Army Strong

30)True Friends Stab You In The Front

It felt like a breath of fresh air when I heard my boys walking in the infirmary. They were in ecstasy, looking for my bed. They were laughing and talking, looking just like small kids on the playground. Their faces were covered in dust from the hard work. Man, I couldn't... No way in hell I could come home without them because you see, that's the thing about this life. Every time you see someone, it might be the last time. There ain't no clock counting down above their heads. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing they were still deep in this shit hole!

-Jones!-Clark screamed and threw himself over my bed.

-Ugh! You stink!-I mocked him.

-Well, we didn't get a 3 days rest... That privilege is only for the bosses.-He punched me in the arm softly.-This bed is so comfy... Get out, Jones!-He pushed me off of the bed.

-Clark!-Johnathan said in a dominant, strong tone.-Out, now!-Clark did and placed himself behind John, pretty pissed off. The boys didn't get any closer. John was the only one that approached my bed.

-How do you feel?-He kept that weird, strict posture.

-I'm ready to rock n roll!-I joked but no one played along. I raised one eyebrow.-How do you feel?

-I'm great. I'm in charge of the team, like it should have been from the beginning.-He said, with his nose held up high. Once again, I was shocked!-I heard you're being dismissed.

-What?!-The boys said at the same time. I couldn't help but notice that little sparkle in John's eyes. He was actually happy I was being sent away!

-Who told you?-I sat down.

-The boss.-He put on a little annoying smile.

-Look here...-I got up and faked a laugh. Then I got serious, right in his face.-I don't know who the fuck you think you are but you're going to lower your tone with me. Don't forget where your place is. You're not replacing me. You're the aid band and I'm the skin. Once I'm all healed up, you end up in the garbage. So, lower your tone. Put your nose down. Don't play these games with me or I'll make sure it was your last round at it.  Are we clear, Johnathan?-I was looking him right in the eyes but by the corner of my eye, I could see the big smiles in my boys' faces.

-I don't think you understand what's going on, Jones. I can't play games with you because you're not playing any game at all! You were dismissed. The boss just gave me the team. I am in charge and nothing can take that away from me now. Soo! How about...-He pointed to his arm, showing me the patch.-you start calling me Sarg. ?-Shock was becoming a pretty recurrent emotion for me. I couldn't believe he had been promoted before I had. Shock soon passed and anger took over. You see, on our jackets we had these badges on our arms. It looked like a triangle. Actually 2 yellow triangles over a yellow X on a red background. John's patch was now different. He had 3 triangles. It doesn't sound like much but it does set us apart. I was now lower, below him which meant I had to shut my mouth.

-I see...-It took me a few seconds before I could actually function.-Well, Sarg., thanks for your concern.-I answered coldly.-Now if you don't mind, I'd like to spend some time with my comrades.-I pointed over his shoulder, to my boys.

-Isn't that what we're doing here?

-Well, I bet you have better things to do. You know, it can't be all gain and no pain, right, Sarg.? Now that you're important, you probably have important things to do.

-What I have to do or not ain't none of your business.-He said in between his teeth. He was throwing at me some pretty though bones to chew. I was starting to burn inside.

-Sarg., with all due respect, let the underdogs run free. Such an important figure as yourself should not be in the presence of mutts like us.-I said sarcastically but smoothly.

-I decide who I should be in the presence off.-Oh man, I just lost it. My blood was literally boiling! He was constantly showing me he had now more power than I did and it was messing with my head.

-Jesus Christ, just fuck off, Johnathan! Can't you see I wanna talk with those on my level? If you're so powerful, go dinner with the pedigree and just let us sniff the fucking garbage! Gosh!

-Watch your tongue, Jones!-He threatened me.

-Or what, John?! I'm going home! I ain't got nothing left to lose. Now go, before you catch some fleas from us!

-Don't tell me...

-I know! I know!-I interrupted him.-You say when, what and why. The power is all yours! Fine! May the fucking force be with you! Now fuck off!  Jeez!-He looked at me, pissed and then just left. The boys waited a few seconds and then ran to me.

-Jones, listen. You can't leave!-Clark whispered.-He's a pain in the ass! Gosh, I'm so sick of him..

-He's like "Do this. No, do that! And do it now! No, not now!" Oh dear lord!-Hunter complained.

-He's so fucking annoying! Like for real! He's all "I'm the boss and you're just dogs"-Taylor confirmed.-Please, come back! I mean, you're a bitch but he's just... UGH!!-I couldn't help but laugh at the way they were trying to copy John's voice.

-Please! We'll literally carry you on our backs!-Clark joked, but meaning it.

-Yeah, John's not the same anymore... I guess he let the power climb up and take over him.-I commented.

-Definitely!-The boys agreed.

-Before anything, what happened to those 2 kids?-They looked at each other, eyes wide open.-You know, those from the explosion.-They all scratched their heads and looked away.-So?!

-You know...-Clark started.

-It's complicated...-Hunter whispered.

-They're...-Taylor massaged his neck.

-The truth, now, please!

-Well...

-Taylor! Tell me!-I laughed, thinking they were joking, trying to prank me with one of those "Oh I failed... Just joking" kind of things.

-We killed them.-He whispered. I literally froze for a second.

-Excuse me?! Repeat that. KILLED?!

-Shut it, Ellie!-He whispered again and looked around.-Keep it down.

-WHAT THE FUCK?!-Everybody was staring at us.

-Ellie, c'mon... Relax...-Clark got closer. My eyes filled with tears. I couldn't believe what I was hearing but they would never take a joke so far.

-Get out...

-Just listen...-Taylor tried to grab my hand but I pushed him away.

-Get out now!-I looked him dead in the eyes.

-Elizabeth...-He sighted.

-No! I'm glad I'm being sent home! This is way too fucked up for me. I'm done with y'all!-I fixed my pillow.-Y'all stay here in this shit hole, I don't care. I'm soooo going home on the first fly!

-C'mon, Ellie!-Taylor grabbed me by the waist. I push him away violently.

-Hell no! Oh heeeeeell no! Don't touch me, don't mention my name, don't nothing! Just fuck off! Get the fuck out of here! I'm done, y'all. I'm fucking done! OUT!-I pointed towards the exit and looked at them.

They eventually left. I just lied in bed and slept. Too many shocking news for one day only. I was never so glad I was coming back home.