My pondering was interrupted by a knock on the door. This time, I recognized a police knock; very short and swift, but powerful. I moved slowly, getting dressed and walking over to the door. Opening it, I instead saw a man in full army attire. "Vlad Kruger?" he asked.
"What's it to you?"
"I am Corporal Max Jenkins- from Blue Guard."
For a second I'm still. I can't breath. Then I realize something. I smile and chuckle, shaking my head. "No you're not."
"Vlad, you've been away for 5 years. I was assigned to blue squad 2 years ago this Friday, so you wouldn't know me."
"Bull. You're Black Guard."
He loses his composure, but only for a second. I smile and hold open the door for him to step inside. He seems unconcerned, but a muscle in his cheek is jumping. A tell. He steps inside. I motion for him to follow and we go to my kitchen and he sits down. His cap sits on the table. I grab a club from the fridge and sit across from him. "You haven't been in Black Guard for very long or it would have taken me more time to figure it out. So, when did you begin?"
"I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Just so you know, your cheek twitches when you are uncomfortable. You are not Blue Guard. Blue Guard doesn't us "corporal" or "Captain" unless they're in a meeting with the big heads. We use "Wiggin" or "Mitnick" I was a "Bean". You are from Black Guard because that is the only guard that would have the audacity to pull this kind of stunt. Red wouldn't have hidden it; they would have been blatant about it. White wouldn't have even touched me. And Green would have brought a gift for me as well. Now, what does Black need me for, and what do they have to offer in exchange?"
He seemed to fight with himself for a minute. Then, " All right then. We need you back. We would be willing to wipe the slate clean with the government. You could start over, all you have to do is this one job for us."
"No." I don't like to mince words.
"Why not? You could be free of this. You're a legend in Blue Guard. Just as your father was in Black."
My jaw clenches. I hate my father. Black Guard hero, winner of a hundred unknown battles. And he gave me to the people who wrecked his life. "Max, you know that Black Guard is one of the most hated of all the Guards. Why?"
"We are told as recruits that it's because all the rest don't get to go into the field like we do."
Typical. "No, it's because the unofficial Black Guard motto is "Abuse, Use, Throw Away."
"Where the fuck do you get that from?!!"
"Because, Blue Guard, White Guard, Green Guard especially, heck even Red Guard will help it's members after they leave The Business. Black Guard won't you people give up your members. You drop them and if they get in trouble, you never knew them. I want no part of that."
"It is for very good reasons that we do that."
"That's a lot of shit and you know it. My father was a proud man. I remember him before he gave me to you fucks. He was a proud and brave man. Then, you dropped him like a ton of brick and he fell behind the world. He was left in hell. And so was I. So, take your offer and shove it. I've never felt a haven. My life has gone from hell to hell to hell ever since I was born. You can show yourself out the door."
He sighs and grabs his cap. " I'm sorry you feel that way, Vlad. Just remember, the offer is still valid."
He begins to leave. Just as he is passing out of the kitchen, I call out, "Hey, Max."
He turns. "Yes?"
"What was the job anyway?"
He stares at me. "Just so you know, your story is used as a prime example of valor and hard work. In all Guards, even before we know our commander's name, we know yours." He puts his cap on and says, "Korobeiniki has struck again. This time it was a girl. Her name is Slavankia. She saw someone murder a teenager, gut her like a fish and then rape the corpse."
He leaves.
My dreams are not peaceful that night.