Bloodshed

Wartime

The next morning, we're already awake and alert. We gather our guns and load them. Our uniforms are cleaned and ready to be put on. I fasten Kev's bulletproof vest on him and he fastens mine onto me. Kya hands out a bag of dried fruit and each troop member takes a handful. We each sip from our water flasks before sneaking out into the morning.
The sun beats down on us and we're sweating before we've even started to fight. Kev wipes his brow and Kya allows everyone another handful of fruit. Finally, we reach the battlefield. Parched grass crackles underneath our feet as we walk to our positions. We have the element of surprise on our side - the enemies don't even know we've planned the battle for today. I cock my rifle and squint, trying to make out the shadows of enemies sleeping behind the burlap flaps of their tent. When Kya gives the signal, we all fire. The flaps of the enemy's tent burst open and we hold our guns at the ready. The enemies file out, each one with a pistol. Their troop leader shouts something in a language I can't understand, and everyone starts shooting.
I can't make out who's who. I hate it when the dust is so thick that no one can view who they're shooting at. I fire wildly, trying to hit the enemies. My neck burns with the heat of the sun, and I wish I'd put my hair back so it'd be at least a little cooler. I stop and take a sip of water, and my body welcomes the liquid. As soon as the first drop of water hits my tongue, though, the flask is knocked out of my hands and all the water immediately soaks into the dry ground. I whirl around to see a beefy man holding a machine gun.
"Put gun down." he says in an Arabian accent. I do, my hands shaking. The man adjusts his rifle. "I take you to camp. Come."
I'm frozen in fear. I don't know whether or not to follow him. Suddenly, he growls. "I said, come!" He aims his gun and shoots. I squeeze my eyes shut and wait for the blow, but it never comes. I open my eyes and see Kev jumping in front of me. The bullet hits his arm. I yell his name, and he looks at me. His face is twisted in pain. Biting my lip, I gather all my strength and punch the enemy in the face. He lets out a cough and I drop to the ground, holding Kev.
"I'm so sorry!" I cry, sizing up his wound. He grimaces and tries to smile, but it doesn't work.
"It's okay- I was trying to save you." he grunts. I tear off a strip of my shirt and tie it around his injury. The bleeding needs to stop or else he'll... I don't even want to think about it.
"Help!" I call.