𝐦𝐞, 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞.

>>Chapter 2<<

Embers P.O.V

Week 11

We had 28 minutes to run 3 miles. I counted in my head, I was at 14.35 minutes and 2 and a half miles. I saw my brother up ahead and caught up to him. "How's it going, brother?" I said and he looked over.

"Heey sis!" He said surprised. You shouldn't doubt me. We ran along side each other until we saw the finish line. We hooked our hands together and lifted our hands up as we crossed it. We laughed together and turned around. "Nice job, White." Staff Sargent Lee said and both my brother and I said "Thank you ma'am"

I saw Madison coming up after a couple marines-in-training later. She crossed the finish line and hugged me. We stuck together like glue because we were all sweaty. I laughed and unstuck us. We had gotten orders earlier that when you're done you go to the mess hall to get your mid-rations and then it was lights out, so that's what we did.

I barely saw my brother over the past 11 weeks but every once in a while our schedules for eating lined up. The last couple weeks have been hell but the D.I.'s have let up some on the screaming. I could call Staff Sargent Lee by her title now, instead of ma'am.

A couple weeks back I earned a sharp shooter title. On my free time- which was little to none- I practiced my marksmanship and techniques. The crucifier was coming up and I heard it's going to be hell. Hopefully all my training has prepared me for it.

~

Graduation day. The day where grown men cry and the day I've looked forward to my entire life. I cried myself as Staff Sargent Lee pinned my eagle, globe, and anchor upon my chest personally. "You're going to do great things, Private White." Sargent said to me. "Thank you, Staff Sargent Lee." I said.

I met up with my brother, father and mother afterwards. "I'm so proud of you both." My father said with an approving smile. "I love you." My mom said to us and we all hugged each other. Madison came over to us.

"I can't believe we did it!" She said jumping into my arms. "I know! I hope we get deployed together." I said and we most likely would since we were part of the same crew in training. During training, every week we had inspection. Each D.I's crew would be pitted against each other based on points. Staff Sargent Lee would get so mad at us if we got a bad score and make us run 12 more miles each day. Madison was in my crew. Our crew was number one most of the time in anything.

"Hey, where's your parents?" I asked Madison. "Oh, yeah. They died when I was little, no biggie." She said, not bothered. "I'm sorry. Well this is my mom, Lindsey. My dad, Master Sargent White." I said.

"Nice to meet you, Master Sargent. As to you ma'am." She said shaking my dads hand. "Oh please, call me mom." My mom said and I thought she came off a bit strong but nobody else did apparently. "Well, nice to meet you mom." Madison said and hugged my mom.

~
9 months later*

I was stationed in Pakistan 8 months ago. We've been doing all sorts of missions and I was moving up in the ranks. I was part of unit 7 which consisted of Private Colton Cole - who was really funny and smoking hot but closed off, Private Hayes, My brother, Private Williams, Private Baker, Staff Sargent Michaels came over to Pakistan with us but he was always with Master Sargent Kitts who was the unit leader but I was always was the mission leader because Master Sargent stayed at base.

"Shush." I hushed my brother while unit 7 came into a village to find illegal weapons being hidden. "Ma'am I understand, stand over here. Would ya?" I said trying to calm down the lady speaking a different language. "Private Hayes!" I yelled for Madison because she learned to speak their language over the time we were there.