Previous:

I laid on my stomach looking at the small alarm clock on the nightstand. 10:00p.m my eyes widened at the time. How long was that surgery again? I remembered having dinner around 5:30 to 6 and then arriving at the infirmary somewhere near 8 p.m. I sighed trying my best to toss half of the covers on me. My whole body relaxed feeling the pain start to form in my chest. I had a pretty high pain tolerance, just enough to ignore the throbbing in my chest. I felt like the night was my best friend, everything was still and quiet. I had time to think back on the day, I had time to think about the future. I had the time to think about my class. I wonder what class I'll be. I definitely won't be Pyro, there's no way. Sniper, maybe. Medic, there's a possibility. Spy, the option is open. I let my mind flow through the possibilities. Before I could tell my mind drifted far away, into another world. My eyes closed shut, the world was black. The sounds were slowly fading, I was asleep.

Continuation:

~{:Chapter 7- Support Class:}~

It was happening again. The dreams-no not dreams-nightmares. They stopped since the day I arrived here, but then they started up again. The smell stuck in my nose, the smell of charred wood. From my last dream I couldn't move, this one was an exception. I woke with sweat spread across my forehead, my armpits, and chest; if someone saw me they would have thought I'd ran a marathon. I thought I would have expected something similar to happen, an event of history repeating itself. Instead, I wasn't in my room, I wasn't in the same house, I didn't hear the painful screams of my parents or sister. This dream-scratch that-nightmare was different. Yes there was a fire, but it wasn't in a normal house, it was in the base. I heard the crackle of the fire behind the door. I saw the fog of smoke peak from beneath the door frame. I jumped out of bed immediately pressing the back of my hand against the door. I flinched at the pain erupting from my hand, it nearly singed the flesh off me. I ran over to my bed ripping the covers off the mattress, exposing it. Next, I ran over to the door stuffing it under the gap between the door frame and floor as much as I could, to prevent the excess smoke from getting in. I frantically looked around searching for an escape route. The Window I automatically think. I speed my way over to the open window peaking my head to look down. That's quite a ways down. All the dorm rooms were on the first floor of the base, all the way at the top. It was a good three floors down, not a lot to do some serious damage but enough that if I landed the wrong way I could potentially sprain or brake my ankle. Stay and die a slow painful death from suffocating in the smoke, or risk braking a bone to escape that from happening. It was pretty obvious choice. I debated how I was going to jump, but that was my disadvantage. Too much thinking can prevent you from doing stupid things, yet it was stupid for doing just that. My head looked toward the ground, taking a deep breath I gripped the sides of the window and propped my legs over the window sill. I quickly prayed before falling to the ground. I had landed on both my feet letting them receive most of the pressure, then shifted that to my knees. A small pain shot up my leg, but it wasn't too serious. My thoughts weren't clear, they weren't rational. I ran away from the building but stopped dead in my tracks. What am I doing!? I have teammates in there, I have to go back. I turned around looking at the glowing base. The glow from the flames emphasized during the night. I observed the building seeing the top floor be engulfed in flames, from what I could see the main floor was slowly being consumed. I'd assumed the third floor was untouched, for now. In desperation I ran back to the base. The entrance was locked but with all the strength I could, knocked it open. Once the door flung open my head rapidly looked for any sign of life, my ears listened for a noise, my eyes searched for a movement. Nothing.

I went deeper into the main floor going into the respawn, no one. I checked the bathrooms, showers, nothing. The fire was becoming more excited, its fumes scattering throughout the base. Smoke started to find its way into my eyes making them water. I covered my nose and mouth with the sleeve of my shirt. A sharp sound of wood breaking came from the location of the stairs, behind the noise was the crash of wood falling in on itself. I ran from bathroom area into the hallway where the second floor stairs had collapsed. Burnt flakes of wood floated in the air irritating my lungs, it was becoming more difficult to see and breath.

"...uhhh"

I stood still making sure I was hallucinating. Did I hear something? I listened closer, it was a while before I heard another moan coming from the kitchen. I ran into the room seeing Scout almost crushed from the ceiling that caved in above him.

"SCOUT!" I yelled, eyes filled with tears. I talked... I didn't care, this wasn't the time for contemplating my actions. He was too weak to speak any longer, surprisingly. I lifted the pieces of wood that fell on him giving him a shoulder to limp on. I carried him over to the entrance doors to the base, letting him get a wave of fresh air. I softly placed him on the ground having him lean against the doors. "Is anyone else in there?!" I sounded frantic, worried, scared. He gave a weak shrug letting his head hit the back of the door. I looked behind me seeing the flames come down, ready to consume the rest of the second floor. I was in a mode of adrenaline, I still had the third floor to check. With irrational thoughts I speed toward the stairs running down the steps, skipping a few in the process. My feet reached the last step and made it instantly into the infirmary. There the Medic and Heavy were together. Medic was on the ground with a bit of blood surrounding him, Heavy was holding him like a baby. He looked up at me with the saddest of eyes, my heart felt sympathy for the man. I grabbed his arm with the strength I had left, pulling him to the exit. "We have to go, this place will go down in flames at any-" before I could finish I was immediately stopped by a mound of falling wood. They all fell stacking on top of each other dispersing everywhere to block the entrance. Heavy pulled my back so that I wouldn't get hurt. He patted me to see if I was okay, I pulled his hand back signaling I was alright. I got up tempting to push the door open, it was no use. My heart started to race in a slight panic. I paced by the door thinking of a quick solution. Alright, we're trapped in an enclosed area without any vents or... My thoughts were ruined by another crashing sound, but this time it was good. Heavy had busted the doors open leaving a perfect path for us to escape from. He gently picked up the Medic once more and I guided our way out. We raced down the hall and up the stairs that were left.

"HELP...*cough*... ME!" It sounded like one of the Engineers, the female.

My head shot back trying to search for where the sound came from. I looked at Heavy who had starred at me with intimidating eyes. My expression loosened becoming serious. I pointed toward the hallway and back to myself, I then poked my finger at him and jabbed at the air toward the entrance doors where Scout laid. His eyes glistened from the fire, maybe his eyes were just watery from the smoke. His clothes torn in some places, smears of ash on his face. "Promise you come back?" It looked like he wasn't going to leave until I answered so I said "Yes." For a split second his face looked shocked, probably because it was the first time I'd spoke in front of him. Finally he left and ran toward the doors with the Medic in his arms, still unconscious. There was a moment of silence before I heard the voice again.

"Anyone there... Help.." A faint cry came after. I coughed from all the smoke that had finally entered my lungs, they stung with every inhale I took. Before I was beginning to lose hope on finding Engineer I spotted a yellow glove poking out from underneath the piles of chard wood. My legs were starting to give out, I felt too exhausted to carry on any longer. COME ON! KEEP GOING, HELP THE ENGINEER OUT AND GET OUT! ITS THAT SIMPLE. GO. GO. GO! I forced myself to keep going. Reaching the Engineer, I pushed off the piece of wood that had trapped her. I grabbed onto arm and pulled her out of the slabs of wood, but I was struggling. She was a little heavier than she looked. I used up all my strength left to pull her out of the ashes, when I did another mercenary held onto her arm. Well that explains why she was heavier than she looked. "Thanks partner." She started to constantly cough into her glove. "I think we should *cough* head on out of here." Smears of ash also marked her face, clothes, and pants. I nodded stepping out of the way to give them some space. Once I got a better look at the two I saw that Pyro was using her shoulder as a weight. They both walked toward the entrance, I walked behind them feeling the heat creep closer and closer to my back. I helped the two go a little faster toward the door, near the entrance I saw Heavy walking running over to the two and picking them up slinging them over his shoulder. We were so close, I could feel the division of climate change. My front side took in as much of the cool night breeze as possible, as for my back side heat radiated off of it.

"Kayla..." I heard a small voice call out to me. I paused, looking back seeing the monstrous flames finally claim the second floor, going on to the next for its meal. I paused waiting for something to happen again. "...help...me" It was another cry for help, I rushed in but it was impossible. One, Heavy held me in place looking at me as if I was crazy, the place would completely fall apart at any minute. Second, there was no way someone could still be alive with the rate the fire's expanding. Yet, there was something nagging me on. I needed to go in, I had to find the voice. As Heavy let go of my shoulder slowly I made a run for it. He tried to quickly grab me but I was a smidge faster than him. My heart started pumping faster, blood reaching to my head. Everything was getting too hot, my body excreting sweat from all the pores. ".. over here." The voice led me back to the third floor, the fire hadn't badly reached down here. Though, it was getting very VERY close. My head swayed to the left then right hearing for the voice again. "Almost there." It sounded male, an accent that I'd saved before. I made it into the training room seeing the corners of the room start to light a small fire. In one of the corners I saw him, the Spy. He was on the ground, I couldn't get a real clear look at him, partially from being too exposed from the chain of smoke and it was too dark. Some light was emitted from the ghostly flames, it revealed a faint shadow. I walked over beginning to close in on the man, except the man wasn't really a man, it was the silhouette of a plant that looked like a man. I turned around hearing that forewarning sound of the place closing in on itself. I thought that it must have been my imagination and ran back to get out of the base. "Non, I'm over here..." The voice spoke again, but this time a little louder. I looked more toward the weight lifting area and saw another shadow, this time it was real. It moved more toward the light, a shadow of the Spy came out from hiding. He looked badly injured, his face had small cuts on him with dry blood, smudges of a black substance resembling ash, and a deep crimson red splotch of blood that he tried to tame with his soaked leather glove. "...SPY!...." My voice became raspy and quiet, no thanks to the moisture being sucked out of me.

GET OUT OF HERE! A voice in my head screamed. It was pretty evident the place was falling apart quicker than my conscious could handle, but I couldn't leave him. He was hurt and I wasn't going to let him be left behind. This was an opportunity to redeem myself from my childhood loss. I stumbled toward him feeling the exposure of smoke really get to me. My body was starting to feel lethargic, there was no way I could make it out with Spy alive. He's already hurt, just save yourself and leave him. You already saved most of your friends just go! On the other hand another part of me was thinking, You made it this far, there's no point in turning back. Quickly get him and get out, it's that simple. I had made up my mind, I was going to save Spy. Closing in on him a cracking sound came from above. No...nononon not right now. I looked at Spy seeing him look up in the same direction as well, then back at me. I felt like he was a helpless puppy. I ran toward him quickly getting a hold of him but the wood gave way. A felt the planks of wood hit my back, a shot of pain growing in the area. I dropped Spy having him fall right beside me. I struggled getting the dead pieces of wood off me. I looked over to the Spy trying to see how he was holding up. I noticed him struggling against the pieces of wood as well. My sight started to fade into darkness. Before I could comprehend what was happening I was pulled out from the piles instantaneously by a stronger force. His arms wrapped around me pulling me farther away from the heaps of wood that crashed down in on me. I squirmed, trying to out from the mans grasp. Big mistake, my vision started to see specks of stars.

"HOLD STILL!" The man yelled.

"PUT ME...*cough cough* DOWN..!" I screamed tears streaming down my face. I noticed the accent from yesterday, deep, calm, and Australian. He gripped me harder with his left arm picking me up and running as fast as he could up the stairs that remained. I struggled in fighting back, mostly due to the lack of energy left. I felt the cool air hit me as we exited the base, just in time; because the building finally had it's last straw and crashed to the ground. Outside on the ground I saw Medic, Heavy, Scout, FemEngineer, Pyro, and now Sniper. He let go of me, I fell to my knees facing the building.

"Spy..." I murmmered to myself finding the will to talk. The Aussie kneeled beside me placing his hand on my back. "There's nothin' ya' could have done to save the bloke." I shoved him off me, but it wasn't forceful enough to do anything at all. "You could have saved him, not me!" Finding my voice again, but it was still raspy and dry. I felt myself crying into my hands, feeling the remaining liquid that was left in my body. I kept crying to myself "...Spy... Spy..." He could have saved him, instead of me... No, I can't totally blame him its not his fault, its mine. Only if I looked their earlier he would still be alive. Possibly all of them sooner than later. History did repeat itself after all; this time in a different form.

"Kayla..."

I felt the chill of a hand on my shoulder, I didn't bother looking and shoved it off.

"Kayla... wake up.."

I ignored the voice crying even more at my failure.

"KAYLA, madame wake up. You're having a nightmare just open your eyes."

The voice started to shake me startling me to wake up. I finally had the courage to open my eyes. My breathing became easier, the night was actually day, my clothes were fine, there was no smell of smoke, no smoke bleeding into the room, everything... was normal. I sat up from the bed feeling the cool breeze hit my back and forehead sending a chill. I must have sweated intensely. It was only another bad nightmare, everything was fine, nothing really happened. I must have been deep into my thoughts because I still haven't noticed the voice that pulled me out of my fears in the first place.

"Mon amie, everything is alright et was just a nightmare." He said in a mellow french accent.

I looked to my right seeing him at the end of my bed. I slowed down my breathing taking a gulp of air. I lifted up my hand to my forehead wiping the beads of sweat. I rubbed my eyes taking a look at the time. 9:30 a.m. It wasn't too late in the morning but it wasn't early either.

"Your results will arrive at any moment today, I wanted to come check on you to see if you were getting ready. I knocked but I didn't 'ear anyzhing, I assumed you were already in zhe showers. Zhen I heard a slight cry so I came to see if you were alright."

He paused and looked at me. "Ça va?"

I was't in the mood for his french words. I looked at him in confusion. "Are you okay? You were crying my name when I came in." he spoke seeming un-phased.

I nodded feeling slightly embarrassed, even though I felt like he knew the real answer. "You aren't the best liar, but I also know that you are in no shape of arguing about it. We're all downstairs in the kitchen when you're ready to join." He stood back up heading toward the door, turning back for his last words. He opened up his mouth ready to say something, but left a small gap of silence trying to think of something to say, ending up coming out with nothing to say at all. He closed his mouth and closed the door behind him.

I fell back on my bed signing heavily. I was mad that I'd talked in my sleep again, but was relived to see that it was Spy. I mean really, just imagine if it was one of the other teammates. It would be an endless bicker about how I can talk, especially if it was the Scout. Good thing I trusted the Spy to keep his mouth shut about it. I suppose it didn't matter anyway, maybe the pressure would give me the chance to speak my own mine. I did in the dream, but then it got me thinking. If that's what it takes for me to find my voice, how much would I be sacrificing. It was too much to think about, now wasn't the time. I needed to get ready.

I walked by way down the stairs to the second floor. Making my way over to the kitchen I could hear some of the mercenaries already making a bet. I held my hear to the door.

"I bet cha' 20 bucks she's a Pyro! Am I right or am I right?"

"HA! You're an idiot. Nah man, she's totally gonna be a... On second thought, yeah I agree." Scouts counterpart complied the same thought.

"MMHM MHMHPMH!" mumbled the Pyro, I couldn't tell if it was a shrill of excitement or gasp in disappointment.

"I bet the lass is gonna be a Sniper..." The Demoman slurred, right behind his comment I could hear the two twins clank bottles. She must have agreed with him.

"Oi don't know mate. She doesn't fit the characteristics of a Snoiper in my opinion." I was hurt a little by his words, I didn't know I had to look a certain way in order to fit into the position.

"Oh please, and what characteristics would that be? The capability to sit around pissing in jars, while hiding inside of building isolated from the real fight. I do suppose you're right bushman. She certainly doesn't possess those qualities."

"Piss off, ya' bloody spook." Sniper lashed. Although I couldn't see I could feel the grin spread across Spy's face.

"OHHHHH! How does it feel ta' get burned, and not by a pyro!" yelled the Scout.

I took the opportunity to walk into the room, all attention was on me. I wanted to say to them What? Dont look at me like you've never seen me before. But obviously that wasn't going to happen. I walked over to the crowd sitting down in one of the chairs by the table.

"Speakin' of the devil. There she is."

They all began gathering around sitting down in the chairs as well. "You must be excited to see which class your gonna be in. I remember I was, of course I had a strong feelin' Engineering would be my profession." FemEngineer looked at her twin smiling warmly. He grabbed her shoulder shaking it a bit, almost brotherly like. Before anyone else could speak a vehicle's engine could be heard. The sound roared closer to the base, finally cutting off with silence. A car door slammed shut, steps echoed into the base. Miss Pauling entered the room pointing her finger at me without saying a word, she gestured her finger for me to come to her. I felt like a kid that got called to the principle office, it was quite embarrassing. In the corner of my eye I could see some of the mercs give each other glances. I exited to room facing Miss Pauling. She had a bright smile on her face, good it must be great news. A white piece of paper was presented to me.

"These are your results, I tallied them last night and put them under one document, then transmitted the data into the computer. It calculated everything and chose your class for you. I think you might like the results."

I looked down at the white document scanning through the words. Most of it was just a record of who I was; including my first name, middle, and last, my date of birth, eye color, and more detailed information. My eyes guided toward the middle where all the results of the classes were scored. Toward the end was the class chosen for me. I read it.

Congratulations Kayla,

Your data has been analyzed and scanned through our trusty computer. It's great to welcome a

new recruit on the team of RED. Thanks to the company you will be provided a great home, and

accessory of money. You were chosen to fit the team, you are now a certified mercenary.

Welcome to the team ...

-Mann Co.

I looked down at the paper starring at it, I didnt how to feel. Good or bad, perhaps both. Glad that I wasn't chosen as a Pyro, not that I had a chance anyways, but scared for the work I'm going to have to train for up ahead. I honestly didn't think this class fit, shows what I know about myself. I looked back up at Miss Pauling seeing her cheeky smile, I could tell she was waiting for a reaction. I gave her what she wanted, she worked hard I didn't want that to go to waste.

"YAY! I knew you would love it... Ahem, I'm glad that you like it because you're stuck with it for the rest of your contract. Anyways you will begin you first war tomorrow, good luck!"

She left walking toward the exit and into the car. I giggled at her personality, she had the mind of a child deep inside. I turned to the door, Now to tell the team... How, I can't really talk... Right. Entering back into the room a few of the mercenaries were already by the door, probably listening in on the private conversation we were having. They backed up slowly waiting for me to give the details.

"Well what did ya' get." Scout said tapping his foot impatiently.

I looked back down at the paper and had an idea. I looked up searching my eyes for the man who I'd forever be partnered up with, and pointed to him. They all looked at the mercenary, each presenting a different reaction.

"You gotta be kidding me..."

"HA! YOU'RE SUCH A FAILURE YOU IDIOT!" Shouted the FemScout

"PFFT! Says the one who agreed with me." Scout gave a evil smirk at the quick comeback, in return Feminine Scout crossed her arms looking to the side.

"Well I'll be damned." said both of the country lovers.

"Vell zhen, and to zhink zhat you vould become such a great assistant." Medic shrugged in disappointment.

Both of the heavies stayed silent also watching everyones react. The FemDemo nudged at the passed out drunk, he awoke confused. "AYE! WOT JUST HAPPENED?"

"Ya' lost the bet, that's what 'appened." spoke the Scout.

"...Aw ya' got ta' be pullin' me' leg laddy..."

He rolled his eyes at the drunk. "Bloody spooks..." Sniper muttered under his breath, sipping his leftover coffee.

"Bienvenue to the team, mon amie." The french man gave a welcoming smile, but deeper inside it turned into a smirk. The moment of celebration ended as everyone gave their compliments as they left the room. The two Heavies hugged me at the same time-I felt like a sandwich, both the Scouts shook hands with me before leaving, Medic raised his glasses further up his nose before finally congratulating me for making it on the team, both the Demos gather around me leaning on my shoulders-I could smell the alcohol off their breath.

"WELCOME TO THE TEAM MAGGOT!" Soldier saluted at me before heading out of the room.

"SEE YOU OUT ON THE BATTLE FIELD PRIVATE!" FemSoldier did the same thing, saluting me with respect before stomping out of the room.

I made a crooked smile at the both of them. Another man came toward me with his arms held out forcing me into a hug. My feet lifted slightly off the ground. My body tensed slightly panicking, but I hid it. "NMCE THM HMPH MPU MPH MHE MMPHM!" I made out some of the words coming from the Pyro's mouth. He smelled of gasoline and smoke, Did he know that he smelled like this? I gave him a quick fake smile and he placed me down.

"Alrighty Pryo give the girl some space, will ya'." The Engineer chuckled placing his hand on the fire child's shoulder. He backed off slightly giving a little whimper. "Nice to see you as one of the Support teams, I'll see ya' out on the field ya' hear." I gave a thumbs up to the three mercenaries, thanking them for the acceptance. I turned around facing two more mercenaries, Sniper and Spy.

Sniper took another sip from his coffee. "Noice to see ya' finally on the team. Oi'll see ya' later, out on the battlefield oi mean." He looked at my partner, "Train the sheila well, for the sake of your reputation." then back at me with his blue crystal eyes. He took a last sip from his coffee before putting it in the sink to rinse off.

"Leave that to me, I believe she will be a great Spy."

"Oh... Oi wasn't talkin' to ya' mate, I meant the other sheila." I couldn't help but giggle at what he'd said. Sniper walked off smiling at my laugh and the expression on Spy's face. I didn't know if the two always had this hate/love friendship together, but I found it comical. I looked back at Spy seeing him glare unamused, but all it did was make me innocently smile even more.

"I think we both had enough celebratory actions for the morning, we will start basic training this afternoon. A plus tard, mon petite." The RED Spy calmly walked toward the doors pulling a cigarette from his-I believe it's called-disguise kit. Once I was alone I did a small victory jump, I didn't know what got over me. I was filled with excitement; I got accepted onto the team, I was claimed to be the Spy-although I didn't really see it but I'm not complaining. I looked back down at the paper folding it in half and stuck it in my pocket. A smile remained permanently on my face for the rest of the morning. I remember about the new uniform and headed up to my dorm room. As I was walking I thought about how good it felt to be on a team. Never in a million years would I have seen myself in a base fighting for a change. I reached my room, inside I instantly went to my bed. I took a look at the new uniform, somewhat similar to the one from the training process except RED, of course. The under armour of the long sleeve shirt was a solid black with red outlines that emphasized down the arms, around the shoulders and neck area, down the sides of my torso. Over top of it would be a crimson red vest that fit perfectly with the red dress pants that matched with it. It wasn't something that I would personally wear, apart from the under armour, but it was a uniform. Beside the clothes were the shoes, they were comfortable red wrapped boot loafers. They resembled the looks of some badass ninja shoes, yet elegant like. Lastly, the all famous mask. It was a Red balaclava with a large cut for the mouth.

I changed into the clothes and looked into the body mirror that was beside the nightstand. I look so awesome... I look like a legit Spy. The clothes fitted perfectly on my body, it made me look more mature. My hair was left down, I stuffed my long thick brown hair into the mask. Most of it was hidden, besides some of the smaller strands that decided to peak from the top of my head. They fell down the front of my face reaching to the length of my eyebrows, similar to the Medic. I felt so confident and empowered after I put on the uniform. I looked back toward the bed and didn't see any of the weapons. Probably have to get them from Spy during training, makes sense.

To be continued...

I just want to thank all the people who are reading this story, It's great to hear what you guys think of it. It really gives me a good perspective on what you are waiting for, what you find interesting, and what you like about it. Makes me feel happy looking at you're reviews. LOVE YOU! I cannot thank you enough, see you fellow viewers in the next chapter.