Reborn ↣ Simon "Ghost" Riley

chapter four - back to...

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Considering that the SAS had only ever recruited two women, one of which was Ella herself, there was no specific female section in the barracks. Rather, it was one large building that housed many small rooms. She didn't mind the less than spacious bedroom she was assigned, and was instead grateful that she had her own room. Up until she joined the SAS it hadn't been like that, and instead she was forced to dorm with up to five other women at a time. Having a bit of privacy was always nice.

The building was empty, but she attributed it to it being later in the day. Most people were finishing up dinner, showering, and getting ready for bed. Her room was small and sparingly furnished, pale blue walls contained a single bed adorned with crisp white sheets, a white dresser, and a simple white desk and desk chair. She noticed a few standard uniforms folded neatly and left on top of the dresser, two pairs of standard issue combat boots on the floor next to the dresser.

Laswell sure is fast.

Everything in her room was white, as it was in every other room, with the military loving their conformity. She didn't mind it, and instead unpacked what she brought into the dresser, and stowing her laptop in one of the desk's drawers. She huffed at the lack of clothes. Not being sure how long she would be gone, she had packed enough for a few days. She would have to remember to request permission to leave base and get to a clothing store. A few stationery items wouldn't hurt either. Paperwork wasn't a large part of her job, but even the Sergeants were required to contribute their own reports to missions and the like.

Glancing at her watch told her it was 21:30. With how early she was to be awake the next morning, she figured a quick shower was in order before getting into bed for the night. She ruffled through her dresser, eventually digging out a towel and sleeping clothes she brought for herself. Quietly, so as to not disturb any of the others in the barracks, she crept her way to the communal bathroom. As women were accepted into the SAS, each base had added on separate bathroom facilities for men and for women.
The facility was nothing special, a large white tiled bathroom with rows of showers on the left, and basins on the right, with lockers taking up the furthest wall. The showers were kept in stalls for privacy, which she was thankful for. She showered quickly, brushed her teeth, did her skincare in the basin, and dressed before making her way out.

She quietly padded her way to her room, where she turned off the lights and got into bed. The mattress was oddly comforting, just the right mix between hard and soft, and the sheets pleasantly clean. Silence blanketed her, and it was comforting. The barracks was detached from the main building, so she wouldn't hear those on night shift as they made their way through the long halls. She could only hear the occasional soldier preparing for bed, which she didn't mind.

Her mind reeled with the day's events when she lay her head down to sleep, how she had started the day fearing for her freedom and ended it with joining one of the most famous task forces on base. It still didn't feel real. The 141 wanted her. Her. As battered and broken she had been when they found her. It was still hard to fathom why they wanted her, specifically, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. She was thankful she didn't have family at home to worry about, or a cat, because she wasn't sure when exactly she'd be back. She made a mental note to ask her landlord if she could pay her rent for the next few months early, and to send an email to Doctor Philip. She was sure she'd want to hear about the day's events, or what Ella could disclose at least.

She didn't spend too long thinking on the logistics, and instead focused on closing her eyes and falling asleep. She was to be up early the next morning, and the last thing she wanted was to disappoint.

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The early buzz had Ella stirring awake just before 5AM. Multiple footsteps trailed up and down the hallways, entering and exiting different rooms as people started their days. For a moment she just laid there, eyes closed, breathing in the energy of those around her. She was thankful that she couldn't remember her dream that night, if she even had dreamed. Then, with a surge of determination, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, getting up and promptly getting ready.