Army Strong

4)It was a blood bath!

-You feeling better, Jones?-He asked me when I came back. I didn't answer him. I went to near my partners, laid myself in the mud and started doing push-ups just like they were doing.

-Much better, sir!-I answered him. I was staring down. I couldn't exactly see his face but by his silence I could tell he wasn't happy.

-That's enough!-He told us.-Back on your feet, cadets!-We all got up.-Follow me.-He started running.

We ran for what seemed to be hours! I started on the front part of the platoon but soon I was the last one, struggling to keep my legs moving. I felt like I was dying! I couldn't breathe. I regretted those 2 smokes so much in that moment... I regretted smoking so much I just wanted to hit myself in the face with a brick!

-You look troubled, Jones...-The Sergeant was running by my side. When I looked ahead, I noticed I was already way far behind. I then looked at the Sarg. He had that sick smile back on.

-I'm fine, sir.-I speeded up my pace until I was right on their tails again.

-That's good, Jones! LISTEN UP! ANOTHER ROUND! YOU CAN ALL THANK JONES FOR THE BRILLIANT IDEA!-He went back to the front. All my partners looked back at me like they were gonna kill me!

-I didn't... Ugh... Forget it...-I looked down and just kept running.

They hated me already... I was so fucked! It was our first day and I was already on everyone's black list! What a great way to make friends...

*****************************************************************

We ran and ran and ran until it was lunch time. I couldn't believe our day was only half way through. I had never been so exhausted in my life up to that point but that was nothing. I was still far from discovering what exhaustion really was.

In the kitchen, they served us a shitty meal. I swear if you turned the plate upside down, nothing would fall out of it! That says something... But we were all so tired we didn't even bother. We just ate it.

As I was drinking my water, calmly, one of my partners slapped my back, hard, making me drop the glass and choke for a few seconds.

-Great ideas you've been giving the Sergeant, huh?!-He said sarcastically. I was tired but in that moment I felt the rage taking over my body. I got up and looked at him.

-What the fuck, dude?!-I looked him right in the eyes. He was pretty handsome. Short blond hair, blue eyes, defined cheek bones, little scar right above his lip on the left side, tall, big shoulders.

-Oh, I'm sorry! Did I cause you some discomfort?!-He got closer to my face. His teeth were pressed against each other as he was talking. His eyebrows were down and his fists were clenched.-Why don't you go and snitch to the Sergeant?!

-If you say anything else I swear I'm gonna break your face, you piece of shit!-I clenched my fists too and got closer to his face as well.

-Do it, bitch!-He pushed me back, making me hit the table. I lost it. I just looked at him and pulled my arm back to punch him.

-JONES!-The Sergeant called me from behind.

-Do it!-The guy whispered to me, literally daring me to.

-DON'T YOU DARE, JONES!-He screamed.

-Bitch!-The asshole whispered once more. I was blocking the Sergeant's view of him. Whatever he said, as long as the Sergeant couldn't hear him, he wouldn't know. It was a smart move but man, I was pissed! I had just ran a fucking marathon! I didn't even think twice. I pulled my arm back a bit more and hit him hard right in the nose.

-JONES!-The Sergeant ran to us as the guy grabbed me and slammed me against the table, breaking it. It soon turned into an ugly fight. He was hitting hard but I was high on adrenaline. I couldn't feel a thing. I could only hit him right back. Before I could tell there was a bunch of soldiers pulling us apart. He was bleeding out of his nose.

-FUCKING BASTARD!-I screamed.-I SWEAR I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU, MOTHERFUCKER!-He tried to come at me once again but the guys had a good grip of him.

-ENOUGH!-The Sergeant screamed as he wiped the blood out of his lip. Both of us turned blue as we saw he had gotten hurt. Oh man... We were screwed!

-Let go! I'm cool!-He said, pushing the soldiers away. I did the same.

-Both of you, infirmary now! And then we'll have a serious, SERIOUS conversation.-The Sarg. turned his back on us and walked away. The guy and I followed some soldier who lead us there. Then we just sat, waiting for the nurse.

-Fuck...-I whispered.

-Are you happy now?-The guy said.

-Don't!-I told him.-Don't even fucking dare to speak to me!-We were haunted by a long period of silence. I went to check myself in the mirror. There was a deep cut in my cheek and both my eyes were starting to turn black. I sighted and sat back down. I was staring at my own hands when he out of nowhere sticks his hand for me to shake.

-I'm Samuel.-I looked up at him, like I was about to eat him alive.-C'mon...-I looked at his hand again and ended up shaking it.

-I'm Ellie... But you can just call me Jones.-He laughed.

-Ellie? That's such a girly name! I'll definitely call you Jones

-Fair enough-I giggled a bit.

-Well, Jones! It was a nice fight. You can handle your own, girl.

-Thanks, Sam. You hit like a bitch though-I laughed.

-I was trying not to hurt you much, bitch!-He laughed even more. There was a moment of silence again.

-You know... I never told the Sarg. shit! I was dying in the back! I would never propose another round... He's trying to kick me out and I guess I just gave him a motive to...

-Damn...-He looked down.-I'm sorry, girl... I guess we're just tired and we let it take the best of us.

-It's fine. It's my fault. I should've hold my horses...

-So you're the fighters?-A beautiful young lady in a white wardrobe walked in the room. Sam lost all his focus and was just staring at her with his mouth open.-Let's see the damage then.-She started putting up her gloves. I hit Sam with my elbow. He looked at me with that "what" expression.

-Close your mouth, man! You're drooling all over!-I whispered, laughing. He got a busted expression. I couldn't help it but let out a loud laugh.