Bulletproof Heart, Wounded Mind

Chapter 3

"Friends come and go. An endless, painful chain. But they're there for a reason. Do not make the mistakes you did in the past. Simply surround yourself with people who stay true to you."

((STRONG CONTENT))

May 31, 2050
U.S Base: California.

It's been a whole fifteen days me and Danny have been 'dating'.
I will admit he's been such a gentleman but I still can't find that spark.
Training has been hard too with him always talking to me.
Danny is sweet but I can't.

It's now night and Danny and me have snuck out into the little wooded area a little way from camp. He said he had a surprise.
I followed, curious to see what he had up his sleeve.
As I walked behind the trees and bushes with him he instantly pinned me against a tree and began fiddling with my tee as he nipped and kissed at my neck.
I gasped and struggled, trying to wiggle away without hurting him.
It was then I realized he wasn't himself. He was drunk. I remembered during our special dinner with our commander, Danny was downing the wine and liquor. Even the few beers offered. He was slammed.
"D-Danny stop.. Please this isn't ok.." I tried, gripping at his shirt.
He grunted and rutted against me.
I squealed and tensed. He ditched my shirt and moved to my pants, ripping those off.
I teared up, my body shook now.
I couldn't fight him off.
I tried kicking and punching but it didn't work.
"Danny please! Stop it!!" I begged, letting my tears fall freely.
As if my prayer was answered, Louis emerged from the bushes and rushed over, after examination. "Danny what the fuck? What're you doing?" He demanded, pulling the man off me. I dropped to my bottom, pulling my knees close.
Louis kept Danny away while he helped me with my pants and fixing myself up a little. Danny eventually came to realization in his drunken haze. "Anna... Oh fuck I'm sorry.." He mumbled. "Whatever Danny, you don't worry about it. We're done." I muttered, holding onto Louis as Louis picked me up.
"W-what? But Anna.."
"No. I can't lead you on like this... And I can't date someone that would do that to me." I spat, turning with Louis as he began to take me back to our cabin.
"Thanks Lou... I feel terrible... I did the right thing didn't I?" I said after a moment.
He nodded. "Of course, Danny was blind by love he acted like such a fool. Anyone could see you weren't interested. This was what you needed for that courage. I know that sounds harsh, but that's how war is too. You can't be soft, once we go off to war, you must keep a stone cold figure." He spoke. I nodded quietly. He was right. I shouldn't feel so guilty, and what Danny did was wrong, something I never wanted to experience..

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"RUN RUN RUN, UP! DOWN!"
"NO NO NO!"
"FUCKING HELL YOU WORTHLESS IMBASULS!"
I panted as I ran through yet another course, but this time working with the upper class. It was hard but I kept ahead of Danny and Ryan. Ryan was close but Danny was lingering behind, as if distracted.
"COME ON LANCASTER! YOU'RE BEING AS SLOW AS A FUCKING SNAIL!!"
I flinched as Jones insulted Danny, but kept running through the field, nearing the wooded target in front of me. We were training for all different terrain, making sure hills, dips, woods, and marshes weren't a struggle for us. I'll admit I had a little bit of a hard time with the marsh but I got through. By now my wife-beater is sweaty as hell, my boots and baggy pants are all wet and muddy and I'm starting to get tired. But the woods is our last target so I can't stop now. I dash into the woods and my first instinct is to fly by trees. Climbing up a sturdy one I began carefully hopping trees. I was glad because I saw plenty of thorn bushes that both Danny and Ryan would get caught in. And get caught they did. All of them did.
I laughed and continued my swinging. Once confident I could hop down, I did and continued my run on foot. At last I hit the marked finish spot. I plopped down on my knees and panted heavily as I regained myself. After a few breaths I stood and sighed out as watched the men running up the horizon.
"HELL YEA, GOT HERE BE- what?! Anna how the fuck..?"
"Tree hopping sweetie, everything is fair in war." I teased, cocking a hip sassily. He groaned. "At this rate why don't we just send you to war alone?" I laughed and nudged his sweaty shoulder. "Nah, we'll loose for sure."
Eventually Jones and Danny arrived. "Jacobson? How did you get here, I though we lost you." Jones puffed.
"Tree hopping sir, didn't think thorns would be fun running through." I answered.
He chuckled. "Perfect tactic... I'll see if I can teach these sacks of fat how to balance on a branch... Or better yet.. Why don't you Anna?" Jones grinned. I flushed. "Me..? Are you sure sir?"
"Of course, you've proven your skill and worth many times over." He nodded.
"Alright! Then I'll do it!" I agreed, puffing out my chest proudly.
"Great, tomorrow morning meet me in the woods. I'll have some men with me waiting so follow your tactics." He instructed before nodding them off.
Anna sighed and walked ahead of Danny with Ryan, chatting happily.
Danny watched with envy, regret, and sorrow. How could he have messed up so bad.. And then to learn she didn't even love him? Maybe she saw him more of a brotherly figure. Which hurt, but allowed him to know she had some care.
The day carried on slowly, I was able to relax but it didn't last for long.
The next morning rolled around and I was first awake, ready to meet the men in the woods. I dressed quickly before heading out, prepping further for the war ahead.
---

"Alright men! Watch Private Jacobson." Jones instructed.
I huffed. "I'm gonna show you two ways, watch closely."
I turned and found an easy tree, there was a rock nearby and I got an easy clear shot. I backed up, the others giving me space. I sprinted, hopped on the rock, and grabbed the tree branch, swinging a second before pulling myself up.
The men looked at me in awe. "That's one way." I began, hopping down. "Here's another."
I found another easy climb, jumping up to grab a branch before using the tree itself so walk my feet up, the branch simply an object to hold.
"Now. I'll split you into groups, once I feel you got it, I'll have your rotate. After, I'll teach you a few more ways but with resources." I instructed. They nodded and separated into groups as I pointed them to sides. Quickly they began working. The bulkier men had more trouble, but eventually everyone was climbing well.
I blew the whistle I was given to use and the two teams switched.
---
"Then you use this knife and set your foot there." I demonstrated, using knives for climbing, to reach a branch much to high to reach from the ground.
They practiced and very quickly we went to tree hopping.
Few men got it right. Some fell, bruised or just small injuries.
Once we went to fight... It would be worse.
I sent them all back, satisfied with their progression. "Jacobson, I'll have to move you up to corporal if you keep this up! You're magnificent." Jones complimented me.
I smiled and chuckled. "Id be honored if you did. Even getting to teach training is an honor sir."
He chuckled. "I'll talk with the others. See what we can do. Go get some rest darling."
"Yessir!" I called as he drove off on the vehicle he came in. I beamed and sprinted back to base, passing some of the men from my group. I hopped over the fence happily and hopped into my barracks, finding my bed to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day. Longer than I'd ever imagine.