MILITARY CAMP ❀ lariana

[4] voiceless

voice·less (vɔɪsləs)

adj. not able to speak or express opinions

recommended song to listen to whilst reading: CENTURIES - Fall Out Boy

"We're here." Asthon gulped once we reached our destination.

Behind the large metal walls, was our plan. But once we got in, there was no going out anymore.

"Do I look alright?" I asked shakily and gestured at my body, as Ashton's eyes took me in from head to toe.

Harry was nice enough to show me how to the bun perfectly, that was now hidden through my beanie. My face was by then clear from any trace of makeup and my clothes were chosen that way that I had the body figure of a guy, hiding all my curves.

"You know what to do, right? No talking and you tend to get a lot of nose bleeding." Ashton warned me on which I nodded.

"Well, here goes nothing."

With that, the two of us slowly walked towards the huge gate, secured with video cameras. In addition, two well built men, dressed in the usual military colours stood in front of the gate, their hands on their weapons which were guns.

"Names?" The left one asked us with an intimidating tone on which I wanted to back away, but Ashton already had a plan.

"Ashton Irwin and Aaron Valentine. Why we're here, it's probably obvious."

The two guards switched looks before both of their two eyes rested on me.

"Is it true?" The second one asked on which I nodded as confidently as I could.

"He's voiceless. He can hear but not talk yet he has quite a good aim when it comes to throwing." Ashton stepped in from me, bumping my shoulder in a reassuring matter.

"I understand." The first guard nodded briefly before his eyes fell on my bag. "What's in there? Hand it to me."

Unwillingly, I stretched out my hand so he could take the bag and moments later everything in it was tossed out. It was mainly some sour patches Ashton insisted on buying on he way, some baggy clothes and my things.

"What do you need this for?" The man looked at me with a raised brow as he held up the package filled with tampons.

"He gets a nosebleed often," Ashton stepped in, "Trust me, he gets that a lot and it seems like those are the only thing that prevents him from having his face running red."

The two guards looked at each other before they fully turned to us, their eyes drilling into us, as if they could see what we were thinking.

"Fine, these can come with you." Guard two accepted and threw the pack back to me, "But nothing else. Your things will be given to the orphanage or what do I know where. If I were you I'd stuff that in your pocket before you follow me. You both seem fit enough to succeed the test."

With that, guard two beckoned us to follow him and the metal gates opened, yet it didn't give us a glimpse of what awaited us. Naturally, I stuffed the box of tampons under my shirt and wiped my hands for some reason, before I caught the pace in which the guy and Ashton were going.

Many questions were running through my mind. What test? What if I'm not accepted but Ashton is?

"You'll dominate this, Ari," Ashton whispered into my ear, rubbing my shoulder soothingly. "It surely won't be that hard."

"General, we've gotten two men who want to join the army? Should we let them do the qualifying examination?"

"Wait a sec, Tomlinson, I'm on the phone," The general I haven't seen yet, grumbled in a low voice before he muttered some inaudible words. "Of course. Bye."

With that, he hung up and looked up at the guard, whose name apparently was Tomlinson.

"It was the president."

"President Clifford?"

"Exactly. We're running low on soldiers and can't afford to let volunteers go because they don't have the power. We're forced to accept everyone and train them as best as we can before we lose against Hood."

From behind I could see that Tomlinson was feeling in an uncomfortable position, but soon he regained himself and cleared his throat; "Anyway, we've found two volunteers."

"Oh really? Let me see them." The general ordered and as if on cue, Tomlinson stepped aside, revealing Ashton and I to him. My eyes widened when I saw who the general really was since I expected him to be a middle aged man.

But no, the general in front of me was very young in fact - and also very attractive. His short, blond hair was hidden under a black beanie, his broad shoulders were accentuated through the military jacket that clung on his body and what stood out were his blue eyes and his ridiculously long legs.

After he mustered Ashton from head to toe, his eyes moved over to me and I gulped, the first beads of sweat forming on my forehead. The whole time I have avoided his gaze, in fear of that he'd identify me somehow.

Luckily, that wasn't the case.

"What are your names?"

"Ashton Irwin, general," Ashton introduced himself briefly, his face expression showing nothing but severity while looking the chief into the eye. "And this is Aaron Valentine and he's-"

"I'm sure Valentine can introduce himself." The blond cut Ashton off, raising a brow at me. I shook my head.

"General, he's mute." Tomlinson mumbled into his ear and the general's face expression softened a tad. "Oh."

"He can hear well," Ashton butted in, "He's just voiceless."

"I see," The general nodded subtly before he presented himself; "General Hemmings. Tomlinson, I suppose you've checked them through so bring them to the base. No need for the test, they both look fit."

"Of course, general," Tomlinson saluted before he looked at Ashton and I, indicating us to follow him.

Wow, we made it.

Nevertheless, I could sense general Hemmings still staring after me. Maybe he was suspicious, but maybe he was just curious because of the fact that I was voiceless.

Either way, I had to watch my back very carefully.

I HAVENT UPDATED IN AGES AND IM VV SORRY FOR IT THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH WITH SCHOOL AND SIDE JOB AND UGH UPDATES ON THE OTHER BOOKS COMIN SOON

dedicated to lovelyclarnic ilyy XX

I hope y'all haven't lost interest on this bc now shitt is getting real here [also, what are your thoughts about Michael as the president wow um idk what came over me]

stay beautiful luvs XX

- indie the procrastinator