Soldier's secret

12. ~The night that left me with so many questions~

(Plot twist?🤓)

The rest of the day was just as hard, if not harder, than the morning. After our brief break for lunch, we were back in the training grounds. This time, it wasn't about salutes or marches. It was physical training—push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups—one grueling exercise after another. The drill instructor watched us like a hawk, barking orders and reminding us that this was just the beginning. By the end of it, every muscle in my body screamed in protest. My arms were trembling from the strain, and my legs felt like they were made of lead.

Lili was exhausted too, her face flushed as she pushed herself through each exercise. Jasper, the tall recruit, seemed unfazed, his lean frame moving effortlessly through the drills. Nash, on the other hand, struggled with every task, but he never gave up. His determination was admirable, but I could tell he was near his breaking point.

By the time the final whistle blew and the instructor dismissed us for the day, I could barely stand. We stumbled back to the barracks, our feet dragging across the ground. Lili and I exchanged tired smiles, both of us too worn out to say much. The rest of the recruits looked equally spent, their faces flushed and their uniforms soaked with sweat.

As we collapsed onto our bunks, I couldn't help but think about how quickly everything was happening. Just days ago, I had been training in secret, hiding my dream of becoming a soldier from everyone. Now I was here, in a military academy, going through the toughest training I'd ever experienced. And Enzo... he had been there through it all. Supporting me. Pushing me. Believing in me.

But something felt off tonight.

Lying on my bunk, staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was moving too fast. My thoughts drifted to Enzo—his confident smile, the way he seemed to know exactly what to say to keep me going. But the more I thought about it, the more a gnawing doubt crept into my mind. How had everything fallen into place so quickly? How had he found this academy for me, convinced me to join, and now he was here with me, at the same school, only a few levels higher?

It all felt... rushed. Unreal, almost.

Was this real? Or had I been swept up in something?

I tossed and turned in bed, my mind racing with doubts. What if this wasn't what I thought it was? What if Enzo wasn't who I thought he was? I hated thinking like that, but I couldn't help it. Everything had happened so fast—too fast. I had jumped at the chance to follow my dream, and now, for the first time, I was starting to wonder if I'd made the right choice.

Unable to sleep, I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Lili. She was sound asleep, her face peaceful for the first time since the day had started. I needed some air. Maybe a walk would help clear my mind.

I left the barracks and wandered through the academy grounds, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The campus was eerily quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. My feet carried me without direction, my thoughts swirling with uncertainty. I passed by the training fields, now empty and still, and the obstacle courses we had struggled through earlier in the day.

Before I knew it, I found myself near the gun training room. It was a small building off to the side of the main campus, dimly lit from within. I hadn't been in there yet, but I knew it was where we'd eventually learn how to handle firearms. I slowed my steps as I approached, unsure why I had come this way. Something had drawn me here, some quiet instinct pulling me closer.

And then I saw him.

Enzo.

He was standing just outside the gun training room, his back to me. His dark hair was ruffled slightly by the wind, and he was holding his phone to his ear, deep in conversation. I froze, my heart racing as I watched him from the shadows, hidden behind a nearby tree. I hadn't expected to see him here, not like this.

His voice was low, too quiet for me to make out the words. But there was something about his posture, the way he was standing, that made my stomach twist with unease. He wasn't his usual confident self. He seemed... tense. Distracted.

I couldn't help but move closer, trying to catch pieces of the conversation.

"...No, I haven't told her everything yet," I heard him say, his voice muffled by the distance. My breath caught in my throat. Who was he talking to? And what hadn't he told me?

I inched closer, straining to hear more.

"She's not ready for that," Enzo continued, his tone serious, almost protective. "I'm doing this for her own good. She needs to believe in this... in me."

I felt a cold chill run down my spine. What was he talking about? What wasn't I ready for? My heart pounded in my chest, and I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to keep my breathing steady.

"I'll handle it," he said after a pause. "Just give me more time. She's starting to ask questions, but I'll keep her focused."

My stomach dropped. I stepped back, my mind racing. What was going on? What was Enzo hiding from me? And why did it feel like I was being manipulated?

I didn't want to hear more. I couldn't. The doubts that had been gnawing at me earlier were now roaring in my mind, louder than ever. Everything had happened so fast with Enzo—our connection, the academy, the way he had taken control of my path. And now, hearing him talk like this, like he was keeping something from me...

I backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound. My heart pounded in my ears as I turned and walked back toward the barracks, my mind spinning with confusion and fear. The cool night air felt suffocating now, and I quickened my pace, desperate to get away from the gun training room, away from Enzo and whatever secret he was hiding.

By the time I reached my bed, my hands were trembling. I slid under the covers, my heart still racing, and stared up at the ceiling. The quiet of the barracks was almost unbearable now, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me like a heavy blanket.

I couldn't stop thinking about that conversation. What was Enzo keeping from me? And why was I starting to feel like I couldn't trust him?

Sleep didn't come easily that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Enzo's tense expression, heard the sound of his voice saying, She's not ready for that.

Ready for what?

1230 words (🙆🏻‍♀️)
I highly recommend listening to the song called: Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens