Call of Duty Ghosts: The Aftermath

Chapter 23

10 years earlier

LOGAN

I run after Hesh, breathing hard.

"Come on, Logan!" He shouts at me with an authoritative tone.

I groan.

"I don't see why we're sprinting! It's not like the damn world is ending!" I shout back angrily.

Hesh stops and spins around to look at me, eyes narrowed. I skid to a stop, startled at this expression my brother has locked on me.

"Logan, do you even want to be a soldier?" He asks, and I pause.

"What do you mean?" I question, and Hesh shakes his head.

"Logan, you know what I mean. It seems like you just don't care. Now, I know you're still a kid-"

"I'M NOT A KID!!" I yell defensively, and Hesh raises his eyebrows, crossing his arms.

"Logan, you're sixteen. That's still a kid." He says, and I frown, glancing to the side.

"Well you're only eighteen, so shut up," I mutter under my breath.

Hesh glares at me, then sighs heavily.

"Do you want to be a soldier?" He asks again as my gaze slowly swings back up to him.

"I mean.....yeah. I want to be like you. Like dad." I say softly. Hesh nods.

"Then take this seriously. Dad sent us out here to get us ready. Training. Now are you going to listen or not?" He demands, and I shrink back, then take a deep breath, straightening up.

"Yes," I answer, and Hesh nods.

"Good. Let's go." He says, turning around to run again. I follow shortly.

We run through the city just outside the wall to Santa Monica. The only safe area for miles.

And calling it safe would be an overstatement.

It's not safe.

The large ravines and cracks created when ODIN fired run through the city, and tremors still occur daily.

But it's as safe as it's going to get for now.

Glancing up, I can see Hesh far ahead of me, and I sprint to catch up with him.

Still getting used to the weight of the backpack and gear I wear, I run a little slower.

How does Hesh seem to be so acclimated to it already?

Hesh stops as he jumps on top of a car, looking back towards me.

I grit my teeth, trying to match my brother's determination. Climbing up next to him, he grins a little.

"Good. You're doing well, Logan." He comments, and I sigh, taking a deep breath.

"Are we almost back?" I ask, and Hesh nods, turning his head over his shoulder.

"Almost. Entrance to the fort is just ahead." He says, pointing forward.

"Let's go, then," I say, and Hesh smirks.

"I see you're ready to go. Good." We jump down from the car and start running towards the pipe that cuts through the wall to the other side, to the entrance of the fort.