Admire (DJ x Commander)

Chapter 7 : PAINTBALLER

"Sometimes when you're in one place for so long- the days blur. It could have been weeks when it really only feels like a day.

So, you have to find ways to make every day different. 

When you've been alone as long as I have, it can be REALLY, REALLY, hard to do this. I've become observant. I notice inconsistencies almost constantly. It keeps things different, unusual. 

Well, if you're plannin' on staying here, you better be ready to make every day special. Alright?" 

Paintballer looked back on this conversation he had with Slugger the first day they met each other. Paintballer was a direct person and needed to lay down ground rules, so he had no remorse for being too upfront. 

Slugger used to be a very quiet person. He had a sloppy brooklyn accent and really only spoke when spoken to. But over the months he had broken out of his shell and was almost a whole new person.

Slugger was a good man. He understood what Paintballer was trying to say- and there was never really a dull day. 

But today- oh, today, was different. 

The first sight as the small army reached the cliff sure was a sight to see. Paintballer worried for his safety as well as his friend's. 

But- it was okay. It was fine.

Paintballer let Slugger know that he spotted some people, and demanded that they leave. Paintballer refused and stood his ground. 

"I didn't leave when you got here, man! Plus, who knows, these folks might be friendly."

"Urgh. Dude, cmon. If there's as many people as you said, we're toast." 

"As I said, they might be friendly. If you're so scared you can stay out of sight- I'll chat with em." 

Luckily, it had gone well. Commander seemed like a leader in need, so it was no problem. Paintballer was pretty sure he saw someone in the crowd that he recognized, though.

Paintballer was deep in thought as he sauntered to the shipping crate that was home. 

"Ay, I'm back."

"Oh, wow, you're not dead, big surprise." Slugger threw a baseball up the air and caught it as it fell. He wore a red hoodie and a black baseball cap and sunglasses. "It went well, I assume?"

Paintballer shrugged. "Yep." 

Paintballer flopped down on his bed (which was a poor quality mattress). Slugger sat on his bed which was across from his.

"Yeah, right." Slugger threw the baseball at Paintballer and hit him square in the chest.

"OUCH" Paintballer yelled, writhing in pain slightly, shooting up. "What was that for?!"

"Dunno." Slugger gave him a grin. "You coulda gotten real hurt."

"Well I'm EXTRA hurt right now. Not cool." 

Paintballer looked out the half-open door of the rusty, burnt orange shipping container. "Wanna meet em? They're pretty nice. They have wounded and might need help setting up camp."

"Mm-" Slugger hesitated. "I'll- stay here." 

Paintballer looked at him, surprised. "If you say so, buddy." Paintballer bit his tongue. Wondering why Slugger didn't want to see these people was a mystery. 

He left with confusion as the afternoon sun scorched high in the sky. Walking around the harbor, Paintballer noticed that things had been moved around. This place was almost a junkyard, so things were scattered everywhere. 

Reaching the short (broken) walls that marked the end of the bay, Paintballer looked out to some of the beached ships that had broken up the concrete harbor (probably at the beginning of the apocalypse). A few people were climbing up on the ships, possibly for materials. Not a bad thought.

"Hey! Paintballer!" A voice sounded from behind him. 

Paintballer turned around. "Heyo. How's it goi- Scout?" 

"Yeah! What's up? You remember me!" 

"Oh my god! Bro! You got taller! Well- not that much, but still!" Paintballer shouted in disbelief. He hadn't seen Scout for years. They met each other at a military academy a long time ago. They were best friends, but Paintballer had dropped out. 

"Hey! Cmon man, not funny. It's so nice to see you, man." Scout held his arms out and they hugged. 

"God, it's been so long. What happened after I dropped? How have you been?" 

"Where do I start? After you left I was basically solo. I met Soldier though. He's been my friend through and through. You should have been there man."

"Well, how'd you end up here?"

"Well, more or less, we barely passed." Scout scratched the back of his head. "Luckily though, we got put in a troop with Commander and he helped us be the best soldiers we could be. I think the generals were impressed with us, so we were able to get some solo missions. I don't know what happened after that but- Commander hated the General. I think he discharged us and quit, but we stuck along. We take orders from only Commander now. We trust him."

"Wow, well, yeah, that is a lot. So you don't have a reason for following him, do you? It's not like you can get a high official military ranking anymore." 

"Nah, we do. I think it's just being able to see the change in the world. These zombs never'll see it coming!" Scout raised a fist. "He's never let us down before, so, why would he now?" 

Paintballer smirked and sighed. "Well, you sure do have some good friends. Sorry for dropping out." 

"Hah! You better be!" 

Scout and Paintballer laughed with eachother. It felt nice to finally catch up with him. 

"Those people on the ship," Paintballer pointed. "they lookin for furniture?" 

"Pretty sure. I should be helping right now, but what the hell." Scout said.

"Let's- not be jerks? Cmon we're gonna go help." 

"Fair enough." 

They walked off to the docks as the sun began to hang lower in the sky. The smell of salty ocean water filled the air as the large, rusted ship towered before them.

Today was going to be good.

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Thank you for reading! I think this is the longest chapter yet! :O

School is out for me, so I will be making more chapters. (Till August, though, unfortunately.) Sorry for the wait! Enjoy!

Have a great day!