Sergeant Hartman's Story

Chapter 1: Work

I never liked training Private Pyle, but once all that was over, I still wasn't relieved. I had a new job now. It was at the Phoenix foundation, to investigate shady houses and bring justice to their wrongs, instead of being a drill instructor. Honestly, this job was harder, but I didn't care. Private Joker was there too. We were at the office, talking about life. He'd grown on me since the war, which was a good thing, I guess.

"So, do you have a wife?" Joker asked. "I was never allowed to ask you during the war."

"Yeah, I did. She died of pneumonia a couple years ago." I didn't cry though, I was done with crying after her death. I had become a stern and hard man, which made me more unlikable, but that was just a part of being a drill instructor. None of them liked me, but I clarified that earlier. Back then, I had said,

"Because I am hard, you will not like me, but the more you hate me, the more you will learn. I am hard, but I am fair."

That was true. I still had a good spot in my heart, and even though not a lot of people liked me, I was able to be more friendly now.

"It must be hard for you, right?" Joker asked.

"Nah, not anymore. I've learned not to break down at all during the years. Yes, I used to, but I don't anymore."

Private Joker nodded. "I have a sister. She doesn't do much right now, but I know that she's currently trying to date famous rappers, like Lil Dicky and Andy Samburg."

"Wait, but aren't they both comedy?" I asked.

"Yeah, she likes the funny ones."

I laughed, and then the phone rang. I picked it up.

"Gunnery Seargant Hartman here, what do you need?"

"Hartman, we're picking up some weird activity over at the Park Place neighborhood. Get over in the meeting room right now."

"Alright." I hung up. "Joker, gotta go. If anything else happens, tell me."

He nodded, and I picked up my hat and left to the meeting.

I entered the room to see the other agents and Chief Jim Hopper at the end of the table.

"Hey, Sergeant Hartman." He greeted.

I nodded. "You saw something at Park Place?"

"Yeah." Hopper replied. He clicked at the screen, and zoomed in on the circle.

"We saw some kid chained to the light post out there, and some bald guy apparently teleported him to what looks like that house." He pointed to it, which confused me.

"But how could he possibly teleport him?" I asked. "That's physically impossible!"

"That's what we need you to figure out. Go over to that house, go inside, and check it out to see any activity there. If there isn't any, report to us, and we'll double check. If there is, bring it here, whatever it is."

"Even if it's a person?"

"Exactly."

I nodded, and left the meeting room. I walked towards the garage to see Bozer and Jack Dalton, some other field workers.

"Hey, Bozer." I called. "Get truck C ready for me."

"On it, Hartman." He replied.

He tested the engine, fuel, and everything else, and gave me a thumbs up. "All ready to go."

I nodded. "Thanks."

I got in the truck and headed towards Park Place to check out the strange house.

573 words.