Charades

Chapter 2

Okay, guys I really know nothing about the military so if I get things wrong don't be mad! I have been doing A LOT of research for this book.

ONTO THE CHAPTER!!!!!!

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There was a long line of young men at the training camp. There was a section covered with mud. Above the mud was barbed wire. Close by was a large obstacle course. There was also dummies wearing military uniform. On the far end were two large trenches facing each other, about a few hundred yards apart. On the other side of the field there were many cabins. There was also a rather large building rather close to the cabins. Sam assumed it was the mess hall and other rooms. There was also a white tent with a red cross on it: the clinic. You could tell where the border was because the whole perimeter had a barbed wire fence.

"Listen up, boys!" James yelled. He walked up and down inspecting the line of newly recruited men. "Each person will have a cabin shared with three people. You will all be assigned a different schedule and you are to follow! Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" all the boys said in unison.

"Whenever you are to hear this it means to go to your next training session or it's a wake up call," James said and a man played the reveille on a bugle. "Good. I want you all to find a cabin, now," James yelled.

All the boys started marching to a cabin. Most with their friends of family. Sam was reluctant to go but followed the crown. James put a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, I can't get you your own cabin, it would be too suspicious," he said softly.

Sam nodded and gave a soft smile. She walked over to the first cabin she saw with an open spot.

Her new roommates walked into their cabin. The door creaked when it opened. There were two bunk beds made out of wood with old mattresses. Each bed had an thin old blanket with small holes.

"I'm Howard Mugg," said a boy. He had curly auburn hair. His eyes were bright green and seemed friendly. He had a short stubble which Samantha found rather attractive. He was slim but muscular. He held out his hand to Samantha.

"I'm Sam, Sam Myers" Sam said in her best male voice.

"Myres, as in the Myres family? One of the richest families in America" another boy who was nearly all bones and no fat or muscle asked. He also had ginger hair and green eyes but was a few years younger.

"I guess," Sam said unsure.

The boy smiled widely,"I'm Albert Muggs, Howard's brother."

Sam climbed up the ladder of the bunk bed. She placed her backpack on the bed and climbed back down. There was another boy who had sat down on the bunk below hers. He had black hair that covered his eyes. He didn't get up to talk or get to know his new roommates.

Before they knew it a loud bugle was played. Everyone ran out their cabin and lined up side by side.

"For your first time I suppose that was good. Next time I want you to be out in seconds. Is that understood?" James yelled.

"Sir, yes, sir!" everyone said in unison.

"After dinner everyone will have their head shaved, we don't need anyone getting ill before battle, ok?" James said sternly. "Dinner will be short. If you talk you will leave, no matter what is left on your tray."

Everyone left and headed to the mess hall. The canteen had long tables with dozens of small, faded blue seats connected to it. Up at front of the room was a counter with mash potatoes and beans.

James went first in line. He took a tray and took a spoonful of mash potatoes. "This here is what we call protein mush with green stuff."

Everyone laughed lightly hoping it was a joke.

Before she knew it, dinner was over. It didn't help that they only had ten minutes. Everyone left the canteen and walked to another room in the building. They stayed out in the hall while James shaved of the their hair one by one. When it was Sam's turn she slowly walked into the room and frowned. There was a chair with hair of all different colors and sizes surrounding it.

"This won't take long," James said.

"Do you know how to work that thing?" Sam asked and pointed to the razor in his hand.

"That's what makes it fun," James smirked.

When they got back to the cabin, Sam started climbing the ladder to her bed when someone knocked on the door.

Albert opened it. When he saw it was James he straightened up and became stiff.

Howard gently moved his brother aside. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, um...can I talk to Saman..er...Sam?" James asked.

"Yes?" Sam said, now at the door.

"Come with me," James instructed. Until they were out of sight James walked in front of her looking all authoritative. Once they reached James cabin Sam started laughing.

"What's so funny?" James said, confused.

"I never imagined you to be a general. I mean, you saw how Albert froze when he saw you," Sam explained.

James rolled his eyes and opened the door to his cabin. There was a single bed with clean sheets. On the other side of the room was a door which Sam assumed led to a bathroom.

"Since you're a girl and everyone else is a boy you are welcome to come here when you need to change or shower when everyone else is in the shower room," James said. He sat down on his bed and patted the spot next to him, gesturing for Sam to sit down.

"You think I can't do it, right?" said Sam.

"I never said that!" James and raised his hands in protest.

"But you thought it."

James sighed. "What do you do when someone realizes you're a girl. Hmm? What if your brothers see you here? You can't avoid them forever." James handed her a train ticket and avoided Sam's angry eyes, "You can still go back, I can tell everyone that you were stationed at a different camp. I can get you back home safely so you don't have to worry about the war anymore, I can-"

"No!" Sam snatched the ticket from his hand and ripped it up furiously, "I thought you, out of all the people in the world, would actually understand." she quickly went to his washroom and changed into a baggy t-shirt and stormed off back to the cabin.

"What did the general talk to you about?" Howard asked when she got back to her cabin. He was laying in his bed.

"He... just wanted to talk. We grew up together, actually. I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" Sam apologized.

"Nah, I'm a light sleeper," he said.

Sam took of her dirty boot and climbed onto her bed. What would she do if she got caught? Sam brushed of the thought and went to sleep.