Charley Don't Surf-

[KILLADEUCE]

I could hear the sharp, staccato sounds of the communist bloc 7.62 rounds pinging off in the distance... Then... A flare went off about 400 yards to my left... Remembering my training i closed one eye to retain some form of night vision... The flare made a large popping sound, followed by the swooshing timbre of the phoshperous igniting. At that same instant it's parachute deployed allowing it's illumaniting properties to slowly drift down into the jungle canopy.

I dare not move as i watched this glowing orb drift down mere yards from my ad-hoc position. The flare easily turned this darkened night into day for a few moments- leaving all under it a liable candidate for bieng shot. And the enemy was way too close to make such a minor mistake. Finally, after what seemed like restless eternity, the flare drifted down onto the damp Jungle floor and sizzled- the White phospherous fighting to remain ignited as it devoured itself- Finally out of fuel, the flare sputtered and all was dark again.

I waited and listened. Slowly taking in a deep breath and holding it as a i closed my eyes. The Firing had stopped but i knew things were far from safe. After waiting about 15 seconds, i relaxed a little... I could hear life returning to the jungle, the rustling of feathers as unknown birds shifted wieght inside their roosts, trying to get some sleep on this hellish night... To my rear i could hear the coughing sounds of a Great tiger, no doubt enroute to it's dinner. "Hopefully not me", I thought to myself... Nothing can be more humbling than bieng alone in a jungle, stranded from you're platoon with the prospect of a becoming a tigers next ill-fated meal.

Shaking these fearful thoughts from my fatigued mind, i broke out my compass from a cargo pocket in my blouse. The eery incandescent light did little to quell my nerves. I had some idea where i was, but i would have to wait till first light to get an Azimuth to follow back to the firebase.

I still had a hard time comprehending what had taken place in this single night. It is amazing how the winds of fate can change course in mere milliseconds.

I slowly backed myself into a huge mound of elephant grass, making sure to disturb as little as possible. Once i was content i wouldnt be seen, i slowly laid down and prepared for sleep. It was extremely hard to get confortable in the humid dampness, but luckily at this time of night, it was cool enough that i wouldnt have to take any salt tablets from loss of fluids.

Finally I found a Sweet spot and closed my eyes, letting my mind drift back to the event's that got me in the mess in the First place....

- To be continued