Graduation didn't seem to come soon enough. Though it finally happened. It had drawn Mum out of her room, though the fact that I was almost immediately leaving make her go back. I've had my things packed to go for a while--an old backpack of mine along with some things are all I need. A date had been set and I had two weeks to settle any differences or things along those lines before I get sent to training. Cal almost seemed determined to make me change my mind although it didn't work out for him.
The two weeks had came and went. Mum is making breakfast, one of the few times she's been out of her room. I'm sitting at the table with Cal, waiting for standard eggs and bacon that Mum insisted on making. Cal's still saying things about how he wants me to stay and how it would be better if I just went to do literally anything that wasn't me joining the force.
"Cal? Can't you stop?" I finally say, "You should be proud... you should be on my side..."
"Your side? Gary, I'm always on your side. I just... I don't always agree with your decisions." He responds.
"Then stop being thick and start looking at what will happen. I'll fight, maybe become a pilot, and come back within a few years."
"You think so?"
"I know so," A smile starts to creep on my face, "It'll be alright. I did make a promise after all."
Cal sighs, as if he's finally defeated. "Alright, fine." He smiles ever so slightly, "I trust you Gary."
Mum soon places food in front of both of us, leading us to thank her. The rest of breakfast is silent. When I try to make light banter or try to cheer both Mum and Cal up, the silence proceeds any laughter that should have taken place. They're both upset that I'll be leaving like this but it'll all work out in the end.
Cal cleans up after everyone, allowing me a chance to collect my bag and scan over anything else that I needed. When I come back downstairs, Mum is waiting for me. She looks as if she's about to cry. Dropping my bag at my feet, I wrap my arms around her. "It'll just be for a few years Mum. I'll be back before you know it."
"Pl-Please be careful Gary..."
"I will Mum."
She moves her hands to my face, studying it, her eyes wanting me to stay. "Come back in one piece..."
"I promise I will Mum."
With a nod, she lets go of me and moves away. Cal walks over to us and hands Mum a camera. "Might as well take a momentous picture," He smiles. "It will be a before shot for when you get back." He puts an arm around my shoulder. We look at Mum, waiting for her to take the picture. When she does Cal turns to me once more.
"Thank you," I say before he can tell me anything.
"For?"
"Trusting me."
"Guess I had to sooner or later." He picks my bag up for me. "I'll probably say this another hundred times but I want it to be drilled into your head. Don't die."
A chuckle escapes me, "Promise I won't."
"Good, now go knock 'em dead before you're late for dinner."
We both laugh, and I can see Mum smiling ever so slightly. I hope that one day she'll be okay with my decision. They both hug me once more before I actually have to leave.
First day hasn't been the biggest of my worries. Soldiers, present and future, are swarming the base that I have to be at. Some of them look like they're ready to be deployed while others are standing in formation. It nearly makes me feel like I'm late. Walking further into the base, I start to figure out where I'm supposed to be. This is the first step into hell and I'm more than ready.
That day, the excitement that I started to have began to fade. It's been weeks, maybe months and my commanding officers have almost been treating me harder than some of the other men. I've been able to take it, though it's like they almost see me as a waste of time. 'You're not doing this right, Sanderson,' or 'You need to be faster, Sanderson,' have been some of the angered phrases tossed at me along with other phrases that they haven't said towards the others. Though I push through, improvement is the only thing that's driving me.
"Sanderson." Corporal states as he singles me out once more.
"Yes sir?" I reply, as I jog over to him. We were running some standard exercises. So I'm not completely sure what I've done wrong this time.
"I would like to speak with you in private." He nods back towards the base.
"Yes sir." Is all I can muster.
He starts to lead me away from the others, making me more and more nervous. I've been doing so well and this could be the end, I almost feel it. When we get out of earshot of everyone a smile appears on his face.
"Sanderson, I would like to say that over the past few months you've been outstanding. Though we've only been rough on you cause we saw potential."
"P-Potential?" My question is stuttered, though this was not what I was expecting at all. I was fully prepared to be thrown out.
"Yes, your other commanding officers and I are suggesting that you join the SAS instead of continuing with your RAS training."
"Really sir?"
"Of course. You're a bright young man with more potential than most of the soldiers we've seen in a long time. The training for the SAS will be intense and we don't just suggest anyone. If you think you can handle it then be prepared to be transfed into their care."
"Yes sir. I would be honored."
"You'll move out at 17:00, so get what you need and be ready to leave."
"I will sir, thank you sir." With a salute, I leave him. I can feel a huge grin on my face. While I wanted to be a pilot, and have most of the training done already, it's a huge honor to be asked to join the SAS. This is a huge leap from what I'm used to, but I feel ready. I feel like I've been waiting to be apart of this and I'll commit to it even if training kills me.
YOU ARE READING
Roach
Fanfiction"I promise I'll come back in once piece." After the death of his father, Gary "Roach" Sanderson thought that he should join the military just like his dad. He never really gave it much thought and as a seven year old, it never meant much to him. As...
