, whose tears fell heavier than before. Why me? she sobbed. She grabbed locks of her hair and practically clawed her fingernails through them, clenching her fists, as though violence was the answer. And her cry, so raw, could have been that of a mother who’d just lost her child in a senseless battle.

Molly Powell quickly moved onto the bed next to her despairing daughter and took her into her arms. There’s no one who can answer that for you, love, she said softly.

How could I have been so careless to let this happen? Not only had she lost her leg, but also her career. The army, along with her children, was Jackie’s life. What am I going to do now?

Take it easy, love, Molly soothed. We’ll figure it out somehow.

Jackie flinched. Easy? I’ve just found out my fucking leg’s been blown off, and you want me to take it easy?

Molly quickly moved aside to allow her husband to step in.

He took hold of Jackie’s hand, his face drawn, the situation weighing heavy on him, and from behind his masked smile he choked out, Jack, she didn’t mean it like that.

I don’t feel too good, Dad.

The nurse approached Jackie, carrying a cool, moist washcloth, which she gently patted over her forehead and neck. Is that better, Major Holmes?

Jackie’s chin trembled. Not really. My legs are hurting. She hunched over, as if choking down a sob, then pressed her hand against her chest bone before she let out a whimper.

Molly frowned as she looked at the doctor. Why is she feeling pain in her left leg?

The doctor raised his eyebrows, then leaned forward to examine his patient. Major Holmes, where are you experiencing the pain, above or below the knee?

Her back felt sore from being in one position for so long, but she didn’t want to complain about the minor pains when there were greater issues on the table. Below the knee, but it also hurts just above too.

The doctor crossed his arms as he observed her. What you’re experiencing from the knee down is known as phantom pain. It is quite common in cases of amputation. Your brain hasn’t processed the fact that part of your limb isn’t there anymore, and still expects messages from the nerves beyond the point of amputation. When it doesn’t receive those signals, it registers that as pain.

Jackie was at a loss for words. She glanced down at the flat sheet again. A deafening silence filled the room. Not wanting to see the hurt in her parents faces any longer, she turned away and quietly said, What am I going to do now? She knew other officers who’d been through these types of injuries, and nothing in their lives had been the same again, even with extensive counselling and rehabilitation. Trying to act brave, she wiped the newly formed tears from her eyes.

Doctor McFadden observed her, then spoke quietly. You need to take some time to recover. A Military counsellor has already been assigned to you, and he or she will teach you how to cope with your situation.

Jackie shuddered. A shrink?

Molly picked a fleece blanket up from the bottom of the bed and draped it around her daughter’s shoulders. That should be a little warmer for you, love.

Oh God, Mum, I yelled at you, and I swore. Jackie lowered her gaze as she caught her mother’s hand before she pulled away. I’m sorry, Mum.

Then her father stepped behind her mother and placed his hand on her shoulder. She favoured him more than her mother, and could tell when he was hiding something from her. Like now, his brown eyes betrayed him, he was scared. Jackie was no longer the little girl who cried and ran into the house when she scraped her knee. This time they couldn’t put a plaster on and kiss it better.

As Molly stroked Jackie’s cheek she let out a cry as if she’d just been told her daughter was dead. I’m sorry, love, it’s just such a shock. We’ll be at your side through everything.

Jackie appreciated her mother’s patience. The past few years had been frustrating, as she’d had to fight hard to gain her position, and there had been times when she’d taken liberty in snapping at her mother for trivial things. She knew her parents loved her dearly, perhaps more than they should have at times, and now…now she felt as though she was going to be a burden to them.

Doctor McFadden indicated for the nurse to take Jackie’s blood pressure and check her heart rate, as he informed his patient on what he expected her to do. I would like to see you up and walking around a little today. Hopefully, we can start you with some exercises as well.

How do I walk around? she snapped in disbelief. I only have one leg?

"You’ll be supplied with crutches.