The Carnage of War

Chapter Four

The cafeteria was smaller than I expected. I thought more people would be eating here but there were only another warriors unit and some builders. Some were wearing dark blue shirts and others were light. Ash, Ty, and I sat alone at a large lunch table labeled with our unit number: Unit AAT111. My shift as my stomach growls once more. Ty chuckles underneath his breath at my discomfort and I roll my eyes.

"We'll be dismissed soon," Ash assures me. I nod and she gestures to a large screen hanging over the entrance. "It will show our unit name, that's when we can go and get some food," Ash tells me.

"Speaking of which," Ty says pointing to the screen as it flashes and shows AAT111. We get up and walk over to the long strip of tables where lunch ladies and servers have our food. To my surprise, it doesn't look too bad.

"Looks better than a school lunch," I say with a smile. Though my grin quickly fades as I can only recall vague parts of my past. Ash senses my unease and pats me on the back.

"We're all distorted here." She says. Ty nods in agreement.

"Always have been, always will be." He says handing us a lunch tray. I take it.

"Thanks," I mutter setting the tray on the metal arms of the tables. I slide it down the platform as I walk along the servers. I lift my tray slightly as a woman places a large scoop of Cesar salad. I smile at her gratefully and continue to move down the line Ash and Ty trailing behind me. I pick up an apple flavored muffin and two hard-boiled eggs. I also take a chocolate protein shake to drink and some kiwi slices. After I'm finished gathering my dinner, I head back to my table and set my tray down. I take a seat and grab some salt. I shake the small container over the hard boiled eggs and set it aside. Ty is the next one back at the table. He sits down across from eager to eat and Ash joins us sitting on my right side. There's an odd silence for a while as we get set up to eat. I shake my protein drink and crack it open. Ty starts a conversation.

"Soooo..." He says clearing his throat. I pick up a fork beside me and jab it into a couple pieces of lettuce. I munch onto the scoop of salad as he ponders what to talk about. His eyes light up as he comes to a topic to talk about. "Sooo...armor right?" He begins. I tilt my head not really understanding his train of thought. "I heard there's a discount on armor the first two days you arrive here. You should check it out," He tells me. I shrug. "What are you planning to wear?" He asks.

I take a pause before answering him so I can swallow my food. "I was gonna talk to some builders about a customization plan after lunch," I say lifting up my protein drink and taking a gulp. "I want to customize my armor," I explain. Ash almost chokes on a crouton as I say that. 

"That's not a very good idea Arie," She says furrowing her brows at me. "You would have to start planning tomorrow," Ash tells me. I nod.

"Yeah, I was gonna," I say. Ty makes a 'Tsk' noise as I speak.

"You're gonna end up dressed in rags. No one has time to make a good suit of armor in three days." Ty says waving his hand. I munch on the rest of my salad and roll my eyes.

"I wouldn't take that risk," Ash says cautiously. "If something goes wrong, everything could take a turn," I pick up my hard-boiled egg and remove the solid yolk from the middle.

"Sometimes you gotta take a risk to do you're best," I recite. I stop and think. 'Where have I heard that before..? Someone's said that to me,' I think looking down at the golden yolk sitting in my tray.

"Wow, what a motivational speaker we've got here." Ash teases me. I grin and roll my eyes. Ty shrugs.

"I mean, go ahead and do it but- when it goes sour, don't expect me to feel sorry for you," He tells me. I scoff.