WHEN THE RAIN STOPS- Scrutinized [TANNER x LUNA] 2 IN 1

SIDE STORY PT. SEVENTY

|AUGUST: 7 YEARS AGO, TRAINING|

"Alright cadets! It is time to get started on the 4 week worst weeks of being a trainy! You have signed the papers, you have sat in the classroom, now it is time to CONDITION YOUR WORTHLESS, WEAK BODIES INTO SHAPE! THERE WILL BE NO FAINTING, BARFING, INSUBORDINATION, OR SAS . DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" "YES INSTRUCTOR!" We said in unison before he made us run a mile around the camp. It was torture. Like, who would willingly put themselves through this?! I kept a slow pace to balance out my stamina, but even then I was about to give out. I returned to base a panting mess as the other guys didn't make it any better. Instead of "it's ok!" Or "you'll get used to it." They all laughed at me. Calling me the weak link til one man made them stop. John. He was a leader type, cocky and headstrong. He helped me a lot during those weeks and even helped me up to pat my back when the others didn't. Telling me not to bother with them since they wouldn't have the balls to say that in front of the instructor. It cheered me up and pretty soon we became friends. Even a duo of sorts. Til one day.

"Alright! Remaining recruits! If you haven't noticed, there will be a paper test today!" We thanked heaven for a day off. "I know I know, save your sadness for another day." The instructor joked then cleared his throat. "The test will be on arrests. Read the description then fill in A, B, C, or D for the punishment you see fits the crime. A- Nothing! B-One night in Jail! C- Arrest! D- Trial! Got it?!" "YES INSTRUCTOR!" "Alrighttt!" The instructor smiled and started a cooking timer. "You're test starts.." he paused. "NOW! GO GO GO!" We flinched at the sudden yell and eagerly flipped to the first page.

The first few were always the easiest. Murders, Reckless endangerment, Child abuse. But then, I got to the last question.

They always gave some backstory to them, most of them were stupid, like they saw the victims neckless and wanted to pawn it or they needed drug money. But this one really stuck with me. '"Robert Peterson was found inside a house on Getaway Dr. On July 25. He was caught stealing: a meat pie, bread, baby formula, feminine products, a blanket, 2 plates, 2 cups, and a baby bottle. Which is the appropriate punishment?"' I twiddled with my pencil. I knew which answer was right but I couldn't bring myself to fill in the bubble. 'He was caught stealing feminine products and baby formula so I know it wasn't for profit...' I struggled. I know this wasn't real, but actually taking time to think about it made me really sad. Some people actually have to do this and here we are.. Stopping them from providing efficient care for their families?... why can't we just help them? If his family was really struggling, this could cause more harm than good. Like.. what if they were homeless? They could freeze! Or starve! Oh god- "Are you done Mr. Allen?" The instructor said while standing in front of me. Without knowing it, I had spent the last 20 minutes merrily thinking of this one question. Back then, I was embarrassed. Like... I wanted to disappear kind of embarrassed. But instead of speaking my mind, I answered the question and turned it in.

Later that day, when John and I were cleaning the mess hall. He asked me why I zoned out during the test. I shrugged before leaping to a question I knew I should've kept in. "Do you ever wonder if what we're always doing is right?" He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "I mean, the last question-." "-The one about the robber-?" "-Yeah. He was stealing feminine things and baby formula. That couldn't be for himself or for profit, so why turn him in? His family could've starved." He chuckled. "That's what made you zone out? A question in a fake scenario?... August Cmon." "No! The philosophy behind the question. Don't you think it's wrong he had to go to jail?! He was only supporting his family! Why'd he have to-." "Because it's against the law to break into a house August!" John stood up. "Are you saying he should've been let go? What if he went on to steal bigger things? Or what if he killed someone because he got caught again?! You gotta stop the crimes when they start, because that's the only way to prevent them in the future! Ok?!"