Runaway hero

Seventeen

I just finished my second tour. I am getting transported to Washington DC. There will be a conference with the president of the United States. When we touched down I was brought to a bathroom so I can change into formal wear. With this formal wear I got new medals. I walk out and then transported to back stage to greet the President.
'Hello Mr. President I'm glad to meet you.' I said.
"It is actually my pleasure miss. McStiles. You served your country well. However I have a question I want to ask you. What's your goal to be after all this is over?" He asks.
I give a small smile. 'I will inform when you give the opportunity on stage sir. If you don't mind.' I said.
"No, no that is fine. Then let's go." He says as he escorts me onto the stage.
"Hello citizens of the United States. With me today is a special young lady. She had many difficulties through her life. And she agreed to share some of her story with us today. So please help me welcome her here today Sammy McStiles." He called out as everyone cheered.
'Hello thank you all for listening in. As he said I am Sammy McStiles. While my platoon mates call me Sam, zombie, Godzilla, invincible protector or even just Sammy. I'm not different from many of you out there. I was born to a couple. However they say I was a mistake and shouldn't be there. I spent fourteen years with them trying to prove myself to them. However the drank and abused me till I was out cold. I missed school with no hope of catching up or living till the next day. The police showed up to my house waking up my hungover parents. And I know one thing that I was going to die the next day if they didn't take me away. In fear I ran away. I lived upon roofs of New York's buildings. With me only resting for a moment I heard a women's scream. I knew I had a chance to help. A chance to save a family from separating at any cost. So I jumped down and knocked the man out before the women was hurt. She asked what was my name. But at that moment I was week with hatred for the name my parents gave. So I told her to call me the run away for that's what I am. I saved people in New York for a couple nights until one night I was kidnapped and tortured. I was experimented on that gave me abilities that I hated at first but helped me and my country on the battle field. I can no longer go to sleep and dream about the future or have the haunting nightmare after a terrible experience. I can no longer sleep. I gained stronger senses and enhanced physical attributes. I escaped that place and returned. I still saved people from trouble while learning to control my strength. That is where I found a new family that cared for me. That didn't look at me wrong or in fear. They helped me out in my hard time.' I laughed a little. 'I was caught saving an undercover officer. Where I was then put in the system. I asked if I can some way go into the military. They sent me to the general where I was given the uniform our troops wear today. I trained as soon he dismissed wanting to protect family members that are on the field. I trained hard and bet the records that same day. After breaking the records I was sent to the General to ask of my positioning. I was sent to Iraq. Meet my platoon mates that only made my will to protect them stronger. The general thought since I missed school that he will send me books and assignment given by the teachers. Not only did those scientists enhanced my physical condition but also my mental capability. I worked hard on my school work and protecting my camp. One night I saw someone in the bushes by the camp perimeter. He laughed at courage. But I stopped him and laid on the bomb. By laying on the bomb I was able to lessen the damage to camp. And lessen the deaths. Even if that meant I will die. It exploded causing me to fly and land near my platoons tent. They rushed out to stop any bleeding. I laughed and got up. My wounds were sewing themselves up. I did that many times to protect my platoon and camp. I took bullets to help soldiers to go back to their families. I celebrated both my fifteen and sixteenth birthday on the battle field protecting my countries men and women who served with me or supported our military recruits. I may be young to serve but if look at my accomplishments I have done much. And I am not done. After this war I have a goal in mind. I was asked what was my goal and my platoon leader knows this as he asked this question on the beginning of my second tour. And now I am telling it to you and the president who asked me earlier. My goal is to go to each and every school and give them hope. Not just the hope in they can do better in their grades but in their dreams. I made my dream come true I saved lives. And now I am just adding on to that dream. Right now I have many doctorate degrees and master degrees but I am still learning. And as long as someone is in trouble I want to be there and help take that burden. Even if it's putting my life at risk. Thank you everyone for listening. And thank you Mr. President for giving me the courage to be here and listening to my story as I have heard of yours. Thank you.' I said as I wave to the people and cameras. I gave a short hug to the President and talked to him a little. I saw some light reflection, I turn around and look up to see a sniper. I heard a click and I push the President down as I got hit with the bullet. Secret service cocked their guns and surrounded the president. I held my shoulder. I grabbed a gun from one of the men and aimed at the snipers shoulder. I pressed the trigger making the bullet speed out. Causing a grunt from the man.
'The man is on top of that building he has a bullet in his shoulder.' I said and police officers run to the building with guns. Ten minutes later they have a man being shoved into a police car with evidence bagged up. I take off my dress coat. I sit down and take out the bullet throwing it to the ground. I watch it mend up. I can hear the snap as the shoulder bone that was hit connect back. The President winces at the sound.
'Awe man now I got to get a new uniform. Oh I better get ready I have some people to met.' I said thinking. I look back at the President forgetting that he was still there.
"Thank you. You saved my life you know that is rewarded for right?" He asks.
'Yeah you can put it on a tab sir. I save people so they are not separated from family. But you can always get me a new uniform and put it on there. But all honestly I don't care for rewards. Families staying together is a reward in itself.' I said. He chuckles.
"I'll have it made. Now how old are you again?" He asks.
'I'm sixteen sir. Birthdays on the battlefields. The enemy gave me charging parties though.' I said with a laugh. He laughed also.
'Well this is good and all but I promised hellos and greetings to solder families and mine in New York.' I said with a small smile. I stood straight and saluted him. He saluted back.
"You need to come back here a day before you go back on tour to receive the medal." He said.
I shook my head. 'Yes sir.' I said and got my jacket and walked over to Sophia and Charlie. Ten feet away I kneeled down and opened my arms. Charlie ran into them and hugged me tight. I rubbed his his head. And kissed his forehead. All the while the president was watching.