Battle Fences

Isaac

   Once I got into the cardboard challenge I couldn't think of anything else. I couldn't wait until I got the chance to capture a real living roach. And once I bring it back my father will be so proud.  Finally the opportunity I've been looking for my entire life.

   Training started when everyone who qualified was ready.  Benny and Tommy qualified on the last possible day. Obviously they didn't listen to my advice.  But at least they made the cut.  And in a matter of days we will be in the field looking for our "targets". Well the others will, I'll be looking for a living target.

   "Hey Isaac, you daydreaming or something? Come on we gotta get to role call." Benny shouted. 

I guess I was daydreaming. Cause I was looking at the ten foot high fence that divided the two sides.

   We ran to role call and stood at attention waiting for Sargent.

"Alright maggots!  In one day you all will be in the training field and shooting for the first time.  Now some of you already know how this works.  And some don't.  For those who don't. .. LEARN FAST AND SHOOT STRAIGHT!! This is the army we don't take time to teach."

   Another reason why I want to get out of here.  They just assume you know what you are doing.  Someone might get killed or kill someone else.  But all that matters is if you shoot the right person.  The roach... the enemy.

   After final role call we went to the barracks and hit the sack. I was so tired from training that just standing there made my knees wobble. But that day was coming.  The day I would get out of the army... for good.

                                   ...

I woke up abruptly with lieutenant Rice yelling in our ears.

"Wake Up maggots and get your asses outside now... the day has come to find out who stays and who goes!! Come on!!"

I run out sid and grab a rifle.  Sargent tells me to head out and go west.

   As ran through the grass I could hear my heart beating faster and faster.  The I stop... less than two miles from camp I saw one. .. A living roach.  Wearing a dark green hoodie and leaning against the fence. 

   I kneeled to the ground. ..

cocked my rifle...

took a couple of deep breaths...

and moved slowly through the grass.

I was two feet away from what looked like a garden.  This person was just sitting there reading a training manual!

   A trainee!  I should have known.  I crawl closer and then I jump out yelling "freeze!"