Dan POV
Every day was the same routine. I was forced to have sex in the morning and go training in the afternoon. The training was actual military training. There were several different things to do, boxing, shooting, running etc. Before I came here, I was so unfit that I couldn't even walk up the stairs without heavy breathing. I didn't even know how to use their guns. It was hard for me but the robots were very harsh. They would punish me whenever I didn't do well enough. They would require me to do extra work. Run more, shoot more, spend more time the gym and all that. It was absolutely hell every day.
I had to admit that Mark was a bit of a molester, but he was there for me when I was tired as fuck and nearly falling apart. He was there to tell me what to do, sometimes even a good massage. He was genuinely a good person.
"It's a bit late, where did you go?" Mark asked me, sitting down beside me on the bed.
"Nothing much, just fetched a drink." I fell to the bed feeling exhausted.
"You've worked hard. Get some rest, baby." He tousled my fringe and covered me with a blanket.
"Thanks, asshole." I shifted into a comfortable position. "Goodnight."
I heard Mark got onto his bed with a creak and the lights were off.
****
I woke up with Mark shaking me.
"Dan, wake up, we have to go to the hall. The leader has something to say." I groaned, stretching a bit then got up. Mark handed me breakfast, I quickly finished it and chatted with him about some random things while waiting for the call from the robots.
"So..... Did you lose anyone during this war?" Mark's voice was quiet and unconfident. That wasn't normal. I thought about Phil. I felt the physical pain that you'd feel when you suddenly remembered that you forgot the most important thing in your life. I nodded. Wondering where Phil was. Was he safe? Would I ever see him again? I didn't know. My gaze landed to the floor, I felt empty.
"Me too. I lost my girlfriend." He paused, looking sad. "I was going to propose to her, and a machine came out of no where and stabbed her in the back. I barely managed to escape, but I did." He sighed, then continued. "I have heard of the reapers, the survivors. But I never found them. And ended up being caught by the machines. I'm glad that I wore white." He let out a sad laugh.
"I lost my best friend. I know it's crazy but hear me out we-" I was cut off by the robotic voice that summoned us to the hall. "I'll tell you later." Then we exited the room.
*****
We were seated at the back of the hall. The hall was even bigger than the cafeteria. There was a big screen in the front, it was big enough for the back to see clearly. There were robots and soldiers around the hall and entrance, scanning everyone for someone looking suspicious.
Suddenly, all the lights were off and the blinds were drawn. The screen lit up.
"Greetings, followers." A man appeared on the screen.
"You are probably wondering why I have called a meeting." He clapped his hands and continued.
"I think it's time to end this. It has been going on for too long. Either we live, or the enemy lives. There will not be two sides anymore. There will only be white. Or filthy colours." The front row of the hall started to clap. I guess they were the higher rank soldiers.
The man smiled at them, gesturing them to calm down." We will fight them in approximately three months. Soldiers! Chop chop on the training! Followers! Work for your lives! It's all or nothing!"
And suddenly the whole hall stood up clapping, cheering and screaming. The soldiers and robots around them raised their weapons in agreement. We also stood up, not wanting to look suspicious. It was as if we were at a concert and the star just coming out and starting to perform.
"Now what are we waiting for? Go training immediately!" The man finished and the screen turned off.
We all sat down and waited for instructions. Mark and I weren't in the same group for training because he was much fitter compared to me. I was literally out of shape and now according to the man's words, the trainers would add more things for me to do. I didn't know if I could handle it. I thought I would pass out!
I was thinking as I was led down the hallways to the training grounds, what if's were flying everywhere. Calm down, Howell. Why did you travel through time? Because you hoped for a better life. Just relax and everything will get better.
I took a deep breath and went for it.
****
I woke up feeling something cool on my forehead.
"You okay there?" I felt a hand on my cheek, stroking softly.
My eyes tried to adjust to the light and focus on the figure, but they failed miserably. All I could see was black hair and a pair of glasses.
"Phil....?" I reached out. He took my hand.
"It's gonna be okay." He said, rubbing his thumb against the back of my hand.
I nodded, then I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. The pain came rushing down my spine and every part of the body. I felt so sore, every joint felt like it has been bent and broken. Fuck. It hurt as hell. I didn't sign up for this! I signed up for a better life! A happy life!
I felt his hand leaving mine. "Come the fuck back here PHIL YOU SON OF A BITCH!" I didn't know why I was so mad right now. Maybe it was because I didn't get what I wanted. Yeah, I needed Phil to pay me back.
I heard footsteps coming towards me.
"Dan... Are you seeing stuff? Who is Phil? You seem so worried about him." He took away the cool towel from my forehead. "It's me, Mark." He said softly, brushing my fringe out of my eyes. I tried to adjust and focus on his face. Oh, it was Mark.
"Since when did you wear glasses..." I mumbled, shuffling a bit.
"I always have. You just didn't notice." He gently wiped my face with the wet towel. "So who's that Phil guy? You kept mumbling his name when you were unconscious." His eyes were full of concern.
"Before I answer you, why am I aching and in bed?"
"I think you passed out. The training was too tough for you. Nobody bothered to call for help. It was getting late, and you weren't back so I went to look for you. I found you lying on the ground in the fucking rain. I brought you back here. "
I looked at him, shocked. I did pass out. Mark squeezed into my blanket carelessly wrapped his arm around me.
"So, are you going to tell me my bedtime story?" Mark closed his eyes.
"Fine." I shifted my back to the wall so there was room for Mark. It was gonna be a long story.
