Walking Ghost Phase by D. C. Daugherty Page B

“Only thirty-seven more, princess, and I can wait here all day.”
    Sarah pushed harder. Below her chin, a puddle of tears rolled into a crack between the rotting wood.
    “Come on, princess.”
    A knot climbed in Emily 's chest as saliva sprayed though Sarah's clenched teeth.
    “ I—I—,” Sarah mumbled. “—can't.”
    Vasquez slapped the small of her back. “All day, princess.” He slapped her again, harder.
    Sarah whimpered. “P—please.”
    He slapped her a third time. “Corporal Douglas, order the driver to pull over.”
    Without thinking, Emily jumped in the crevice between Sarah and Vasquez, shielding the girl from additional punishment. “Stop. She can't do any more.” The silence after, seconds at most, screamed at her. What the hell did you just do? She looked at Vasquez's boots, his silver belt buckle and gun, the name patch on his chest and then his face. His delighted smile showed off the pink of his gums. For the first time in three months, Emily wanted to forget something.
    “ Well, well, well. You have some nerve. I'll give you that.” He grabbed Sarah and shoved her to the bench. “I guess it's your lucky day,” he said to her. He turned to Emily. “You just volunteered to finish her pushups. On your chest, soldier.”
    Emily closed her eyes and rolled over. Her breaths had already grown rapid. I can do this . Five pushups later. You won't get to me. She was now past ten. No— Her chest constricted, shoulders burned. “Twelve.” She pushed again as the sting radiated up her elbows. “Th-thirteen.” Sweat trickled down her forehead, into her eyes and blurred her vision. A glistening tear splashed below her face. She pushed harder, seeming to fight against an immovable object. At the apex of the fourteenth pushup, her arms folded under her body and lips planted in the puddle of tears. The seconds of rest sent a euphoric tingle up her spine.
    Then a stiff blow cracked at her ribs, knocking the wind out of her. She couldn't even scream. “Only twenty-four more.” He knelt beside her; his warm breath coursed over her ear. “Do you think you did her a favor? That mouth is going to be her downfall, and I was trying to help her understand. But you had to get involved, didn't you? Here's your lesson. You don't have friends here. You're on your own.” Vasquez shoved his palm, with the weight of his body behind it, against the small of Emily's back. She bit into her tongue. “Now get off the floor.”
    “ I'll finish them for her,” someone said.
    The weight released from Emily 's back, and her chin shot forward, scraping the wood. Matt was walking toward her. “Thank you,” she whispered. Vasquez lowered his boot on her head and shoved her face into the floorboards. A flash of light streaked across her eyes.
    “ Are you trying to be a hero, soldier?” Vasquez asked.
    “ No, sir,” Matt said.
    “ Why would you want to help this piece of trash?”
    “ Sir, I haven't slept in three days. I also didn't eat this morning. Let me do the pushups so we can get to base. I'm sure you have better things to do than sit on the side of the road all day.”
    Vasquez paused and then glanced at Emily. “On the bench.”
    “ Yes, sir,” she said, more than happy to fulfill his request.
    “ You know what, soldier?” Vasquez said to Matt. “I'm not going to make you finish her pushups. You won me a bit of money. It's the least I can do.” He turned to Douglas and laughed. “I think this one might become a General someday.”
    Douglas smirked as if he knew what was coming next.
    Vasquez spun and sent his fist into Matt's stomach. A gasping hiss and then short-winded groan came from Matt's mouth. “Now sit down and keep your mouth shut.” Vasquez looked around. “That goes for everyone. If I so much as hear a breath these last few miles, you'll all kiss the floor until tomorrow morning.” For the next ten minutes, Emily could swear she heard Sarah's heartbeat.
    Soon the transport slowed to a