GUN CITY

Èr Chapter- Day One

Dedicated to sparklelis

Zandra's heart quickened as Walter's Range Rover approached Gun City Academy. The journey was relatively quiet, buttered by the cold hard stare Cecily threw at her husband Walter.

Cecily, Zandra's mother was the only one that was strongly opposing of Zan's decision to go to the Academy. She believed Walter had forcibly pushed Zandra into making what she thought was a senile decision. The Cottons could proudly sport three beautiful daughters but no male child, this was one of the insecurities Cecily had and believed her husband was turning Zandra into the son he never had.

Parked at the front of the Academy, Zandra anxiety tripled owing to the fact that she had not been away from her family for a long time and now she is going to live with strangers for another six months. Her enthusiasm during the journey had suddenly dissolved into oblivion.

Taking her medium sized box she blew out a shaky breath. Family and guardians were not allowed into the Academy, for pete's sake! It was an army academy. Independence starts at the gate. Zandra's eyes took in the features of her family for the last time, her mother was on the verge of crying, her sisters look could not be deciphered and Walter face was still plastered with a proud smile.

"I love you" Cecily squeaked out as she pulled Zandra for a bear hug. "I know mum, I love you too" Zandra whispered into her neck. As they untangled, Silvia, Zandra's eldest sister tried to lighten the mood but that did not work out well for her "Don't get killed in training Zan, we will need you to fight in the war". Silvia's words earned her a hard threatening stare from her mother causing her to swallow back her next words.

Soon goodbyes were over and Zandra Cotton pulled her box and made her way into the building.

Where is it?! her jumbled mind tried to find her paper map. She had been mailed a paper map of the Academy along with a list required items. Her fingers dipped into all her pockets but there was nothing. She panicked. No No No!!!! Zan this was your first task dammit! she scolded herself. She proceeded to search her bag rigorously but that did not make the paper map appear. Zandra mentally face-palmed herself for being an idiot.

Zandra had noted other new students and decided to follow their lead. Within twenty minutes this baby girl was so lost. She groaned for the umpteenth time.

"Excuse me? Young lady, Are you lost" a baritone voice boomed causing Zandra to jump very high in fright, only that she did not reach the ceiling. She revolved to face the human. "Good day Ma'am" were Zandra's first words. Good gracious she still maintained her manners in her disoriented state. " I have lost my paper map and am very lost" She continued throwing in a crooked smile. Zandra's green orbs absorbed the woman's features. Sun colored hair cut very short and dark grey eyes. Zandra observed the woman's attire taking note of the three stars that took their place right above her heart on her navy blue shirt. The woman pressed her lips into a thin line and spoke in a clear voice "Come with me Zandra Cotton". Zandra name tag was pinned to her chest just above her heart.

There was a comfortable silence apart from the sound made by the tires of Zandra's box as it grind against the marble floor. Zandra did not stop her inspection of the woman, she watched her movements noting how strong and able bodied she looked. No doubt the woman was truly beautiful. Zandra decided there and then that whoever brands army women as ugly she would knock their tooth out.

Zandra was deep in thoughts and was totally oblivious of the fact that they had entered a new room or more appropriately a very large hall. To Zan, the girl that now spoke with the woman appeared out of thin air. Zandra had not noticed her come. Her attention now shifted to the new character. Zandra changed her mind. She decided she will take out the eyes of whoever said women in the army are hideous. She studied the girl. She was way younger than the woman she met first and she did not have any stars, her long raven colored hair was pulled away from her face to reveal her heart shaped face. Her blue eyes sparkled with sweetness. She was brought back to reality by that same baritone voice "Miss Cotton here has lost her map and way. Could you get her in place before the gathering?". "I'd love to but I have a lot on my plate now Captain Syd. I could get some other assistant to do it, moreover, Captain Richard is around" the raven haired girl calmly said. Captain Syd seemed distracted by the last sentence as her cheeks turned slightly pink. "I leave her in your care get some assistant if you can't". With that Captain Syd walked away.

Zandra who was mute throughout smiled at the girl sheepishly. "Jolene" the blue eyed girl smiled stretching her right hand. "Zandra" the redhead replied clasping the hand only to amazed at its strength. After the introductions, Jolene cleared her throat and said "Zandra, right now I can't be of help to you. I have to be somewhere else but i will get someone to help you. Please come with me". Zandra gave a simple nod and tried to keep up with Jolene's quick steps.

Jolene's eyes sighted a moving figure at far end of the hall. Tall, dark, brown haired and beautiful yet deadly brown eyes. Lawd.

"Lawd!" Jolene screamed to the dismay of Zandra's ears. Jolene improved in her steps. Zandra quickened her pace also but something moved faster than her legs- her heart. She discarded it owing to the fact that she had been running.

Zandra had caught up with Jolene and now they were facing the boy. Something looked and smelled to Zandra even the name. "Lawd" Jolene called again causing Zandra's heart to go a little faster. Her brain had began reorganization. The boy squinted at her. Jolene seemed oblivious of what was occurring. Lawd's eyes landed on a small and almost invisible scar on Zandra's fore head. There was a sudden connection inside of Zandra's brain and she instantly paled.