The Army Boy

Good bye world

09.07.2018

5.45 am

Varkus, Finland

Im lining up in front of a large bus. Im not really feeling anxious about the destination, rather Im anxious because I don't know whether this will ever reach it. 

Last night I realized I missed the rides I was supposed to take, and now had to go looking for a new one. This had 8 free seats. There are 11 of us outside the bus.

I rushed in to line as the second and got in. I asked the driver about the destination. He smirks at me and says, 

"Thats the least of your worries. Get in there."

I felt a little dizzy, but followed through. There were other people like me there too so I was a little relieved.

How do I know they were like me you ask.

Well that is because we need to cut our hair.

My sides are gone, and just a few centimeters on the top left. Its not too bad, but cutting my curly hair I had grown for a full year was rather disappointing. 

The buss is full, but I find a free pair of seats. I plant myself on the one near window. Its common sense. The buss will be full so there is no way I can get 2 for myself. My companions flow past me, like the styx river, eyes filled with darkness, no trace of joy within their soul. Its quite painful to watch.

Someone returns to my side and asks, "Is this seat free?" 

I nod and smile a little, "Yeah. No way I would make a brother in arms to stand for no reason."

He nods as well and sits down next to me. 

The buss takes off.

We sit there in silence for about 1 hour.

I plug out my headphones and yawn.

My pal next to me yawns as well.

I ask jokingly, "Oh did you perhaps not get enough sleep last night? Something on your mind?"

He shows a strained smile, "Indeed... I mean its quite a change that were about to go through."

"Yeah..." I respond tiredly. I slept well last night. My reaction to the stress it to become sleepy. 

We continue chatting and after 3 more hours when we were closing in on the destination, we were already friends.

I have the ability to befriend people relatively easy. I think he had more fun talking to me than sitting in silence as well. At least I did.

We arrive in Tornio where the bus was set to stop. It was a basic Matkahuolto office. The platform is empty. There were supposed to be people here to pick us up.

"Are we early?" My friend asks.

I think for a split second and head in. "Lets look around a bit."

He and the rest of the companions follow me. 

Inside I check the bulletin boards briefly and they are filled with irrelevant information. The group splatters. Some thugs decide to start shopping, but I pull out from the back door to see the other side.

"Oh."

On the other side there are two young men standing in military uniforms with a sign that calls out the name of our brigade.

We walk up to them, and they greet us. 

We respond. 

They are friendly but we are too tense to start up a conversation.