Today is the day. A large group of young, eager soldiers lined up shoulder to shoulder. Every single one of us getting a lecture. I held a strong stance, legs apart, hands tightly clasped behind my back. I remained with a stern facial expression, noting to keep my eyes forward. I stood in the very front of the class, hoping that maybe I'd get some recognition.
The sun harshly beat down upon my skin, not a single cloud in sight. There was no wind, just a hot sunny day. The leather jackets weren't helping as they trapped the heat. I was sweating, and we had yet to start any training. We had no equipment other than the uniforms we were given when we arrived on site.
"Here, I will make you suitable soldiers for whichever branch you choose. We have three in the military. The Survey Corp, The Garrison Regiment, and the Military Police. You will endure three years of grueling training." The Chief Instructor informed the group of soldiers. He walked up and down each line, kicking up dust with each stride. He was intimidating but had yet to prove it. He pivoted on his heel turning to a young man.
"What brings you here cadet?" The Chief leaned down getting into the boy's face. The boy had to be thirteen years old, he was tall with nicely swept hair.
"Here to serve the King, Sir!" He replied with a raspy tone. You could tell he was shaking out of his boots. What a poor boy he was. The Chief straightened his back, closing his eyes. He pushed his glasses up broad nose.
"A young man who cannot speak assertively to his higher ups won't be able to succeed as a MP." He announced turning to the squad. He kept walking down the line blabbing on and on about random things. I wasn't interested enough to pay attention, feeling as if I already knew the tricks and trade of the military. Oh how wrong I was.
"Cadet!" Shouted the man loudly. It didn't register that the Chief Instructor was standing in front of me. My eyes widen and snap up to meet him. I give the strongest salute I could muster.
"Pitiful!" The man puffed out his chest, "Can't even pay attention to the starting lecture?" The Chief turned away. Hands behind his back.
"No, no! I was paying attention." I tried to reason, stepping out of my boundary. I tried to reason. In one swift motion my legs were swept out from underneath. Gravity took over and my ass was on the ground. I let out a grunt; it hurt a lot.
"Do not talk out of turn, Cadet. I want one-thousand pushups, then twenty laps. Get moving!" He shouted. His voice was deep and scary. I didn't argue with him knowing my punishment would only get worse. It was already a scorching day, but this extra work would only make things worse. I got myself into the push-up position. Just holding myself up on my arms was a struggle. I lowered myself down, struggling. It was so much, but I got myself up. I was breathing heavily, my breath moving the sand beneath my palms.
"Count out loud, I can't hear you!" Shouted the Chief. He would place his foot onto my back.
"Down!" He shouted, "Up! Oh come on, Cadet! You can be quicker than that!" I puffed my chest out. I was so embarrassed; how weak I was. I bent my arms getting my upper body close to the sad and tried to get up. I felt a heavy weight on my back. The chief was putting his weight onto my back! Submitting to the pressure I lowered my body to the ground, nose against the sand. If I inhaled I would have particles of rock and dust in my sinuses. I steadied myself very slowly pushing myself up. The chief removed his boot from my back scoffing.
"If you want to be here all day be my guest!" He spat walking away. "If I find out that you skip a single push-up or a lap you will do everything again!"
~.~.~
It had been hours. Every single nerve in my body ached. I couldn't lift my arms without my arms burning. I didn't want to get in trouble by the Chief so I endured the pain. My legs weren't very tired. At least, they didn't hurt yet. I set for the trail.
Legs burning and heavy panting. I had collapsed onto the ground. I was covered in from head to toe sweat; every inch of clothing covered in my sloppy, salty secretion. My throat was dry and I had no energy left to move. I rolled my heaving body over and stared up to the setting sun. It was still a hot, summer day; although it wasn't nearly as scorching.
A sunset was forming. I could lay there for the rest of the day and night and still be exhausted. I was starving and I was tempted to give up. I wanted to go back to Colin. Maybe he was right, there were other ways. I lifted my sore arms to my chest, closing my eyes. It was peaceful here. The Chief can find me here in the morning. I was close to falling asleep, a soft breeze beginning to start.
"Hey, are you alright?" I hear someone say. I jumped up, ignoring my aches and pains. People sneaking up on me has always put me on edge. My anxiety rose, and my fight or flight responses kicked in. I turned my face to meet a blonde hair girl.
"Oh, I'm sorry! Did I scare you?" She asked, her hazel eyes twinkling in the setting sun. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, a few thin strands of hair falling to frame her face. Her voice was smooth as an angel.
"You did." I state nonchalantly, feeling my heart beat ease, "What do you want?" My tone was cold. I wasn't one to show expression around people I wasn't comfortable with.
"I came to check on you. The Commander treated you harshly." She smiled reaching her hand out for me to take it. I hesitated for a moment before extending my frail, sore arm. I wrapped my hand around hers and she hoisted me up. I grunted, my pain receptors coming to life.
"You must be in pain! Let's get you to the barracks!" She forced me to wrap my arm around her neck. The blonde distributed most of my weight onto her. I felt bad for not helping her. She had taken it upon herself to help.
"My name is Ingrid Tewers. What's yours?" She asked, stepping up to the porch of the female's barrack. The dark, wooden boards cracked underneath us.
"I'm (Y/n)." I muttered, pulling my stiff body away from hers. I stumbled my way up to the door. I looked like a drunken old man with the way that I was walking. I slapped my hand on the door handle pushing the door open with my weight. I was close to falling, but Ingrid rushed to my side.
"(Y/n)! Let me help you. You don't need to do this alone." Ingrid reasoned. She was quick to grab my arm to support me. She held me up, helping me to my bed. I plopped down face first onto the hard, sprincy bed. It felt much better than the rock, hard ground outside.
"Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything. What you need most is rest." Ingrid was super sweet. She had a helping heart. I hope she lives a happy and fulfilled life. I couldn't help but wonder. Why was such a girl like her in the military? I shook my head, reaming as bitter as I could be. She smiled, nodded.
"I'm serious (Y/n) . Don't be afraid to ask for help" She smiled before heading out. She slowly shut the door behind her, careful not to disturb me.
YOU ARE READING
"Please Don't Go."(Levi X reader)
Fanfiction"I may not be okay, I may not be perfect but hear me out, I love you (Y/N). I should have never left you. And then, come to find out all the shit you've gone though. I wish I were there to protect you, and you didn't have to go through those things...
