Army Strong

5)Jump scare

-...And I will not tolerate this kind of behavior!-The Sergeant hit the table with his fist, making us both jump in our chairs. We were both looking down to our hands, like abandoned dogs.-Did you understand me?!

-Yes, sir.-We both said.

-You can go now, Smith. I'm done with you but Jones, you stay.-He told us. Sam looked at me. I smiled at him. He got up and stuck his hand out for me. I got up too and shook it.

-I'll see you outside, right?-Sam whispered as he pulled me into a hug.

-I hope so, man... I hope so!-He then looked at me, shook his head and left. I sat back down, looking at my hands but soon the silence made me look up. My eyes met the Sergeant's right away. I was so uncomfortable I couldn't even move. He got up.

-Walk with me, Jones.-He told me. I jumped out of the chair right away and followed him. He lead me into this small warehouse in this hidden part of the base. He stopped by the door.-Do you wanna stay or you wanna go home?

-I wanna stay, sir.-I answered without even thinking twice.

-Are you sure, Jones? As soon as you walk through this doors, there's no turning back...

-I'm sure, sir!

-Let's see how bad you want it then. Whatever you do, don't give out his first name or you'll be sent home immediately.-He warned me and opened the door for me.

I looked inside before walking in. There wasn't much inside. Just a chair in the middle, a small bathtub filled with water and some rope. I looked at the Sarg. and then walked in. He closed the door behind me and I was swallowed by darkness. I had no idea what to do. I just tried to find the chair but it was pitch dark. I couldn't see anything! Then all of a sudden some artificial lights were turned on. They were so strong they blinded me. Before I could start seeing again, I was kicked in the back and thrown to the floor. I couldn't even see who was grabbing me. All I know is that I was picked from the floor and sat in that chair. My wrists and legs were then tied to the chair with fishing string so tight every time I tried to set myself free it would cut me.

I stopped moving and blinked over and over again so I could regain my vision but it did me no good. There were 3 men inside with me. Their faces were covered with a black mask and the name patch had been ripped out of their uniforms. All I knew was that they were from the army which was no new since we were inside a damn base! I couldn't tell anything else.

-What's your name?-One of them asked, the tallest. You see, I had no idea what to do! I didn't know what I was supposed to say or what the hell was going on.

-That's my question, sir...-I whispered, shyly. Before I could even finish letting go of the air inside my lungs, I was kicked in the stomach so hard I was barely able to keep my lunch in.

-Won't ask again. What's your name?!-The same guy asked.

-Oh man...-I sighted in pain. I then looked at them and realized no matter what I said, I was gonna get my butt kicked.-You have no idea how to treat ladies do you?-I asked, staring at him. He pulled his arm back but before he could hit me, I interrupted him.-NO! Wait... My name's Jones. Ellie Jones.-He looked at me and then hit me anyway. In the face this time.

-Well, Jones, welcome to the army first of all.-He relaxed a bit and put his hands behind his back. I didn't answer.-This is what we call an endurance test.

-Oh, so it's a test?-I admit, I was a bit mad. But who wouldn't be?!

-Yes, it is. We're gonna see how much you can take before giving away your partners, your friends.

-I ain't got no friends.-I shot those words out of my mouth before I could even process them.

-Oh, great! Then you can just give them all up right now and we'll let you go.

-And after that, I get kicked out!-He shrugged his shoulders.-Bite me

-Don't ask it too often... I might just do it-He warned me, looking me in the eyes. He didn't need to say anything else. The look in his eyes let me know he wasn't joking. I was just shocked. I had no idea what the hell was going on. I didn't know what to do or say so I just sat there looking at them, half scared, half pissed. I kept thinking this army shit was the worst idea I've ever had.

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And then they pushed my head underwater again. I was exhausted! I couldn't fight anymore and the water in my lungs was drowning me! As I was about to lose myself, they pulled me back up and threw me against the hard floor. The chair was long gone. I coughed and wrung as I tried to catch my breath but before I could even get back to myself, one of them grabbed me by the hair and made me stand. Then the tallest one put both his hands on my neck and pushed me against a wall, strongly. My body was numb from all the beating and the torture. I couldn't feel anything anymore. He looked me deep in the eyes.

-The name, Jones! Now!-He screamed. I coughed a bit more and then put up a little smile in my lips. After so many hours getting punched and kicked, my brain had gone out of function. My smile turned into a little giggle.

-You know what? Fine.-I pushed him out of me. He looked at me surprised. I could already see the disappointment in his eyes.-His name is...-He tightened his fists.-Ask your slut mom! Pretty sure she knows. I bet she was screaming it all night long, motherfucker!-I laughed and then he punched me in the face so hard I lost consciousness. Like I said, my brain had gone stupid.

I woke up in the infirmary. There was this blond doctor besides me saying some things as the pretty nurse wrote them down.

-She's awake. Call the Sergeant, Louise!-She pushed the nurse softly and got closer to me.-Miss Jones, are you alright?-I blinked several time and smiled a bit.

-That's up to you to say, doc.-She smiled back and started explaining me that I had a few fractured ribs and on the right side, the connection between my shoulder and my collarbones was pretty fucked up.

-Doc...-The Sergeant was by the door. She looked at him and he signaled her to leave. She smiled and did. He closed the door behind him and got closer to me. He then just stood there, unable to look me in the eyes, like he was speechless.

-I passed out-I told him, in a jokingly way. He looked at me confused.

-What?

-One of them knocked me out with one punch! That was awesome!-I laughed. Sergeant couldn't help it but laugh too.

-Mom joke?

-Damn right!

-I knew it!-He laughed again.-I bet I can even tell who did it!

-It ain't hard to tell, Sarg.-We both laughed and then he ran out of words again.-Why do I feel like I'm about to get kicked out?-I asked him seriously. He sighted.

Oh man...