Chapter 239: No not him!

River POV

I can hear the crackling in his voice like he's crying. My heart is pounding and I can't catch my breath.

"What happened Nathan?" I ask terrified of the answer. I lean against the wall using it to brace my shaking body.

"River it's bad, it's so bad. Are you alone?" He's definitely crying I can hear it in his voice.

"I'm in the hallway but I'm home I'm over with Lincoln and Chailor. Nathan what happened!?" My voice is shaking now as well as my body.

It's really bad, if he can't tell me.

My legs are shaking and they're so weak now.

I drop to the floor in the hallway pulling my knees to my chest.

"I tried to call Lincoln but he didn't answer, I need you to get him." he finally says clearing his throat a little.

"He's in a important meeting still I think." I say quietly my hands shaking so hard I'm scared I'll drop my phone.

"I don't know how long we'll be able to hold this line and I don't want you to find out from anyone else. I promised him it would be me" he says sadly.

No please don't say what I think your going to say.

"Finn's hurt?" I ask. He's just sniffing and he just needs to say it. He need to say something just tell me already.

"Just say it Burks!" I cry out in almost a scream unable to hold it in a minute longer.

"Finn's Convoy was hit, Mumford, Nunzio and Spen...Finn, plus six others are all MIA." His breath hitches as he continues "Tokash and ten other men are.. their all dead." he says ending with a sob. "Tokash's dead River and the rest of them are MIA." He sniffles out.

"What?! No! Oh my god Tokash!" I cry out "Wait, what about Finn what's MIA?" My breath hitches.

"Missing In Action" then just static.

No! No! So what he's just gone? I don't understand.

"Nathan!" I yell.

Just then the doorbell rings and Chailor yells "I got it."

I can't move.

I can't speak.

I can't breath.

I try to stand try to rush over to her, but I can't move. I can't speak. My whole body is numb.

Then I hear the door open and I hear her start screaming "Noooo!!"  At the top of her lungs as she throws her hands over her mouth. She just stands there shaking her head. Everything's in slow motion now and I can't think clear.

Lincoln comes running out of the office he looks down at me on the floor with tears rolling down my face, my ear on the phone. Chailor screams "Lincoln!!" he runs to the front towards her.

I can hear Hadley crying but she sounds so far away.

My phone keeps beeping in between the static.

I can hear some male voices now but I can't make out what they're saying.

Then I hear what sounds like something being thrown through the wall as I hear Lincoln yell "No!! You're wrong there must be a mistake!" I've never heard him sound so scared and it sends a shiver through my body.

"River! River are you still there?" I can hear the tears in Burke's voice as he's screaming my name.

I let out a heavy breath and a sob "Nathan."

"I'm so sorry River, we're doing everything we can. I'll let you know more when I have a update, I'm so sorry. We'll find them okay" he cries out.

I sob out "No not him!" I can't catch my breath. Please god no I can't lose him.

"River be strong, please. I'll call again when I can, I promise I'll call you when I know more. I'm so sorry River." I can hear sobbing in his voice as he hangs up.

I'm frozen I can't move.

I can't think.

I'm shaking so hard I can hear the pictures on the wall shaking behind me.

I still have the phone to my ear still. My hands won't work. My legs won't stand.

Lincoln comes and lifts me to my feet and then carries me out to the living room. I drop my phone on the way, not caring right now.

He puts me on the couch and sits between me and Chailor taking our hands. Then he nods to the men.

The men in military uniforms.They introduce themselves then the priest with them. I can't hear or process what their names are. I don't even care, they're here to destroy our life's.

They all take a seat on the other couch in front of us.

I can't hear them, it's all muffled. Like I'm watching a movie and the sound keeps going out.

They keep looking at me and I'm not sure if they asked me something but I can't think or talk anyway.

Lincoln squeezes both our hands.

I realize I'm crying harder.

"Yes, she's his fiance." Lincoln says squeezing my hand a little tighter.

I close my eyes and take a breath.

When I open them everything is clearer. They sound less muffled.

I look over and Hadley's in her highchair she looks terrified and she starts crying when our eyes meet.

Seeing her reaching for me with her tiny hands snaps me out of my trance.

I quickly run over and pick her up.

I hold her tightly to me, she's confused and scared like the rest of us. For the first time I'm glad my Annie's not here.

I bring Hadley back over to the couch with us and pick up Lincoln's hand again.

She's nestled in my arms, she reaches for Lincoln's arm.

He leans in and kisses her head moving our hands so they are touching her leg, this seems to calm her.

The man talking continues, as he looks around at us.

"As we were saying, nothing's been ruled out yet we only know what we're telling you. A large convoy consisting of multiple vehicles was hit."

The other man takes over now, glancing around at us.

"There has been a dozen or so casualties and as of right now we have nine men who are MIA  including your brother."

"What's MIA?" Chailor finally speaks.

"Missing In Action" he says.

She gasps and Lincoln tightens his hand around mine.

"Sergeant First Class Spencer and the other men were not found when the second team arrived.  You brother and the other eight missing team members are number one on everyone's list over there and here. We're in the process of getting supplies and additional search personnel to them as quick as possible"

"Please keep your phone handy Mr.Spencer, we'll update you when we know something more."

"Has anyone told my parents?" Lincoln asks softly.

"We have personal there now" he says to Lincoln shaking his hand. "I'm sorry and our thoughts are with your family." They all stand and shake his hand.

"We need to go to them" he says looking at Chailor. She nods.

I hear gasping as I look up I noticed the door is still open and Flame and Pickle are rushing in towards us.