Watching

Watching

“Psssst, Jonesy?” whispered PFC Correli, nervously looking around. “Jonesy, hey Jonesy you awake?”

“What do ya want Correli?” hissed Corporal Jones impatiently glancing over at the soldier manning the next barricade. “Will you just shut up and keep your eyes open!”

“Why do you think the Lieutenant set up a checkpoint here?” asked Correli, eyes scanning back and forth. “Christ, no one ever comes into town on this road.”

“Well, then it ought to be a pretty good post wouldn’t you think?” Corporal Jones answered, scanning the darkness around them.

“What did you do back home Jonesy?” asked Correli yawning and rubbing his eyes. “Before, you know?”

“Do? Hahaha, I didn’t DO anything,” chuckled Corporal Jones. “I just graduated from Columbia, I didn’t get a CHANCE to DO anything. Graduation came, no job prospects. Recruiter said I might go to Germany.”

“Yeah, damn recruiters anyway!” grumbled Correli. “Mine said I would probably get a posting to an embassy somewhere. I guess they’ll say anything.”

“Damn, it’s dark isn’t it?” Correli said, glancing over his shoulder, barely able to see the camp lights 100 yards behind them. “I wish it would hurry up and be someone else’s turn out here.”

“For crying out loud Correli, you just got here an hour ago. Next watch change isn’t for three more hours.” Corporal Jones shook his head with exasperation.

PFC Correli knew that, he knew it well. They had been coming out to this roadblock every night for the last five days. They never had any trouble during those five days either. Correli was worried just the same. There were reports that insurgents had been seen near here and that they planned on controlling this area.

"Did you see that? Jonesy?” Correli hissed straining to peer through the darkness. “Jonesy, look over there!”

“What is it Correli?” Corporal Jones asked, straightening up and scanning around carefully. “See what?”

“Over there, I thought I saw the bushes rustling.” PFC Correli whispered, unslinging his weapon.

“OH for pity sakes,” muttered Corporal Jones. “Relax, it’s just a goat, these frigging people let their animals wander around everywhere!”