Designated (Book 2): Designated Quarantined Read Online Free

surged forth, coating his rapidly paling skin in a red sheen as it flowed across his chest, soaking into his tunic.
 
    Baker fell to his knees as Rawlings tipped forwards. Clamping his hands down on Rawlings' neck, Baker could do naught but watch, helpless as his friend's blood seeped through his fingers, the glowering form of Ridgmont towering over them. With the screams of the wounded and dying echoing through his mind, he stared into the darkening eyes of his friend.
 
    Rawlings managed a half smile as he wrapped his hand round the back of Baker's neck and pulled him closer. He shook as he lifted his weakening form from the floor, speaking in a liquid-filled whisper. Flecks of blood speckled Baker's skin as the last words of a dying man met his ear.
 
    Rawlings' slack form weighed heavy in Baker's arms as he slowly lowered him to the cold, wet ground. A burning tear rolled down his cheek as he stared at the sightless eyes, the shine and mirth replaced by the soulless, flat gaze of death.
 
    Baker sprang to his feet, Rawlings' blood still wet on his hand, and snatched his sidearm from the holster on his thigh. The chequered grip squelched against his blood-slicked palm as his head snapped left and right, searching for the man who had callously ripped away the lives of his men.
 
    Baker launched the pistol at the floor, its synthetic grips cracking as it bounced off the unforgiving surface.
 
    'Fucking coward!' he screamed. The chill air was forgotten as he watched the glowing rays of dawn cast their reproachful gaze upon the scene that lay before them.
    He bellowed with rage, his voice echoing into the wilderness. As he fell once more to his knees, a deep-seated seed of hatred bloomed within his heart.
     
     

2
February 9, 2013
Hamworthy Barracks
Poole Harbour, Dorset
 
     
    A vibration pulsed through Derek's leg as his hand slipped through the flap of his thigh pocket and pulled his mobile free. He stared at the screen, his thumb pressing down on the accept icon so hard that the screen became a multi-coloured pool of flickering pixels.
 
    Stumbling to his feet, the voice on the phone filled his ear. He pocketed the mobile and sprinted towards his Jeep, the battered vehicle still only a dark spot on the concrete slipway.
     
    'Where the fuck d'ya think you're going, Baker? This ain't finished yet.'
 
    The confused and anger-slashed words of the instructor filled his ears as he ran across the sand, feet slipping through the grains as he struggled to keep his footing.
 
    'My wife's having my kid, Barklay. I don't give two shits if this isn't finished; I'm going.'
 
    The irate instructor threw his fins and mask to the floor. The rest of the team looked on, their faces twisting into amused smirks, watching Barklay begin to turn beetroot red.
     
    'I don't give a flying fuck, Baker; while you're here, you're on my turf and under my rule.'
 
    Baker continued running as Barklay bellowed after him. Derek leapt over the railings and onto the slipway.
    'Go fuck yourself.'
 
    ****
     
    Rain lashed the windscreen as Baker roared down the dual carriageway. The lampposts shimmered as he flew past, pushing the already complaining engine further toward death as he stamped the accelerator into the floor.
 
    His mobile danced over the dashboard as he rapidly slew into the outside lane and flew through the exit onto the M27. The signs for London, Southampton, and Winchester snapped past his uncaring eyes as he ploughed ever onwards.
     
    Snatching up his phone, he jabbed at the answer button and set it to speaker. Holding it against the steering wheel and with the windscreen wipers rattling, he strained to hear.
     
    'Cherry, where are you mate? Janet is going nuts here, and they can't delay much longer. This tot is on its way with or without you, man.'
     
    The phone slipped from his grip, bouncing off his knee. He snatched at it as it tumbled away.
     
    'Fuck it all to hell.'
     
    Baker reached fruitlessly