The Boy Next Door•Ben Parrish

02•Welcome•02

This chapter is dedicated to Dreamsylittleme1 for being the first to vote for my book💘
DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, I do NOT own the 5th Wave. All characters belong to Rick Yancy except for Serenity.
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      It's kinda funny how so many different things come in waves. Light travels in waves and water hits the shore in waves. It's also kinda funny how the 1st Wave knocked out the power, which includes lights (which travel in waves) and the 2nd Wave caused giant waves (tsunamis) to hit coastal cities. But do you know what else comes in waves? Pain.

      I can definitely feel the pain with Reznik heal up my ass and my knuckles scraping against the asphalt.

"Private Petals," Reznik's harsh voice yelled as I was on my ninety-seventh knuckle push up. "Sir! Yes, sir!" I replied. "Do you call that a push up you spineless maggot?!"

      Meet Reznik, a dick headed, equal-opportunity, sadist. Who's favorite hobby is torturing children along with members of my squad. Which include Flintstone, who's my age, with his big head and bushy unibrow; Tank, the skinny, quick-tempered farm boy; Dumbo, the twelve-year-old boy with the big ears and quick smile that disappeared quickly after the first week of basic; Poundcake, the eight-year-old who never talks, but who's our second best shot by far, second to me of course; Oompa, the cubby kid with crooked teeth who's always last in every drill but first in the chow line; and finally Teacup, a seven-year-old that reminds me of a meaner version of my little sister. That's Squad 53 folks, a bunch of misfit kids with weird names.

      "Sir! No, Sir!" My voice comes out weaker than I intended. "I want one hundred more push ups for all of you since it seems Private Petals can't do a push up correctly." Reznik booms, his heal forcing my body to the ground along, giving me a painful scrape from the frozen asphalt.

       An array of glares are sent my way, but by far Teacup's is the most bitchiest.

      I've been in Squad 53 for a month now. I was the second person to make be assigned to this squad and let me tell you it hasn't been the funniest to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the roof over my head and the 'food' they provide for us but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Reznik's jobs description said somethings about being a complete bastard. Literally, he treats us like we're the aliens, like we're the enemies.

Reznik is the one who gave me the name Private Petals. He gave me the name after viewing my wonderland. Oh I can't tell you how much I'd like to rip his balls off and stitch them to his forehead.

       Ninety-nine! One hundred! I mentally cheered that I was finally done. I slowly picked myself off the asphalt cringing at my soar muscles in the process. I looked down at my wrist watch. 5:00 P.M. Time for evening chow. Yay!!!  Note the sarcasm. The meals aren't the most gourmet here. Unless you consider canned meat, canned peas, some type of dry ass bread, and mystery meat gourmet.

     I get in line to get some food. The angry looking, old lunch lady sloppily pours some canned beans on my plate. As I move along the lunch line my plate gets fuller with various unknown foods. My mind drifts off to the lunch at school, this shit we're getting served now would make school lunch look like gold.

        I make my way to Squad 53's lunch table and sit down. I sit next to  Teacup and the spot next to me remained empty.