"They see right through me, can you see right through me?"
***
Everybody's heard of Tim Bradford. The strict, stern and self righteous training officer. The officer that makes rookies shake with one glance. His reputation certainly precedes him. He'...
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A name that firmly holds honour and respect deep into the depths of the man that owns it. A name which is dragged through the mud day in, day out, by officers and criminals alike. A name that has traveled through the military and ended in the police force. A name with meaning, purpose.
Though it wasn't always plain sailing. Growing up was hard. The changes the body experiences, the mental changes the brain experiences and the emotional changes the heart experiences. Each and every minor convenience had a hefty impact on Tim up until the age of 6. When his baby brother was born, Reece. Just as the spotlight was warming up on him, it had gone just as cold as it had been a month prior.
And Tim was jealous. It was unfair. Reece didn't know what it was like to be a Bradford, so why was he getting showered with love and affection? He hasn't had to endure endless hours of reprimands, punishments, and abuse. Just so he knows what being a Bradford means. He'll never know that. Ever.
Then, growing up, Reece began to earn a special corner of Tim's heart, it was like having a mini him. They walked the same, talked the same and looked very alike. Brothers in every sense. Close brothers at that. Reece was humble, that was obvious. And so was Tim, though he didn't shy away from an occasional boast at Reece's expense. Though it didn't gain the anticipated reaction, only a "Stop being rude to Reece." Or a, "Go back up to your room, Tim." No congratulations, no celebration. Nothing.
And you could say that was the main contributing factor for why Tim is the way he is today. All that pent up anger and resentment towards those who didn't acknowledge his strengths would always be projected on those probationary officers poor enough to face his wrath.
***
REECE BRADFORD.
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Reece's life had been a breeze, or so that's how it's perceived from the outside. A younger brother with a strong, older brother for protection and two loving parents, right? Wrong.
Joining the military at 16 was no mean feat, but he felt like he had a duty. He had to do it. Had to commit. Had to serve. It was almost like an entrance exam to becoming a real man. A real Bradford man. Pass the test, survive 2 tours, you're a man. Die on the field? You die a boy. A pathetic boy who isn't worthy of the name. So yes, tons of pressure were on 16 year old Reece's shoulders. But he came back unscathed physically. Mentally was a whole other conversation. He'd seen limbs blown off, children killed in the most brutal ways, hostages that they just could only flash a sympathetic eye to before moving forwards.
Post military, Reece was stuck. Sure he had grades, but they were unsatisfactory, Cs and Ds across the board, he was no Tim. He could go to a football college, get a scholarship, but that's a heavy investment. He could serve again, but he was convinced if he served he'd end up looking himself if the battles didn't. Back to the drawing board. It was almost like the angel and devil analogy. One on shoulder, he had his father, presumably the devil, shouting in his ear to become a big, strong military man who fears nothing, but his inner turmoil told him to follow his passion. His passion for aiding people, helping them in any way. And even though a doctor was off the cards, a mechanic wasn't.
And so it began, he started up a job at a mechanics shop called Franco's down the street from their house. The disapproving eyes from his father drilled into his back as he exited everyday but it was worth it. The cars he saw were worth more than anything in the world.
After 7 months of repetitive labour, he submitted his letter of resignation and arrived back home after his final shift. Lost and confused. His father still screaming down his ear to become a military man like Tim. To which Reece replied, "I've already served. I passed your damn test!" And that earned him a firm slap and a lecture.
Eventually, he turned to Tim for advice, which was definitely last resort. But he offered the academy as an option, and it definitely appealed to Reece. It sounded like a good use of his time and skills, so why not?
He could keep fit and exercise his brain each day. And he could help people. And he could pick up some badge bunnies in the middle.
And here we are, present day. Reece's first day as an LAPD rookie cop.
10.11.24
let me know if this is good and worth continuing!!!
