Peskey's Nightmare

by Ram1

 

Ram1 was sitting at his favorite table over at the Hammer & Sickle relaxing and taking in the scene. Many of the 31st were mulling about, some had a bit too much to drink, others playing darts, a hot game of poker was also in progress. As he was taking this all in, Qu came over and sat down next to Ram1.

"Ram1, I need to talk with you, its about Peskey", Qu whispered softly. Ah yes, Peskey Ram1 thought, the newbie, cocky kid until Natasha. Ram1 smirked. "What about him?", Ram1 asked. "Well", Qu started, "he called me last night, all upset and said he had to meet me. So I met him and when I saw him he looked like a wreck. He related to me a recurring nightmare he keeps having since he arrived on base last week. Ram1 listened, "Go on", Ram1 said. "In his dream he's walking down the road to Paris and stop's into this pharmacy to pick up some item's for his girlfriend when all of the sudden he falls on his back and can barely breath. He tries to move but everything is in slow motion.....like trying to walk in quicksand. And everytime he manages to pull himself up off the floor...2 sec's later he's again helpless on the floor and can't breath, like there's this heavy weight on top of him. When he finally wakes up he said he's lying on the floor, still having a hard time breathing and.... he's visably uncomfortable and sore, and worse he's nekkid from the waste down and doesn't remember taking his clothes off. On top of all that, he is wet from head with this sticky stuff that takes forever to wash off..... I gave him a drink and told him he would find out soon enough why he was having this nightmare".

Ram1 looked a Qu, the quizzical expression that was his trademark was on his face, along with a smirk. Ram1 also noticed the beads of sweat forming on Qu's brow recognizing that Qu was remembering his time with Natasha. "What do you want me to do?", asked Ram1. Qu looked at Ram1, he was never in this position before to ask for help, but he knew Peskey was reaching a breaking point. Qu thought for a second then started "I would like you to talk to Natasha and ask her to stop, I am afraid that Peskey may not survive those encounters much longer, I think he's had enough". Ram1 thought for a second. It had been a little over 1 week since Peskey arrived. He remembered seeing the new recruit exiting the bus, all spit and polish, fresh from OCS full of bravado, not having a clue what he was in for.

"Qu, I will talk to Natasha, but only as a loyalty gesture to you as a member of the 309th my former squad. However, I will instruct Natasha that she can have him one more night, but without any of the mind altering drugs she uses. I want him awake and fully conscious so he will remember everything, just like the rest of us had to endure". Qu looked at Ram1, a bit horrified by what he just heard and what he remembered, and more then a little concerned if Peskey could survive that.

He decided to question Ram1's decision. "But Ram1, he may not...", but before he could finish he caught Ram1's stare and knew it had to be this way. Peskey had to endure as all the 31st before him had endured if he was to be a full member of the group, there was no way around it. "Yes sir, I understand". He got up and walked away from the table, shaking his head and feeling bad for Peskey.

A little later Ram1 sat alone in the corner. He had sent word that he wanted to see Natasha and now was mentally preparing himself for that encounter, as he always had to do. At that moment, he felt the first signs of her approach, the wooden floors moving just slightly, creaking, the dust falling from the ceiling. As she got closer to the Hammer & Sickle, he noticed his drink shake, ripples appeared across the top of the liquid surface. Then the doors burst open, and though he had seen her hundreds of times in the past, the reflex to puke hit him hard, but he didn't show it. He and Natasha go back a long way and he knew her value to the 31st, but he also knew her habits and he had to constantly suppress those thoughts whenever he meets with her.

"Ramski", she bellowed, "My little dahrlink, vat can Natasha do for vou today?". The thick Russian accent was ever present but Ram1 was used to it. "Come Natasha, sit we must talk", Ram1 said. With two quick leaps she covered the 25 feet between the door and where Ram1 was sitting. Ram1 had always been impressed with her movements, never understanding how someone of that stature could move so silently and quickly. Before he could finish the thought she had pulled up two chairs and sat down across from Ram1.

"Da, I am here sitting, perhaps you have another new recruit for Natasha?", dat little Peskey is so cute, so soft, Natasha like him very much". She said. "No Natasha, no more new recruits, but I want you to finish with Peskey". Ram1 said, in a stern voice so she knew he was serious. "Ah, but Vram1, that Peskey, he so frisky, so squirmy, makes Natasha press down on him all over just to keep him still, Natasha likes that". Ram1 felt the bile in his throat again, but suppressed it. The thought of this woman ontop, well he'd rather not remember that.

" I know Natasha, but he's had enough, and the drugs you are giving him are causing nightmares. Its time to eliminate the drugs, you can have him one more night but he must be fully concious", Ram1 said. Natasha looked at Ram1, she began to smile, her crooked green teeth peering through the gloom of the light. "Da, I vill do as you say my leepshun. But ven vill you bring Natasha another new recruit?". "Don't worry Natasha, there will always be new recruits", Ram1 smiled back. "Da, yes there vill be more. OK Vram1, tonight will be last night for Peskey, he vill remember tonite for a long, long time, Natasha promises.", She laughed, stood up and left.

Ram1 looked down at his drink, he knew there would be counseling in the morning for Peskey, but he also knew there would be a new member of the 31st, one they could all count on.