CHAPTER SIXJune 2005
His first encounter with the dark side of the memories of his first kill was at Balad Military Hospital, just outside of Bagdad, the same day as the firefight. Briggs woke near midnight. Gone now was the fog of painkillers. He was aware of where he was. His bandaged wounds were a visible reminder. With an urgent need to empty his bladder, he swung his legs off the bed, barely feeling any pain. With no IV in his arm now, he moved freely around the room. There were four beds, but he was the only occupant.
It was extremely quiet in this area of the field hospital. The hatch leading to his room was open, and across the hallway, he noticed a bathroom sign on the bulkhead with an arrow pointing to the head. He stepped into the dimly lit passageway and found it. As he went
