The Story of Tonight

April 9, 1779

     The rest of last night was a blur, I know it went by quickly for me. I was not expecting anything like that, especially on my first official day.
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     I am by myself in the tent, for reasons that I am not sure of. Everyone else is outside doing more training, I think they will be done soon.
     I saw the tent flap waving and a shadow pass by. I am now trying to keep a close eye on it to see if anyone should enter.
     A few moments pass before Alex walks in, I catch myself staring at him and quickly look away before bringing myself to ask, "Why are you back early?"
     He sat on his sleeping bag and said, "Washington sent me back here, saying he wanted to talk to me later. What about you?"
     I was at a loss of words for a few seconds before responding, "Pretty much the same thing."
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     We sat in awkward silence before the tent flap moved again, this time around, Washington entered.
     He started talking about how surprised he was at how easy the exercises seemed to come to us and that he wanted us to help with everyone else, especially those who could not complete the exercises.
     Alex quickly stood up and agreed to help, leaving me to make a decision. This could be my chance to step up and be a leader, not only a leader, the best leader. "Of course I will help." I stood up next to Alex. Washington called us outside and introduced us to some of the others, a couple who I had already seen.
     "I would like you to meet Aaron," he pointed to the man in the green coat, "and I'm sure you already know Hercules here."
     We both nodded before he continued explaining what our job was.
     "They are not the best workers-"
Aaron cut him off by grunting, "Excuse me!"
     He continued talking, ignoring him,    "But I can tell they have much potential. I need you two to help them expand and turn that potential into real work." He turned and walked away, leaving us four to get to work.
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     Aaron started to walk away, mumbling, "I don't even want to be here... Why do I have to work with some idiots who probably have no clue what they are doing."
     Herc quietly followed him and grabbed his arm, but I did nothing to stop him. I heard Aaron call out "Hey! Let go of me you freak!" Herc then started holding it tighter. "Ow! Let go!" Herc was now grabbing Aaron with what seemed like only half his strength.
     Aaron grabbed his arm in pain, trying to pry Herc off, "Let gooooo!!!!" He was wincing in pain as he tried to get Herc off. I watched Herc grab even tighter and slowly lift Aaron up by his arm. Aaron finally asked what he had to do to get Herc to let go, to which Herc answered, "Apologize to us." Aaron continued trying to break free, repeating, "No way, never, I will not."
     I was watching Herc as he slammed Aaron on the ground and picked him up again. Alex then shoved me at them and right before I hit, I looked back at him and our eyes met. He smiled at me, which distracted me from paying attention to where I was going. I tumbled into Herc, who dropped Aaron to break my fall. The only thing I could get myself to say, still distracted by Alex, was "Oh- thanks."