#hiraethoc

Her scraped knees stung as the dirt was cleaned out with the hose in her backyard. Cheeks flushed red as tear stains dried onto her skin. The peach coloured bandaids stuck over the gravel rash, coloured in with markers to make her smile.

The sting of the alcohol burned her raw skin, her father held her down as her mother cleaned the wounds properly. Still, her mind replayed the interaction with the freckled boy down the street, who held her hand and wiped her tears with a promise that he knew what he was doing, he was a doctor in training - well his father was a doctor that is -. Jimmy Walters, a raven headed boy with freckles like constellations taught her first aid, and what love felt like.

—

Two weeks. That’s how long it took for Winnie to become friends with anyone other than Shifty. After coming down with a stomach bug - one of which she’s almost certain had to do with the spongy casserole that had half the cabin up all night puking - Shifty was forced to remain in the hospital on base until he recovered from dehydration caused by the stomach bug.

Sobel had Easy company lined up for the mornings training. Dressed in their running gear and equiped with a medical pouch, each man - and woman- stood at attention. The weather had started to cool, the closer it got to christmas, a foreign concept for Winnie, who spent most christmas’ down at the creek by her house trying to stay cool

“Today, Easy company will be undertaking the necessary and required course of medical aid.” Sobel’s voice hangs in the air “The proper use of aid will be the difference between life and death.”

The company men winced at the grim statement of their future war efforts. Winnie, unfazed, instead thought about the possibility of stealing some peaches from the mess hall.

“Lieutenant Winters will read your names, you will be partnered into groups of two.” Sobel drones

Lieutenant Winters reads out the pairs of people, unfortunately for her, Winnie was not paired with Eugene, or even Luz. She had been paired with a man called Wayne or better known as Skinny. Someone who hung around with the tall, angry man Liebgott his shorter, less grumpy companions Talbert and Grant she believed them to be

The two paired up, Picking up their cards which explained their fake medical problems that needed solving.

“Have you done this before?” Winnie asks as she lays on the ground, preparing for Skinny to save her from her metaphorical leg wound

“No, you know what i’m meant to be doing here?” Skinny huffs in frustration

“Well first you gotta check that i’m not dead” Winnie instructs “then you gotta put pressure on the wound”

Skinny moves his hand to her neck, completely missing her pulse point

“Up a little higher, just under the jaw bone” She corrects

“Ok, you’re alive, now what?” he grumbles

“Make sure it stays that way” Winnie raises an eyebrow “I’ve got a bullet wound in my left thigh, there’s an exit wound”

“Right…” Skinny mumbles

Winnie sighs

“You gotta pack the wound. Hold your hand against the bullet wound, then pack it with gauze.” She explains. Honestly, i’m meant to survive active war zones with men who don’t even know how to pack a wound

“I knew that” He grumbles, following along Winnie’s instructions

Turning her head to the right she watches Liebgott and Talbert, two men she just learnt the name of, try to complete their training. Liebgott had his hand pressed against Talbert's neck, imitating the stopping of a neck wound, except…

“You’re killing him” Winnie stares blankly

“What?” Liebgott hisses

“You’re killing him” She repeats “He’s got a neck wound right?”

“So fucking what, i’m holding pressure” Liebgott snaps

“Actually you’re crushing his windpipe and he’s currently choking to death on his own blood” Winnie argues “Move your hand down about two inches”

Winnie receives a glare as he moves his hand down slightly

“Now he’s bleeding out” Winnie states with a sigh. “Sorry skinny i’ll just be a second”

Skinny lets out a string of protests as the gauze unravels from around her leg. Winnie walks the short distance over to Talbert and Liebgott, ignoring the confused look and glare respectively.

“Hold it here” she demonstrates “And then keep pressure as you pack the wound, make sure his head is tilted up slightly”

Reluctantly Liebgott follows her instructions. Talbert stares at her skeptically.

“And then you wrap it up like that” she instructs “Perfect, now he may have a chance at living”

“The fuck you learn that from?” Liebgott mutters. Talbert sits up, a hand feeling around his bandages, looking back at his injury card before looking at Winnie, slight confusion on his features. Liebgott pushes him down by the shoulder, back to his ‘injured’ position

“Learnt a few things” she answer vaguely “I have to go finish getting patched up by my partner”

Winnie smiles awkwardly and walks the few steps back to Skinny, sitting on the floor with a small frown, bandages in his hands. Laying down she holds her injury card

“Alright, where were we?” She asks

———

Lieutenant Winters walked a half step behind Sobel and the doctor who displayed bandaging techniques, offering silent praise to the men who were able to even half wrap the bandage properly. Winnie sits up as Sobel stops in front of Liebgott and Talbert

“My word” The doctor states in shock “You’ve just patched a neck wound!”

The doctor kneels down and unwraps the gauze

“And correctly” He states in astonishment “I’ve never seen anyone with the ability to patch a neck wound this early in training!”

Winnie fights to keep a smile off her face as Winters sends her a small knowing look. Her advice got praised, even if the doctor didn’t know it was her work. Watching Liebgott and a Talbert flounder at the praise from the doctor had Winnie fighting a smile, ducking her head down she makes sure that Skinny had tied her bandages correctly before the three men walk to them, looking critically at her injury card

“Hayes, Sisk” Sobel introduces the two blankly

Winnie makes no effort to move from her position and salute, if asked she was ‘injured’ and thought it beneficial to play the part, less the bandages fall off.

“Ah yes, a leg wound. One of the most common wounds you’ll face on the field” The doctor implores “These seem to be bandaged well son, I suppose when you have a nurse as your partner who can give you advice it makes it easier”

Winnie flounders at his statement. Now she loved nurses, they were critical to the war. But Winnie was no nurse, she had the skills to prove it

“Actually Sergeant Hayes is a transfer soldier from another branch” Winters amends quickly

“Ah. I see” The doctor responds hesitantly “Either way, this bandage is done excellently”

Winnie gives a thankful smile towards Winters, the man nodding once in response. Sobel stands infront of the group, looking at the company.

“Your efforts today were… passable” He speaks “I expect you all ready to run currahee tomorrow at 0800 hours… dismissed”

Unwrapping herself from the bandages and handing them back to the medical team, Winnie pats down her shorts and begins walking back to the barracks.

“Hey! wait up!”

Hesitantly, she slows and turns her head. Skinny Sisk had followed behind her

“It’s Winnie right?” He asks, hand rubbing the back of his neck

“Yes?” Winnie narrows her eyes slightly

“How’d ya learn to do all that?” The man responds “Were you a nurse or somethin’?”

“No. I was not a nurse” she huffs “Why’s every girl gotta be a nurse to you lot?”. As she continues her walk back to the barracks, a scowl on her face. Her defensive nature came easily, to protect herself.

“I don’t mean it like that” Skinny amends quickly “You were just real good at that and I know nurses are good at bandages and all”

“Well I ain’t a nurse” Winnie crosses her arms “I’m just good at fixing things”

Skinny falls in time with her steps, an awkward silence covers the conversation. Faintly the sound of boots crunching gravel and lieutenants barking orders flowed through the air

“Well if you can fix things that good than i’m glad you’re on our side” Skinny breaks the silence

“That makes exactly two of you now” she mutters

“Two? you mean shifty?” he returns “‘cause if he’s you’re only friend here… that may be a problem”

“Why would that be a problem?” She bristles “what’s wrong with Shifty?”

“Never said there was a problem with that” Skinny answers “You always this defensive?”

Winnie stops in her spot causing a few soldiers from different companies to swerve to avoid her.

“I’m not defensive” She retorts, arms crossed over her chest. Skinny raises an eyebrow, arms crossing over his chest to copy her

“Okay. So i’m a little defensive, so what?” She scowls, walking once again

“Nothin ’ just wondering is all” He cracks a teasing smile “say, why don’t you sit with me tonight, I got a few questions about those bandaging things you did”

Winnie hesitates before nodding slowly

“Fine” She responds stiffly

____

The meal was awkward. That was the only word Winnie could use to describe it. She was sat between Skinny and Talbert as Liebgott and Grant started at her with curiosity and perhaps anger from Liebgott

“Would you stop fuckin’ staring at me” She grunts

“Never heard of a girl like you before” Liebgott antagonises

“That’s ’cause there aren’t any” Winnie mutters “They’re all smart enough to not get into this situation”

Winnie scoops her meatloaf, is that what that is? onto her fork and shovels it into her mouth with all the grace of someone who was borderline starved for three months in an african desert.

“No kidding” He scoffs out a laugh

“You try eating rats for weeks straight” Winnie grumbles under her breath

The men all screw up their faces like they could in vision her words

“Did she just say rats?” Talbert guffaws

“Yeah. rats” She mutters “This shit is gourmet compared to the shit I had to eat”

The four men all look at each other with vary dumbfounded looks.

“Right…” Skinny drags out “How did you say you ended up here?”

“I didn’t” She mutters, finishing her food and letting out a deep sigh “Why do you wanna know?”

“It’s just weird, ain’t it?” Liebgott stares accusingly “I mean, we ain’t know nothing about you, and you’re here, scar faced and knowing how to pack a neck wound and talkin’ about eatin’ rats, you ain’t think that’s a bit weird?”

“I think it’s rude to talk about my scar face” she grits out defensively “and I owe you nothin’”

“Yeah well I think we outta know who we’re fightin’ with” Liebgott argues “How do I know you ain’t some quaker!”

Winnie’s hands hit the table and she points a finger at him

“I’m not a fucking quaker!” She spits

A silence falls over the table, the entirety of Easy company and surrounding tables all stare at the girl. Hushed whispers flow through the air as Winnie swallows her anger and embarrassment at her outburst

“The broad botherin’ you?” One of the men from Dog company kisses his teeth as he slows his walk.

“I’m not-“ Her protests are cut short

“She ain’t botherin’ us” Liebgott and Talbert both respond “we’re just talking”

Winnie sinks into her seat, taking a breath and turns her cheek away, hiding her scar.

“Sounds like she’s yellin’ and I wouldn’t let some broad yell at me like that” The corporal mutters

“who’re you calling a broad?” She glares

“I just told you we were fucking talkin’” Liebgott bites “don’t you got something else to do other than busting my balls?”

“yeah, fuck outta here” Talbert follows

Winnie sits quietly, scar tucked away from prying eyes. Eventually the chatter returns, jokes shared and food eaten, Winnie lets out a cough

“Thanks” She mumbles “I had it covered”

“What are friends for” Liebgott waves her off

“I wasn’t aware we were friends” she raises an eyebrow

“Eh, I like a broad with a bit of lip to ‘er” he shrugs

“You wanna be friends, you don’t call me a broad” Winnie stiffens with narrowed eyes

“Alright, alright, I won’t call you a fuckin’ broad” He mutters

Winnie nods stiffly and stands from the table

“Well? are you comin’?” her lip quirks slightly before walking out of the mess hall, the quad of men following her back to the barracks

___

That night Winnie went to sleep with a warmness ebbing away at her chest. The hardened walls of her heart ever so slowly cracking away the more she got to know these Americans she was so certain on hating. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for her still.

—

TAGS:

@malarkgirlypop @mads-weasley @footprintsinthesxnd @bucky32557038ww2 @grumpy-liebgott @executethyself35 @fxxiva @sandaltoesocks

The sand in Tobruk was different to the sand at the beach Winnie decided. In Tobruk, it was sharp. Small flecks leaving traces of dirt on her cheeks, specks of blood blooming against her skin. Her rucksack held diminished resources, her bandages covered in a layer of dust and grime. Her MRE supply dwindling every time the hot dessert was drowned under a blanket of night. Sometimes they had fires, but most of the time they were left to huddle together, utilising bodies for warmth.

Fires drew attention and attention drew bullets. Being surrounded on three of the four sides was relentless work, fighting and survival. Much more so when the fourth side was a small shipping dock. A dock that may seem irrelevant, but in the grand scheme of the war, that small little dock could change the course of the war in Europe.

Severely out numbered and surrounded, the Allies were forced to fight for mere inches of land. The Germans would not get to the dock. So they dug in. Put the hospital underneath an old tree in the hardened sand, and rationed their food for months on end.

Silver marks littered her skin, scars showcasing her survival. Seven in total, the largest, one running from nose to cheek on her right side. In her fourth month in Tobruk, A small squad of German soldiers broke the line, guns raised and bayonets fastened. They charged Winnie and her squad, a small group watching the line. Their guns lay forgotten next to their game of cards, as they fought with fists and rocks.

Winnie was pinned. An arm against her neck, knife to cheek. Squirming against the hot sand as her cheeks flush with exertion. He flicks a look down her face, ah a woman- a girl. Such a shame that a pretty thing like you is stuck in such a horrible place. His breath was hot against her skin as she pushed against him, his arms much more refined than that of a sixteen year old girl. Tell me, how do they treat a pretty thing like you? She spits, he flinches back, a snarl on his lips. stupid bitch he growls, as he presses down on her neck, his forearm cutting off air supply. He slices the knife down, the top of her nose to her right cheek. Blood streams down her chin as she screams. She was going to die, afraid and pinned.

His arms move to pin hers above her head as she writhes and squirms against it. Her chest heaved, eyes darting frantically. out. she needed to get out. The sting of the blade cutting through flesh holds no place in her mind. out. out. out. His free arm holds her face in a loose grip, he spits out threats of a slow death and insults.

As he moves the hand on her face towards her neck with a firm hand, and his face pressed near her ear, the world freezes. It’s just Winnie and the german soldier, and one of them would die tonight. Her arms can’t break free to reach the knife, his legs have caged hers down. So like a rabid dog, she bares teeth.

When the pounding in her ears becomes a soft ringing and her chest no longer racks with shuddered breaths. The metallic taste on her tongue drips from her chin. She looks down at her hands, shaking. His blood pools around him, shining in the reflection of the moon. i’m a monster. i’m a monster… or maybe a dog backed into a corner, forced to bare teeth and bite.

—

5th of August, 1942

With a gasp she shoots to a sitting position, the room blurry with sleep. Chest heaving Winnie swings her socked feet onto the ground, hands tangled in her hair. Her shirt sticks to her back although it’s cold and coming into winter.

Two days ago, Winnie was stationed at the Toccoa Georgia Base camp, where she would join the 2nd Battalion ,506th parachute infantry regiment, 101st division, easy company. She’s told they are going to be the best of the best. If you asked her, she would say they can’t be that good if they are yanks.

Today is the day. She meets her new platoon, new faces, same issues. Colonel Sink had graciously taken in the teen, assuring her commander in the ANZAC’s that she would fit right in, if she’s really as good as they say.

The morning wake up happened shortly after Winnie was dressed, packed and ready to go. Swinging her bag over her shoulder and grabbing her new yank hat. She made her way towards Colonel sinks office.

With a firm hand she knocks, straightening out her ever crooked collar

“Come in” the colonels gruff voice calls from behind the door

taking a shuddering breath, Winnie opens the door, walking in, standing with her hands behind her back. Frowning slightly at the odd looks she’s receiving

“Oh, right sorry” she mumbles, standing at attention.

As Colonel Sink gives her a salute in return she stands with her arms tucked behind her back. She shifts on her feet, picking at the skin around her nails.

“Colonel Sink, sir? i was asked to come and see you” she states hesitatingly “Winifred Hayes, your new-“

“I know who you are sergeant” the Colonel cuts her off. The older man pushes up on his desk to a stand, walking around to lean on the front of his desk, arms crossed over his chest as he stares down at her.

“Right. of course… sir” she answers quickly

“Do you know why you’re here Miss Hayes?” he asks firmly. Although older, and his hair more grey than brown, Colonel Sink held an aura of respect that was hard to not obey. Even someone like Winnie, who grew up in an informal setting, and called her previous leaders and CO’s various nicknames, knew that the man was someone to be respected. That’s not to say she held no respect for her previous CO’s, no. She respected them greatly, but the jump from Australian to American norms was a shock.

“To serve… sir?” Winnie stutters slightly, trying to remember that sir is used more consistent here. It was rather bothersome.

“Well i would hope so Miss Hayes” He answers with a light chuckle. “you are here because, you’re good.”

“Sir…?” Winnie frowns. Of course she was good.

“Never in all my years in the army have I heard of a woman, much less a girl, fighting in a war, to the extent you have, no less” He congratulates “And there ain’t much of you either! Look at you!” With a wheezy laugh the Colonel claps a hand over her shoulder

“Oh… well thank you… Sir” confused and quite frankly startled at the congratulations, Winnie picks up her bag, following Colonel Sink outside

“Now, don’t be too startled by your new CO. He’s tough, but i think you’ll fit right in with the men. Easy company is going to be our best” he explains, Winnie nodding along “Don’t expect him to go easy on you just ‘cause you’re a girl either, he’s gone treat you the same as the men”

The mans southern accent was quite odd. Winnie couldn’t place where it was from. Not that she knew much about southern accents

“Now, unfortunately we don’t have the space for a women’s only area, so you’re just gone have to figure it out with the men” Colonel Sink kept a firm grip on her shoulder as he walked towards, what Winnie assumes is her new company.

“Lieutenant Sobel, Winters” Colonel Sink returns the salute “This here is your new easy company member”

“…Sirs” Winnie salutes the two men, giving an awkward smile as they return it.

“Now i got some business to attend to, i trust she will be fine in your capable hands?” The Colonel finalises as he leaves

——

Winnie had never wanted the ground to swallow her whole more than she does right now.

She’s standing. In front of all of Easy company, as they stare at her. She can’t tell if it’s curiosity, hate or confusion.

“Men.” Sobel yells “Colonel Sink has decided that we deserved to be punished, in some form. At least that is the only reason i can think that a girl has been placed in our platoon”

Winnie pulls a face of disgust… or maybe it’s anger. Before she realises where she was and quickly stares blankly. An awkward silence had fallen over the group as she shifted her, rather heavy mind you, bag on her shoulder

“I expect each and every one of you to treat her” Sobel was glaring at her, she could feel the disgust in his eyes and words “how she deserves to be treated.”

Swallowing what she was sure was a string of curses Winnie feels a hand in her shoulder, Lieutenant Winters… was it?… And all the Easy men were gone. She had zoned out. again.

“Winifred Hayes was it?” The red headed man asked “Lieutenant Winters”

He held his hand out expectantly. She shook it firmly. Just like dad taught. Before being led away from the training ground

“Yes, although just Winnie is fine” with an appreciative smile she follows his lead “Only my grandmother calls me Winifred”

“Well just Winnie… Dick is also fine, when it’s not a formal setting of course” He smirked

“Of course. Wouldn’t want to upset a formal setting” Winnie answered with an awkward smile

“Let me grab that for you” Dick offered, reaching for her bag

“Oh… it’s really no worry, it’s probably pretty heavy” She mumbles as she rubbed the back of her neck

“I insist. It’s the least i could do after watching you stand in-front of the men like that” Instantly he took her bag from her shoulder “The men aren’t as bad as they look. I’m sure you’ll get along just fine… although many of them haven’t expected a girl at training”

“It’s fine. Not many people do” Winnie answers honestly, the steps to the barracks creaking under the weight of the two of them

The door creaks open, the shuffling inside the room freezing at the intrusion of the two new people, card games lay on various beds, feet kicked up with books and magazines being read. Instantly the men all stand to salute

“At ease gentlemen” Winters salutes back

The men fall back into a relaxed stance, staring… glaring? at Winnie. She gives an awkward smile.

“Gentlemen, this is Winnie Hayes, she’s new to Easy.” Winnie shifts on her feet “i expect you all to be kind to her, show her around. She’s one of us now, and she may just have some… wisdom to pass on”

Dick places her bag on an empty bed between two men, one a surly looking man with a sharp jaw, the other a red headed man who somehow had three people squashed onto his bed. The atmosphere only became more tense as Lieutenant Winters left, the door slamming behind him

“Where you from?” the surly man questioned, his accent was different to Colonel Sinks and Lieutenant Winters, it was more rough around the edges

“Why the fuck you wanna know?” She answers crossing her arms over her chest.

The surly man raises an eyebrow. great fucking going Winnie, piss off the first person you talk to. But to her surprise his lip quirks in a smile

“You got some bite to ya” he smirks.

She goes to answer as the door slams open again really should get that fixed. Sobel stands in the doorway, a glare on his face as he yells

“Get dressed we’re running Currahee”

A overall groan leaves the men after he leaves. Winnie just had one question…what the fuck was a currahee?

——

A/N: Winnie’s hatred for Americans will be explained! although it’s not a proper hatred

When the whispers of war reached her home, Winifred Hayes was just fourteen, a high school student terrified of the looming violence that would hold the men of her home captive. She knew the phenomenon of proving strength and bravery would take prisoner the young minds of boys pretending to be men. Boys playing dress up in a soldiers uniform.

November 1939, the Australian army starts conscription into the war. All able bodied men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five were to join the ranks of the ANZACs. A man from each family to fight with bravery and strength. To bring pride to their families and their nation.

George Hayes, her father, a retired Great War Vet who knew the horrors of war greater than most. On the front lines in Gallipoli, he knew how to fight a hard battle, and to go down swinging. Winnie knew in her heart the if he were to take the call, he wouldn’t come home. His kneecap, shattered by a stray bullet on the sandy hills of the Turkish beaches. His limp a constant reminder to the people, of his sacrifice. To him, it was more than a constant twinge, instead a nagging reminder of his survival. That he was alive, and his friends, his brothers, lay nameless in the sand, forgotten by the progress of time, rotting corpses of failed advancements. Now, he works tirelessly on the family farm, milking cows, cutting wheat. Supplying the family bakery on main street.

Winnie always knew what she thought was right and wrong. In school, she knew that words were not always satisfactory in resolution, that sometimes bloody knuckles and split lips were necessary. After one too many call home letters, her father decided, if she was going to fight, she may as well do it properly. To throw a punch, to fight to win. Fighting to win meant, doing anything she had to, pulling hair, biting skin, Winnie would do what was necessary, no one made fun of her family.

With her older brother unable to fight and her father not likely to come home, Winnie knew.

As she raised the scissors to cut her hair, and stole her brothers name, Winnie knew it was right. She tries not to imagine the tears staining her mother’s cheek when she realises her daughter had signed her own death. She tries not to imagine the fear that wracks through her parents bodies. Her father’s shame for not fighting, instead is daughter, taking his conscription letter, and forcing herself into the role of her brother.

Her parents wake up the next morning, one less child and a fear that if the germans or the japanese didn’t kill her, the army will.

Winnie knew. Her death was sealed if anyone found out who she was. If they found out she was Winifred and not Charles. Still, with her bag slung over her shoulder and her brothers cap slapped atop her shakily cut hair, she took the call

————

Eating rats in Africa had to be more enjoyable than running up a mountain in full pack gear. Especially when your CO hated your company and by extension you

To answer the question what the fuck is a currahee? Winnie was forced into her brand new boots, and a much too large uniform, to run up a large mountain. Not only did she twist her ankle in the first five minutes, but if one more man kicked dirt into her eyes, she might start getting violent.

Lieutenant Sobel was a sadist. Winnie decided on mile two of the run. Given the fact that it looked like he was almost enjoying their looks of despair. As Sobel watched her red faced and sweaty body push past the men on the mountain, she could almost hear the taunting words and insults spilling from his tongue. Although smaller by quite a margin, Winnie had months of active duty behind her, helping aid her in this, rather ridiculous climb. Now that is something she could hear, the grumbles and insults from the men in her company, not many liked the idea that some scrawny looking kid they’ve never met, beating them up currahee.

The top of currahee was an amazing view, not the Winnie got to see much of it. Her CO yelling at her that ‘this isn’t good enough for easy’ or that ‘woman in the military are to blame for our time up currahee’. Like she wasn’t the fastest person to haul ass up the mountain.

The bottom of the mountain left easy company in a pile of doubled over figures with their hands on their knees, sucking in as much air as possible.

“look at that, miss face scar thinking she’s better than us” one of the men mutter between gasps

“what do ya think she did to deserve that one?” another mumbled

Clenching her jaw, Winnie stretched out her neck. no fighting on your first day. A deep breath and an internal lecture on formality she rolled back her shoulders, walking towards the showers as instructed. Now the problem she faced was that there were no women’s showers, which meant, finding a time where there was no men in the shower would be difficult.

After finding a clean pair of clothes. something not covered in dust or ticks! Deciding she was far too sweaty to not shower before the dinner service, she took a faster pace. if i can shower quickly, wearing my undergarments, i can get to the food hall before everyone and-

“outta my way” accompanied by a harsh shove

“watch it dumbass” she hisses back, dusting the dirt off her shorts

“whaddya say to me?” his nostrils flare

“do i have to spell it out for you too?” Crossing her arms over her chest

Both soldiers stand nearly face to face, although in Winnie’s case more face to chest. Her rather short temper was not helped by months at war, and her counterparts clear distaste for her was not helped by her smart mouth.

“Hayes, Cobb, is there a problem here?” Winters crosses his arms over his chest

“not at all lieutenant” Winnie responds, her eyes never once softening from their glare.

With a quick look up and down the taller man, Winnie pushed past him with a shoulder bump and made her way towards the shower block. For all the money the United States Government has put into its military, you would think that maybe the showers would be more than four walls with a flimsy lock. But no! i have to shower and watch my back.

Luck. Something that is not entirely on her side. After the fifth scar, Winnie decided that if there was a God, he was playing with his food before eating it. Luck, was being able to shower without being interrupted, and thanking her lucky stars, she was showering. Maybe it had to do with how quickly she ran to get her clean clothes, or maybe, just maybe, Luck was on her side. The cold water hit her chest, with a choked gasp Winnie jumps backwards.

———

The sweltering heat of Africa was dry. Bugs bite the exposed skin of their legs, now visible after doc let them borrow his scissors. My rash had been present for three days, doc said once it hits a week, we start to worry. I wasn’t worried. As long as the bugs didn’t come near me. Fighting off the Germans was one thing, but bugs? that was a whole new ball game.

They tried to give us shifts down at the ocean. It wasn’t the best option for a shower, but after months in the heat, any water was good enough to clean the mud and grime from our blood stained skin.

The best factor was that the ocean was cold. Even five minutes to dunk yourself under the water and slapping a wet slouch hat on your head was enough to keep you going for the night.

The salt water stings. Eyes blurring as they’re opened under the sea. A burning wound. The ocean turning red. With a strangled gasp and her wet hair sticking to her face like a second skin, she paddles. Winnie holds her left shoulder with her hand, legs kicking wildly as a shot rings through the air.

“Sniper!” her voice is hoarse as she yells for her friends to take cover.

Groaning as she lands on the sand with a wet thud, blood coating her fingers a deep crimson. Dust coating her skin, and a lasting feeling of the cold water sticking to her body.

——

Winnie shakes her head like she can shake the memories loose from her brain. Her hand slams the faucet down, the shower instantly stopping the stream of cold water. not in africa not in africa. Her hands work quickly, drying herself, changing into her uniform. The sooner she could get out of here and eat, the better.

The cold door held her weight as she rested her forehead against it. Eyes screwed shut her chest shuddered with half taken breaths. in. out. in. out. Only allowing two minutes to crack before she pieced herself together. She had things to do. With her dirty clothes in hand, now dropped into the wash bin, Winnie set out for dinner.

left. right. left. right. one foot in-front of the other.

Army food was nothing of great expectation. Army chefs who aren’t actually chefs, mass producing meals with food that Winnie isn’t all to certain is food. Nonetheless, anything was better than eating rats. So she kept her mouth shut, made sure to say thank you to the cooks, and took her tray, sitting at the corner of the table, plenty of room for the men to sit.

Soon enough, tables filled up all around her, and as expected Winnie was the plague. At least, she’s certain people thought she was. That was the only reason for a full table of easy company men to be pushed into one side of the table.

“i don’t have rabies you know” she muttered towards… Johnny was it? Maybe it was Joe “it won’t kill you to sit next to me”

Poking at the concerning loaf shaped meat on her tray, she glanced up as someone coughed. The seat opposite her was about to have an occupant. really wish i learnt those names. He looked out of place, and quite frankly awkward.

“Is this seat taken miss?” He had a soft voice.

“Go ahead” She sighed softly, an open hand as she pointed to the chair

“I hope you don’t mind, the other side is lookin’ a little cosy for my liking” he explained

“Not at all… as long as you don’t mind sitting with the outcast” poking at her meat loaf. If she avoided eye contact, maybe it would be less awkard

“My ma always said it wasn’t right to be mean to someone just ‘cause you don’t know ‘em” The man spoke softly, but he held a fond look when he mentioned his mother. It was rather sweet Winnie thought.

“Well your ma must be a real nice lady” with a smile Winnie looked up at the man “Winnie”

“Darrel… But everyone calls me Shifty” he responded kindly

“It’s lovely to meet you Shifty” she nodded, and responds in a soft, almost embarrassed tone “thank you for sitting with me-“

Chatter around the room stops as the doors to the cafeteria slam against the walls. Standing like Satan at the gates of hell was Sobel, a harsh glare set on his pointed features as he scans the room for his prey. Winnie knew it. as soon as his head swivelled around the room. It was her.

“What do you think you are doing” his voice carries through the now quiet room, he strides to stand next to Winnie

“Stand at attention.” he snaps

Shooting out of her seat, her hand snaps into attention

“Lieutenant Sobel… sir?” her eyebrows crease slightly “is there a problem sir?”

“Do you enjoy making a mockery of the United States Military Private Hayes?” he sneers

Winnie’s face flushes red, All eyes were on her, as she stood at attention, Sobel not saluting her. She had never felt so much hatred for a man, and she’s known him less than twelve hours.

“It’s Sargent” she mutters

“Are you disagreeing with a commanding officer private” the look he gives is one of total contempt, she was beneath him and he wanted her to know it. Still he salutes her.

“It’s. sergeant.” her teeth grit

“Are you implying that your commanding officer is wrong, private Hayes” His tone implied that he was right, even if he wasn’t. A challenge. And boy does she like a challenge

“When my commanding officer refers to me using the wrong rank, then it would seem he, is in fact wrong” she narrows her eyes “my rank may not be from the United States Military, but it is in every way, a rank. I worked for that rank and it would be appreciated if my commanding officer would acknowledge that fact… Sir”

A low whistle settles through the crowd, a soft “oh shit” comes from one of the easy men

“Winnie-“ shifty’s plea is cut off but an angry Sobel

“Respect seems to not be taught in your country. You will not have such blatant disrespect for a commanding officer.” Sobel seethes, a vein popping in his forehead “you will leave the remainder of your meal, and run currahee with your pack. And you will run it without drinking from your canteen, until you understand what respect is.”

Winnie’s jaw clenches so hard she fears she may have cracked a tooth. She tries to not glare at her CO.

“Do i make myself clear.” he asks, his voice low and threatening

“Yes. sir.” she grits out. Saluting.

——

The Georgian air was much cooler at night than Africa or New Guinea. But with the added weight of a full pack, complete with her canteen and new boots. New unbroken boots. Winnie was slowly warming up. The weight was not a new feeling. Carrying all her belongings, her comrades, weapons, anything of importance up the treacherous slopes and hills of Kokoda, the pack was not her worry for her punishment.

The lack of food, even if it tasted like wet cardboard and had the consistency of beans in jelly, was sustenance. And was she going to need that right now. By the time she reached her second dessent from currahee, Winnie noticed the little swirls in her vision. Still, she refused to drink from her canteen. She may be hot headed but she was not crazy enough to disobey a direct order such as this one.

Her feet felt like she was dragging them through the muddy walkways on New Guinea. Like she was up to her calves in mud so wet it was like quicksand. She felt like the world was on her shoulders, Hike three up Currahee left black dots in her vision. But Winnie was nothing if not stubborn, and if she was told to hike, well she was going to hike, if it meant proving her CO wrong.

The fall broke her nose. Atleast, she’s pretty sure it did. She can’t exactly see or hear who was talking to her, but she’s pretty sure he said the words ‘broken’ and ‘idiotic’. The stars looked pretty from here. It’s been so long since she’s been able to lay and watch the sky

“-an you hear me?” a southern drawl sounds

“What?” a mumbled response, as she rolls her neck side to side

“I said can you hear me?” the man asks, he had a rather deep voice. it was comforting however, rather than intimidating

“Yeah” groaning at the now present pain in her face, Winnie forced herself into a sit

“Take it easy, you hit your head pretty hard” he mumbles

“What happened?” Winnie blinks a few times, clearing the spots in her vision, her nose throbbed, and she was sure it needed to be reset

“You broke your nose” He answers off handedly, reaching up to feel around her nose

“How do you know.” Defensively Winnie pulls away from his hands “stop touchin’ me, you can’t just touch people without asking, especially when i don’t know you”

“Would ya stop bein’ difficult and let me fix it” he sighs, his accent getting thicker in irritation

“No. I don’t know you, how do i know you won’t just make it worse” tilting her head defiantly

He sighs in irritation

“Eugene Roe, medic” he drawls “now will you let me fix the nose ‘fore it gets worse”

Reluctantly, she nods. Staring at the man with curiosity. He was handsome, there was no denying that. But he was reserved, not in the way Shifty was, like Eugene Roe was purposely closing himself off.

“i’m gonna set it now” he warns “one. two-“

A loud crack sounds through the air, followed swiftly by a string of curses. Winnie now hated yanks and their medics.

——

A/N: HI! i really hope you enjoyed chapter two of hiraeth! it will start to pick up shortly, but unfortunately the only way this chapter was getting written was if it was a ‘building chapter’ nonetheless i hope you enjoyed!

After Eugene Roe, brazenly reset her nose, and Winnie had again showered. She found herself sitting on the steps to the barracks. Cigarette in hand, she smoked, even though she knew if her mother saw her right now, she’d pull her by the ear and smack across the back of the head. But she wasn’t here. So Winnie sat listening to the crickets chirping under the Georgian sky.

The sun set two hours ago, all that was left was the inky black of the sky, spotted with small stars. She couldn’t make out any constellations, the southern cross wasn’t all too present this far away from home. She liked to think that maybe back home, her siblings and parents were looking up at the same stars, wondering what life was like on the other side like she was. But, maybe that was her just being hopeful.

Somewhere between the end of her first cigarette and the start of her second, the door of the barracks creaked open. The planks groaning under the weight of this new person. Without turning her head, Winnie took another drag of her cigarette.

“Alright if i sit with you again?” a soft voice sounds from behind her

Looking back with a small smile, Winnie gives a small nod, and turns back to look out at the sky.

“You don’t gotta sit with me” she answers, tapping the butt of her cigarette “or pretend to be my friend ‘cause you feel bad”

The stars were out in numbers tonight, not a cloud in the sky.

“I ain’t doing nothing cause i feel bad” Shifty frowns as he sits beside her

Releasing a short huff of air out of her nose, Winnie takes another drag, before turning to look at him, really look at him.

“Sorry” she mumbles “for assumin’. I get the feeling most people around here don’t want me here”

Shifty shuffles slightly in his spot, taking to looking up at the sky rather than at Winnie. She can tell by the way he fiddles with his fingers, he’s nervous.

“Well, i guess i ain’t most people” He turns to look at Winnie “i figured if you can beat us all up currahee… and can fight, i got no problem with you bein’ here”

Winnie gives him a soft smile, stamping out her cigarette with a nod

“That’s… really nice to hear, thank you Shifty”

The two sit in silence, listening to the crickets chirp. The door to the barracks open again, floorboards creaking under the weight.

“How’s the nose?” a southern drawl breaks the silence

Winnie and Shifty both look behind them, making eye contact with Eugene.

“Still on my face” her lip quirking slightly

“What happened to your nose?” Shifty asks confused

“Broke it” she answers bluntly “doc here had to reset it”

“Well are you alright? how did you break it?” Shifty’s tone is quite frantic. It was nice to have someone care about you, even if you just met them.

“She’ll be fine, it’s back in place” Eugene answers slowly

“Passed out running currahee” Winnie gives a small smile and a nod at Shifty, reassuring the man that, yes, she would be fine “but, it’s not the worst wound i’ve had, im sure i’ll survive a broken nose”

The worst wound, to heal by far was the bullet that went through her torso, missing her major organs, apparently bursting an appendix. it was a miracle Winnie had survived, given that the doc was a weasily man from up far northern territory, and had barely passed highschool. The most constant was the wound on her right knee, a piece of shrapnel slicing through, sometimes the nerves in her knee pinch, when it’s too cold, or she’s over worked.

But psychologically? the wound on her cheek held the most pain. Nightmares, and flashes of the man hell bent on taking her life that night. The wound itself wasn’t all too painful, a sharp knife slices through skin and muscle like it’s melted butter. Sometimes she can still smell the hot breath of the Nazi soldier when the cooks make beans. Sometimes the sound of metal makes her body tense, muscles freezing impossibly tight. It wasn’t luck that saved Winnie that night, it was the work of a rabid dog forced to chew of its own leg to be set free, cornered by a force bigger and stronger, barring teeth and biting flesh.

“…Winnie?” Shifty’s voice is soft, like the way one soothes a wild animal, was he scared of her like she was of herself?

“Sorry… what?” she breaks her stare at the grass, brown and dehydrated.

“I asked if you was alright?” He looks at her with worry

Turning her head to look at both men, Winnie nods

“I’m fine, sorry… just remembered something” she waves a hand like it was no big deal

“i hope you don’t mind my asking” Shifty asks “did you serve before this… is that what you’re remembering?”

Winnie winces slightly, having people know she served usually never ended up well for her. Either they believed she was a liar woman can’t serve, stop playing pretend and let the real soldiers get the honours, shame on your father for allowing a girl to serve in his place or they all wanted to know what it was like, what she had seen, felt.

“Something like that” she winces

Eugene stands closest to the door of the barrack, silently taking in the scene, Shifty stares at Winnie, a look of shock on his face

“Is that why you’re so good at runnin’?” Shifty breaks the silence first “you know, with all the gear and everything aswell”

A short huff of air is the response, before she decides to give a proper answer

“Yeah, had to get good at running and carrying things” she confirms

“You ain’t from around here are you?”

“Not even close, Australia.” she smiles proudly

“What’s it like?” Shifty asks with genuine interest

Winnie looks out at the pitch black sky and sighs

“I’ll tell ya what, it’s late and i’m sure we have to be up early, i’ll tell you at breakfast” Winnie smiles. It wasn’t a question, she would tell him tomorrow, not tonight.

“I’d like that” he smiles giddily “the doc too?”

“If that’s what he wants” Winnie confirms, looking up at Eugene

——

Winnie did not end up telling Shifty and Doc about Australia the next morning. Easy company, curtesy of Sobel, we’re woken at the ass of dawn, and dragged up currahee. Thankfully, not in full packs.

Under the early morning sun, post currahee run, Sobel had told easy company to stand in a group around the large grassy area near the barracks. In rows, each soldier stood with their chins tilted up and waiting with baited breaths for their next instructions

“Lieutenant Winters, do you know as to why we are standing in the field today?” bellows Sobel’s voice. Like nails on a chalk board

Lieutenant Winters shifts his gaze towards Sobel, a look of hesitation in his eyes as he answers

“To fight, sir” as bluntly as usual, he answers

“Correct. Today Easy company will undergo the art of hand to hand combat.” Sobel’s voice

When Winnie made eye contact with Sobel, her body began tingling with nerves. His small smirk and vengeful glint in his eyes told Winnie all she needed to know. This was going to hurt.

“I will pair you up, and you will do your best to get the other man to the ground” He lets his announcement hang in the air “by any means necessary, until they tap out ”

Whispers erupted from around Winnie as she took to manually breathing. She was confident in her fighting ability. She can fight, has fought men twice her size before. But when her CO is actively scheming to send her back to her poor mother in a casket? That’s a whole new level.

“When i state your name, find an open area and wait for your next instructions” Lieutenant Winters spoke. For a man in position of power, he spoke firmly yet not harshly, like he knew we respected him, even without the bravado.

“Malarky and Luz” Winters calls out names, most of the men had partners, except for Winnie, two smaller men she learnt are Perconte and Muck… and a muscular man with a frown that she thinks is permanent on his face.

Give me Muck or Perconte, give me a small person to start. Winnie had her eyes screwed shut, fingers crossed behind her back.

“Toye and…” Winters lets out a sorrowful sigh “Hayes”

shit. this is really going to hurt.

——

Toye and Winnie stand opposite each other. Sizing each other up before their fight. Sure she had experience, but he was bigger and stronger and probably pissed, if the look on his face was anything to go by.

“When i say so, you and your partner will partake in hand to hand combat. And you will not stop until either one of you taps out or in the case of a blackout.” Sobel’s voice carries over the group. “you may use any body part in aiding your victory”

Beside Winnie and Toye, on their right was Shifty and Talbert, the former staring at Winnie, his eyes downturned as he frowned in worry.

Rolling her shoulders with a deep, shaking sigh, she runs through a mental checklist. He’s bigger, which means he could be slower, but given the way he stands he looks like he’s seen a few fights. If i can get him to the floor, i’d have to make sure to not be the one on the ground.

“You may begin.” Sobel smirks as he directs his eyes towards the small Australian.

——

Toye and Winnie exchanged nods, both pulling their hands into closed fists.

“I don’t wanna hurt you” Winnie sighed

“I wouldn’t worry about it doll” he smirks, voice raspy.

Winnie rolls her eyes, as they start to circle each other.

He throws the first punch. Winnie dodges, too slow. His fist makes contact with her chin, pain blossoming in her jaw. With a slight wince, Winnie jabs out with her left fist, her weak hand, with a small tap to his chest

“Come on sweetheart, that all you got?” he taunts with a smirk

Winnie narrows her eyes, and clenches her fists

“Fine.” she huffs, cracking her neck.

Jabbing out her right hand, she makes contact with his cheek. Toye retaliates with another punch to her jaw. The two trade punches back and forth. Many of the men had finished their fight, now watching on as Winnie and Toye found their selves on the floor.

He has her locked into a headlock. Winnie squirms to free her arm, swinging it back into his stomach. She sees men out of the corner of her eye exchanging money and placing bets

“Come on Joe, you gonna let her get you like that?” comes from a loud mouthed man

Sobel and Winters push through the crowd forming, The formers eyes glaring down at Toye and Winnie fighting in the dirt. Winnie has her chest to the ground and armed pinned behind her back, With an armed wrapped around her neck.

She heaves. Chest constricting as she fights to get the hand away from her neck. panicked.

German soldier. Knife. Scar. Dirty uniform. i can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. fight back, fight back!

Her eyes widen, tears collecting as she twists and squirms

“Come on doll, tap out.” Toye grumbles “you ain’t gonna win this one”

Her chest shudders and heaves as the half intakes of air cause her lungs to burn.

“what’s a pretty thing like you doing here”. Teeth flashing, in a predatory grin. The course sand on my back and the moon shining brightly, so beautiful despite the horrors she sees from her chair in the sky.

“She just fuckin’ bit me!” he yells

The tangy metallic coats her tongue as she scrambles backwards. Chest heaving as the world around her becomes mere background noise, eyes widening and darting around her surroundings. The blood drips from her chin onto her training shirt. out. out. out.

Unsteadily she stands, shaky breaths and wobbling knees. The looks of horror on the faces of the easy men blur together

“-nie?” a soft voice calls, Shifty, a hand carefully placed on her shoulder

“Don’t fucking touch me” her voice shakes, eyes red rimmed with tears as she bats the hand away.

She needed to get out. Backing away in horror to what she had done, she ran, ignoring the angry calls of her name, and the curses at her actions. Tears burning in her eyes, and blood smeared on her face.

——

Her knees gave out somewhere near the barracks she had never been to. A hidden place between the barracks and the tree line, Winnie kneeled over on her hands and knees, heaving up what little food she had eaten that morning.

Tears steaks down her flushed cheeks, as she shakes uncontrollably. get it together. Her shoulders shake as she takes deep breaths, her chin stained a slight red.

She falls back, sitting amongst the grass and trees, pulling her legs up to her chest, she lays her head against her knees as she stares out at the wildlife. Her cheeks red, tear marks stained down to her chin, leaving lines through the dried blood. she was a rabid dog who couldn’t control herself, all instincts telling her to bite instead of bark.

A cool breeze settled around the camp. The late afternoon weather change starting to draw in. She’d sat out in the brush for twenty minutes before she was found.

“I’m assuming you’re the ‘Hayes’ they’ve been looking for?” A man’s voice calls out

Hastily wiping the tears from her cheeks and scrubbing the blood off her chin with the back of her hand, as much as she could anyway, she turns to stare up at him

“I suppose i am” she mumbles

He was tall, and handsome. A frown etched onto his face, as he plucks out a cigarette and lights it

“You… uh got some…” he wipes at his own chin

For such a handsome man, one would think he was able to hold a conversation

“I don’t bite… you can sit” Winnie mumbles

“That’s not what i’ve heard” his lip ticks at the corner slightly

Winnie’s body freezes, jaw clenching tightly as she looks up with widening eyes

“I- well-“ she stutters

“I’m pulling your leg kid” he states, sitting down a good foot away from her

Winnie nods absently, wiping harshly at the blood on her chin, now clear of the remnants of her fight.

“How bad?” she asks softly, playing with her fingers

“Hmm?” he muses “his finger is still attached and functioning if that is what you are implying.”

“Good… that’s good” she nods “don’t want people to think i’m some sort of… psychopath who bites off peoples fingers”

“The way i see it, nothing wrong with people being scared of you” he smirks “even tertius knew the value of being feared”

Winnie freezes and stares up at the man with sad eyes

“I don’t want people to be scared of me” she whispers “i just want them to like me… i just want to make friends here, not make people afraid”

The man gives a small frown, one she assumes is rare for the stern looking soldier

“Ron” he nods around a puff of his cigarette before offering it to Winnie

“Excuse me?” she raises an eyebrow, hesitantly taking the cigarette

“If you want friends, you need to know their name, no? unless that has changed” he supplies

Winnie takes a puff of the cigarette and hands it back with a thankful smile

“it’s nice to meet you Ron” she smiles “everyone calls me Winnie.”

maybe, just maybe, she could survive this war.

——

A/N: HI! thank you for reading chapter three of hiraeth! i hope it didnt disappoint! :)) ALSO: you can pry rabid dog imagery from my cold dead hands.