Recon 6

Part 19 Ana: Blowing Off Steam

The base had a small gym and it was too small to accommodate the amount of people that reside here. I had only seen recruits using the equipment from time to time. The early hours in the morning left it empty just for me to be alone. I wore Kayo's shirt tied in a knot behind my back and standard issued gym shorts. I started off slow on the treadmill becoming frustrated by the dull residual pain in my leg. I kept increasing the speed till I was in full sprint, feeling both of my legs burn under the intensity. After several minutes I slammed my hand down on the red stop button, letting my body fall off the treadmill as I caught my breath. My workouts previously were always intense but losing my muscle strength over the last few weeks made this the hardest workout of my life.
I wrapped tape around my knuckles like I always had and threw a few soft blows at the punching bag. After testing how sturdy it was I started rapid firing hard punches and my skin started to break under the tape. I was bleeding but I didn't care. I kept throwing harsh blows and kicking the sides of the bag. One last strong punch sent me to the floor.
"Fuck!" I yelled out exhausted. I laid on the floor panting and my knuckles screamed in pain.
"Marek?" A rumbling Irish voice called out.
I propped myself up on my elbows and saw Scorpion. He was dressed down wearing the same standard issues shorts as me.
"Scorpion?" I said still trying to catch my breath.
"It's late. Why aren't you resting?" He asked.
"I had a lot on my mind." I replied laying back down. He came and stood over me with his hands on his hips.
"Marek, you know you're bleeding, right?" He said looking down at me. "We should probably get you to medical." He reached for my hand.
"No! No more medical! No more!" I yelled out breathlessly.
"Whoa-hoh-hoh okay! Relax it was just a suggestion, lass." He kneeled down beside me. I was seeing his entire face for the first time. He had icy blue eyes with a chiseled face covered in a stubbled beard. His light brown hair was shaved down on the sides but left  longer on the top almost in a curly mohawk style. It was disheveled like he had just rolled out of bed.
I started hyperventilating and crying in front of Scorpion. Every emotion I have kept bottled up to get through the time I've been here was starting to come out and overwhelm me. Scorpion looked worried while he watched me bawl on the floor.
"Marek, I'm not sure what to do here." He said sitting me up. I tried taking deep breaths to calm myself down but it felt like all the air was leaving my lungs with no return in sight. My chest was tight and I grasped at it.
"Hey uh.. there's a problem with Marek.  We're in the activities room." He said into his phone. I fell to my side clawing at my chest hard. I felt like I needed to dig at my skin to let oxygen in. I was taking huge breaths like I was diving under water, gasping for any air I could.
"What happened?" Phantom asked.
"I-I-I don't know sir she just collapsed and.. I don't know." He stuttered.
"Christ sake Ronan, you've never seen a panic attack?" He snapped. Phantom sat me up and cupped my face.
"Ana listen to me. You are fine. Breathe." He wasn't wearing his glasses but still had a balaclava on his head. His piercing green eyes stared back at me as I let my head fall limp in his hands. Tears still streamed down my face as I listened to his voice. As rough as it was, his voice was comforting.
Phantom ordered Scorpion to leave the gym and he did without hesitation. It was just me and Phantom. After a few minutes I was able to breathe right and had calmed down. He stayed by my side the whole time.
"You don't have to be here." I said sniffling.
"I feel guilty, Ana." He sighed sitting down and propping his elbows on his knees.
"Guilty for what Grayson?" I asked using his real name not fearing repercussions this time. He gave me a stern look for using his name but didn't reprimand me for it.
"For putting you through all of this. I can see what it's done to you." He said.
"It's.. it's more than just you." I stumbled. I took a deep breath dreading the word vomit that was about to come up.
"What is it then?" He asked. I could see the curiosity in his eyes.
"Kayo and I.." I started and then paused.
"You fucked didn't you." He cut in.
"No! Well.. no no.." I said. "We were.. engaged in activities but no.." I added.
"Ahh.. that explains why he's so protective over you." He chuckled.
"I don't think choking me out in a fit of rage is being protective." I grumbled remembering how Kayo's hands squeezed my neck and it sent a chill down my spine.
"You don't know much about Kayo. He has severe social anxiety. All of us were surprised when he took to you quickly. He has severe post traumatic stress disorder and after his last mission it sent him off the rails. That's why we told you to leave him alone." He explained.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? None of this would have happened.." I said.
"Well we thought you'd listen but that's a lesson learned." He laughed. The silence hung around for a while before I finally spoke up.
"He scares me now Grayson." I mumbled.
"He'll be back to normal in time. You just need to focus on getting back in shape. We were given some details last night and we may have to go to Iran soon." He said placing his hand on my shoulder.