Gunshots | Dunkirk (Larry)

5. New beginnings

"Your mother is lovely." Shawn said smiling to me.
"Thank you. Can I ask you a question?"
"Shoot." He smiled cheeky.
"Do your parents know that you're going to fight in the upcoming war?"
"Yes." He answered, his face expression changing to straight.
"And? What did they say?" I continued being noisy.
"Well my mother started crying as yours did, and asked me to quit, but I convinced her that this is what I had to do and she understood. And my father.. he was not that impressed. He said that for him I'm dead anyways."

"Oh God.. I'm so sorry I asked! Please forgive me, I-I didn't know!"
"Don't worry.. I got used to the idea."
"We're close to the airport. You should call home and tell them everything that I told you about the communication way we have. They will take our phones away before we get to the aircraft."
"Thanks for the advice!"
"No problem. I'll get your luggage too and wait for you at the entrance. Be as brief as you can, finish before they see you talking ok?"
"Okay thanks, Shawn! I'll be quick."

As soon as the truck stopped I hopped out, and went behind the big door and called home.

"Mom?"
"Harry? Honey are you ok??"
"Yes I'm fine mom, we're at the airport ready to fly to Afghanistan. Listen to me carefully! Shawn said that they will take away our phones before we get in the plane. The only way we can talk will be two phone calls per day only from me. You guys can't call me. Another way is letters. I can receive only one bigger envelope so if you want to send me a letter gather it with someone elses who wants to send me one too. This is only one time per month. I'll call you as often as I can! Tell everybody that I love them, I have to go, love you mom, bye!!" I hung up the phone before she could reply, then quickly went back to Shawn who was waiting for me at the entrance. I got my luggage from him and we went ahead after the others.

"What did she say?"
"She only asked if something happened but then I hung up before she could say anything else."
"You'll call them when we arrive. Don't worry. The first day is a more laid back one. There will be repartitions happening, and speeches. Also they will hand us the program for trainings."
"Very organised."
"Yeah you have to be organised there. They kind of punish the lazy ones, because they say that people like that pull the team down. Everything has to be in order and done fast. Discipline is the key to succes."
"Where do you know all these things from?"
"I've been there before. It's a good thing that we got to know each other before we got there. We should stick together you know. I promised your mother."
"Yeah that's true" I laughed at the moment but then I felt a hole growing in my stomach."

We soon got to the gate where suddenly a group of people applauded us and whistled, wishing us good luck and things like that. They were somehow banned to get closer but they still were able to see us, as well as a few cameras and news guys. Me and Shawn sticked together walking further, ignoring the noisy people.

We got on board and sat down in our chairs, that were not actually normal airplane chairs.

*This is how an actual military airplane looks inside*

"Here comes our sergeant, listen carefully." Shawn whispered so I was fully concentrated on his words.

"Salute sir!"
"Salute! I am sergeant Clark. I will be your drill instructor these months. I will say from the start that this won't be easy. Especially for you. But with our help and faith in yourselves you will succeed. I will tell you more about organisation when we get there. Now the plane will take off. Shut down your phones. I'm not taking them away yet. Have a safe flight everyone. You're dismissed."

"Well it seems like this one is not that bad as the others. Maybe they changed some of the rules. I don't know. He seems more friendly than the others."
"Well that's good I suppose?"
"Yeah, maybe if I'll talk to him we can stay in the same room."
"Yeah that would be awesome."

A few hours later we've arrived to our destination Afghanistan. It was so different. The air was dry, there already were troups training. Drill instructors screaming at their cadets. My life in London was luxurious. Now I have to adapt really quickly to the new lifestyle plus the imminent danger.

"Hei..? What's the matter?" I felt a hand on my shoulder slightly squeezing it.
"Aam nothing I was just thinking."
"Don't worry Harry, we'll be fine, you'll see."
"I know."

After a while we were sorted out in groups of 20 people, luckly I was in the same as Shawn. We were lucky to share a room together with another pal. Brian I think it was his name. He seemed nice too. We were now in line to get more equipments and also vaccination, supplies and the food items list, for the menus that we will eat here.
Then we got instructed how to iron our clothes, how to pack them efficiently and how to get ready in less then 2 minutes.
Later on we were called outside to do cardio training entry level and then the evening running. I ran shoulder to shoulder with Shawn it was so much better than if I would've been alone. Thanks God I have him.

"Battalion 25 Black Hawks dismissed!"
"Sir, yes sir!" We saluted our cardio instructor and went to our rooms. We showered quickly and got ready for dinner.

"Ya ready mate?"
"Yeah I'm good, where's Brian?"
"Already there, holding seats for us. Let's go." Shawn went ahead but I stopped him for a minute.
"Shawn.."
"Yes Harry? Something happened?"
"No, I just wanted to thank you."
"What for?"
"Supporting me. Thanks a lot!"
"No problem mate, come on." He grinned. His smile was very cute, kind of mischievous.

We went to the food court area and sat next to Brian. Then the captain spoke.

"Salute!"
"Salute, sir!"
"Sit down, I won't retain you very much. I just wanted to say, congratulations!! You have made it through your first day of hell. Just kidding! You guys did well today but keep in mind that it will get harder day by day, but in the end you will become well trained soldiers. It will be worthy, trust me guys. Tonight after dinner you can call your families from your own phones. We reconsidered the communication thing and the result is you guys will be able to keep your phones with you in the rooms. Through the day you will leave them there, but at night you can call your relatives whenever you want. You are not able to receive calls from home. This rule will be available for only two weeks, then we will come back to the old rules. I think that's all for now. Enjoy your meals! Dismissed!"
"Sir, yes sir! Salute!"