She could feel her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in short and ragged gasps as she forced her legs to propel her forward and not to the back of the line. She knew what she’d signed up for, but still…being out here, with the screams and the cries and the bullets and the explosions. It was a whole other world, and it wasn’t one she was sure she should be in. Regret and fear nearly blinded her in her panic, but she managed to get her legs moving through an immense force of will.
Her mouth felt as dry as cotton as she skidded over the edge of the ditch, trying to scrabble along and out of it. Once she did, she almost leapt back in.
All around her, men were running forward, scattered, confused despite their orders, and just trying to stay alive. To her right, a mortar exploded, sending dirt and debris and gravel raining down on her. Instinctively, Sam threw her arms up, feeling the concussion of the blast send her boots skidding along in the dirt. Her eyes widened, heart hammering so hard she was sure it would jump out of her chest and run to the rear without her. She didn’t know where to start, what to do. The hospital wasn’t like this; it was all order and charts and knowing what was next. This was blood and panic and confusion and she had no idea where she was needed most. Even Lew and Sidney, who had told her stories about their time in Normandy, couldn’t have prepared her for what battle was really like.