Born of War

Rising of the Exorcist!

Shit forgot the AN: I Don't Own ANYTHING! There... that should be better! Aight, have fun!

An explosion, and gunshots echoed through the air...

I woke from my dreamless sleep in my bunk and saw my roommate sound asleep. I slipped out from underneath my woobie and quickly put a shirt and sweats on. I reached into my ruck's left sustainment pouch and grabbed a green pack and my zippo before quietly walking out of the barracks room. Passing through the halls as the lights slowly light up. Eventually I make it to the exit and pass CQ which look close enough to passing out.

Silently pitying them I walk out and walk to the street where a bench is located. I open the pack and notice the one I had put upside down is the last one. Smiling slightly, I grab it and put the filter in my mouth before flicking my zippo open and striking it. The flame quickly ignites the wick and I take a few quick breaths to light the cigarette. I then close my zippo and put it in my pocket before I take a deep breath of the smoke letting it fill my lungs and giving my mind a sense of ease. I look off into the snowy night as I exhale forming a cloud in front of me.

"Ey, Little bro, it's a bit cold to be out with only a tee and sweats ain't it?" A buddy of mine says as he walks up with a cigarette in his mouth.

I shrug and take another lung-full of smoke.

"Doesn't bother me this much right now, I think I'll be fine" I comment casually as he just rolls his eyes

"Well don't stay out too long little bro, we don't want our little brother getting sick after all" He grins and I growl

"Oh please, if anything y'all are the ones gettin sick!" I shot back and he wrapped an arm around my neck and drove his knuckles into my skull

"Aw, I'll miss you so much when I PCS! Why can't they just let us all stick around and stick with ya" he said

"You know they can't do that, needs of the army and all that" I said "Besides, isn't your wife looking forward to being stationed in Alaska?" I ask and he slums down on the bench

"Yeah, family's there an all but it's so fuckin cold!" He complained as he pulled his own cigarette out of a pack from his pants "What about the rumors? Are you really getting sent into the civilian world? Aren't you gonna fight it?" He asked and I shrugged

"Think I haven't already? They said that I needed to go to actual school, our new CO is a choch! And PSG is a kiss ass, along with PL, so I doubt I can convince them. Luckily I was able to keep my military status after all I've been through so it's not too bad. I get my CAC renewed tomorrow so it'll be good for a couple years, at least by then all I have to do is walk onto base and get a new uniform." I say as the last few millimeters of my cigarette burn up and I press the butt onto the table before flicking it into the trashcan

"Well, that's some consolation at least, and pay?" He asked and I smirked

"Full pay, Serg plus however many year's I've contributed" I say proudly and he smacked my back with a laugh "Plus, they say that a woman has offered to take me into her household so I'll have to help pay for bills and groceries while I attend school" I say as I look over at him "Can I bum one off you?" I ask shamelessly

He wordlessly opens the pack and offers me one. I take it and quickly light it, leaning against the bench. Letting the smoke fill my lungs I feel my shoulders relax and I let a small smile out.

"Though, I'll at least have my weapon, but I won't be able to carry it while at school so It'll stay at the host family" I grumbled and he laughed

"Well, you didn't hear this from me but I hear the guy's are getting you the XM5 for your departure" he said finishing his cigarette and flicking the butt into the trash "Fully specced out as well with its optic and peq, seven mags, and your first combat load, the rest'll be on you though" He smirks as I blow out smoke and start coughing