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      "name": "A Dog's Life",
      "description": "All the parts and side story's to my first book",
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  "description": "This is my first book that I wrote a while back so it does require some editing.",
  "description_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>This is my first book that I wrote a while back so it does require some editing.</span>",
  "writing": "A Dog’s Life\n\nChapter one\n“A Hobo’s life for me”\n\nThe large town of little Eastwick looked normal from an outsiders point of view its only when you get closer you notice the inhabitants are different to that of a town on earth you see even with large three and two story houses, shops, cinemas and the odd park you would think this was earth well even with the large similarities there is one big difference Humans. There are no Humans instead you have every other creature walking on two legs and wearing clothes but little pollution because there are no cars but there are other vehicles. \n\nKarl walked down Park lane. It was a peaceful street considering its right next to the largest park in town. On one side of the road was the park no more than a grass field with a skate and play park in one corner with the football and cricket pitch in the other. On the other side of the road is a long line of two story and three story houses. Karl stopped outside a three story house. The house was tall and had white walls and had a green door with the name “The Dog House” stuck on to it alongside the number 34 just above the letter box.\n\nKarl looked at his watch it said 7:32pm. Karl then looked at the house he was standing in front of for a few minutes he noticed that one of the windows was broken and the front garden looked like a junkyard with a few small piles of rubbish on the dying grass. Karl was a tall German shepherd who had a large tall. He was covered from head to paws in singe marks and scares. He was sort of good looking considering all he had been through. He was wearing khaki trousers and a dark green sleeveless shirt with holes in it with a green jacket over his shoulder. He also carried a large green rucksack. He eyed the house with a puzzled look on his hairy face until he decided to knock on the door. When he knocked on the door a voice shouted from the inside, “I’ll be down in a minute.”\n\nKarl looked more closely at the door the green paint was starting to peel off in places. The door opened and a short black and white furred girl looked up at Karl, “Hello can I help you” said the girl. Karl looked down at the small girl she was wearing a colourful jacket with a blue top underneath and grey trousers, “Don’t you recognise me Abby after all this time I thought you and the rest of the gang might recognise me,” said Karl. Abby stared at Karl and then her eyes went wide and she gave Karl a hug. “Oh my gosh Karl it’s so good to see you when did you get back in the country. Why didn’t you send a letter or something? What am I saying come inside. I have so much to ask you.” said Abby and then allowed Karl to walk inside.\n\nKarl looked around, the house was certainly a lot cleaner on the inside then on the outside. The house was practically spotless. Karl dropped his bag and coat at the bottom of a staircase and Abby gestured for him to go into the sitting room and then went off into the kitchen. The living room was not considerably large and consisted of two small couches and a TV sitting on a small cabinet. There were two people sat in one of the couches while someone else was sleeping on the other.\n\nThe two boys who were sat down both looked at Karl and said “Who the fuck are you.” The two boys looked and acted a lot like each other, they were both small and wearing “I’m with stupid” shirts but one of the boys was blonde the other brunet. The young man sleeping on the couch looked older than the other two. He was tall grey haired with patches of black fur on his body. He looked like a type of wolf. He woke up when the two boys shouted at Karl.\n\n“What’s happening, what’s all the shouting for some people are trying to sleep and who the fuck are you,” said the wolf. Who got up and walked over to Karl and asked “don’t I now you from somewhere. No, no don’t tell me. I’ll get there eventually.” Karl just looked at the wolf. The wolf was the same size as Karl and was wearing a leather jacket with a pair of jeans. “Wait a second I can’t be, but it is Karl buddy where’ve you been. Me and the lads have missed you,” said the wolf who then hugged Karl.\n\nThe two boys stared at each other then at Karl then they both ran up to embrace Karl. “That took you guys long enough. How you doing Chaz, Rob and little Luke,” said Karl when they had all let go. “Hey I am taller than all of you bitch,” said Luke the small blonde dog. “Put it there Karl you stupid mongrel,” said Robert the small brunet dog. “We’ve missed you Karl,” said Charlie the wolf now crying into Karl’s shoulder. Just then a very attractive female wolf walked into the room wearing a thin black shirt and red leather pants. \n\n“Hey I wondered who was at the door welcome back Karl. Charlie are you okay?” said the girl. Charlie stopped crying instantly and let go Karl. “Of course I am I was only joking. You know that,” answered Charlie looking at her with a hungry look on his face. “Well in that case then meet me upstairs in few minutes okay,” said the female wolf and she walked off upstairs. “Was that Ruth?” asked Karl surprised. “Yeah I’m one lucky guy aren’t I. Well see you in an hour,” said Charlie who then ran upstairs wolf whistling as he went.\n\nKarl, Robert and Luke sat down and started talking about things they have done while Karl was away. Abby walked in five minutes later carrying some dog biscuits and a few beers. “And then. And then Rob looks at the rug and he goes there’s something familiar about that carpet,” said Luke who was telling a story to the other two. “It took him another five minutes to discover that we had shaved off all his hair in the night and stuck it onto this rug.” Now finished his story Luke was now rolling over the floor in fits of laughter. “Right you two,” said Abby looking at Rob and Luke. “You guys have to help clean the front of this house tomorrow so you should get some sleep now.” \n\n“What but we are 18 and you’re not are mother so why should we go to bed now,” said Rob and Luke. “It’s my house so if you want to live here any longer you will do as you are told. So go,” said Abby. Rob and Luke swore and made a few rude hand gestures at her and then went upstairs. “Now that we are alone Karl there is something I have been wanting to ask you since you got back.” said Abby now lying on Karl’s shoulder. “Oh yeah and what is that?” Karl asked taking a swig of beer. “Oh and thank you for the root beer,” He took another gulp and then put the bottle down on a small coffee table.\n\nKarl started to stroke her nose. “Well are you still a virgin and have you still not had a girlfriend?” Abby asked after kissing Karl on the cheek. “Yes I am still a virgin and yes I still have not had a girlfriend,” Karl was about to grab a dog biscuit when Abby started to kiss him. In his mind Karl was listening to a song. It was a trick he had learnt when he discovered his favourite band and know if he remembered the entire song he could just listen to it in his head.\n\nWhile the song vibrator by Motörhead was playing inside Karl’s head. Abby had managed to undress him down to his boxers which were black. Karl had not got that far with Abby’s clothes having only just managed to take off her shirt. At this time though the door had just opened to reveal Ruth in a dressing gown and Charlie beside her in just a pair of white Boxers which has the sentence ‘come play with my nuts’ written on them. “Oh dear sorry we’ll just go,” says Ruth who goes back out of the door. “Get in there Karl,” says Charlie who leaves as well, closing the door behind him. “Now I did not expect that to happen even more than me and you.” Says Karl, Abby says “Shhhh.” Abby then starts to kiss Karl again and he manages to take all her clothes off. \n\nAt about 7:00am the next morning Karl awoke the next morning to the sweet smell of strawberries. He sniffed around trying to find the source of the scent. The source was a very pretty, tall, big breasted female hedgefox which is a cross between a hedgehog and a fox. “My, my Karl Hiner you lucky bastard. I didn’t think I would see the day you got laid,” says the girl who comes in and sits down on the free sofa. “Well good morning to you too Suvina. May I just say that is one lovely fragrance your wearing,” replies Karl wanting to put on some clean clothes but also not wanting to wake up Abby who is asleep on top off him with her head on his chest breathing calmly tickling the hairs on his chest.\n\n“What is that beautiful smell,” says Abby waking up and yawning. “Oh hello Suvina. Hey what time is it anybody?” says Abby getting off Karl and starting to search the room for her clothes. “It’s 7 o’clock in the morning. The sun is shining those fucking birds are singing and. Do you need any help finding your clothes?” Suvina says getting up and starting to look around the room. “Hey Abby is it ok if I go get a shower before I put on some clothes because I haven’t had a shower in a few days,” says Karl who then gets up and stretches.\n\n“Karl not everyone in this room wants to see that monster.” Suvina shouted at him and then threw a pair of boxers at him. “And yeah I’m sure it’s ok for you to have a shower.” Suvina said going into the kitchen. Karl goes over to his rucksack and pulls out a towel, soap and large hunting knife. Karl puts everything in the towel and walks up stairs. After a bit of searching he finds the bathroom and has a warm long shower. Afterwards Karl decides to cut off some of his hair but he wanted to cut his hair the same way he has been cutting his hair for the past few years with his twelve inch long hunting knife.\n\nWhen he went back downstairs he found everyone in the kitchen having breakfast. As soon as Karl walked in there was an explosion of noise all twelve residents of the dog house shouted greetings to Karl a mixture a good mornings and welcome backs. After the noise died down and everyone was tucking into their various breakfasts Abby sat down next to Karl at the long table which the residents had just managed to squeeze in to the room and asked Karl “What was it like Karl.” As if by magic the entire table went silent and everyone looked at Karl. “So you all want to know what it was like out there in that hell hole. Well all right then I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”\n\n“Now before I start does anyone need to go to the toilet or something because I don’t want to be interrupted,” says Karl starting to eat his plate of bacon. Everyone except Karl, Abby, Charlie and Ruth ran as fast as they could for the toilet. “Hey Karl have you cut your hair or something?” Asked Charlie who was sat opposite Karl next to Ruth. “I have now that you mention it,” answered Karl getting up and putting his empty plate in the sink. “But what did you cut it with I didn’t see you take a pair a scissors or anything up to the shower this morning,” chipped in Abby.\n\n“Well I cut my hair with this,” said Karl pulling his hunting Knife out of its sheath on his belt and putting the knife on the table. “Fuck me that is one big knife,” says Charlie picking up the knife and looking at it. “Ow that is really sharp too,” said Charlie after cutting his finger on the tip of the knife. “Please stop that you’re making me horny again,” says Charlie when Ruth starts to suck his cut finger.\n\nChapter two\n“A soldier’s life for me”\n\nTwo years ago a civil war broke out in a country much like Vietnam. Karl and the rest of the young soldiers went over there to fight not because they believed in some cause but because they were ordered to go.  Karl and the rest of his squad were based at Bar-hang city barracks at the start of the war waiting to be deployed in combat that happened at a place called Chi-hang or the end of the line as the soldiers renamed it. Karl and his squad spent two weeks in nothing but mud and rain in the middle of a rainforest surrounded by the enemy. Karl had nether even seen the enemy until the 25th of January his birthday when the enemies known as Congos attacked near Chi-hang and the small outpost on top of Hot-Dog hill where Karl was stationed.\n\nKarl awoke with the sun shining on his face he got up and looked around he was standing in a small trench that led down to a wooden bunker. Karl was wearing khaki trousers and a green sleeveless shirt. He picked up his M16 and his helmet and walked down the trench while saying hello to a few other soldiers who were awake. “Good morning lieutenant. It’s a nice day today isn’t,” said Karl to a great big bulldog called Jack. “Aye so it is but we’ve been getting reports all down the line of Congos attacking Chi-hang. It’s stupid to think that there is a battle going that I’m not fighting,” said Jack looking through a pair of binoculars. Jack Bell was a champion boxer. A born fighter and leader but was kind to all the men.\n\n“I’m glad it’s stopped raining both my uniform and me can dry out ready for the monsoon season to start all over again,” said Karl leaning against the trench wall and looking out into the jungle where there was a shadow of someone looking at the base but as soon as Karl saw it. It was gone. “I’ll go wake up the others,” said Karl and he turned to walk back the way he came. “Good idea you nether now when something’s going to happen I’ll go help wake up the rest of the platoon as well,” and with that Jack walked down the trench to where a small group of men were sleeping.\n\n“Come on guys get up you haven’t got all day,” said Karl kicking the rest of his squad mates awake. The squad consists of five men. First there’s Karl the corporal in charge second Duncan Crombi-Noble a large German shepherd dog like Karl with a funny sense of humour. Third Haydn Barnes a bad tempered husky who wears glasses fourth Brad Williamson a large simple gorilla the most heavily armed of the lot and last but not least Thomas Gardner a small bulldog with a shotgun.\n\nThe men shook themselves awake and started to get their weapons together. “Tom and Duncan. I want you two in the bunker on the MG, Hayden I want you on the radio in the bunker because if the Congos attack we’ll need air support down here as fast as possible. Everyone else pick a spot on the trench wall and get comfortable,” said Karl picking up his helmet and finding a comfy spot on the trench wall.\n\n“This is bloody shit isn’t it,” said Brad now taking his cleaning kit out of his pack and starting to take apart his M60 SAW.  “Yeah I know but what would we be doing back home if we weren’t here soldiering,” said Jack who had just come back down the trench and sat down. “Well I would be playing football or getting laid,” said Brad. “What about you Karl. What would you be doing back home,” asked Jack. “I think I would be living in some barracks some place. I mean my entire life the thing I have always wanted to do was be a soldier,” answered Karl who was looking out into the jungle. He had seen the shadow again.\n\n“Louie, Louie oh baby. We gotta go. Oh no,” sang Karl now listening to a song in is head called Louie, Louie by Motörhead. “Karl do you have to sing?” Brad asked now shoving the ramrod down his gun barrel. “It helps me to stay calm and after what I’ve seen twice you’ll be glad I’m calm,” said Karl now cocking his M16 and putting two spare clips on the trench wall. Suddenly in the jungle whistles are being blown the sounds of many angry men shouting are carried all the way up the hill to the men in the trenches. “Finally a fight I’ve been getting bored up here,” shouts Jack cocking his M16 and aiming down the hill. “What their attacking right now,” shouts Brad quickly putting his SAW back together. “Now my little girl, she’s waiting for me. To catch a ship across the sea. On the ship you know I’m all alone. I wonder if I’ll ever make it home,” sang Karl aiming down his sights.\n\nThe Congos came running out of the trees waving swords and many AK-47 variants. The Congos are wearing black robes and large hats that look like funnels. The Congos were shouting various insults at the soldiers in the trenches. “Open fire you sons O’ bitches,” shouted Jack now shooting into the mass of Congos running at him. “Three days and nights I sailed the sea. I think of girls O’ constantly. On the ship you know I’m dreaming she’s there. I smell the roses in her hair. Louie, Louie oh babe. Let’s give it to them right now,” sang Karl taking down about five Congos running up the hill.\n\nMeanwhile in the bunker Haydn was loading his 44 Magnum while trying to reach battalion HQ on the radio to bring in air support. Duncan was using a Browning 50cal MG through the bunker window while Tom was firing a China-lake out the window when Duncan was reloading the MG. “Bulldog cover me I’m reloading,” shouts Karl to Jack. Karl then puts a new magazine in his M16. Two planes then fly over strafing the Congos running up the hill.\n\n“Haydn must have finally got through to HQ. Thank God for that good timing,” shouted Karl looking up at the planes and hearing all the men in the trenches give a loud cheer. “Karl look out,” shouted Brad but it was too late a Congo had jumped over the trench wall and had lunged at Karl with a large knife.  Karl was pushed to floor with Congo on top of him trying to force the knife into Karl’s chest. Karl managed to force the knife upwards and when the Congo lunged again the knife blade went down the side of Karl’s face leaving a large deep gash. Karl shouts out in pain and suddenly the Congo’s head exploded showering Karl’s face in fresh warm blood.\n\n“Shit you okay Karl,” said Haydn who was pushing the dead Congo off Karl. “Yeah I’m okay most of this blood isn’t mine,” said Karl gesturing at his very bloody face. Karl looked around at the rest of the men. Duncan had been shot in the arm. Thomas was covered in mud and bits of flesh. Brad had sat down and was taking a drink from his canteen. Haydn was reloading his still smoking 44 Magnum and Jack was chucking another dead Congo out of the trench.\n\n“Karl go see the medic he’s in a bunker nearer the top of the hill. Duncan go with him,” said Jack chucking the body of the Congo that had attacked Karl out of the trench. Karl and Duncan headed up the hill looking for the medic passing other injured crying out in pain on stretches. “Poor bastards,” said Duncan when he and Karl passed a gorilla with his legs missing and screaming in pain.\n\n“There you go corporal,” said the surgeon after he had finished sewing up Karl’s head. Karl got down from the bench he was sat on and went to find a mirror. Karl looked at the long cut on his face. The cut ran from the bottom of his chin to the top of his head just above his right ear. The surgeon who was now sewing up Duncan’s left arm was called Bobby Ducksbury he was a tall greyhound but with a very short and flat nose which would explain the name thought Karl as he looked around at the small bunker now turned field hospital. There was about twenty wounded all being cared for by one of the five medics, the three surgeons or the two female nurses.\n\n“Would you like a drink,” said a sweet sounding voice from behind Karl. Karl turned around and looked down to find he was facing a very cute looking nurse. “Would you like a drink?” She asked Karl again holding up a metal cup. “Yes thank you,” said Karl taking the cup off her and taking a small swig of the water. \n\n“Do I know you from somewhere?” The nurse asked taking the cup and having a drink from it herself. “That depends on whether or not you went to lakes school in Little Eastwick,” said Karl sitting down on an empty bed and taking out his small food box and started to eat the contents. “Oh my gosh Karl,” said the nurse sitting down next to him. The nurse was a Jack rabbit was about average height, wearing a green shirt and trousers underneath an apron covered in blood.\n\n“It is you isn’t it Karl,” said the nurse again. “Yeah it’s me changed a lot since school haven’t I,” said Karl finishing off the biscuit he was eating.  “Is there anyone else from school here?” The nurse asked. “Well there’s Duncan over there being treated by Bobby. Jack is over at the North West bunker with Brad, Haydn and my friend Tom.” Karl said putting his food box back in the pouch on his belt. “I’ve been here all this time and I nether realised there was so many people from school at this base,” said the nurse hugging Karl. “It’s so good to see you Karl.”\n\n“Why are you here Darby especially since you were one of the last people I would have expected to be a nurse,” said Karl putting his arm around Darby in a one armed hug. “Well Harley didn’t want to come out here alone so she got me to join up as well,” said Darby letting go of Karl.\n\n “Harley’s here as well, wow.” Said Karl getting up when he saw that Bobby had finished sewing up Duncan.  “Hey I have to go but feel free to look up me and the rest of the guys,” said Karl when Duncan came over. “Hey Darby, come on Karl we’d best be getting back,” said Duncan and he and Karl walked back down to their part of the trench system.\n\nFive minutes after Karl and Duncan got back to their part of the trenches. Darby and Harley managed to find all the men cleaning their weapons. “So she says what’s with the lump in your trousers and I go well it’s just a natural reaction when I see a beautiful woman,” said Duncan telling all the lads a story. “And then she asks how beautiful I think she really is then I say no I was talking about the fit barmaid and she slaps me in front of the entire pub,” says Duncan now finished the story and putting his M14 back together.\n\n“Hey guys,” says Darby sitting down on a crate. “Yeah hi,” says Harley sitting on a jacket being used to cover up some of the mud that was the trench wall. “Darby I wouldn’t sit there if I was you,” says Brad now reaching for a pair of sunglasses. “Why shouldn’t I sit here Brad,” asks Darby. “Because that box is full of dynamite and any stray spark could set it off,” says Karl looking for his bottle of oil. “What,” shouts Darby standing up instantly. “He’s only kidding it’s only full of grenades,” said Jack coming out from behind the bunker.\n\n“Okay guys stop shitting with me please,” says Darby sitting down next to Harley.  “So how has your morning been,” asks Haydn now finished cleaning his Magnum. “It’s been awful. All those poor guys who are wounded back there probably won’t make it through the night,” says Harley taking off her glasses and giving them a quick clean and putting them back on again. “Did you think it was any different down here,” said Jack now taking his M16 apart to start cleaning it. “We’ve had a few close shaves down here haven’t we lads,” said Jack indicating Karl’s stitched up face and Duncan’s left arm.\n\n\n“Yeah I know you guys have been through a bit but you’re the lucky ones,” said Harley. “Aye your right but we have a long way to go in this war and not all of us are going to make it out alive or not wounded,” said Karl getting up and leaning against the trench wall to look down at the jungle about 20 yards away. “Hey Karl look what I found,” says Tom throwing a knife at the trench a few inches away from Karl’s hand. “I thought you’d like it. It’s the Knife that Congo tried to stick you with.”\n\nChapter three\n“DIY SOS and a party”\n\n“And that’s how I got that monster,” said Karl pointing at the Knife on the table. “Oh and this of course,” said Karl gesturing at the huge scar on his face. “So what happened next then?” asks Charlie who was trying to write his name in sausages. “Well the rest of the story will keep for another time. So what’s happening today?” Karl asked after finishing off a glass of water.\n\n“Today everyone’s pitching in to help clean up the front of the house,” said Abby now resting her head on Karl’s shoulder. “Ok that will give me something to do today before I go out job hunting,” said Karl standing up and putting his empty glass in the sink and then starting to do the washing up. “Why do you need to go out job hunting your still in the army,” said Ruth who had her hands down the front of Charlie’s jeans.\n\n“I need something to occupy my time while I’m here because I haven’t taken some time off in a long time so the army has to kick me out for a few months,” answered Karl finishing the washing up. Everyone then goes outside to help clean up. Karl and Charlie are scraping the paint off the front door while everyone else is cleaning up the junk from the front lawn. “So what was it like?” Charlie asked unscrewing the sign that says ‘The Dog House.’ “What are you talking about?” Karl answered now picking the right colour paint to put on the door.\n\n“Come on I walked in on you undressing Abby while half naked I think I can imagine what happened next,” said Charlie while he and Karl started to paint the front door. “Did you tell anyone else what you had seen back there?” Asked Karl slightly worried. “No of course not me and Ruth have told no one but I still want to know,” said Chaz now deciding whether to take off the letterbox door. “If you must know after you left was the most amazing and the happiest moment of my life so far,” said Karl now finished painting part of the door. “Was Abby a virgin when we you know?” Karl asked. “I believe she was I don’t particularly know since I’m not allowed to have sex with other women anymore according to Ruth,” said Charlie who had now managed to take off the letterbox door.\n\n“So are Abby and you now going out or what?” Asked Charlie when Ruth and a red squirrel wearing a large green jacket walked over. “Hey Karl is it true you and Abby did it on the couch?” The squirrel asked sitting down so that her head was resting on Karl’s leg. “Yes it is but Jess how do you know about that?” Said Karl puzzled. “Well I might have let a few things slip during breakfast,” said Charlie. “Looks like Aaron needs help I’d better get back to work I’ll see you guys latter,” said Jess rushing off to go help Aaron a tall red squirrel.\n\nWhile everyone was cleaning up the front of the house the postman walked down Park lane looking for house number 34. “This must be it,” he said looking at “The Dog House” with all twelve residents cleaning up the front of the house. “Excuse me is this house number 34 referred to as the dog house?” The postman asked Karl and Charlie. “Yes why do you have some mail for someone that lives here?” Karl asked the postman while standing up. \n\n“Yes twelve letters now where are they?” the postman said looking in his bag. “Ah here we are. Abby Isaac, Charlie Winstanley,  Suvina Alderson, Johnny Walker, Robert Young, Luke Jelly, Edward Chaplin, Jessica Salmon-Smith, Aaron Raines, Tiree Withers, Karl Hiner.” Said the postman taking out a letter in turn one for each of the people’s names he read out plus an extra letter. “There you go,” said the postman handing the letters to Karl and then started to walk down the road.\n\nKarl went off to deliver the letters to the right people while Charlie continued painting the door. After he had finished delivering the letters Karl sat down on the front step next to Charlie now being hugged by Ruth. “So what’s in the letter?” Karl asked now opening his letter and starting to read. “By the look of it everyone’s been invited to some bitch’s party,” said Charlie sniffing his letter. “Hey lavender,” said Karl sniffing his letter as well. “Hang on does yours say who there from because mine doesn’t,” said Charlie turning to look at Karl while Ruth read her letter.\n\n“No mine doesn’t,” said Ruth looking up to see Abby walking towards them. “Come on guys you have to finish painting the door,” said Abby crossing her arms and looking like an angry mother telling her children off. Everyone quickly got back to work. “So are we going to that party?” Asked Charlie now finished painting his half of the door. “Well I’m going if you’re going because I want to have someone to talk to,” said Karl now finished his half of the door and then helping Charlie put the sign saying “The Dog House” back on.\n\nKarl quickly glanced at his watch it had been 7:29pm when they set off for the party his watch now said 8:02pm. It had been one long ride on the various vehicles. Karl, Charlie and Edward owned motorbikes but everyone else had to ride in Aaron’s ex-army Deuce and a half truck. Everyone except Abby and Ruth that is they had decided to ride on the backs of Karl’s and Charlie’s bikes. They were using an address that had been on the letter instead of a name. The address was for some sort of club in Eastwick the sister town of little Eastwick.\n\nThey finally found the club on the corner of Main Street. The club was called the blue dolphin. It looked really posh and all fancy looking. Everyone got off their assorted vehicles and lined up outside the door to be inspected by the bouncers. The bouncers were all big gorillas they asked everyone there name and said whether you were allowed to go in. Everyone got inside and were mesmerised by the inside decor. The inside of the club was covered in different coloured lights. It had a bar, an eating area and a huge dance floor attached to a stage.\n\n“This is quite something isn’t it,” said Karl before asking everyone what drinks they would like then he went off to get them while everyone sat down in the eating area. The Barman asked if Karl wanted some help taking the drinks back but Karl refused he liked to do things on his own. Karl sat down with Abby, Ruth and Charlie. Everyone else just found their own table. Karl looked around it seemed that everyone that hadn’t just walked in was looking at the stage probably waiting for someone to make a speech thought Karl.\n\nAt that point someone did get up on stage. A posh looking snow leopard wearing a suit with a pair of blue trainers. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” said the leopard. “I have invited you all here to reintroduce you to someone. That person is me. You see my name is Chris Ellison.” When Chris said this everyone started to break out in groups of whispered mutterings. \n\n“You see when I left school I didn’t keep track of many people so I have invited you here to this club which I own. To meet up with old friends and make some new ones because not everyone here was in my year at school. So please have a good time, request any song from the DJ and all food and drinks are half price. So enjoy.” Now finished Chris got down off the stage and went over to the bar.\n\n“Did Chris just say that he had invited all the people from school?” Karl asked turning to look at Abby. “I think he did,” said Abby now looking around. “In that case then I’ll be back in about five minutes. I’m going to look for a few people,” said Karl getting up and walking off. “Where off as well,” said Charlie getting up with Ruth and going over to Chris to ask if there are any bedrooms upstairs. “Great guys just leave me on my own why don’t you!” Abby said before having some of her drink.\n\nKarl walked around the club. As he walked he spotted a few people he knew. Ben Wheeler and Sophie Moore were having a snog over by the bar. Conner Mcavoy, Josh Graham, Sam Naylor, Dylan Parkinson, Harry Grimes, Ben Gibson and Adam Southworth were on the dance floor with Nicole Bewley, Sophie Gildert, Brittany Irwin, Molly Parry and Kim Wilson. Jamie Booth was with Emma Panter at the Bar talking. Karl had nearly walked halfway around the club when he spotted them. Jack Bell, Duncan Crombie-Noble, Brad Williamson, Thomas Gardner, Bobby Ducksbury, Darby Scafie and Harley Wade all sitting in a corner around one large table with three other people Karl didn’t know.\n\n“Alright Karl come here and sit down with us,” said Jack sitting next to a very pretty wolf. Karl sat down on a chair next to Tom. “So how have you guys been doing I haven’t seen or heard a peep out of you in a month,” said Karl looking at the three people he didn’t recognise. “And who are these two lovely ladies and this handsome chap?” Karl asked indicating the pretty wolf that was sat next to Jack. The fox sat next to Duncan and the large male Great Dane sat next to Harley.\n\nBefore anyone could answer on stage a few lads had started to set up equipment and instruments. When they had finished Dan Salter, Damon Gregg and Charlie had got up onstage. “Could I have your attention please ladies and gentlemen. Me and the guys have decided that the music being played is no good so we thought we would play if that’s ok with you Chris?” Dan said looking at Chris for an answer. Chris nodded and the three lads on stage got into position Damon on drums Charlie on bass guitar and Dan on lead guitar. After asking what song to play from some of the people that where in the crowd now gathering beneath them. The lads on stage started to play Back in Black by AC/DC. \n\n“Now what was I saying oh yeah I was asking who the people I don’t know are,” said Karl turning back around to talk to his old friends. “Well this beautiful little thing sat next to me is my girlfriend Jess.” Said Jack indicating the wolf sat next to him. Karl said hello to Jess and then said “And so who is the good looking fox?” “Karl it’s me Lily. Did you leave some of your brains back at Bar-Hang,” said Lily the fox that was sat next to Duncan. “I might have it would explain the strange things that I have done since I got home,” said Karl taking off one of shoes so that he could rub his sore foot. \n\n“Karl put your fucking disgusting feet away,” said Darby punching Karl in the shoulder. “Hey Karl why is there a huge scar on that foot?” Jack asked now taking a good look at Karl’s foot. “What don’t you remember?” Karl said putting his shoe back on. Everyone shook their heads except Tom and Darby. “In that case then I’ll remind all of you,” said Karl leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of his coke.\n\nChapter four\n“Shake A Leg”\n\nHot-dog hill had been compromised. All the military personal that were stationed there had to fall back to Chi-Hang to reinforce the garrison there. The wounded and most of the battalion were travelling to Chi-Hang by truck using the larger jungle tracks to get there as fast as possible. Alpha company and anyone else that wanted to were walking to Chi-Hang along the eastern road that was used by the supply convoys but the eastern road was dangerous as the Congos attacked daily now.\n\nAs Karl walked down the small dusty road he had a strange feeling that he was being watched by other than friendly eyes. Karl was wearing his khaki trousers, green sleeveless shirt and his green jacket not done up because of the heat. Karl was on point leading the way for the rest of his squad plus three medical personal. The three medical personal Bobby, Darby and Harley were classed as non-combatants meaning they were not allowed to carry weapons normally but before the rest of the battalion had left Karl had requested a few weapons for the medical personal just in case.\n\nThe two long lines of people walked slowly along the road. Alpha company was using the double line formation to move along the road meaning that there was a line of people on each side of the road with no one walking straight down the middle. Karl was leading the two long lines with the rest of his squad but Karl was the point man which meant he was the furthest up front of the group which was the most important and most dangerous job. If the point man sees the enemy he will be the first to kill or be killed which was why Karl liked being on point. Karl had nether liked school he didn’t really like his childhood and the only real place he felt at home was in the middle of a battle he had been like that all of his life.\n\nKarl looked around beside the dusty road he was walking along there wasn’t much to look at just the endless jungle. “Sir now seems like a good time to take break don’t you think?” Karl shouted behind him to Jack. Jack agreed and told everyone to take a break. Most just sat down on the edge of the road a few including Karl stayed standing up looking for the enemy. Darby looked at Karl for a few minutes before she got up and went over to him. “Karl why don’t you take a break you and everyone else have been working hard today?” Darby asked Karl. Karl looked at her for a little while lost in thought before he answered. \n\n“Because I’m good at what I do. To stay good at what I do I have to keep everyone from getting hurt and stay constantly vigilant,” Karl finally answered after taking off his helmet and scratching behind his big ears. “Answer me this question Karl how can you enjoy killing so much?” Darby said sitting down on a large rock on the edge of the road. “You think I enjoy killing people. No I don’t like killing I’m just very good at it and I can easily keep my emotions under control so I can keep killing,” said Karl sitting down on the rock next to Darby taking off his heavy large green rucksack.\n\n“Sunrise, wrong side of another day, Sky high and six thousand miles away, Don't know how long I've been awake, Wound up in an amazing state, Can't get enough, And you know it's righteous stuff, Goes up like prices at Christmas,” Sang Karl now whittling a stick with his large hunting knife. “Karl why do you always sing?” Darby asked. Karl stopped whittling for a second to think and then said “Well it helps to keep me calm when ether I’m scared, nervous or angry and before you ask the reason I’m singing badly now is because I’m nervous and scarred.” Karl then carried on whittling the stick. \n\n“Are you scared because we could be attacked at any moment and you might die?” Darby asked Karl then she asked “And what are you nervous about?” Karl threw the stick away and put the knife back in its sheath. “Yes I’m a little bit scared because we might be attacked and killed. I’m nervous because I am sat here talking to you. You see when ether I have a conversation to a girl that is around the same age as me I find it hard to talk because I get this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach,” said Karl now getting up and putting on his rucksack. Jack could be heard shouting for everyone to get up and keep moving. Karl got back on point on his own the way he liked it. Darby just looked at Karl and decided to walk with him. She wanted to know more about the strange person that was Karl Hiner a known military freak with a bad temper\n\nKarl looked at the road ahead. The dirt on the road was slightly darker than the rest of the dirt. Karl put up his hand to tell everyone behind him to stop moving. Karl then slowly walked forward with his M16 butt placed into his shoulder. Karl took five steps forward before it happened. On the sixth step Karl had stepped on some punji sticks causing Karl to scream out in pain. Punji sticks are sharpened sticks of bamboo put in holes in the ground with the points facing upwards and when you stand on them the punji sticks go straight through your foot.\n\nKarl fell on to floor still shouting in pain. Karl had thankfully stood on only one punji stick but it was still painful. When Karl had started screaming Tom and Darby had ran other to see what was wrong. “Oh shit,” said Tom kneeling beside Karl and dropping his shotgun. “Pull it out. Pull it out,” screamed Karl. Darby knelt next to Karl and held him down as Tom pulled out the punji stick. “Karl we have to take off the boot,” said Tom after he had pulled out the punji stick. “Just do it fast and don’t cut it off,” shouted Karl he was still in great pain even with the punji stick pulled out.\n\nTom carefully took of Karl’s boot while Darby kept Karl held down. Karl let out at a sigh after they took off his boot. Tom got out his first aid kit out of his bag and gave it to Darby. Darby tended to the wound. The rest of the squad had now moved up and was within a metre radius of Karl, Tom and Darby. “There I’ve done it,” said Darby giving back the first aid kit to Tom and they both helped Karl up. “Tom go cut me a crutch from a tree would you,” said Karl handing Tom his hunting knife. Tom went to make a crutch while Darby put Karl leaning against a tree.\n\n“Do you want me to put your boot in your bag?” Darby asked Karl, he just shook his head and tied the boot laces to one of the straps on his bag. “Thank you Darby you probably saved my foot from amputation,” said Karl now looking slightly green in the face. “Do you want your rifle back?” Darby asked Karl after she had ran and got it. “No I’ll be useless with that thing if I’m using crutches no I’ll just use this,” said Karl reaching into his bag with great difficulty and pulling out a stakeout shotgun.\n\nTom came over a few minutes later with a crutch for Karl. Karl put on his rucksack and now armed with the stakeout and with help from Darby now carrying an M16 which made her look smaller Karl took Tom’s place near the back of the two lines while Tom took point. The formation moved around the part of the road that was now known to contain punji sticks and carried on moving they reached the airfield at Chi-Hang at midnight several hours after Karl stepped on the punji stick.\n\nAt sunrise the next morning Alpha company and everyone who had marched was given the day to relax. Karl was sat down in a deck chair with his leg propped up on a couple of crates of beer. Karl was the watching the football game between his squad and the medical personal amazingly the medics were wining. The airfield where everyone was at was made of one runway, three hangers, six helicopter pads plus a few anti-aircraft guns. Karl was sat next to the airfield HQ which was no more than an underground concrete bunker with a few trees growing next to it.\n\n“Come on now move it, move it,” shouted Karl at his sweaty squad mates. A few helicopters flew over the base, turned around and then landed on the runway next to the medical building. The football game stopped instantly and everyone rushed off to go help the wounded on the helicopters. Karl sat watching the screaming soldiers get carried off the Hueys and wished that he could do something but his wounded foot was still painful to step on.\n\nA tall hedgehog walked out of the HQ and sat down in a deck chair next to Karl. “Hey you want a beer? You look like you could use one.” Karl told the hedgehog when he sat down. “I could use a beer but I have to be in the right frame of mind for what I need to do next,” said the hedgehog taking off the green cap he was wearing and scratched his head. “I tell you what Mack I don’t really feel sorry for those guys over there because they’ll probably be going home,” said Karl to the Hedgehog. “I feel sorry for the officer who ordered them into battle because he will have millions of deaths on his conscious when this shits all over.”\n\nThe hedgehog looked at Karl for a few minutes before he said “That is the smartest and most accurate piece of information I have heard all day and you know what. You’re absolutely right I will have millions of deaths on my conscious when this is over.” Karl looked at the hedgehog for a minute taking in the information he had just said when a tall fox came over to the two men. “General we have incoming reports that are reinforcements and supplies won’t get here for two days,” said the fox to the hedgehog who stood up. “Wait your, you’re a general. Shit sir I’m so sorry,” said Karl grabbing his crutch and standing to attention. “It’s okay sit back down and relax. What’s your name by the way?” The general said to Karl. \n\n“Corporal Karl Hiner sir,” said Karl before he sat back down in his chair. “It was good meeting you Karl. I’ll see you later,” said the general and he and the fox disappeared back down into the HQ. Karl just thought for a minute. He decided to not tell anyone about his meeting with a general besides no one would believe him. The football game had resumed now that everyone was back. Unable to play Karl just sat there handing out beer cans to anyone who asked. \n\nThe next day Karl’s foot was still bandaged but he could walk on it now. So he spent most of his time walking around the base. If he wasn’t walking he was probably on the firing range trying to improve his already good accuracy. At 09:32pm all of Able Company was told to go a mission briefing. Karl sat down in one of the many rows of chairs and looked forward at a large map on a wooden board. A few minutes later the company commander Captain Adam Robinson stood up next to the map and waited for silence.\n\n“Good afternoon gents. Tomorrow will be a very important day. You see we are going to counter attack against the Congos. We are going to be helicopter dropped into this valley here on the map. Are job will be take that valley hold it and when the relief convoy arrives push on to take this town. We shall be getting into the choppers at ten hundred hours tomorrow so get ready, get some sleep and if you haven’t already be shore to set up a will with the staff Sergeant. That is all now get some sleep you dirty apes.” Said the Captain and everyone stood up and left the briefing tent.\n\nAt 10:02am the next day Karl was sat down on the grass field that was the helicopter pads with the rest of his squad. Karl and his squad were going to be in the first wave and so they had the most dangerous task. Their job was to hold the entire valley for half an hour before the rest of the company arrived. According to intelligence there was 300 Congos hidden in the valley in a huge tunnel network. The Hueys arrived at five past ten. Karl and his squad got into one of the Hueys. The Huey was small it carried only about one squad of men plus two door gunners and two pilots. \n\n“Hey Karl there’s 300 Congos in this valley right,” said Tom who was sitting directly opposite Karl. Karl nodded and then Tom said “So you’re telling me one company of about thirty guys has to fight 300 Congos.” Karl looked at Tom and nodded again. “This is going to be one shit day isn’t it,” said Tom to anyone that could him hear him over the noise of the engine. The Hueys flew high above a river they were using it as a marker as it lead straight to the valley. The Congos though new this and had set up antiaircraft defences all along the river so fifteen minutes into the journey the Hueys were being shot at.\n\nThe front of Karl’s Huey was on fire it had just been shot by a set of stray bullets. The pilot told the soldiers to hold on. The pilot managed to ditch the Huey into the river. “Is everyone okay?” Karl shouted to the survivors. A few voices said yes. Karl looked around quickly water was coming in from the bottom of the doors. Karl guessed that they had two minutes before the entire helicopter was under water. Karl wrenched one of the doors open and everyone got out. The survivors swam towards the shore once there everyone took a minute to rest.\n\nKarl looked at the survivors there was Tom, Brad, Jack, Duncan and Haydn. The pilot and the rest of the crew were dead. Brad also had a broken leg. Most of their equipment was lost in the crash. Karl only had his shotgun, Tom only had his China-lake, Haydn’s radio was broken, Brad had only his Colt pistol and Jack and Duncan didn’t have much ammunition for their rifles.\n\n“What now sir?” Karl asked Jack who turned around to look at Karl. “Well if the choppers were heading down the river towards the valley. We could head that way or we could make are way back to the base by going the opposite way,” said Jack standing up and waiting for everyone’s answer. Everyone agreed that they should follow the river to the valley even if it meant a dangerous trek through enemy occupied jungle.\n\nKarl was on point followed by Haydn and Brad. Brad now had his leg in a splint so he could now walk. Then came Jack with Duncan bringing up the rear. Through the jungle following the river they marched for about an hour nothing happened except a few near misses with land mines and punji sticks. The lads were all experts now with traps and camouflage.  One hour and a half after the crash they found an enemy bridge surrounded by defences the lads all looked at it and tried to decide what to do. “Well should we sneak around or should we just blow it up?” Brad asked everyone else.\n\n“I say let’s blow it up. You nether know it might end up helping the rest of the company,” said Karl now looking at the bridge through a pair of binoculars. “Well then let’s split up. Karl and Tom you go find something to blow up the bridge with and when you get back. Haydn and Brad will go take out the defences on this side of the river. Me and Duncan will take care of the other side while you two will set the bridge to be blown up.” Jack said to Karl and Tom. Karl and Tom snuck off into the undergrowth of the jungle and headed for the small village on their side of the river.\n\nFifteen minutes later Karl and Tom were on the edge of the village. The two were standing against the wall of a house. Karl looked around the corner. He saw two Congos standing at the opening to an alley way smoking and chatting. Karl pulled out his knife and gestured for Tom to follow him. Karl grabbed one of the Congos from behind and shoved his knife into his kidneys. Tom hit the other Congo over the head with his china-lake.\n\nAfter a bit of running through alleyways Karl and Tom found a Congo ammunition storage bunker. Karl and Tom crawled up to the two guards at the entrance. At the same time Karl and Tom stood up the guards turned around. Karl stabbed the guard facing him in the eye making the body convulse for a few seconds. Tom kicked the other in the balls, then the head and finished off the guard with another kick to the head. While all this was happening Duncan had found his sniper rifle scope, had climbed up a tree and was now watching Tom and Karl as they made their way through the village. “How are they doing?” Jack asked Duncan. “They got through the village okay. It looks like they have just found some sort of storage bunker,” Duncan answered Jack who passed him a canteen they just filled in the river.\n\nTom and Karl tiptoed into the underground bunker. It was dark so Karl got out his lighter. Karl didn’t smoke but he always found it handy to carry a lighter. Karl found an old oil lamp so he lit it and hung it up on a hook on the ceiling. Tom and Karl looked around the room. It was littered with guns, crates of ammunition and a few other things. “Hey Karl look over here,” Tom whispered pointing at a few small crates. Karl went over to the crates and opened one with his knife. Karl looked inside then turned to look at Tom and smiled.\n\n“Oh shit, shit, shit, shit!” Duncan shouted making everyone walk over to him. “What’s wrong?” Jack asked Duncan.  “The Congos have found the dead bodies there about to raise the alarm and find Karl and Tom.” Duncan said turning to look at the rest of the men. At the village officers started to blow whistles the sound could be heard by Duncan and the others and also by Karl and Tom in the bunker. “Tie me down and fuck me sideways! Tom grab an AK and cover me,” said Karl grabbing two of the small crates. The two ran outside. Tom shot five Congos in the back with a stolen AK-47 and then carried on running down the main street with Karl right behind him.\n\nTom and Karl ran as fast as they could down the main street of the small village heading for the bridge. Tom was shooting Congos as best he could with Karl right behind him trying to dodge bullets. The two were about five metres from the bridge when a truck drove down the street and a Congo on the back opened fire with a mounted machine gun. Karl was hit once in the lower back and once in the right arse cheek. Karl fell to ground crying out in pain and Tom was hit in the arse causing his tail to be ripped off by the bullet. \n\nThe Congo operating the mounted machine gun was shot in the head causing his it to explode. Karl and Tom looked around for the person who had made the kill shot but then Jack and Haydn came running over to them. Haydn grabbed Tom’s AK in one hand and grabbed Tom under the armpit with the other hand. Jack gave Karl his M16 and then lifted Karl onto his shoulders. Jack and Haydn then carried Tom and Karl to the bridge. Brad came limping in grabbed the two small crates Karl had dropped and carried them to the bridge. \n\nWhile this was happening Duncan had not only shot the Congo using the mounted machine gun but also about ten other Congos. The bridge was made of wood with metal boards on the top to give it more support. On either side of the river there were wooden support beams leading from the river bank to the bridge. \n\nJack and Haydn were using the dynamite that was in the small crates to blow up the centre of the bridge and some of the wooden support beams. “So how has your day been so far?” Karl asked Tom through clenched teeth and holding the place where a bullet had gone straight through him. The two were lying in a large hole next to the bridge with Brad looking after them with an AK-47. \n\n“Looks like that shirt of yours is ruined,” said Tom trying to tie a bandage around the large hole in his arse where his tail once was. “Hey check it out Tom look at my lighter,” said Karl holding up his lighter to see the huge indent and a large bullet that had lodged it’s self in the indent. “Your lighter saved your arse Ha, Ha,” laughed Tom looking at the lighter. Jack and Haydn came running over to small group. “We’ve planted the charges but we have no way of setting them off. How were you going to set them off?” Jack said to Karl while applying a field dressing on Karl’s bullet wound. Karl reached into one of his many pockets and pulled out a few incendiary bullets. “I thought I might get lucky,” said Karl putting the bullets back in his pocket. \n\nBrad carrying Tom, Jack carrying Karl and Haydn firing at the Congos and in that order they ran across the bridge were Duncan was now waiting for them crouched beside a tree. “Hurry up those bastards are catching up with you!” Duncan shouted as Jack ran past him and down into a gully. Jack took the incendiary bullets off Karl put them in his M16 and aimed at the dynamite. \n\n“If you’re going to blow that dynamite do it now!” Haydn shouted running past Duncan and carrying on down the road to find Brad and Tom. Jack fired two shots he missed the dynamite on both tries. Karl asked for the M16. Jack gave it to him. Karl took careful aim and then fired.\n\nBOOM a tremendous explosion shook the ground all around the bridge. The bridge was ripped in half one side stayed standing the other fell into the river in pieces. “I felt lucky,” said Karl while Jack just smiled and lifted Karl on to his back and went to find everyone else. Jack found everyone else at the top of a hill resting by a small stream. “So what do we do now sir?” Tom asked Jack when Jack had sat down. “Well we have to keep moving so we get fifteen minutes rest here then we carry on following the river,” said Jack and everyone nodded to show they were listening.\n\nChapter five\n“Talk about Overkill”\n\n“So that’s why your foots got a huge scar on it and how you got that hole in your shirt,” said Jess the wolf who was sat next to Jack. “Yeah I was lucky that the bullet hit me just above the belt and it went straight through. It ruined my favourite shirt though. Hey I’m off I’ll see you guys later alright,” said Karl standing up and walking off. He was going to see what happened to Abby when Charlie up on stage said “Hey let’s have a bit of live karaoke everybody. Get up here Karl I know you like to sing.” Several people pushed Karl on stage against his protests. “Alright I’ll sing but I’m not very good so I apologise,” said Karl grabbing the microphone and taking centre stage.\n\n“Well there are not many songs that I can sing all the way through so here goes,” said Karl starting to sweat not just because of the bright lights pointed at him. “Only way to feel the noise is when it’s good loud. So good I can’t believe it scream it with the crowd. Don’t sweat it get it back to you. Don’t sweat it get it back to you. Overkill, Overkill, Overkill. On your feet to fell the beat it goes straight to your spine. Shake your head it must be dead if it don’t make you fly. Don’t sweat it get it back to you. Don’t sweat it get it back to you. Overkill, Overkill, Overkill.” Sings Karl and Dan steps forward to play the first guitar solo. “You know your body’s made to move you feel it in your guts. Rock an’ roll ain’t worth the name if it don’t make you strut. Don’t sweat it get it back to you. Don’t sweat it get it back to you. Overkill, Overkill, Overkill.” Sings Karl and again Dan steps forward for the last two guitar solos. \n\nNow finished he got off stage to a cheering crowd and went off to look for Abby. Karl found her at the bar with Suvina and Chris. “Hi guys what’s shaking?” Karl asked standing next to Abby which showed the considerable height difference between the two. “Oh hello Karl we were just discussing your great singing talent,” said Chris taking a drink from his glass of orange juice. “Yeah I can remember all the words it’s just that I can’t sing,” said Karl after ordering a Diet Coke from the bar. “I thought you were pretty good Karl,” said Suvina and Abby agreed though she swayed slightly when saying so. “Is Abby okay? Is this something I should be concerned about?” Karl asked Suvina as Abby collapsed into Karl’s arms. \n\n“Don’t worry she’s just drunk. I think it might be best if you take her home though,” said Suvina as Karl picked up Abby in his arms and carried her outside. It took Karl five minutes to make a temporary seatbelt for Abby out of his trouser belt and then half an hour to drive her home on his bike. Karl then had to struggle to open and close the front door with Abby asleep in his arms. Karl carried Abby up to the top floor to her room. He put her down on her bed and was about to leave when Abby woke up. “Where am I and what time is it?” Abby asked Karl as she sat up on her bed to look up at Karl. “You are at home in your room and the time is 9:53,” said Karl heading for the door. “Have a good night’s sleep,” said Karl and he went downstairs found his old trench coat in a box in the cupboard under the stairs and went to sleep on the couch.\n\nThe next morning everyone was rushing around half naked stuffing pieces of toast in their mouths trying to find all the stuff they need for work. Karl just sat there on the couch with Abby watching the madness take place. “So do you still work at the veterinary clinic?” Karl asked Abby who was leaning her head on his shoulders. “Yes after Doctor Franklin retired I’ve been running the clinic as his family can’t afford to run it anymore. If you want I can get you a part time job there,” said Abby taking a drink from her cup of coffee.  “That would be good. Right I’m going to get some breakfast,” said Karl getting up and going into the kitchen. Karl got himself a sausage, a piece of bacon, a piece of fried bread, some beans and two pieces of toast.\n\nAt 8:15 that morning Karl parked his old Harley Davidson motorbike outside the veterinary clinic and he and Abby got off. Karl followed Abby inside the small white square shaped building. Karl stepped inside to find a long welcome desk and two other doors. At the welcome desk stood Suvina looking bored but she smiled when Abby and Karl walked in. “Abby I’ve already opened up and your first appointment isn’t until nine o’clock,” said Suvina quickly looking through a book filled in with names dates and problems. \n\nAbby said okay and then asked Karl through one of the other doors. Karl followed Abby down a short corridor. Abby pointed out the various different rooms. One of the rooms was the store cupboard where they keep all the cleaning equipment. Karl got out a broom, a dust pan an brush and set to work cleaning up Abby’s surgery. At nine o’ clock the first patients arrived so Karl had to stop to let Abby work. Karl put away his equipment and went to help Suvina with the paperwork. Abby’s first patient was a pink sheep being accompanied by a goat and a two tailed red fox. \n\n“Karl let me have your penis!” Aran the pink sheep shouted while running at Karl and giving him a hug. “Oh hey Karl,” said Johnny the two tailed fox. “Yeah hi Karl,” said Will the goat. “Karl when did you get back? I haven’t stroked your crotch or licked your face in years,” said Aran stroking Karl’s crotch. “Oh I got back a few days ago,” said Karl pushing Aran off. “So why didn’t you come find us?”  Will asked while Aran went to talk to Suvina. “I was busy with other things,” replied Karl. Will and Aran went off into the waiting room after telling Karl they would see him later. Johnny meanwhile went off with Suvina into one of the empty surgeries. Karl then had a look at the paperwork Suvina had left him to do. \n\nAfter he had finished Karl went to find Suvina. Karl went into the corridor where his sensitive hearing came into play. At the far end of the corridor was Abby’s surgery. Karl could hear Abby talking to Aran. In the surgery to his left Karl could hear some strange noises. So he walked over to the door and opened it quietly. Karl then closed it again as fast as he could. What he saw in that room would haunt him for the rest of his life. Karl decided to walk back to the main entrance and see when the next appointment was. Ten minutes later Aran and Abby came through the door to the main entrance followed by Suvina and Johnny. Aran, Will and Johnny said goodbye and Suvina went back to doing paperwork while Karl went about cleaning the mess made by Johnny and Suvina. Abby then went off with her next patient a large rat named Corey Underhill.\n\nAfter several boring hours it was time to lock up and go home. Suvina had finished the paperwork and had left early. So it was only Abby and Karl left in the surgery. Karl was mopping up the floor while Abby had made them both a cup of coffee each. “Thanks I needed that,” said Karl taking the cup of coffee of Abby and taking a drink. “So how was your day because mine was tiring?” Abby asked sitting down in a chair and putting her feet up on a table. “Mine was the same but it makes a change from my normal day because on a normal day I’d have been shot at countless times by now.” Said Karl putting down the empty cup and then slowly started to pack away the mop and bucket. \n\n“Why did you ever go off to fight Karl?” Abby asked standing up and walking behind Karl. “It was the only thing I understood what to do every other part of life seemed too complicated and scary. That’s why I ended up going silent when I tried to talk to girls,” said Karl putting the cleaning equipment back in the store cupboard. Karl turned around and Abby kissed him on the nose. “At least you managed to come back in one piece.”\n\nChapter Six\n“Driving On Hell’s Highway”\n\nIt was a long walk for Karl’s badly beaten starving squad. None of them had any food left and it was still a long walk back to the base at Chi-Hang. All they had to do was follow the road they had found down to the airfield. “All right rest here,” said Jack sitting down on the edge of the road and everyone followed his example. Karl and Tom sat under a tree and started looking around. “Hey Tom tell me what you see in that tree across the road?” Karl said pointing at a tall thin tree directly across from them.\n\nTom stared at the tree for a few seconds and then said “All I see is a bunch a bananas up that tree.” Karl then turned to Jack and said “Hey Jack you can climb trees go get those bananas would you.” Jack told Karl off for not treating him like an officer and then walked over to the tree and got the bananas down. Jack gave everyone a banana and sat back down. “Hey Karl do you have anyone waiting for you back home?” Tom asked. “No at least I don’t think so,” answered Karl getting out the chain around his neck and looking at the various objects on it. “Really no lucky girl,” said Tom throwing away his banana skin.\n\n“Or lucky guy,” said Brad making everyone laugh. “No there’s nobody,” said Karl putting his chain back under his shirt. “Hey does anyone else hear that?” Jack asked standing up. Everyone went quiet and then they heard it. It was the rumbling sound of several powerful engines heading towards them. “They got to be friendly as far as I know the Congos don’t have anything that can make that kind of noise,” Duncan said standing up next to jack. Jack grabbed his binoculars and looked down the road. “Your right Duncan looks like a friendly convoy heading this way. I don’t think we’ll have to walk the rest of the way,” said Jack passing the binoculars to Duncan.\n\nAbout an hour later the lead bulldog tank stopped right in front of the battered squad and a ginger tabby cat who was sat in the turret hatch looked at them. “Hey baby where you off?” The cat asked Jack. “Were on are way back to Chi-Hang airfield. We got shot down yesterday. Were all tired, hungry and a few of us are wounded,” said Jack and the cat just laughed. “Hey babe you’re not the only one who got shot down yesterday we’ve been picking up hitchhikers all morning so just go find an empty truck and tell the driver to turn around and you’ll be fucking nurses in a hospital in no time.” The cat said and Jack said thank you then asked everyone to follow him to the back of the convoy to find a truck.\n\nTwo hours later the lone Deuce and a half reached the main gate for the Chi-Hang airfield and when it drove through the back of the truck erupted with shouting and cheering as everyone was so pleased to get back. Those that were wounded got sent straight to the field hospital for a few weeks everyone else was given a few weeks leave in the city of Chi-Hang. When the squad was finally ready to go back out into combat they all found out it wouldn’t be on board a helicopter but providing support for a group of bulldog tanks.\n\nOn the 1st of April a new offensive was to start and hopefully this would be the last so that everyone could go home. A large group of vehicles had been mastered at Chi-Hang mainly bulldog tanks some trucks and five half-tracks. At midday the convoy had been fuelled and loaded up and was now ready to go. The convoy left following the main road which went through a deep valley and then came up at the base of Hot-dog hill. Karl and the rest of his squad where on point when they had set off. The squad members were either sat on the lead two tanks or walking beside them.\n\nKarl was stood on the back of the second tank’s turret talking to the cat in charge of the tank. “So let me get this straight you’re a hippy who hates everything to do with war and yet is fighting in one,” said Karl holding on to the .50cal machine gun on the back of the turret. “Yeah man we thought that we could stop war from the inside out and so we joined. So far all we’ve done is go around shooting people while occasionally drinking beer,” said the cat taking out two cans of beer from the inside of the tank and offering one to Karl. “No thanks. I don’t drink,” said Karl pushing away the beer can. “And they say I’m crazy man,” said the cat dropping the can back inside the tank.\n\n“So what’s your name?” Karl asked the cat. “My real names George but everyone calls me Ginger or something similar,” replied the cat. “Well Ginger I’m Karl and it’s nice to meet you,” said Karl. At that moment the tank a few feet in front of Ginger’s just erupted in a ball of flame. Bullets assaulted the convoy from the jungle either side of the road. Ginger ducked inside the tank and closed the hatch. Karl cocked the machine gun and fired into the jungle.\n\nGinger’s tank pushed aside the wreckage of the destroyed tank to allow the convoy to get out of the ambush. Ginger ordered his tank to head into the jungle. The tank charged into the undergrowth still with Karl on the back still firing the machine gun. The tank stopped and fired two high explosive rounds into the jungle before reversing back onto the road. Karl swung the machine gun round to fire into the jungle on the other side of the road. The tank then reversed along the road following the convoy firing a few more rounds into the jungle as it did so. \n\nEventually Ginger’s tank caught up with the rest of the convoy when the convoy had stopped for a short break to refuel.  Karl jumped down off the tank and walked over to one of the half-tracks. Inside the half-track the rest of Karl’s squad was sat in various positions. “What’s up guys,” said Karl sitting down on the floor of the half-track’s door. A half-track is basically the front half of a truck with then tank tracks instead of back wheels and a flatbed on top with metal walls as tall as the truck cabin. \n\nWhen the convoy had started again Karl was now stood up in the half-track on the machine gun that was mounted above the passenger seat next to driver. “So how much longer till we get to this bridge?” The driver of the half-track asked. “Only about fifteen minutes now,” said Karl looking down at the driver. The driver was a young Jack Russell dog. Karl thought that the driver looked nervous. Karl thought the driver hadn’t probably been in action before but Karl turned his attention back to Ginger’s tank in front. “Lieutenant you know we knocked out that bridge in front of that village and now were supposed to take that village. How we supposed to take the village with the bridge gone?” Said Duncan sat down in the back of the half-track with the rest of the squad. \n\n“Apparently the Congos have rebuilt the bridge so we just have to take it,” said Jack taking a drink of water from his canteen.  “The bridge is just up ahead so get cocked and ready you lot,” shouted Ginger from his tank. “You heard the hippie get ready,” said Jack cocking his M16. The rest of the squad did likewise.  Karl cocked the machine gun then took out the chain from around his neck and looked at a small heart shaped locket. Inside the locket was a picture of Abby the only girl he had ever loved and he had never said. He had taken the picture the last time Abby and the rest of his friends had all been together.\n\nKarl tucked the chain back inside his shirt. He had a bad feeling about this attack. It was at that moment that Ginger’s tank started firing and bullets started to fly past Karl’s head. The convoy was turning around a slight corner and Karl could see the bridge as well as all the Congos shooting at the convoy. The Congos were positioned on the bridge and on the opposite Bank. Karl opened fire on the bridge and so did everyone else in the half-track.\n\nA few rockets were fired at the convoy and five trucks went up in flame. Only the first three vehicles could advance the rest had to fall back until the road was clear. “Looks like it’s up to us again,” shouted Brad from inside the half-track. Ginger’s tank was now crossing the bridge but the tank could not use the main gun in case they hit the bridge. Karl focused his fire on the Congos still on the bridge.  When the half-track reached half way Karl felt a huge earth tremor and then a falling sensation. Karl finally felt a jolt and then he hit his head on the machine gun and the world went dark for Karl.\n\nThe Congos had put explosives on the bridge, had waited for a vehicle to get to the middle and then detonated them. This left Ginger’s tank on the enemy held side of the river with a second tank on the friendly side and what was left of the half-track in the wreckage of the bridge. “Shit this is Ginger I want an artillery barrage on my current location repeat I want an artillery barrage on my current position.” Came Ginger’s voice over the radio as both tanks started shooting enemy occupied buildings. Karl was shaken awake by the cold bloodied hand of the Jack Russell. “You okay,” said the driver shaking Karl’s shoulder. Karl nodded his head and looked around. The half-track was lying on its side. Karl watched as the driver opened his door and climbed onto the top of the half-track.\n\nAs soon as he had done this the driver was assaulted by a hail of bullets ripping holes in the still standing body. When the bullets stopped Karl starred as the driver’s body crumpled on to its knee and fell face first onto the bonnet of the half-track. Karl was helped out of the turret by Duncan who had a deep scratch going down the side of his face. Karl grabbed an M16 off the floor and met up with the rest of the squad behind Ginger’s tank. “Duncan and Karl down by that wall. Brad and Haydn over at that MG position. Tom you stay with me right let’s go,” shouted Jack before getting on the back of Ginger’s tank. Jack knocked on the turret hatch and Ginger opened it. “We need to get out of hear any ideas?” Jack asked Ginger. “Babe we got an artillery barrage on this position in five minutes we got to be across the river by then,” replied Ginger before telling the main gun to fire. \n\nThe whole tank shook from the recoil of the main gun but then Jack spotted a fishing boat not far from the bridge. “We got to get over to that boat. When I give you the word I want you to move as close as you can okay,” said Jack. “Yeah baby,” Ginger replied before getting back down into the turret. Jack shouted for Haydn and Brad to give covering fire then for Duncan and Karl to follow the tank. Jack then tolled Ginger to go and the tank lurched forwards and then turned right.\n\nKarl and Duncan ran behind the tank using it for cover while Jack and Tom were sat on the tank returning fire. Haydn and Brad waited for the others to get near the boat before running after them. The tank stopped on the road next to the boat fired one more round from the main gun before the three man crew abandoned it. Everyone ran for the boat. They were all on the jetty next to the boat except for Brad and Haydn when the artillery barrage began to fall. \n\nClouds of smoke rose everywhere in small mounds. Haydn got a direct hit from an artillery round causing the top half of his body to fly two feet from the boat the rest of him to scatter around the area. Brad was about to jump on when he was shot in the back causing him to convulse but brad stayed standing long enough to turn around and fire a few shots back before he fell face first onto the jetty. \n\nThe boat was cast off and the small engine at the back was turned on. Karl and some of the others continued to fire on the Congos until they reached the other bank of the river. Karl’s squad and Ginger’s tank crew were put on a truck with some wounded and sent back to Chi-Hang while the convoy ordered for boats to be brought up to be used instead of the bridge. Karl thought that after what they had done today would it change anything.\n\nChapter Seven\n“You Give Love a Bad Name”\n\nKarl woke up the next morning to the sound of running water. He got up from the couch in the living room and went into the kitchen where he found Charlie pouring water into a kettle. “Morning” said Charlie putting the kettle back on its stand and flicking it on. “What are you doing? Karl asked sitting down at the table. “I’m making Ruth breakfast in bed before everyone else gets up,” said Charlie sitting down opposite Karl. \n\n“You don’t look too good Karl,” said Charlie. “I had a bad night’s sleep mainly because of bad Dreams,” said Karl as Charlie got up and made himself, Ruth and Karl a coffee each. “What was your dream about? That is if you don’t mind me asking,” said Charlie passing Karl his coffee and then getting out a tray from a cupboard. “Well today is the first of April and a year ago. Well. Did you guys hear about Haydn and Brad?” Karl said after taking a drink from his coffee. Charlie started frying bacon and eggs before looking at Karl and saying. “Yeah we did. We didn’t hear many details but apparently it was horrible the way they went.”\n\nKarl got out the chain from around his neck, took it off and laid it on the table for Charlie to look at. “What‘s that you’ve got there?” Charlie said before sitting back down. “Mainly junk I’ve picked up over the years and can’t get rid of,” said Karl after taking another drink from his coffee. Charlie picked up the chain and asked Karl about each individual item. First there was the heart shaped locket with the picture of Abby in it. Second Karl’s dog tags with his name and serial number etched onto them. Third a key which Karl said is nothing just a memento. Charlie gave Karl back his chain and then went upstairs to give Ruth her breakfast.\n\nWhen Charlie got back downstairs Karl and a few other people were having breakfast. Charlie got out a bowl of cereal and sat down to eat. “So is there any more things you’ve decide to show and tell me or do I finally know some of the things that happened to you out there,” said Charlie. Karl looked at him for a moment before saying. “The only thing I haven’t told you is about my tattoo.” Charlie laughed and then said. \n\n“Wait you were serious well go on then show us.” Karl rolled up his right sleeve to produce a flaming skull with the words 'Fight for your country, live for your loved ones, die for your friends'. “Very nice but I expected you to get a heart or something with Abby written on the inside,” said Charlie while Karl rolled his sleeve down and then rolled up his left sleeve to produce another tattoo. The other tattoo was a heart with crossed swords behind it and under the heart was just one name. “Abigail Melisa Isaac,” Charlie read before laughing again. “I don’t know why your laughing I haven’t told you how I got them yet,” said Karl rolling down his sleeve. Charlie stopped laughing and asked Karl to tell him how he got them. \n\n“Alright so when me and the lads had got are first leave before we were shipped off to Chi-hang. We all went for a night on the town. This was back when we were all young recruits with no ranks and no responsibilities. So we went out drinking to several bars and after some persuasion they got me drinking and while drunk I got the heart tattoo. The next morning of course I had a bad hangover. I couldn’t remember anything and after that wild night all I got was a heart on my left shoulder.”\n\n“Anyway so after are first tour of duty we were sent back to Chi-hang airfield and had another wild night on the town as we were glad we had all made it out alive. At this point Jack had been made sergeant and me corporal so we enjoyed are selves and this time I didn’t need much persuasion to drink. The next day I wake up with another bad hangover and the skull tattoo.”\n\n“I have therefore decided not to get drunk again in case I end up with a third tattoo probably on my arse somewhere.”  Now finished Karl got up and put his bowl in the sink. Charlie laughed for a little bit and then went upstairs. At about 8:15am Karl once again parked his Harley Davidson outside the veterinary clinic and he and Abby got off. “I like getting a lift it’s different from walking down every day,” said Abby as she opened the door to find Suvina already at the front desk working on some paper work. Abby went off to her surgery and Karl went off to the store cupboard to get out the vacuum cleaner to clean the carpets. \n\nAt 10:00am after Abby had seen to her only patient she was free until one o’clock. So she dragged Karl out to do some jobs for her including go down to the laundrette with everyone’s washing. Karl sorted out the coloured from the white and black clothing and then started putting them into separate machines. “Karl has that shirt been washed since you got back?” Abby asked as they were putting the colours in to one of the machines. “Err no that you mention it,” said Karl and that was all he had to say in the matter before Abby made him take his shirt off and shove it in with the others. Thankfully Karl was wearing a vest underneath.\n\n“Karl when did you get that tattoo? And what’s with the necklace?” Abby asked. “Oh year that’s right you didn’t notice either the last time you got my shirt off did you,” said Karl and Abby started to blush. Karl told her the stories about the tattoos and then explained about the pieces of his necklace. Abby giggled when Karl had finished before giving him a hug and saying. “So how long have you loved me then at least long enough to get a tattoo about it,” said Abby. Karl decided to answer by kissing her.\n\nThat night Karl decided to take Abby out. First a movie and then dinner at a posh restaurant or at least the best he could afford. It was around 11:00pm when they both got back and sat down on the couch in the living room. “So did you enjoy tonight?” Karl asked Abby as she started to fall asleep next to Karl. “Tonight was great thank you,” said Abby as she kissed Karl on the cheek. Karl kissed Abby’s forehead before they both fell asleep on the couch. \n\nBang, bang, bang. Karl woke up suddenly shouting, “Man your battle stations.” He then remembered that he wasn’t on hot-dog hill and no one was shooting at him. Karl looked down Abby was staring at him as if he was crazy. Karl then heard the banging again and realised it was someone knocking on the door. Karl walked to the front door after looking at his watch which said it was midnight. Karl opened the door to find Ginger. “Ginger what you doing here?” Karl asked as Abby came up behind Karl and hugged his waist. “Nice to see you too babe. Look we got a problem you remember the big job we pulled before we all got leave?” Ginger said leaning against the door frame. “Yeah what about it?” Karl said.\n\n“Well babe he’s here and looking for revenge and I don’t mean he’s just going to come round and butt fuck you he’s going to kill us and everyone we care about.” Ginger said before lighting a cigarette. “Shit this is bad,” said Karl. “Who is the guy you’re talking about?” Abby asked talking for the first time. “Babe we don’t know all we know is that he mistook are group of lads for some murderers and know he’s coming after us,” said Ginger. \n\n“Ginger come inside you don’t know if he followed you here,” said Karl. Ginger put out his cigarette and took one step inside before he felt a sharp pain in his back causing him to cry out. Abby screamed in shock. Karl grabbed Ginger and looked over his shoulder to see someone on a bicycle riding off in a hurry. Karl dragged Ginger inside and sat him on the couch and Karl looked at his left paw it was covered in blood. Ginger looked at Karl and said “Take this and get him for me would you babe.” Ginger handed Karl a brown envelope. Ginger looked at Karl and smiled. Karl bent down and pulled down ginger’s eyelids knowing that another old friend had gone.",
  "writing_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>A Dog&rsquo;s Life<br /><br />Chapter one<br />&ldquo;A Hobo&rsquo;s life for me&rdquo;<br /><br />The large town of little Eastwick looked normal from an outsiders point of view its only when you get closer you notice the inhabitants are different to that of a town on earth you see even with large three and two story houses, shops, cinemas and the odd park you would think this was earth well even with the large similarities there is one big difference Humans. There are no Humans instead you have every other creature walking on two legs and wearing clothes but little pollution because there are no cars but there are other vehicles. <br /><br />Karl walked down Park lane. It was a peaceful street considering its right next to the largest park in town. On one side of the road was the park no more than a grass field with a skate and play park in one corner with the football and cricket pitch in the other. On the other side of the road is a long line of two story and three story houses. Karl stopped outside a three story house. The house was tall and had white walls and had a green door with the name &ldquo;The Dog House&rdquo; stuck on to it alongside the number 34 just above the letter box.<br /><br />Karl looked at his watch it said 7:32pm. Karl then looked at the house he was standing in front of for a few minutes he noticed that one of the windows was broken and the front garden looked like a junkyard with a few small piles of rubbish on the dying grass. Karl was a tall German shepherd who had a large tall. He was covered from head to paws in singe marks and scares. He was sort of good looking considering all he had been through. He was wearing khaki trousers and a dark green sleeveless shirt with holes in it with a green jacket over his shoulder. He also carried a large green rucksack. He eyed the house with a puzzled look on his hairy face until he decided to knock on the door. When he knocked on the door a voice shouted from the inside, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be down in a minute.&rdquo;<br /><br />Karl looked more closely at the door the green paint was starting to peel off in places. The door opened and a short black and white furred girl looked up at Karl, &ldquo;Hello can I help you&rdquo; said the girl. Karl looked down at the small girl she was wearing a colourful jacket with a blue top underneath and grey trousers, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you recognise me Abby after all this time I thought you and the rest of the gang might recognise me,&rdquo; said Karl. Abby stared at Karl and then her eyes went wide and she gave Karl a hug. &ldquo;Oh my gosh Karl it&rsquo;s so good to see you when did you get back in the country. Why didn&rsquo;t you send a letter or something? What am I saying come inside. I have so much to ask you.&rdquo; said Abby and then allowed Karl to walk inside.<br /><br />Karl looked around, the house was certainly a lot cleaner on the inside then on the outside. The house was practically spotless. Karl dropped his bag and coat at the bottom of a staircase and Abby gestured for him to go into the sitting room and then went off into the kitchen. The living room was not considerably large and consisted of two small couches and a TV sitting on a small cabinet. There were two people sat in one of the couches while someone else was sleeping on the other.<br /><br />The two boys who were sat down both looked at Karl and said &ldquo;Who the fuck are you.&rdquo; The two boys looked and acted a lot like each other, they were both small and wearing &ldquo;I&rsquo;m with stupid&rdquo; shirts but one of the boys was blonde the other brunet. The young man sleeping on the couch looked older than the other two. He was tall grey haired with patches of black fur on his body. He looked like a type of wolf. He woke up when the two boys shouted at Karl.<br /><br />&ldquo;What&rsquo;s happening, what&rsquo;s all the shouting for some people are trying to sleep and who the fuck are you,&rdquo; said the wolf. Who got up and walked over to Karl and asked &ldquo;don&rsquo;t I now you from somewhere. No, no don&rsquo;t tell me. I&rsquo;ll get there eventually.&rdquo; Karl just looked at the wolf. The wolf was the same size as Karl and was wearing a leather jacket with a pair of jeans. &ldquo;Wait a second I can&rsquo;t be, but it is Karl buddy where&rsquo;ve you been. Me and the lads have missed you,&rdquo; said the wolf who then hugged Karl.<br /><br />The two boys stared at each other then at Karl then they both ran up to embrace Karl. &ldquo;That took you guys long enough. How you doing Chaz, Rob and little Luke,&rdquo; said Karl when they had all let go. &ldquo;Hey I am taller than all of you bitch,&rdquo; said Luke the small blonde dog. &ldquo;Put it there Karl you stupid mongrel,&rdquo; said Robert the small brunet dog. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve missed you Karl,&rdquo; said Charlie the wolf now crying into Karl&rsquo;s shoulder. Just then a very attractive female wolf walked into the room wearing a thin black shirt and red leather pants. <br /><br />&ldquo;Hey I wondered who was at the door welcome back Karl. Charlie are you okay?&rdquo; said the girl. Charlie stopped crying instantly and let go Karl. &ldquo;Of course I am I was only joking. You know that,&rdquo; answered Charlie looking at her with a hungry look on his face. &ldquo;Well in that case then meet me upstairs in few minutes okay,&rdquo; said the female wolf and she walked off upstairs. &ldquo;Was that Ruth?&rdquo; asked Karl surprised. &ldquo;Yeah I&rsquo;m one lucky guy aren&rsquo;t I. Well see you in an hour,&rdquo; said Charlie who then ran upstairs wolf whistling as he went.<br /><br />Karl, Robert and Luke sat down and started talking about things they have done while Karl was away. Abby walked in five minutes later carrying some dog biscuits and a few beers. &ldquo;And then. And then Rob looks at the rug and he goes there&rsquo;s something familiar about that carpet,&rdquo; said Luke who was telling a story to the other two. &ldquo;It took him another five minutes to discover that we had shaved off all his hair in the night and stuck it onto this rug.&rdquo; Now finished his story Luke was now rolling over the floor in fits of laughter. &ldquo;Right you two,&rdquo; said Abby looking at Rob and Luke. &ldquo;You guys have to help clean the front of this house tomorrow so you should get some sleep now.&rdquo; <br /><br />&ldquo;What but we are 18 and you&rsquo;re not are mother so why should we go to bed now,&rdquo; said Rob and Luke. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s my house so if you want to live here any longer you will do as you are told. So go,&rdquo; said Abby. Rob and Luke swore and made a few rude hand gestures at her and then went upstairs. &ldquo;Now that we are alone Karl there is something I have been wanting to ask you since you got back.&rdquo; said Abby now lying on Karl&rsquo;s shoulder. &ldquo;Oh yeah and what is that?&rdquo; Karl asked taking a swig of beer. &ldquo;Oh and thank you for the root beer,&rdquo; He took another gulp and then put the bottle down on a small coffee table.<br /><br />Karl started to stroke her nose. &ldquo;Well are you still a virgin and have you still not had a girlfriend?&rdquo; Abby asked after kissing Karl on the cheek. &ldquo;Yes I am still a virgin and yes I still have not had a girlfriend,&rdquo; Karl was about to grab a dog biscuit when Abby started to kiss him. In his mind Karl was listening to a song. It was a trick he had learnt when he discovered his favourite band and know if he remembered the entire song he could just listen to it in his head.<br /><br />While the song vibrator by Mot&ouml;rhead was playing inside Karl&rsquo;s head. Abby had managed to undress him down to his boxers which were black. Karl had not got that far with Abby&rsquo;s clothes having only just managed to take off her shirt. At this time though the door had just opened to reveal Ruth in a dressing gown and Charlie beside her in just a pair of white Boxers which has the sentence &lsquo;come play with my nuts&rsquo; written on them. &ldquo;Oh dear sorry we&rsquo;ll just go,&rdquo; says Ruth who goes back out of the door. &ldquo;Get in there Karl,&rdquo; says Charlie who leaves as well, closing the door behind him. &ldquo;Now I did not expect that to happen even more than me and you.&rdquo; Says Karl, Abby says &ldquo;Shhhh.&rdquo; Abby then starts to kiss Karl again and he manages to take all her clothes off. <br /><br />At about 7:00am the next morning Karl awoke the next morning to the sweet smell of strawberries. He sniffed around trying to find the source of the scent. The source was a very pretty, tall, big breasted female hedgefox which is a cross between a hedgehog and a fox. &ldquo;My, my Karl Hiner you lucky bastard. I didn&rsquo;t think I would see the day you got laid,&rdquo; says the girl who comes in and sits down on the free sofa. &ldquo;Well good morning to you too Suvina. May I just say that is one lovely fragrance your wearing,&rdquo; replies Karl wanting to put on some clean clothes but also not wanting to wake up Abby who is asleep on top off him with her head on his chest breathing calmly tickling the hairs on his chest.<br /><br />&ldquo;What is that beautiful smell,&rdquo; says Abby waking up and yawning. &ldquo;Oh hello Suvina. Hey what time is it anybody?&rdquo; says Abby getting off Karl and starting to search the room for her clothes. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s 7 o&rsquo;clock in the morning. The sun is shining those fucking birds are singing and. Do you need any help finding your clothes?&rdquo; Suvina says getting up and starting to look around the room. &ldquo;Hey Abby is it ok if I go get a shower before I put on some clothes because I haven&rsquo;t had a shower in a few days,&rdquo; says Karl who then gets up and stretches.<br /><br />&ldquo;Karl not everyone in this room wants to see that monster.&rdquo; Suvina shouted at him and then threw a pair of boxers at him. &ldquo;And yeah I&rsquo;m sure it&rsquo;s ok for you to have a shower.&rdquo; Suvina said going into the kitchen. Karl goes over to his rucksack and pulls out a towel, soap and large hunting knife. Karl puts everything in the towel and walks up stairs. After a bit of searching he finds the bathroom and has a warm long shower. Afterwards Karl decides to cut off some of his hair but he wanted to cut his hair the same way he has been cutting his hair for the past few years with his twelve inch long hunting knife.<br /><br />When he went back downstairs he found everyone in the kitchen having breakfast. As soon as Karl walked in there was an explosion of noise all twelve residents of the dog house shouted greetings to Karl a mixture a good mornings and welcome backs. After the noise died down and everyone was tucking into their various breakfasts Abby sat down next to Karl at the long table which the residents had just managed to squeeze in to the room and asked Karl &ldquo;What was it like Karl.&rdquo; As if by magic the entire table went silent and everyone looked at Karl. &ldquo;So you all want to know what it was like out there in that hell hole. Well all right then I&rsquo;ll tell you everything you want to know.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;Now before I start does anyone need to go to the toilet or something because I don&rsquo;t want to be interrupted,&rdquo; says Karl starting to eat his plate of bacon. Everyone except Karl, Abby, Charlie and Ruth ran as fast as they could for the toilet. &ldquo;Hey Karl have you cut your hair or something?&rdquo; Asked Charlie who was sat opposite Karl next to Ruth. &ldquo;I have now that you mention it,&rdquo; answered Karl getting up and putting his empty plate in the sink. &ldquo;But what did you cut it with I didn&rsquo;t see you take a pair a scissors or anything up to the shower this morning,&rdquo; chipped in Abby.<br /><br />&ldquo;Well I cut my hair with this,&rdquo; said Karl pulling his hunting Knife out of its sheath on his belt and putting the knife on the table. &ldquo;Fuck me that is one big knife,&rdquo; says Charlie picking up the knife and looking at it. &ldquo;Ow that is really sharp too,&rdquo; said Charlie after cutting his finger on the tip of the knife. &ldquo;Please stop that you&rsquo;re making me horny again,&rdquo; says Charlie when Ruth starts to suck his cut finger.<br /><br />Chapter two<br />&ldquo;A soldier&rsquo;s life for me&rdquo;<br /><br />Two years ago a civil war broke out in a country much like Vietnam. Karl and the rest of the young soldiers went over there to fight not because they believed in some cause but because they were ordered to go.&nbsp;&nbsp;Karl and the rest of his squad were based at Bar-hang city barracks at the start of the war waiting to be deployed in combat that happened at a place called Chi-hang or the end of the line as the soldiers renamed it. Karl and his squad spent two weeks in nothing but mud and rain in the middle of a rainforest surrounded by the enemy. Karl had nether even seen the enemy until the 25th of January his birthday when the enemies known as Congos attacked near Chi-hang and the small outpost on top of Hot-Dog hill where Karl was stationed.<br /><br />Karl awoke with the sun shining on his face he got up and looked around he was standing in a small trench that led down to a wooden bunker. Karl was wearing khaki trousers and a green sleeveless shirt. He picked up his M16 and his helmet and walked down the trench while saying hello to a few other soldiers who were awake. &ldquo;Good morning lieutenant. It&rsquo;s a nice day today isn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Karl to a great big bulldog called Jack. &ldquo;Aye so it is but we&rsquo;ve been getting reports all down the line of Congos attacking Chi-hang. It&rsquo;s stupid to think that there is a battle going that I&rsquo;m not fighting,&rdquo; said Jack looking through a pair of binoculars. Jack Bell was a champion boxer. A born fighter and leader but was kind to all the men.<br /><br />&ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad it&rsquo;s stopped raining both my uniform and me can dry out ready for the monsoon season to start all over again,&rdquo; said Karl leaning against the trench wall and looking out into the jungle where there was a shadow of someone looking at the base but as soon as Karl saw it. It was gone. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go wake up the others,&rdquo; said Karl and he turned to walk back the way he came. &ldquo;Good idea you nether now when something&rsquo;s going to happen I&rsquo;ll go help wake up the rest of the platoon as well,&rdquo; and with that Jack walked down the trench to where a small group of men were sleeping.<br /><br />&ldquo;Come on guys get up you haven&rsquo;t got all day,&rdquo; said Karl kicking the rest of his squad mates awake. The squad consists of five men. First there&rsquo;s Karl the corporal in charge second Duncan Crombi-Noble a large German shepherd dog like Karl with a funny sense of humour. Third Haydn Barnes a bad tempered husky who wears glasses fourth Brad Williamson a large simple gorilla the most heavily armed of the lot and last but not least Thomas Gardner a small bulldog with a shotgun.<br /><br />The men shook themselves awake and started to get their weapons together. &ldquo;Tom and Duncan. I want you two in the bunker on the MG, Hayden I want you on the radio in the bunker because if the Congos attack we&rsquo;ll need air support down here as fast as possible. Everyone else pick a spot on the trench wall and get comfortable,&rdquo; said Karl picking up his helmet and finding a comfy spot on the trench wall.<br /><br />&ldquo;This is bloody shit isn&rsquo;t it,&rdquo; said Brad now taking his cleaning kit out of his pack and starting to take apart his M60 SAW.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah I know but what would we be doing back home if we weren&rsquo;t here soldiering,&rdquo; said Jack who had just come back down the trench and sat down. &ldquo;Well I would be playing football or getting laid,&rdquo; said Brad. &ldquo;What about you Karl. What would you be doing back home,&rdquo; asked Jack. &ldquo;I think I would be living in some barracks some place. I mean my entire life the thing I have always wanted to do was be a soldier,&rdquo; answered Karl who was looking out into the jungle. He had seen the shadow again.<br /><br />&ldquo;Louie, Louie oh baby. We gotta go. Oh no,&rdquo; sang Karl now listening to a song in is head called Louie, Louie by Mot&ouml;rhead. &ldquo;Karl do you have to sing?&rdquo; Brad asked now shoving the ramrod down his gun barrel. &ldquo;It helps me to stay calm and after what I&rsquo;ve seen twice you&rsquo;ll be glad I&rsquo;m calm,&rdquo; said Karl now cocking his M16 and putting two spare clips on the trench wall. Suddenly in the jungle whistles are being blown the sounds of many angry men shouting are carried all the way up the hill to the men in the trenches. &ldquo;Finally a fight I&rsquo;ve been getting bored up here,&rdquo; shouts Jack cocking his M16 and aiming down the hill. &ldquo;What their attacking right now,&rdquo; shouts Brad quickly putting his SAW back together. &ldquo;Now my little girl, she&rsquo;s waiting for me. To catch a ship across the sea. On the ship you know I&rsquo;m all alone. I wonder if I&rsquo;ll ever make it home,&rdquo; sang Karl aiming down his sights.<br /><br />The Congos came running out of the trees waving swords and many AK-47 variants. The Congos are wearing black robes and large hats that look like funnels. The Congos were shouting various insults at the soldiers in the trenches. &ldquo;Open fire you sons O&rsquo; bitches,&rdquo; shouted Jack now shooting into the mass of Congos running at him. &ldquo;Three days and nights I sailed the sea. I think of girls O&rsquo; constantly. On the ship you know I&rsquo;m dreaming she&rsquo;s there. I smell the roses in her hair. Louie, Louie oh babe. Let&rsquo;s give it to them right now,&rdquo; sang Karl taking down about five Congos running up the hill.<br /><br />Meanwhile in the bunker Haydn was loading his 44 Magnum while trying to reach battalion HQ on the radio to bring in air support. Duncan was using a Browning 50cal MG through the bunker window while Tom was firing a China-lake out the window when Duncan was reloading the MG. &ldquo;Bulldog cover me I&rsquo;m reloading,&rdquo; shouts Karl to Jack. Karl then puts a new magazine in his M16. Two planes then fly over strafing the Congos running up the hill.<br /><br />&ldquo;Haydn must have finally got through to HQ. Thank God for that good timing,&rdquo; shouted Karl looking up at the planes and hearing all the men in the trenches give a loud cheer. &ldquo;Karl look out,&rdquo; shouted Brad but it was too late a Congo had jumped over the trench wall and had lunged at Karl with a large knife.&nbsp;&nbsp;Karl was pushed to floor with Congo on top of him trying to force the knife into Karl&rsquo;s chest. Karl managed to force the knife upwards and when the Congo lunged again the knife blade went down the side of Karl&rsquo;s face leaving a large deep gash. Karl shouts out in pain and suddenly the Congo&rsquo;s head exploded showering Karl&rsquo;s face in fresh warm blood.<br /><br />&ldquo;Shit you okay Karl,&rdquo; said Haydn who was pushing the dead Congo off Karl. &ldquo;Yeah I&rsquo;m okay most of this blood isn&rsquo;t mine,&rdquo; said Karl gesturing at his very bloody face. Karl looked around at the rest of the men. Duncan had been shot in the arm. Thomas was covered in mud and bits of flesh. Brad had sat down and was taking a drink from his canteen. Haydn was reloading his still smoking 44 Magnum and Jack was chucking another dead Congo out of the trench.<br /><br />&ldquo;Karl go see the medic he&rsquo;s in a bunker nearer the top of the hill. Duncan go with him,&rdquo; said Jack chucking the body of the Congo that had attacked Karl out of the trench. Karl and Duncan headed up the hill looking for the medic passing other injured crying out in pain on stretches. &ldquo;Poor bastards,&rdquo; said Duncan when he and Karl passed a gorilla with his legs missing and screaming in pain.<br /><br />&ldquo;There you go corporal,&rdquo; said the surgeon after he had finished sewing up Karl&rsquo;s head. Karl got down from the bench he was sat on and went to find a mirror. Karl looked at the long cut on his face. The cut ran from the bottom of his chin to the top of his head just above his right ear. The surgeon who was now sewing up Duncan&rsquo;s left arm was called Bobby Ducksbury he was a tall greyhound but with a very short and flat nose which would explain the name thought Karl as he looked around at the small bunker now turned field hospital. There was about twenty wounded all being cared for by one of the five medics, the three surgeons or the two female nurses.<br /><br />&ldquo;Would you like a drink,&rdquo; said a sweet sounding voice from behind Karl. Karl turned around and looked down to find he was facing a very cute looking nurse. &ldquo;Would you like a drink?&rdquo; She asked Karl again holding up a metal cup. &ldquo;Yes thank you,&rdquo; said Karl taking the cup off her and taking a small swig of the water. <br /><br />&ldquo;Do I know you from somewhere?&rdquo; The nurse asked taking the cup and having a drink from it herself. &ldquo;That depends on whether or not you went to lakes school in Little Eastwick,&rdquo; said Karl sitting down on an empty bed and taking out his small food box and started to eat the contents. &ldquo;Oh my gosh Karl,&rdquo; said the nurse sitting down next to him. The nurse was a Jack rabbit was about average height, wearing a green shirt and trousers underneath an apron covered in blood.<br /><br />&ldquo;It is you isn&rsquo;t it Karl,&rdquo; said the nurse again. &ldquo;Yeah it&rsquo;s me changed a lot since school haven&rsquo;t I,&rdquo; said Karl finishing off the biscuit he was eating.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Is there anyone else from school here?&rdquo; The nurse asked. &ldquo;Well there&rsquo;s Duncan over there being treated by Bobby. Jack is over at the North West bunker with Brad, Haydn and my friend Tom.&rdquo; Karl said putting his food box back in the pouch on his belt. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been here all this time and I nether realised there was so many people from school at this base,&rdquo; said the nurse hugging Karl. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s so good to see you Karl.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;Why are you here Darby especially since you were one of the last people I would have expected to be a nurse,&rdquo; said Karl putting his arm around Darby in a one armed hug. &ldquo;Well Harley didn&rsquo;t want to come out here alone so she got me to join up as well,&rdquo; said Darby letting go of Karl.<br /><br />&nbsp;&ldquo;Harley&rsquo;s here as well, wow.&rdquo; Said Karl getting up when he saw that Bobby had finished sewing up Duncan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hey I have to go but feel free to look up me and the rest of the guys,&rdquo; said Karl when Duncan came over. &ldquo;Hey Darby, come on Karl we&rsquo;d best be getting back,&rdquo; said Duncan and he and Karl walked back down to their part of the trench system.<br /><br />Five minutes after Karl and Duncan got back to their part of the trenches. Darby and Harley managed to find all the men cleaning their weapons. &ldquo;So she says what&rsquo;s with the lump in your trousers and I go well it&rsquo;s just a natural reaction when I see a beautiful woman,&rdquo; said Duncan telling all the lads a story. &ldquo;And then she asks how beautiful I think she really is then I say no I was talking about the fit barmaid and she slaps me in front of the entire pub,&rdquo; says Duncan now finished the story and putting his M14 back together.<br /><br />&ldquo;Hey guys,&rdquo; says Darby sitting down on a crate. &ldquo;Yeah hi,&rdquo; says Harley sitting on a jacket being used to cover up some of the mud that was the trench wall. &ldquo;Darby I wouldn&rsquo;t sit there if I was you,&rdquo; says Brad now reaching for a pair of sunglasses. &ldquo;Why shouldn&rsquo;t I sit here Brad,&rdquo; asks Darby. &ldquo;Because that box is full of dynamite and any stray spark could set it off,&rdquo; says Karl looking for his bottle of oil. &ldquo;What,&rdquo; shouts Darby standing up instantly. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s only kidding it&rsquo;s only full of grenades,&rdquo; said Jack coming out from behind the bunker.<br /><br />&ldquo;Okay guys stop shitting with me please,&rdquo; says Darby sitting down next to Harley.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So how has your morning been,&rdquo; asks Haydn now finished cleaning his Magnum. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s been awful. All those poor guys who are wounded back there probably won&rsquo;t make it through the night,&rdquo; says Harley taking off her glasses and giving them a quick clean and putting them back on again. &ldquo;Did you think it was any different down here,&rdquo; said Jack now taking his M16 apart to start cleaning it. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a few close shaves down here haven&rsquo;t we lads,&rdquo; said Jack indicating Karl&rsquo;s stitched up face and Duncan&rsquo;s left arm.<br /><br /><br />&ldquo;Yeah I know you guys have been through a bit but you&rsquo;re the lucky ones,&rdquo; said Harley. &ldquo;Aye your right but we have a long way to go in this war and not all of us are going to make it out alive or not wounded,&rdquo; said Karl getting up and leaning against the trench wall to look down at the jungle about 20 yards away. &ldquo;Hey Karl look what I found,&rdquo; says Tom throwing a knife at the trench a few inches away from Karl&rsquo;s hand. &ldquo;I thought you&rsquo;d like it. It&rsquo;s the Knife that Congo tried to stick you with.&rdquo;<br /><br />Chapter three<br />&ldquo;DIY SOS and a party&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;And that&rsquo;s how I got that monster,&rdquo; said Karl pointing at the Knife on the table. &ldquo;Oh and this of course,&rdquo; said Karl gesturing at the huge scar on his face. &ldquo;So what happened next then?&rdquo; asks Charlie who was trying to write his name in sausages. &ldquo;Well the rest of the story will keep for another time. So what&rsquo;s happening today?&rdquo; Karl asked after finishing off a glass of water.<br /><br />&ldquo;Today everyone&rsquo;s pitching in to help clean up the front of the house,&rdquo; said Abby now resting her head on Karl&rsquo;s shoulder. &ldquo;Ok that will give me something to do today before I go out job hunting,&rdquo; said Karl standing up and putting his empty glass in the sink and then starting to do the washing up. &ldquo;Why do you need to go out job hunting your still in the army,&rdquo; said Ruth who had her hands down the front of Charlie&rsquo;s jeans.<br /><br />&ldquo;I need something to occupy my time while I&rsquo;m here because I haven&rsquo;t taken some time off in a long time so the army has to kick me out for a few months,&rdquo; answered Karl finishing the washing up. Everyone then goes outside to help clean up. Karl and Charlie are scraping the paint off the front door while everyone else is cleaning up the junk from the front lawn. &ldquo;So what was it like?&rdquo; Charlie asked unscrewing the sign that says &lsquo;The Dog House.&rsquo; &ldquo;What are you talking about?&rdquo; Karl answered now picking the right colour paint to put on the door.<br /><br />&ldquo;Come on I walked in on you undressing Abby while half naked I think I can imagine what happened next,&rdquo; said Charlie while he and Karl started to paint the front door. &ldquo;Did you tell anyone else what you had seen back there?&rdquo; Asked Karl slightly worried. &ldquo;No of course not me and Ruth have told no one but I still want to know,&rdquo; said Chaz now deciding whether to take off the letterbox door. &ldquo;If you must know after you left was the most amazing and the happiest moment of my life so far,&rdquo; said Karl now finished painting part of the door. &ldquo;Was Abby a virgin when we you know?&rdquo; Karl asked. &ldquo;I believe she was I don&rsquo;t particularly know since I&rsquo;m not allowed to have sex with other women anymore according to Ruth,&rdquo; said Charlie who had now managed to take off the letterbox door.<br /><br />&ldquo;So are Abby and you now going out or what?&rdquo; Asked Charlie when Ruth and a red squirrel wearing a large green jacket walked over. &ldquo;Hey Karl is it true you and Abby did it on the couch?&rdquo; The squirrel asked sitting down so that her head was resting on Karl&rsquo;s leg. &ldquo;Yes it is but Jess how do you know about that?&rdquo; Said Karl puzzled. &ldquo;Well I might have let a few things slip during breakfast,&rdquo; said Charlie. &ldquo;Looks like Aaron needs help I&rsquo;d better get back to work I&rsquo;ll see you guys latter,&rdquo; said Jess rushing off to go help Aaron a tall red squirrel.<br /><br />While everyone was cleaning up the front of the house the postman walked down Park lane looking for house number 34. &ldquo;This must be it,&rdquo; he said looking at &ldquo;The Dog House&rdquo; with all twelve residents cleaning up the front of the house. &ldquo;Excuse me is this house number 34 referred to as the dog house?&rdquo; The postman asked Karl and Charlie. &ldquo;Yes why do you have some mail for someone that lives here?&rdquo; Karl asked the postman while standing up. <br /><br />&ldquo;Yes twelve letters now where are they?&rdquo; the postman said looking in his bag. &ldquo;Ah here we are. Abby Isaac, Charlie Winstanley,&nbsp;&nbsp;Suvina Alderson, Johnny Walker, Robert Young, Luke Jelly, Edward Chaplin, Jessica Salmon-Smith, Aaron Raines, Tiree Withers, Karl Hiner.&rdquo; Said the postman taking out a letter in turn one for each of the people&rsquo;s names he read out plus an extra letter. &ldquo;There you go,&rdquo; said the postman handing the letters to Karl and then started to walk down the road.<br /><br />Karl went off to deliver the letters to the right people while Charlie continued painting the door. After he had finished delivering the letters Karl sat down on the front step next to Charlie now being hugged by Ruth. &ldquo;So what&rsquo;s in the letter?&rdquo; Karl asked now opening his letter and starting to read. &ldquo;By the look of it everyone&rsquo;s been invited to some bitch&rsquo;s party,&rdquo; said Charlie sniffing his letter. &ldquo;Hey lavender,&rdquo; said Karl sniffing his letter as well. &ldquo;Hang on does yours say who there from because mine doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Charlie turning to look at Karl while Ruth read her letter.<br /><br />&ldquo;No mine doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Ruth looking up to see Abby walking towards them. &ldquo;Come on guys you have to finish painting the door,&rdquo; said Abby crossing her arms and looking like an angry mother telling her children off. Everyone quickly got back to work. &ldquo;So are we going to that party?&rdquo; Asked Charlie now finished painting his half of the door. &ldquo;Well I&rsquo;m going if you&rsquo;re going because I want to have someone to talk to,&rdquo; said Karl now finished his half of the door and then helping Charlie put the sign saying &ldquo;The Dog House&rdquo; back on.<br /><br />Karl quickly glanced at his watch it had been 7:29pm when they set off for the party his watch now said 8:02pm. It had been one long ride on the various vehicles. Karl, Charlie and Edward owned motorbikes but everyone else had to ride in Aaron&rsquo;s ex-army Deuce and a half truck. Everyone except Abby and Ruth that is they had decided to ride on the backs of Karl&rsquo;s and Charlie&rsquo;s bikes. They were using an address that had been on the letter instead of a name. The address was for some sort of club in Eastwick the sister town of little Eastwick.<br /><br />They finally found the club on the corner of Main Street. The club was called the blue dolphin. It looked really posh and all fancy looking. Everyone got off their assorted vehicles and lined up outside the door to be inspected by the bouncers. The bouncers were all big gorillas they asked everyone there name and said whether you were allowed to go in. Everyone got inside and were mesmerised by the inside decor. The inside of the club was covered in different coloured lights. It had a bar, an eating area and a huge dance floor attached to a stage.<br /><br />&ldquo;This is quite something isn&rsquo;t it,&rdquo; said Karl before asking everyone what drinks they would like then he went off to get them while everyone sat down in the eating area. The Barman asked if Karl wanted some help taking the drinks back but Karl refused he liked to do things on his own. Karl sat down with Abby, Ruth and Charlie. Everyone else just found their own table. Karl looked around it seemed that everyone that hadn&rsquo;t just walked in was looking at the stage probably waiting for someone to make a speech thought Karl.<br /><br />At that point someone did get up on stage. A posh looking snow leopard wearing a suit with a pair of blue trainers. &ldquo;Good evening ladies and gentlemen,&rdquo; said the leopard. &ldquo;I have invited you all here to reintroduce you to someone. That person is me. You see my name is Chris Ellison.&rdquo; When Chris said this everyone started to break out in groups of whispered mutterings. <br /><br />&ldquo;You see when I left school I didn&rsquo;t keep track of many people so I have invited you here to this club which I own. To meet up with old friends and make some new ones because not everyone here was in my year at school. So please have a good time, request any song from the DJ and all food and drinks are half price. So enjoy.&rdquo; Now finished Chris got down off the stage and went over to the bar.<br /><br />&ldquo;Did Chris just say that he had invited all the people from school?&rdquo; Karl asked turning to look at Abby. &ldquo;I think he did,&rdquo; said Abby now looking around. &ldquo;In that case then I&rsquo;ll be back in about five minutes. I&rsquo;m going to look for a few people,&rdquo; said Karl getting up and walking off. &ldquo;Where off as well,&rdquo; said Charlie getting up with Ruth and going over to Chris to ask if there are any bedrooms upstairs. &ldquo;Great guys just leave me on my own why don&rsquo;t you!&rdquo; Abby said before having some of her drink.<br /><br />Karl walked around the club. As he walked he spotted a few people he knew. Ben Wheeler and Sophie Moore were having a snog over by the bar. Conner Mcavoy, Josh Graham, Sam Naylor, Dylan Parkinson, Harry Grimes, Ben Gibson and Adam Southworth were on the dance floor with Nicole Bewley, Sophie Gildert, Brittany Irwin, Molly Parry and Kim Wilson. Jamie Booth was with Emma Panter at the Bar talking. Karl had nearly walked halfway around the club when he spotted them. Jack Bell, Duncan Crombie-Noble, Brad Williamson, Thomas Gardner, Bobby Ducksbury, Darby Scafie and Harley Wade all sitting in a corner around one large table with three other people Karl didn&rsquo;t know.<br /><br />&ldquo;Alright Karl come here and sit down with us,&rdquo; said Jack sitting next to a very pretty wolf. Karl sat down on a chair next to Tom. &ldquo;So how have you guys been doing I haven&rsquo;t seen or heard a peep out of you in a month,&rdquo; said Karl looking at the three people he didn&rsquo;t recognise. &ldquo;And who are these two lovely ladies and this handsome chap?&rdquo; Karl asked indicating the pretty wolf that was sat next to Jack. The fox sat next to Duncan and the large male Great Dane sat next to Harley.<br /><br />Before anyone could answer on stage a few lads had started to set up equipment and instruments. When they had finished Dan Salter, Damon Gregg and Charlie had got up onstage. &ldquo;Could I have your attention please ladies and gentlemen. Me and the guys have decided that the music being played is no good so we thought we would play if that&rsquo;s ok with you Chris?&rdquo; Dan said looking at Chris for an answer. Chris nodded and the three lads on stage got into position Damon on drums Charlie on bass guitar and Dan on lead guitar. After asking what song to play from some of the people that where in the crowd now gathering beneath them. The lads on stage started to play Back in Black by AC/DC. <br /><br />&ldquo;Now what was I saying oh yeah I was asking who the people I don&rsquo;t know are,&rdquo; said Karl turning back around to talk to his old friends. &ldquo;Well this beautiful little thing sat next to me is my girlfriend Jess.&rdquo; Said Jack indicating the wolf sat next to him. Karl said hello to Jess and then said &ldquo;And so who is the good looking fox?&rdquo; &ldquo;Karl it&rsquo;s me Lily. Did you leave some of your brains back at Bar-Hang,&rdquo; said Lily the fox that was sat next to Duncan. &ldquo;I might have it would explain the strange things that I have done since I got home,&rdquo; said Karl taking off one of shoes so that he could rub his sore foot. <br /><br />&ldquo;Karl put your fucking disgusting feet away,&rdquo; said Darby punching Karl in the shoulder. &ldquo;Hey Karl why is there a huge scar on that foot?&rdquo; Jack asked now taking a good look at Karl&rsquo;s foot. &ldquo;What don&rsquo;t you remember?&rdquo; Karl said putting his shoe back on. Everyone shook their heads except Tom and Darby. &ldquo;In that case then I&rsquo;ll remind all of you,&rdquo; said Karl leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of his coke.<br /><br />Chapter four<br />&ldquo;Shake A Leg&rdquo;<br /><br />Hot-dog hill had been compromised. All the military personal that were stationed there had to fall back to Chi-Hang to reinforce the garrison there. The wounded and most of the battalion were travelling to Chi-Hang by truck using the larger jungle tracks to get there as fast as possible. Alpha company and anyone else that wanted to were walking to Chi-Hang along the eastern road that was used by the supply convoys but the eastern road was dangerous as the Congos attacked daily now.<br /><br />As Karl walked down the small dusty road he had a strange feeling that he was being watched by other than friendly eyes. Karl was wearing his khaki trousers, green sleeveless shirt and his green jacket not done up because of the heat. Karl was on point leading the way for the rest of his squad plus three medical personal. The three medical personal Bobby, Darby and Harley were classed as non-combatants meaning they were not allowed to carry weapons normally but before the rest of the battalion had left Karl had requested a few weapons for the medical personal just in case.<br /><br />The two long lines of people walked slowly along the road. Alpha company was using the double line formation to move along the road meaning that there was a line of people on each side of the road with no one walking straight down the middle. Karl was leading the two long lines with the rest of his squad but Karl was the point man which meant he was the furthest up front of the group which was the most important and most dangerous job. If the point man sees the enemy he will be the first to kill or be killed which was why Karl liked being on point. Karl had nether liked school he didn&rsquo;t really like his childhood and the only real place he felt at home was in the middle of a battle he had been like that all of his life.<br /><br />Karl looked around beside the dusty road he was walking along there wasn&rsquo;t much to look at just the endless jungle. &ldquo;Sir now seems like a good time to take break don&rsquo;t you think?&rdquo; Karl shouted behind him to Jack. Jack agreed and told everyone to take a break. Most just sat down on the edge of the road a few including Karl stayed standing up looking for the enemy. Darby looked at Karl for a few minutes before she got up and went over to him. &ldquo;Karl why don&rsquo;t you take a break you and everyone else have been working hard today?&rdquo; Darby asked Karl. Karl looked at her for a little while lost in thought before he answered. <br /><br />&ldquo;Because I&rsquo;m good at what I do. To stay good at what I do I have to keep everyone from getting hurt and stay constantly vigilant,&rdquo; Karl finally answered after taking off his helmet and scratching behind his big ears. &ldquo;Answer me this question Karl how can you enjoy killing so much?&rdquo; Darby said sitting down on a large rock on the edge of the road. &ldquo;You think I enjoy killing people. No I don&rsquo;t like killing I&rsquo;m just very good at it and I can easily keep my emotions under control so I can keep killing,&rdquo; said Karl sitting down on the rock next to Darby taking off his heavy large green rucksack.<br /><br />&ldquo;Sunrise, wrong side of another day, Sky high and six thousand miles away, Don&#039;t know how long I&#039;ve been awake, Wound up in an amazing state, Can&#039;t get enough, And you know it&#039;s righteous stuff, Goes up like prices at Christmas,&rdquo; Sang Karl now whittling a stick with his large hunting knife. &ldquo;Karl why do you always sing?&rdquo; Darby asked. Karl stopped whittling for a second to think and then said &ldquo;Well it helps to keep me calm when ether I&rsquo;m scared, nervous or angry and before you ask the reason I&rsquo;m singing badly now is because I&rsquo;m nervous and scarred.&rdquo; Karl then carried on whittling the stick. <br /><br />&ldquo;Are you scared because we could be attacked at any moment and you might die?&rdquo; Darby asked Karl then she asked &ldquo;And what are you nervous about?&rdquo; Karl threw the stick away and put the knife back in its sheath. &ldquo;Yes I&rsquo;m a little bit scared because we might be attacked and killed. I&rsquo;m nervous because I am sat here talking to you. You see when ether I have a conversation to a girl that is around the same age as me I find it hard to talk because I get this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach,&rdquo; said Karl now getting up and putting on his rucksack. Jack could be heard shouting for everyone to get up and keep moving. Karl got back on point on his own the way he liked it. Darby just looked at Karl and decided to walk with him. She wanted to know more about the strange person that was Karl Hiner a known military freak with a bad temper<br /><br />Karl looked at the road ahead. The dirt on the road was slightly darker than the rest of the dirt. Karl put up his hand to tell everyone behind him to stop moving. Karl then slowly walked forward with his M16 butt placed into his shoulder. Karl took five steps forward before it happened. On the sixth step Karl had stepped on some punji sticks causing Karl to scream out in pain. Punji sticks are sharpened sticks of bamboo put in holes in the ground with the points facing upwards and when you stand on them the punji sticks go straight through your foot.<br /><br />Karl fell on to floor still shouting in pain. Karl had thankfully stood on only one punji stick but it was still painful. When Karl had started screaming Tom and Darby had ran other to see what was wrong. &ldquo;Oh shit,&rdquo; said Tom kneeling beside Karl and dropping his shotgun. &ldquo;Pull it out. Pull it out,&rdquo; screamed Karl. Darby knelt next to Karl and held him down as Tom pulled out the punji stick. &ldquo;Karl we have to take off the boot,&rdquo; said Tom after he had pulled out the punji stick. &ldquo;Just do it fast and don&rsquo;t cut it off,&rdquo; shouted Karl he was still in great pain even with the punji stick pulled out.<br /><br />Tom carefully took of Karl&rsquo;s boot while Darby kept Karl held down. Karl let out at a sigh after they took off his boot. Tom got out his first aid kit out of his bag and gave it to Darby. Darby tended to the wound. The rest of the squad had now moved up and was within a metre radius of Karl, Tom and Darby. &ldquo;There I&rsquo;ve done it,&rdquo; said Darby giving back the first aid kit to Tom and they both helped Karl up. &ldquo;Tom go cut me a crutch from a tree would you,&rdquo; said Karl handing Tom his hunting knife. Tom went to make a crutch while Darby put Karl leaning against a tree.<br /><br />&ldquo;Do you want me to put your boot in your bag?&rdquo; Darby asked Karl, he just shook his head and tied the boot laces to one of the straps on his bag. &ldquo;Thank you Darby you probably saved my foot from amputation,&rdquo; said Karl now looking slightly green in the face. &ldquo;Do you want your rifle back?&rdquo; Darby asked Karl after she had ran and got it. &ldquo;No I&rsquo;ll be useless with that thing if I&rsquo;m using crutches no I&rsquo;ll just use this,&rdquo; said Karl reaching into his bag with great difficulty and pulling out a stakeout shotgun.<br /><br />Tom came over a few minutes later with a crutch for Karl. Karl put on his rucksack and now armed with the stakeout and with help from Darby now carrying an M16 which made her look smaller Karl took Tom&rsquo;s place near the back of the two lines while Tom took point. The formation moved around the part of the road that was now known to contain punji sticks and carried on moving they reached the airfield at Chi-Hang at midnight several hours after Karl stepped on the punji stick.<br /><br />At sunrise the next morning Alpha company and everyone who had marched was given the day to relax. Karl was sat down in a deck chair with his leg propped up on a couple of crates of beer. Karl was the watching the football game between his squad and the medical personal amazingly the medics were wining. The airfield where everyone was at was made of one runway, three hangers, six helicopter pads plus a few anti-aircraft guns. Karl was sat next to the airfield HQ which was no more than an underground concrete bunker with a few trees growing next to it.<br /><br />&ldquo;Come on now move it, move it,&rdquo; shouted Karl at his sweaty squad mates. A few helicopters flew over the base, turned around and then landed on the runway next to the medical building. The football game stopped instantly and everyone rushed off to go help the wounded on the helicopters. Karl sat watching the screaming soldiers get carried off the Hueys and wished that he could do something but his wounded foot was still painful to step on.<br /><br />A tall hedgehog walked out of the HQ and sat down in a deck chair next to Karl. &ldquo;Hey you want a beer? You look like you could use one.&rdquo; Karl told the hedgehog when he sat down. &ldquo;I could use a beer but I have to be in the right frame of mind for what I need to do next,&rdquo; said the hedgehog taking off the green cap he was wearing and scratched his head. &ldquo;I tell you what Mack I don&rsquo;t really feel sorry for those guys over there because they&rsquo;ll probably be going home,&rdquo; said Karl to the Hedgehog. &ldquo;I feel sorry for the officer who ordered them into battle because he will have millions of deaths on his conscious when this shits all over.&rdquo;<br /><br />The hedgehog looked at Karl for a few minutes before he said &ldquo;That is the smartest and most accurate piece of information I have heard all day and you know what. You&rsquo;re absolutely right I will have millions of deaths on my conscious when this is over.&rdquo; Karl looked at the hedgehog for a minute taking in the information he had just said when a tall fox came over to the two men. &ldquo;General we have incoming reports that are reinforcements and supplies won&rsquo;t get here for two days,&rdquo; said the fox to the hedgehog who stood up. &ldquo;Wait your, you&rsquo;re a general. Shit sir I&rsquo;m so sorry,&rdquo; said Karl grabbing his crutch and standing to attention. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s okay sit back down and relax. What&rsquo;s your name by the way?&rdquo; The general said to Karl. <br /><br />&ldquo;Corporal Karl Hiner sir,&rdquo; said Karl before he sat back down in his chair. &ldquo;It was good meeting you Karl. I&rsquo;ll see you later,&rdquo; said the general and he and the fox disappeared back down into the HQ. Karl just thought for a minute. He decided to not tell anyone about his meeting with a general besides no one would believe him. The football game had resumed now that everyone was back. Unable to play Karl just sat there handing out beer cans to anyone who asked. <br /><br />The next day Karl&rsquo;s foot was still bandaged but he could walk on it now. So he spent most of his time walking around the base. If he wasn&rsquo;t walking he was probably on the firing range trying to improve his already good accuracy. At 09:32pm all of Able Company was told to go a mission briefing. Karl sat down in one of the many rows of chairs and looked forward at a large map on a wooden board. A few minutes later the company commander Captain Adam Robinson stood up next to the map and waited for silence.<br /><br />&ldquo;Good afternoon gents. Tomorrow will be a very important day. You see we are going to counter attack against the Congos. We are going to be helicopter dropped into this valley here on the map. Are job will be take that valley hold it and when the relief convoy arrives push on to take this town. We shall be getting into the choppers at ten hundred hours tomorrow so get ready, get some sleep and if you haven&rsquo;t already be shore to set up a will with the staff Sergeant. That is all now get some sleep you dirty apes.&rdquo; Said the Captain and everyone stood up and left the briefing tent.<br /><br />At 10:02am the next day Karl was sat down on the grass field that was the helicopter pads with the rest of his squad. Karl and his squad were going to be in the first wave and so they had the most dangerous task. Their job was to hold the entire valley for half an hour before the rest of the company arrived. According to intelligence there was 300 Congos hidden in the valley in a huge tunnel network. The Hueys arrived at five past ten. Karl and his squad got into one of the Hueys. The Huey was small it carried only about one squad of men plus two door gunners and two pilots. <br /><br />&ldquo;Hey Karl there&rsquo;s 300 Congos in this valley right,&rdquo; said Tom who was sitting directly opposite Karl. Karl nodded and then Tom said &ldquo;So you&rsquo;re telling me one company of about thirty guys has to fight 300 Congos.&rdquo; Karl looked at Tom and nodded again. &ldquo;This is going to be one shit day isn&rsquo;t it,&rdquo; said Tom to anyone that could him hear him over the noise of the engine. The Hueys flew high above a river they were using it as a marker as it lead straight to the valley. The Congos though new this and had set up antiaircraft defences all along the river so fifteen minutes into the journey the Hueys were being shot at.<br /><br />The front of Karl&rsquo;s Huey was on fire it had just been shot by a set of stray bullets. The pilot told the soldiers to hold on. The pilot managed to ditch the Huey into the river. &ldquo;Is everyone okay?&rdquo; Karl shouted to the survivors. A few voices said yes. Karl looked around quickly water was coming in from the bottom of the doors. Karl guessed that they had two minutes before the entire helicopter was under water. Karl wrenched one of the doors open and everyone got out. The survivors swam towards the shore once there everyone took a minute to rest.<br /><br />Karl looked at the survivors there was Tom, Brad, Jack, Duncan and Haydn. The pilot and the rest of the crew were dead. Brad also had a broken leg. Most of their equipment was lost in the crash. Karl only had his shotgun, Tom only had his China-lake, Haydn&rsquo;s radio was broken, Brad had only his Colt pistol and Jack and Duncan didn&rsquo;t have much ammunition for their rifles.<br /><br />&ldquo;What now sir?&rdquo; Karl asked Jack who turned around to look at Karl. &ldquo;Well if the choppers were heading down the river towards the valley. We could head that way or we could make are way back to the base by going the opposite way,&rdquo; said Jack standing up and waiting for everyone&rsquo;s answer. Everyone agreed that they should follow the river to the valley even if it meant a dangerous trek through enemy occupied jungle.<br /><br />Karl was on point followed by Haydn and Brad. Brad now had his leg in a splint so he could now walk. Then came Jack with Duncan bringing up the rear. Through the jungle following the river they marched for about an hour nothing happened except a few near misses with land mines and punji sticks. The lads were all experts now with traps and camouflage.&nbsp;&nbsp;One hour and a half after the crash they found an enemy bridge surrounded by defences the lads all looked at it and tried to decide what to do. &ldquo;Well should we sneak around or should we just blow it up?&rdquo; Brad asked everyone else.<br /><br />&ldquo;I say let&rsquo;s blow it up. You nether know it might end up helping the rest of the company,&rdquo; said Karl now looking at the bridge through a pair of binoculars. &ldquo;Well then let&rsquo;s split up. Karl and Tom you go find something to blow up the bridge with and when you get back. Haydn and Brad will go take out the defences on this side of the river. Me and Duncan will take care of the other side while you two will set the bridge to be blown up.&rdquo; Jack said to Karl and Tom. Karl and Tom snuck off into the undergrowth of the jungle and headed for the small village on their side of the river.<br /><br />Fifteen minutes later Karl and Tom were on the edge of the village. The two were standing against the wall of a house. Karl looked around the corner. He saw two Congos standing at the opening to an alley way smoking and chatting. Karl pulled out his knife and gestured for Tom to follow him. Karl grabbed one of the Congos from behind and shoved his knife into his kidneys. Tom hit the other Congo over the head with his china-lake.<br /><br />After a bit of running through alleyways Karl and Tom found a Congo ammunition storage bunker. Karl and Tom crawled up to the two guards at the entrance. At the same time Karl and Tom stood up the guards turned around. Karl stabbed the guard facing him in the eye making the body convulse for a few seconds. Tom kicked the other in the balls, then the head and finished off the guard with another kick to the head. While all this was happening Duncan had found his sniper rifle scope, had climbed up a tree and was now watching Tom and Karl as they made their way through the village. &ldquo;How are they doing?&rdquo; Jack asked Duncan. &ldquo;They got through the village okay. It looks like they have just found some sort of storage bunker,&rdquo; Duncan answered Jack who passed him a canteen they just filled in the river.<br /><br />Tom and Karl tiptoed into the underground bunker. It was dark so Karl got out his lighter. Karl didn&rsquo;t smoke but he always found it handy to carry a lighter. Karl found an old oil lamp so he lit it and hung it up on a hook on the ceiling. Tom and Karl looked around the room. It was littered with guns, crates of ammunition and a few other things. &ldquo;Hey Karl look over here,&rdquo; Tom whispered pointing at a few small crates. Karl went over to the crates and opened one with his knife. Karl looked inside then turned to look at Tom and smiled.<br /><br />&ldquo;Oh shit, shit, shit, shit!&rdquo; Duncan shouted making everyone walk over to him. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s wrong?&rdquo; Jack asked Duncan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;The Congos have found the dead bodies there about to raise the alarm and find Karl and Tom.&rdquo; Duncan said turning to look at the rest of the men. At the village officers started to blow whistles the sound could be heard by Duncan and the others and also by Karl and Tom in the bunker. &ldquo;Tie me down and fuck me sideways! Tom grab an AK and cover me,&rdquo; said Karl grabbing two of the small crates. The two ran outside. Tom shot five Congos in the back with a stolen AK-47 and then carried on running down the main street with Karl right behind him.<br /><br />Tom and Karl ran as fast as they could down the main street of the small village heading for the bridge. Tom was shooting Congos as best he could with Karl right behind him trying to dodge bullets. The two were about five metres from the bridge when a truck drove down the street and a Congo on the back opened fire with a mounted machine gun. Karl was hit once in the lower back and once in the right arse cheek. Karl fell to ground crying out in pain and Tom was hit in the arse causing his tail to be ripped off by the bullet. <br /><br />The Congo operating the mounted machine gun was shot in the head causing his it to explode. Karl and Tom looked around for the person who had made the kill shot but then Jack and Haydn came running over to them. Haydn grabbed Tom&rsquo;s AK in one hand and grabbed Tom under the armpit with the other hand. Jack gave Karl his M16 and then lifted Karl onto his shoulders. Jack and Haydn then carried Tom and Karl to the bridge. Brad came limping in grabbed the two small crates Karl had dropped and carried them to the bridge. <br /><br />While this was happening Duncan had not only shot the Congo using the mounted machine gun but also about ten other Congos. The bridge was made of wood with metal boards on the top to give it more support. On either side of the river there were wooden support beams leading from the river bank to the bridge. <br /><br />Jack and Haydn were using the dynamite that was in the small crates to blow up the centre of the bridge and some of the wooden support beams. &ldquo;So how has your day been so far?&rdquo; Karl asked Tom through clenched teeth and holding the place where a bullet had gone straight through him. The two were lying in a large hole next to the bridge with Brad looking after them with an AK-47. <br /><br />&ldquo;Looks like that shirt of yours is ruined,&rdquo; said Tom trying to tie a bandage around the large hole in his arse where his tail once was. &ldquo;Hey check it out Tom look at my lighter,&rdquo; said Karl holding up his lighter to see the huge indent and a large bullet that had lodged it&rsquo;s self in the indent. &ldquo;Your lighter saved your arse Ha, Ha,&rdquo; laughed Tom looking at the lighter. Jack and Haydn came running over to small group. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve planted the charges but we have no way of setting them off. How were you going to set them off?&rdquo; Jack said to Karl while applying a field dressing on Karl&rsquo;s bullet wound. Karl reached into one of his many pockets and pulled out a few incendiary bullets. &ldquo;I thought I might get lucky,&rdquo; said Karl putting the bullets back in his pocket. <br /><br />Brad carrying Tom, Jack carrying Karl and Haydn firing at the Congos and in that order they ran across the bridge were Duncan was now waiting for them crouched beside a tree. &ldquo;Hurry up those bastards are catching up with you!&rdquo; Duncan shouted as Jack ran past him and down into a gully. Jack took the incendiary bullets off Karl put them in his M16 and aimed at the dynamite. <br /><br />&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re going to blow that dynamite do it now!&rdquo; Haydn shouted running past Duncan and carrying on down the road to find Brad and Tom. Jack fired two shots he missed the dynamite on both tries. Karl asked for the M16. Jack gave it to him. Karl took careful aim and then fired.<br /><br />BOOM a tremendous explosion shook the ground all around the bridge. The bridge was ripped in half one side stayed standing the other fell into the river in pieces. &ldquo;I felt lucky,&rdquo; said Karl while Jack just smiled and lifted Karl on to his back and went to find everyone else. Jack found everyone else at the top of a hill resting by a small stream. &ldquo;So what do we do now sir?&rdquo; Tom asked Jack when Jack had sat down. &ldquo;Well we have to keep moving so we get fifteen minutes rest here then we carry on following the river,&rdquo; said Jack and everyone nodded to show they were listening.<br /><br />Chapter five<br />&ldquo;Talk about Overkill&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;So that&rsquo;s why your foots got a huge scar on it and how you got that hole in your shirt,&rdquo; said Jess the wolf who was sat next to Jack. &ldquo;Yeah I was lucky that the bullet hit me just above the belt and it went straight through. It ruined my favourite shirt though. Hey I&rsquo;m off I&rsquo;ll see you guys later alright,&rdquo; said Karl standing up and walking off. He was going to see what happened to Abby when Charlie up on stage said &ldquo;Hey let&rsquo;s have a bit of live karaoke everybody. Get up here Karl I know you like to sing.&rdquo; Several people pushed Karl on stage against his protests. &ldquo;Alright I&rsquo;ll sing but I&rsquo;m not very good so I apologise,&rdquo; said Karl grabbing the microphone and taking centre stage.<br /><br />&ldquo;Well there are not many songs that I can sing all the way through so here goes,&rdquo; said Karl starting to sweat not just because of the bright lights pointed at him. &ldquo;Only way to feel the noise is when it&rsquo;s good loud. So good I can&rsquo;t believe it scream it with the crowd. Don&rsquo;t sweat it get it back to you. Don&rsquo;t sweat it get it back to you. Overkill, Overkill, Overkill. On your feet to fell the beat it goes straight to your spine. Shake your head it must be dead if it don&rsquo;t make you fly. Don&rsquo;t sweat it get it back to you. Don&rsquo;t sweat it get it back to you. Overkill, Overkill, Overkill.&rdquo; Sings Karl and Dan steps forward to play the first guitar solo. &ldquo;You know your body&rsquo;s made to move you feel it in your guts. Rock an&rsquo; roll ain&rsquo;t worth the name if it don&rsquo;t make you strut. Don&rsquo;t sweat it get it back to you. Don&rsquo;t sweat it get it back to you. Overkill, Overkill, Overkill.&rdquo; Sings Karl and again Dan steps forward for the last two guitar solos. <br /><br />Now finished he got off stage to a cheering crowd and went off to look for Abby. Karl found her at the bar with Suvina and Chris. &ldquo;Hi guys what&rsquo;s shaking?&rdquo; Karl asked standing next to Abby which showed the considerable height difference between the two. &ldquo;Oh hello Karl we were just discussing your great singing talent,&rdquo; said Chris taking a drink from his glass of orange juice. &ldquo;Yeah I can remember all the words it&rsquo;s just that I can&rsquo;t sing,&rdquo; said Karl after ordering a Diet Coke from the bar. &ldquo;I thought you were pretty good Karl,&rdquo; said Suvina and Abby agreed though she swayed slightly when saying so. &ldquo;Is Abby okay? Is this something I should be concerned about?&rdquo; Karl asked Suvina as Abby collapsed into Karl&rsquo;s arms. <br /><br />&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry she&rsquo;s just drunk. I think it might be best if you take her home though,&rdquo; said Suvina as Karl picked up Abby in his arms and carried her outside. It took Karl five minutes to make a temporary seatbelt for Abby out of his trouser belt and then half an hour to drive her home on his bike. Karl then had to struggle to open and close the front door with Abby asleep in his arms. Karl carried Abby up to the top floor to her room. He put her down on her bed and was about to leave when Abby woke up. &ldquo;Where am I and what time is it?&rdquo; Abby asked Karl as she sat up on her bed to look up at Karl. &ldquo;You are at home in your room and the time is 9:53,&rdquo; said Karl heading for the door. &ldquo;Have a good night&rsquo;s sleep,&rdquo; said Karl and he went downstairs found his old trench coat in a box in the cupboard under the stairs and went to sleep on the couch.<br /><br />The next morning everyone was rushing around half naked stuffing pieces of toast in their mouths trying to find all the stuff they need for work. Karl just sat there on the couch with Abby watching the madness take place. &ldquo;So do you still work at the veterinary clinic?&rdquo; Karl asked Abby who was leaning her head on his shoulders. &ldquo;Yes after Doctor Franklin retired I&rsquo;ve been running the clinic as his family can&rsquo;t afford to run it anymore. If you want I can get you a part time job there,&rdquo; said Abby taking a drink from her cup of coffee.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;That would be good. Right I&rsquo;m going to get some breakfast,&rdquo; said Karl getting up and going into the kitchen. Karl got himself a sausage, a piece of bacon, a piece of fried bread, some beans and two pieces of toast.<br /><br />At 8:15 that morning Karl parked his old Harley Davidson motorbike outside the veterinary clinic and he and Abby got off. Karl followed Abby inside the small white square shaped building. Karl stepped inside to find a long welcome desk and two other doors. At the welcome desk stood Suvina looking bored but she smiled when Abby and Karl walked in. &ldquo;Abby I&rsquo;ve already opened up and your first appointment isn&rsquo;t until nine o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; said Suvina quickly looking through a book filled in with names dates and problems. <br /><br />Abby said okay and then asked Karl through one of the other doors. Karl followed Abby down a short corridor. Abby pointed out the various different rooms. One of the rooms was the store cupboard where they keep all the cleaning equipment. Karl got out a broom, a dust pan an brush and set to work cleaning up Abby&rsquo;s surgery. At nine o&rsquo; clock the first patients arrived so Karl had to stop to let Abby work. Karl put away his equipment and went to help Suvina with the paperwork. Abby&rsquo;s first patient was a pink sheep being accompanied by a goat and a two tailed red fox. <br /><br />&ldquo;Karl let me have your penis!&rdquo; Aran the pink sheep shouted while running at Karl and giving him a hug. &ldquo;Oh hey Karl,&rdquo; said Johnny the two tailed fox. &ldquo;Yeah hi Karl,&rdquo; said Will the goat. &ldquo;Karl when did you get back? I haven&rsquo;t stroked your crotch or licked your face in years,&rdquo; said Aran stroking Karl&rsquo;s crotch. &ldquo;Oh I got back a few days ago,&rdquo; said Karl pushing Aran off. &ldquo;So why didn&rsquo;t you come find us?&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;Will asked while Aran went to talk to Suvina. &ldquo;I was busy with other things,&rdquo; replied Karl. Will and Aran went off into the waiting room after telling Karl they would see him later. Johnny meanwhile went off with Suvina into one of the empty surgeries. Karl then had a look at the paperwork Suvina had left him to do. <br /><br />After he had finished Karl went to find Suvina. Karl went into the corridor where his sensitive hearing came into play. At the far end of the corridor was Abby&rsquo;s surgery. Karl could hear Abby talking to Aran. In the surgery to his left Karl could hear some strange noises. So he walked over to the door and opened it quietly. Karl then closed it again as fast as he could. What he saw in that room would haunt him for the rest of his life. Karl decided to walk back to the main entrance and see when the next appointment was. Ten minutes later Aran and Abby came through the door to the main entrance followed by Suvina and Johnny. Aran, Will and Johnny said goodbye and Suvina went back to doing paperwork while Karl went about cleaning the mess made by Johnny and Suvina. Abby then went off with her next patient a large rat named Corey Underhill.<br /><br />After several boring hours it was time to lock up and go home. Suvina had finished the paperwork and had left early. So it was only Abby and Karl left in the surgery. Karl was mopping up the floor while Abby had made them both a cup of coffee each. &ldquo;Thanks I needed that,&rdquo; said Karl taking the cup of coffee of Abby and taking a drink. &ldquo;So how was your day because mine was tiring?&rdquo; Abby asked sitting down in a chair and putting her feet up on a table. &ldquo;Mine was the same but it makes a change from my normal day because on a normal day I&rsquo;d have been shot at countless times by now.&rdquo; Said Karl putting down the empty cup and then slowly started to pack away the mop and bucket. <br /><br />&ldquo;Why did you ever go off to fight Karl?&rdquo; Abby asked standing up and walking behind Karl. &ldquo;It was the only thing I understood what to do every other part of life seemed too complicated and scary. That&rsquo;s why I ended up going silent when I tried to talk to girls,&rdquo; said Karl putting the cleaning equipment back in the store cupboard. Karl turned around and Abby kissed him on the nose. &ldquo;At least you managed to come back in one piece.&rdquo;<br /><br />Chapter Six<br />&ldquo;Driving On Hell&rsquo;s Highway&rdquo;<br /><br />It was a long walk for Karl&rsquo;s badly beaten starving squad. None of them had any food left and it was still a long walk back to the base at Chi-Hang. All they had to do was follow the road they had found down to the airfield. &ldquo;All right rest here,&rdquo; said Jack sitting down on the edge of the road and everyone followed his example. Karl and Tom sat under a tree and started looking around. &ldquo;Hey Tom tell me what you see in that tree across the road?&rdquo; Karl said pointing at a tall thin tree directly across from them.<br /><br />Tom stared at the tree for a few seconds and then said &ldquo;All I see is a bunch a bananas up that tree.&rdquo; Karl then turned to Jack and said &ldquo;Hey Jack you can climb trees go get those bananas would you.&rdquo; Jack told Karl off for not treating him like an officer and then walked over to the tree and got the bananas down. Jack gave everyone a banana and sat back down. &ldquo;Hey Karl do you have anyone waiting for you back home?&rdquo; Tom asked. &ldquo;No at least I don&rsquo;t think so,&rdquo; answered Karl getting out the chain around his neck and looking at the various objects on it. &ldquo;Really no lucky girl,&rdquo; said Tom throwing away his banana skin.<br /><br />&ldquo;Or lucky guy,&rdquo; said Brad making everyone laugh. &ldquo;No there&rsquo;s nobody,&rdquo; said Karl putting his chain back under his shirt. &ldquo;Hey does anyone else hear that?&rdquo; Jack asked standing up. Everyone went quiet and then they heard it. It was the rumbling sound of several powerful engines heading towards them. &ldquo;They got to be friendly as far as I know the Congos don&rsquo;t have anything that can make that kind of noise,&rdquo; Duncan said standing up next to jack. Jack grabbed his binoculars and looked down the road. &ldquo;Your right Duncan looks like a friendly convoy heading this way. I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;ll have to walk the rest of the way,&rdquo; said Jack passing the binoculars to Duncan.<br /><br />About an hour later the lead bulldog tank stopped right in front of the battered squad and a ginger tabby cat who was sat in the turret hatch looked at them. &ldquo;Hey baby where you off?&rdquo; The cat asked Jack. &ldquo;Were on are way back to Chi-Hang airfield. We got shot down yesterday. Were all tired, hungry and a few of us are wounded,&rdquo; said Jack and the cat just laughed. &ldquo;Hey babe you&rsquo;re not the only one who got shot down yesterday we&rsquo;ve been picking up hitchhikers all morning so just go find an empty truck and tell the driver to turn around and you&rsquo;ll be fucking nurses in a hospital in no time.&rdquo; The cat said and Jack said thank you then asked everyone to follow him to the back of the convoy to find a truck.<br /><br />Two hours later the lone Deuce and a half reached the main gate for the Chi-Hang airfield and when it drove through the back of the truck erupted with shouting and cheering as everyone was so pleased to get back. Those that were wounded got sent straight to the field hospital for a few weeks everyone else was given a few weeks leave in the city of Chi-Hang. When the squad was finally ready to go back out into combat they all found out it wouldn&rsquo;t be on board a helicopter but providing support for a group of bulldog tanks.<br /><br />On the 1st of April a new offensive was to start and hopefully this would be the last so that everyone could go home. A large group of vehicles had been mastered at Chi-Hang mainly bulldog tanks some trucks and five half-tracks. At midday the convoy had been fuelled and loaded up and was now ready to go. The convoy left following the main road which went through a deep valley and then came up at the base of Hot-dog hill. Karl and the rest of his squad where on point when they had set off. The squad members were either sat on the lead two tanks or walking beside them.<br /><br />Karl was stood on the back of the second tank&rsquo;s turret talking to the cat in charge of the tank. &ldquo;So let me get this straight you&rsquo;re a hippy who hates everything to do with war and yet is fighting in one,&rdquo; said Karl holding on to the .50cal machine gun on the back of the turret. &ldquo;Yeah man we thought that we could stop war from the inside out and so we joined. So far all we&rsquo;ve done is go around shooting people while occasionally drinking beer,&rdquo; said the cat taking out two cans of beer from the inside of the tank and offering one to Karl. &ldquo;No thanks. I don&rsquo;t drink,&rdquo; said Karl pushing away the beer can. &ldquo;And they say I&rsquo;m crazy man,&rdquo; said the cat dropping the can back inside the tank.<br /><br />&ldquo;So what&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo; Karl asked the cat. &ldquo;My real names George but everyone calls me Ginger or something similar,&rdquo; replied the cat. &ldquo;Well Ginger I&rsquo;m Karl and it&rsquo;s nice to meet you,&rdquo; said Karl. At that moment the tank a few feet in front of Ginger&rsquo;s just erupted in a ball of flame. Bullets assaulted the convoy from the jungle either side of the road. Ginger ducked inside the tank and closed the hatch. Karl cocked the machine gun and fired into the jungle.<br /><br />Ginger&rsquo;s tank pushed aside the wreckage of the destroyed tank to allow the convoy to get out of the ambush. Ginger ordered his tank to head into the jungle. The tank charged into the undergrowth still with Karl on the back still firing the machine gun. The tank stopped and fired two high explosive rounds into the jungle before reversing back onto the road. Karl swung the machine gun round to fire into the jungle on the other side of the road. The tank then reversed along the road following the convoy firing a few more rounds into the jungle as it did so. <br /><br />Eventually Ginger&rsquo;s tank caught up with the rest of the convoy when the convoy had stopped for a short break to refuel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Karl jumped down off the tank and walked over to one of the half-tracks. Inside the half-track the rest of Karl&rsquo;s squad was sat in various positions. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s up guys,&rdquo; said Karl sitting down on the floor of the half-track&rsquo;s door. A half-track is basically the front half of a truck with then tank tracks instead of back wheels and a flatbed on top with metal walls as tall as the truck cabin. <br /><br />When the convoy had started again Karl was now stood up in the half-track on the machine gun that was mounted above the passenger seat next to driver. &ldquo;So how much longer till we get to this bridge?&rdquo; The driver of the half-track asked. &ldquo;Only about fifteen minutes now,&rdquo; said Karl looking down at the driver. The driver was a young Jack Russell dog. Karl thought that the driver looked nervous. Karl thought the driver hadn&rsquo;t probably been in action before but Karl turned his attention back to Ginger&rsquo;s tank in front. &ldquo;Lieutenant you know we knocked out that bridge in front of that village and now were supposed to take that village. How we supposed to take the village with the bridge gone?&rdquo; Said Duncan sat down in the back of the half-track with the rest of the squad. <br /><br />&ldquo;Apparently the Congos have rebuilt the bridge so we just have to take it,&rdquo; said Jack taking a drink of water from his canteen.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;The bridge is just up ahead so get cocked and ready you lot,&rdquo; shouted Ginger from his tank. &ldquo;You heard the hippie get ready,&rdquo; said Jack cocking his M16. The rest of the squad did likewise.&nbsp;&nbsp;Karl cocked the machine gun then took out the chain from around his neck and looked at a small heart shaped locket. Inside the locket was a picture of Abby the only girl he had ever loved and he had never said. He had taken the picture the last time Abby and the rest of his friends had all been together.<br /><br />Karl tucked the chain back inside his shirt. He had a bad feeling about this attack. It was at that moment that Ginger&rsquo;s tank started firing and bullets started to fly past Karl&rsquo;s head. The convoy was turning around a slight corner and Karl could see the bridge as well as all the Congos shooting at the convoy. The Congos were positioned on the bridge and on the opposite Bank. Karl opened fire on the bridge and so did everyone else in the half-track.<br /><br />A few rockets were fired at the convoy and five trucks went up in flame. Only the first three vehicles could advance the rest had to fall back until the road was clear. &ldquo;Looks like it&rsquo;s up to us again,&rdquo; shouted Brad from inside the half-track. Ginger&rsquo;s tank was now crossing the bridge but the tank could not use the main gun in case they hit the bridge. Karl focused his fire on the Congos still on the bridge.&nbsp;&nbsp;When the half-track reached half way Karl felt a huge earth tremor and then a falling sensation. Karl finally felt a jolt and then he hit his head on the machine gun and the world went dark for Karl.<br /><br />The Congos had put explosives on the bridge, had waited for a vehicle to get to the middle and then detonated them. This left Ginger&rsquo;s tank on the enemy held side of the river with a second tank on the friendly side and what was left of the half-track in the wreckage of the bridge. &ldquo;Shit this is Ginger I want an artillery barrage on my current location repeat I want an artillery barrage on my current position.&rdquo; Came Ginger&rsquo;s voice over the radio as both tanks started shooting enemy occupied buildings. Karl was shaken awake by the cold bloodied hand of the Jack Russell. &ldquo;You okay,&rdquo; said the driver shaking Karl&rsquo;s shoulder. Karl nodded his head and looked around. The half-track was lying on its side. Karl watched as the driver opened his door and climbed onto the top of the half-track.<br /><br />As soon as he had done this the driver was assaulted by a hail of bullets ripping holes in the still standing body. When the bullets stopped Karl starred as the driver&rsquo;s body crumpled on to its knee and fell face first onto the bonnet of the half-track. Karl was helped out of the turret by Duncan who had a deep scratch going down the side of his face. Karl grabbed an M16 off the floor and met up with the rest of the squad behind Ginger&rsquo;s tank. &ldquo;Duncan and Karl down by that wall. Brad and Haydn over at that MG position. Tom you stay with me right let&rsquo;s go,&rdquo; shouted Jack before getting on the back of Ginger&rsquo;s tank. Jack knocked on the turret hatch and Ginger opened it. &ldquo;We need to get out of hear any ideas?&rdquo; Jack asked Ginger. &ldquo;Babe we got an artillery barrage on this position in five minutes we got to be across the river by then,&rdquo; replied Ginger before telling the main gun to fire. <br /><br />The whole tank shook from the recoil of the main gun but then Jack spotted a fishing boat not far from the bridge. &ldquo;We got to get over to that boat. When I give you the word I want you to move as close as you can okay,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;Yeah baby,&rdquo; Ginger replied before getting back down into the turret. Jack shouted for Haydn and Brad to give covering fire then for Duncan and Karl to follow the tank. Jack then tolled Ginger to go and the tank lurched forwards and then turned right.<br /><br />Karl and Duncan ran behind the tank using it for cover while Jack and Tom were sat on the tank returning fire. Haydn and Brad waited for the others to get near the boat before running after them. The tank stopped on the road next to the boat fired one more round from the main gun before the three man crew abandoned it. Everyone ran for the boat. They were all on the jetty next to the boat except for Brad and Haydn when the artillery barrage began to fall. <br /><br />Clouds of smoke rose everywhere in small mounds. Haydn got a direct hit from an artillery round causing the top half of his body to fly two feet from the boat the rest of him to scatter around the area. Brad was about to jump on when he was shot in the back causing him to convulse but brad stayed standing long enough to turn around and fire a few shots back before he fell face first onto the jetty. <br /><br />The boat was cast off and the small engine at the back was turned on. Karl and some of the others continued to fire on the Congos until they reached the other bank of the river. Karl&rsquo;s squad and Ginger&rsquo;s tank crew were put on a truck with some wounded and sent back to Chi-Hang while the convoy ordered for boats to be brought up to be used instead of the bridge. Karl thought that after what they had done today would it change anything.<br /><br />Chapter Seven<br />&ldquo;You Give Love a Bad Name&rdquo;<br /><br />Karl woke up the next morning to the sound of running water. He got up from the couch in the living room and went into the kitchen where he found Charlie pouring water into a kettle. &ldquo;Morning&rdquo; said Charlie putting the kettle back on its stand and flicking it on. &ldquo;What are you doing? Karl asked sitting down at the table. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m making Ruth breakfast in bed before everyone else gets up,&rdquo; said Charlie sitting down opposite Karl. <br /><br />&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t look too good Karl,&rdquo; said Charlie. &ldquo;I had a bad night&rsquo;s sleep mainly because of bad Dreams,&rdquo; said Karl as Charlie got up and made himself, Ruth and Karl a coffee each. &ldquo;What was your dream about? That is if you don&rsquo;t mind me asking,&rdquo; said Charlie passing Karl his coffee and then getting out a tray from a cupboard. &ldquo;Well today is the first of April and a year ago. Well. Did you guys hear about Haydn and Brad?&rdquo; Karl said after taking a drink from his coffee. Charlie started frying bacon and eggs before looking at Karl and saying. &ldquo;Yeah we did. We didn&rsquo;t hear many details but apparently it was horrible the way they went.&rdquo;<br /><br />Karl got out the chain from around his neck, took it off and laid it on the table for Charlie to look at. &ldquo;What&lsquo;s that you&rsquo;ve got there?&rdquo; Charlie said before sitting back down. &ldquo;Mainly junk I&rsquo;ve picked up over the years and can&rsquo;t get rid of,&rdquo; said Karl after taking another drink from his coffee. Charlie picked up the chain and asked Karl about each individual item. First there was the heart shaped locket with the picture of Abby in it. Second Karl&rsquo;s dog tags with his name and serial number etched onto them. Third a key which Karl said is nothing just a memento. Charlie gave Karl back his chain and then went upstairs to give Ruth her breakfast.<br /><br />When Charlie got back downstairs Karl and a few other people were having breakfast. Charlie got out a bowl of cereal and sat down to eat. &ldquo;So is there any more things you&rsquo;ve decide to show and tell me or do I finally know some of the things that happened to you out there,&rdquo; said Charlie. Karl looked at him for a moment before saying. &ldquo;The only thing I haven&rsquo;t told you is about my tattoo.&rdquo; Charlie laughed and then said. <br /><br />&ldquo;Wait you were serious well go on then show us.&rdquo; Karl rolled up his right sleeve to produce a flaming skull with the words &#039;Fight for your country, live for your loved ones, die for your friends&#039;. &ldquo;Very nice but I expected you to get a heart or something with Abby written on the inside,&rdquo; said Charlie while Karl rolled his sleeve down and then rolled up his left sleeve to produce another tattoo. The other tattoo was a heart with crossed swords behind it and under the heart was just one name. &ldquo;Abigail Melisa Isaac,&rdquo; Charlie read before laughing again. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why your laughing I haven&rsquo;t told you how I got them yet,&rdquo; said Karl rolling down his sleeve. Charlie stopped laughing and asked Karl to tell him how he got them. <br /><br />&ldquo;Alright so when me and the lads had got are first leave before we were shipped off to Chi-hang. We all went for a night on the town. This was back when we were all young recruits with no ranks and no responsibilities. So we went out drinking to several bars and after some persuasion they got me drinking and while drunk I got the heart tattoo. The next morning of course I had a bad hangover. I couldn&rsquo;t remember anything and after that wild night all I got was a heart on my left shoulder.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;Anyway so after are first tour of duty we were sent back to Chi-hang airfield and had another wild night on the town as we were glad we had all made it out alive. At this point Jack had been made sergeant and me corporal so we enjoyed are selves and this time I didn&rsquo;t need much persuasion to drink. The next day I wake up with another bad hangover and the skull tattoo.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;I have therefore decided not to get drunk again in case I end up with a third tattoo probably on my arse somewhere.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now finished Karl got up and put his bowl in the sink. Charlie laughed for a little bit and then went upstairs. At about 8:15am Karl once again parked his Harley Davidson outside the veterinary clinic and he and Abby got off. &ldquo;I like getting a lift it&rsquo;s different from walking down every day,&rdquo; said Abby as she opened the door to find Suvina already at the front desk working on some paper work. Abby went off to her surgery and Karl went off to the store cupboard to get out the vacuum cleaner to clean the carpets. <br /><br />At 10:00am after Abby had seen to her only patient she was free until one o&rsquo;clock. So she dragged Karl out to do some jobs for her including go down to the laundrette with everyone&rsquo;s washing. Karl sorted out the coloured from the white and black clothing and then started putting them into separate machines. &ldquo;Karl has that shirt been washed since you got back?&rdquo; Abby asked as they were putting the colours in to one of the machines. &ldquo;Err no that you mention it,&rdquo; said Karl and that was all he had to say in the matter before Abby made him take his shirt off and shove it in with the others. Thankfully Karl was wearing a vest underneath.<br /><br />&ldquo;Karl when did you get that tattoo? And what&rsquo;s with the necklace?&rdquo; Abby asked. &ldquo;Oh year that&rsquo;s right you didn&rsquo;t notice either the last time you got my shirt off did you,&rdquo; said Karl and Abby started to blush. Karl told her the stories about the tattoos and then explained about the pieces of his necklace. Abby giggled when Karl had finished before giving him a hug and saying. &ldquo;So how long have you loved me then at least long enough to get a tattoo about it,&rdquo; said Abby. Karl decided to answer by kissing her.<br /><br />That night Karl decided to take Abby out. First a movie and then dinner at a posh restaurant or at least the best he could afford. It was around 11:00pm when they both got back and sat down on the couch in the living room. &ldquo;So did you enjoy tonight?&rdquo; Karl asked Abby as she started to fall asleep next to Karl. &ldquo;Tonight was great thank you,&rdquo; said Abby as she kissed Karl on the cheek. Karl kissed Abby&rsquo;s forehead before they both fell asleep on the couch. <br /><br />Bang, bang, bang. Karl woke up suddenly shouting, &ldquo;Man your battle stations.&rdquo; He then remembered that he wasn&rsquo;t on hot-dog hill and no one was shooting at him. Karl looked down Abby was staring at him as if he was crazy. Karl then heard the banging again and realised it was someone knocking on the door. Karl walked to the front door after looking at his watch which said it was midnight. Karl opened the door to find Ginger. &ldquo;Ginger what you doing here?&rdquo; Karl asked as Abby came up behind Karl and hugged his waist. &ldquo;Nice to see you too babe. Look we got a problem you remember the big job we pulled before we all got leave?&rdquo; Ginger said leaning against the door frame. &ldquo;Yeah what about it?&rdquo; Karl said.<br /><br />&ldquo;Well babe he&rsquo;s here and looking for revenge and I don&rsquo;t mean he&rsquo;s just going to come round and butt fuck you he&rsquo;s going to kill us and everyone we care about.&rdquo; Ginger said before lighting a cigarette. &ldquo;Shit this is bad,&rdquo; said Karl. &ldquo;Who is the guy you&rsquo;re talking about?&rdquo; Abby asked talking for the first time. &ldquo;Babe we don&rsquo;t know all we know is that he mistook are group of lads for some murderers and know he&rsquo;s coming after us,&rdquo; said Ginger. <br /><br />&ldquo;Ginger come inside you don&rsquo;t know if he followed you here,&rdquo; said Karl. Ginger put out his cigarette and took one step inside before he felt a sharp pain in his back causing him to cry out. Abby screamed in shock. Karl grabbed Ginger and looked over his shoulder to see someone on a bicycle riding off in a hurry. Karl dragged Ginger inside and sat him on the couch and Karl looked at his left paw it was covered in blood. Ginger looked at Karl and said &ldquo;Take this and get him for me would you babe.&rdquo; Ginger handed Karl a brown envelope. Ginger looked at Karl and smiled. Karl bent down and pulled down ginger&rsquo;s eyelids knowing that another old friend had gone.</span>",
  "pools_count": 1,
  "title": "A Dog's Life (Pt1)",
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