May Prompt: 1B: What's the most revolting thing you've ever witnessed?
Hunching the threadbare blanket up over his thin shoulders Heath watched the scene unfolding across from where he sat. Jenson had come into the camp with a broken leg and no matter what anyone had said to him, no matter how hard anyone had argued, he had refused to go see the "Reb butchers" as he called the camp doctors. Over the past week the condition of his leg had begun to worsen and where he had initially been able to walk on it with the use of a makeshift crutch, that was no longer the case.
"Heath, boy...git yerself o'er here." It was Campbell who called his name and he forced himself to his feet to comply with the older man's order, despite his desire to remain where he was.
"I need ya tae sit on his foot, can ya do that boy?" The large Scot locked his eyes on the thin teen in front of him.
"I need ya tae stick tae him like ya was glued there, it's gonna be hurtin' him like the devil once we start this. Can ya do that?" He waited for the nod of agreement before moving to start the rest of his preparations.
"Yes, sir." Swallowing the bile that rose as he got his first whiff of the rotting flesh that had taken over Jenson's leg, Heath straddled the leg at his ankle.
"Sorry Jenson, don't mean to hurt you none." He offered the apology as if his actions alone were the worst pain the man would experience this day.
"Nevermind, kid, you just hold it tight, I don't want them to have to do more cuttin' then they need to." The man reached a shaky hand out to pat the young soldier's leg.
"Rather have our own do it then them Bastard Johnny Reb's...you hear me?" He turned his head to cough, bringing up phlegm and blood which he spit on the ground beside him. As a shadow fell over the three of them they grew quiet, though Campbell did pull himself to his feet.
"Cap'in" He nodded to the camp doctor at his sudden appearance.
"I understand you need to do an amputation..." The sickening sweetness of the rotting flesh was already reaching his nose and he felt his own stomach begin to roll in reaction.
"Yes, Sir...Jenson, he wants me tae do it fer him." Campbell waited for the reaction.
"All right...but I have to stay for it, I can't leave the saw here with you, you know that." Having expected just that he passed the blood-stained blade over even as he spoke.
"Aye...I know..." Without saying anything more he turned back to Jenson and giving the man little more then a nod to signify he was ready he knelt beside him. Setting the blade to skin he gave him a final look, then lifted his eyes to Heath.
"Close your eyes, boy." The warning was one he would only give once and as soon as it was issued he pressed the blade into the swollen mass that was Jenson's leg, the scream that followed was one that would haunt him for years.
Muse: Heath Barkley
Fandom: The Big Valley
Words: 542