The Scarred Man

Chapter 2

Screams. Pain. Burnt flesh. Gunshots. 

It's all still there. Every last moment. 

I wake with the memories fresh on my mind, quick breaths, and my own nails scratching against my arms. The sharp pain does nothing to anchor me, and in a last, desperate attempt to not lose myself I bring my head backwards as hard as I can in my position to bash against to wall. The dizziness helps to fight the demon inside of me. I stand from my lying position on the floor, which serves as my bed. With no money to pay for furniture the floor had quickly become my greatest relief. Weird, I know. 

I look at my small alarm clock; the letters read 3 00 am. That's plenty of time. 

My Srgts. voice occupies my head and I smile. 

My team. My anchor.

"C'mon Hill, give me 50 so we can hit the road! Can't learn to shut your f*cking mouth!" 

50? Easy.  

"Nah nah nah! That's p*ssy work! Give me 100! Then 50 burpees!" 

"C'mon Slugger! Caps gonna put us ta work!"

"Think he ever gets tired of runnin' his mouth all day, Slugger?"

"Boy, I sure hate the man, but I sure love im' too."

"F*ckin' war! Makin' me wake up early and exercise!"

I smile. With my brothers' words running through my head I drop down and begin PT. My anchors.

------------

CRASH!

I wince as I drop yet another box of glasses. The other workers around me try to stifle their laughs as I drop down and begin to pick up all the box to dump in the garbage.

"Oopsies."

"I thought you were a vet?"

"I am! Even got the ugly mug to prove it! But they don't teach us to throw bottles all over a tiny space without my limbs gettin' in the way! Oh wait...well, not bottles anyways." That rises a laugh from the others, until the new manager walks over.

"Another one? Really? Can't you do anything right?!"

"Well, according from my graduation of Marines bootcamp I can-"

"I don't want to hear it!"

"Well, you did ask, Sir. And another thing we were taught is what Sir says we do. And Sir asked a question so I answered it." I hide my grin at my smart-*ss comment and watch amused as steam seems to come from his ears.

And here I thought that was only in the movies.

"I guess they didn't teach you to avoid an explosive though did they?" The comment stops me dead in my tracks and before anyone can say anything I'm on the pathetic excuse for a man. My fist repeatedly strikes against his face, and I know I should stop, but I can't.

All the crap I've taken from this guy in the matter of a couple days. 

"You look like a Deadpool wannabe."

"Should've tried out for Scarface instead."

"You're face is f*cking disgusting."

"Makes me wanna puke!"

His face is completely crumpled by the time I'm dragged off of him by some unknown strangers in fancy clothes.

The sound of clapping comes from the doorway and the men holding me straighten up further. 

" And what is going on here?"  The man questions. I scan him: height of around 6'4, brown hair, slight scruff, dark brown eyes, expensive looking suit that looks about 2 sizes too small. He must be our new boss.

"He started it!" I automatically defend myself.

"And I ended it." He replies.

"Actually, I ended it, and these not so kind men forced themselves upon me and ended my ending of it to which you ended." I supply with a smile. 

He scowls, "watch it." 

"What?"

"What?"

"Watch what?"

His scowl deepens and suddenly I'm grabbed by his men again. He walks forwards and punches me in the gut twice. The p*ick then steps back, looking accomplished.

"Oh," I gasp out with a grin. "watch that. Don't worry, I watched it all! Didn't blink once!" He growls and as he steps forward again I break loose of the hold I'm in and lunge forward to stand in front of him. 

I stare into his eyes, and he stares into mine.

"Sir, if you're trying to intimidate or threaten me, you will have a very hard time doing so. After all, I didn't come out of my momma with half my face lookin' like Deadpool's bum." 

We continue to stare until I feel two barrels on each side of my body press against me.

"Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just excited to see me? I think it's the latter....naughty naughty! Don't you know it's dangerous for business to get people all flustered up like this? Well,I guess I can take the blame, can't blame you all for what my momma gave me!" I tease and end up with a backhand to the face that sends me spiraling to the floor.

"Okay," I gasp out, "I'm not one to usually like it rough, but I guess I can make an exception. I know we can't control our kinks. But, I should warn you not to fall in love w-" I'm cut off when a foot steps on my back and forces me back down.

"You should learn to shut up." The boss-man growls.

"Will I be fired if I don't?" I question.

"You'll be killed if you don't."

"But will I be fired?"