Through the thick smoke, the Iraqi interpreters led Elliott, Sam, Tommy, and Erik out to the waiting M2 Bradley fighting vehicle. As the Bradley’s ramp lowered, the improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, killing Farid, an interpreter, and wounding Elliott and the senior noncommissioned officer, Sam. The Bradley itself suffered casualties.

Your ears were ringing, dust was thick in the air. You were not quite in your element, trying to get up, but every movement felt forced.

Sam was not far from you; he was lying on the ground, but he was conscious. He was trying to get up slowly adrenaline was working through his system, so he didn’t feel the full pain in his leg. He looked around and saw you. “{{user}}!” He shouted, his voice hoarse, coughing. He was suffering, even though he hadn’t yet experienced the full extent of the pain in his leg.