Sniper – People

Sniper was an Anthropophobic.

He was completely unable to stand being around other people, even if he trusted them completely with his entire being. When he was caught in the company of others, he started to tremble as panic set in, sometimes to the point of where he felt like he was choking. He could barely even THINK about being around too many people…

That's why he was a loner.

He preferred to sleep outside in his beaten old van and, during battle, to stay in an isolated area in order to pick off enemies from afar. But he always preferred to tell his allies that it was better for his concentration; only the Medic knew his true reasons.

It all started when he was about nine.

He could clearly remember that during his years at school, a lot of people hated him. He only had a handful of friends who didn't care about his family living on, and making a living from, a farm or that they didn't have a great deal of money. However, everyone else still found ways to make him miserable, each scheme they had worse than the last.

It all peaked towards the end of the year.

The Aussie was elated to find that he would be given an award for his attendance for school, despite his father not really giving a damn about it. But, as he went up to collect it, he found himself covered head to toe with mud, thanks to a trap set up by a particularly cruel bully. He was speechless as catcalls of 'farm boy' and 'piggy' were shouted at him by the entire hall.

He was so ashamed; he spent the next week locked in his room.

After 18 years, did he feel that he could be around other people? No, not at all. He couldn't stand being in a room with too many people, as he started becoming panicky over what they thought of him and he was worried that if he was around them for too long, he'd go crazy or faint from anxiety.

Everyone thought he was cowardly for separating himself.

But they didn't really know.

~*~

The RED Team cheered loudly as they celebrated their victory over BLU, beer flowing and laughter in the air. It was special as it had been their fifth victory in a row after a particularly embarrassing streak of defeats. Everyone was full enjoying themselves as they drank and listened to bawdy jokes courtesy of Spy, Scout and Demoman…

…Except for Sniper, who was standing around the corner, his hat lowered over his eyes. Even though some of the others had tried over and over again to convince him to come and join them, he refused every time. They didn't even seem to notice his hands shaking or that he couldn't make any eye-contact with them as he told them that he was fine and to leave him alone.

But they still insisted.

"C'mon Sniper! It'll do you some good." Engineer borderline pleaded, a half-full bottle of beer in his gloved hand. "You're alone all the time, so it will be good for you to come and join us."

The Aussie shook his head, his stomach doing backflips at the thought of being around the rest of the team; to him, being around eight people was DEFINITELY too many for him. He felt his face begin to burn up (It must have been as red as his goddamn shirt!), panicking that there were hidden opinions about him that the others held. "Nah, I'm fine." He said for the god-knows-many time, looking away.

The Texan frowned a little, more in concern than in annoyance. "You know, it's a little strange that you don't like being around us at all." He folded his arms across his chest as he said this. "Is there any reason why?"

"Looks, it's nothing!" Sniper snapped, cursing that he was really panicking, trying to hide it as well as he could. "Just… leave me alone, okay?"

Without giving Engineer a chance to continue, the Australian turned on his heel and swiftly walked off as his chest clenched along with his already churning stomach. He cursed himself over and over as he still continued to think about being in that situation. They were probably speaking ill of him right now! Chances are Engineer would probably try and convince him again, but it would still be in vain.

He felt happier by himself.

It was the only way to get any peace.

Next:
Medic