Friendly Fire

(13) - A New Dawn

Leo showed me to a room after giving him everything he needed to know about The Elite Strike Force base. God, I felt guilty. But the deal that I made with The Resistance will ensure that the remaining members of The Elite Strike Force will be spared unless they initiate an attack first which most likely will be the case after... after I killed Private Riley.

"This is it, your new quarters" Leo announced before continuing. "I know it's not much given the situation here but... let this be your new home for the time being. You're not our prisoner anymore. You're one of us now."

The door to my quarters was a single barn door that slid open, revealing a one-roomed apartment fixed with a single bed in one corner of the room beside another glassless window that looked out onto the streets. I wondered how it was safe to leave windows open like this, it was big enough for anyone to slip through while I'm sleeping but I suppose you need to light up the room somehow and let the sun in. Next was a rather small kitchen. If I could call it that. There was no oven, no fridge, no appliances. Just a lonely bench island that was hardly big enough for even the most basic of meal preparations. It was literally the size of a dresser. Lastly was the tiniest powder room that I have ever seen. Walking in it, I was almost elbow to elbow to the walls. The mirror above the hand basin basically smashed and shattered long before I showed up. The shower next door to it was also only big enough for one person to stand pin straight under. However, if it is true, how are people here getting running water if their plumbing truly has been shut off?

"So... what do you think?"

I jumped as Leo snuck up behind me to ask his question, turning to face him, I saw him leaning his back against the door frame with his arms crossed.

"This... this will do."

"Just say it's a shit hole. You don't need to sugarcoat it."

I rolled my eyes at his comment and he stepped aside from the doorway to allow me to pass through and enter the main single room.

"Well, I guess I should give you some time to settle in and adjust. Unless... you want the company."

I glare at him, my eyes locking onto his.

"I'd rather be left alone thanks. I don't need babysitting"

He snorts and gestures to my leg which was shot and badly injured not long ago.

"Say that to me when you actually make it to the extraction point without bullet holes causing you to nearly bleed to death. But fine. I'll go. We will have our next meeting tomorrow at 8 AM. Don't be late and for the love of God, don't do anything stupid either. The others still aren't completely on board with you having free range of this place."

"Got it. 8 AM. Now get out."

Just like that, he raised his hands up in the surrender position as he left through the sliding door without another comment. I guess he could sense that he was starting to get on my nerves. Especially after mentioning the day that I was shot, abandoned, and taken to whatever remains of this shitty village.

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I awoke from this bed at the crack of dawn. Hours before I was supposed to prepare myself and meet The Resistance at their stupid, little guild hall. I always have woken up this early to train and perform my morning duties but, here. I don't have to do any of that here. It felt strange to sleep in the early hours of the morning. One thing was certain. I'm not going to try to get more rest. 

Leo had left me their infamous uniform, folded neatly on the small island bench in the kitchen and I took it with me to the shower room to try and wash off all the dirt and sweat that I had collected over the past few days. I needed this. I sucked in a breath and turned the handle. Only ice-cold water rained down on me causing me to shiver and tremble the whole time I was trying to wash up. I suppose it was at least clean, I guess it must be running on tank water rather than the plumbing otherwise I'd probably be showering in nothing but powdered clay. I tried to be as fast and effective as possible but stepping out of the cold shower and onto the cold concrete beneath my feet made me shake even more.