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“Will!” Vince called out as the gunfire began to cease

There were a few more shots in the distance, and Vince knew they had to ht, not since their cover had been blown “Will!” he called out again

“Over here!” Someone else answered his calls “He’s been hit”

Rushing over to the sound of the voice, Vince’s lungs were already having a hard ti for air The two soldiers crouched next to a body as Vince approached This wasn’t good Vince could see that Will was fighting in vain for his life

Vince dropped to his knees staring at his friend He grabbed Will’s nearly lifeless hand and squeezed He was in the very spot where he’d gone down on his knees to de on his side, and Vince could already hear the gurgling in Will’s chest as he struggled for his last breaths He’d heard that sale more than a few times since he’d been deployed here “Stay with me, Will,” Vince demanded as his heavy heart pounded

But it was useless He’d been shot in the back—dead center The shot had likely pierced his lungs He had minutes, if not seconds, left to live Then the shots started again, and they all dropped to the ground, but Vince continued to hold Will’s hand

“We gotta get out of here!” Their teao!”

They all startedexcept Vince There was still some life left in Will’s hand He couldn’t just leave him there

“Moreno, let’s go! We’ll have to come back for him, but you have to take cover now!”

Vince almost did until he felt Will’s hand squeeze his “I won’t leave you,” he said crouching doith his face next to Will’s, feeling an enoruilt that he’d even considered it for a th than Vince would have iined he still had in him

“Du…” Will struggled to speak

“Don’t try to talk,” Vince insisted Whatever ti his last breaths

Will shook his head again “Don’t…give up”