Army Strong

31) Backstage

It had been a week. My ride home was nowhere near. Outside, shit was really getting serious. It felt like the war was pretty much blowing up right at our stepdoor. You see, new soldiers were coming to the base everyday, however only those really hurt were being sent home. What's a back pain compared to a leg hanging by a piece of skin? I was alright, as long as I remained in my place, therefore, I was not a priority. I wasn't even in the infirmary anymore. They sent me to my bedroom because they needed the space. You see, I went from having a doctor constantly on my nerves to being left alone, which was great!

I was walking around, helping on the engines of our trucks, cleaning guns, even cooking! Anything I could do to get my mind away from the fact that my team became a bunch of heartless cunts with no principals!

I understand a lot... I am so fucking reasonable but don't! Just don't blame your lack of principals on the blood bath outside! The fact that someone killed your partner is no fucking motive to rape his wife and his daughters! The fact that someone tried to blow you up doesn't make killing his kids right! My team... We had principals. I thought we did! But apparently no. Every day at dinner, some self righteous pig was telling a new story on how he fucked some little girl just because of something one of the men in her life did... I thought war was just straight fair play but I was so damn wrong! You see, we should have left the riffles at home, near our integrity. I was never so disappointed in my whole life. I was there for like 4 months now and I was literally ashamed of wearing the same uniform as those pigs. 

One day, I just lost it. My way was always confusing. I was the calmest when everybody else was freaking out, however I had a short temper and I never tolerated any kind of disrespect. I had been swallowing too much for too long. It should be around 23h. I was sitting in the bar with Richard and Parker. They were telling me some story about their day but my ears were way far behind them. There was this prick going on and on on how he and his team punished this guy through his family. I'm not getting any deeper on explanations. I was absolutely disgusted! And I just lashed out at him.

-What is wrong with you?-I asked him, standing right in front of him and his friends, trying to sound calm. Inside I was boiling! I couldn't stop thinking about all the pain they had put that family through. It was eating me alive!

-Excuse me?-He got up, along with his friends. Richard and Parker backed me up right away.-You got a problem?

-Yeah, actually, I do.-I stood tall. I was praying he'd lay a finger on me so I could beat the crap out of him!-You think hurting innocent people makes you bad?-I was trying my best to remain calm.

-Innocent?!-He and his friends laughed in my face.-Those are the bastards slaughtering our friends out there! Take that uniform off. You have no idea what it means!-He pulled my beret off. I contracted every muscle in my body not to grab his arm and break it right there.

-Give it back, smartass.-I took a deep breath. He threw it to the floor and stepped on it. Parker moved forward to hit him but I stopped him.

-Sorry... It fell...-The guy was literally mocking me in front of everybody.

-Buddy, listen up.-I got  a little closer.-You see, you put so much effort into looking like a badass you even went against everything you swore when you finished bootcamp. It would be a shame if it all went down the drain right? And for some reason, I believe getting your butt kicked by a chick would do the trick in 5 seconds. Now, here's what you gonna do. You're gonna pick it up right now and clean it as best as you can and depending on how bad it looks, I'll decide whether I'm gonna embarrass you or shoot you dead right now. Got it?-He looked at me and laughed.

-Did you just threaten me?

-Shut the fuck up and get that shit out of the floor before I crack your fucking skull open, you disgusting piece of waste!-I screamed. The bar went silent.

-What if I say no?-He got on my face. I looked him right in the eyes and pushed him back aggressively. He was gonna hit me but I bent down to catch my beret. I slapped it a few time, trying to get the dust off of it but it was pointless. That guy was so fucked and he didn't even know. I then looked at him again. I didn't even say anything. I just punched him as hard as I could.

Soon, his friends got the 3 of us stuck and we couldn't do anything but take the beating. I had one guy by my left and one by my right, holding me tight. The prick was just punching me in the stomach. Each punch I took, it felt like my stomach was coming out through my back!

Out of nowhere, Taylor, Hunter and Clark showed up and helped us out. Gladly we were able to turn it around pretty fast even though they had the advantage in numbers. Soon, the pig was on the floor and I didn't spare him any kick. I literally kicked the shit out of him until my back started complaining.

-Motherfucker!-I spit on him.-Hope you go back home in pieces!

-AND WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!-The big boss screamed, pissed. Johnathan was by his side, standing tall, nose up in the sky. As soon as I saw him, I just knew he had snitched on us! If my eyes could kill, John would've dropped dead in 2 seconds.-I'M WAITING FOR AN EXPLANATION!

-It was...-Parker started but I interrupted him.

-There's no explanation, sir.-I told him.-We're sorry. It won't happen again.-The big boss was even a bit surprised.

-Good! Now, get your ass on my office now, Jones.

-After you, sir.-He turned around and walked away. I showed the prick my middle finger and walked away too. As I passed by John, I made a gun with my fingers and pretended to fire on him, looking him right in the eyes.-Careful who you mess with, babe.

-Are you threatening me, Jones?-He asked me. I didn't answer. I just followed the boss.