The darkness in my heart had consumed my entire being. Nothing but angst ran through my veins. The overwhelming want to die loomed over me, nearly pushing me over the edge again. Dried blood covered both my hands which Aiden clung to regardless. His arms wrapped around my lifeless body, the only thing keeping me in this reality. His front pressed against my back, encasing me in warmth. Dried tears left streaks down my cheeks. The bed we lay on was hard, providing little comfort. A warm breeze flowed through my hair from the ajar window. This is probably the first day it hasn't rained in weeks. Aiden's soft breathing behind me calmed my nerves.
We haven't moved from this position since yesterday afternoon. It's well into the morning by now. A loud beeping noise jolted me from my thoughts. Aiden awoke groggily, mumbling something as he reached for the device. He read the message and groaned, pulling himself up to a sitting position. "It's time for training. Your recruits are already in the chamber warming up." He stood up, making his way to the window, opening it fully. I looked up at him, marveling at his eyes. They shone as the sunlight hit them. The breeze flowed through his sandy blonde locks, allowing each to fall perfectly against his forehead. He is always perfect. I've yet to see him falter. Unlike Ben's gravity defying hair. But it looked so good on him. It matched his personality, and suited him well.. Ben.. "You're comparing me to him, aren't you?" Aiden's voice was tinted with sadness.
I said nothing, but got up and walked to the bathroom, running my hands through the cold water at the sink. With the help of some soap, all of the blood vanished, leaving the gashes. I plastered one or two band aids on them and stepped out of the bathroom, walking to my dresser. A look of shock made its way on my face when all my clothes and belongings were in the drawers. Grant must have sent a team to raid the girl's dorm and take my stuff. At least I won't have to buy all new stuff. I picked out a light blue shirt and black running shorts. Aiden eyed me suspiciously. After emerging from the bathroom dressed, he scoffed at me. "If I have to teach these recruits how to kill, I'll do it my way." I growled, my voice laced with venom. With my combat boots strapped on, I stood up, sighing into the mirror.
He studied me for a moment, looking me deep in the eyes. "You were really going to do it..."
I was ready. I wanted to die. I still do. The room was silent for a few seconds. "I've got nothing left to live for." Without any more words, I turned and walked out the door.
"Summer, what the hell are you thinking? You're supposed to be wearing your uniform." Felix groaned. I walked past him, disregarding his comment. He is wrong. I should be far from here. Far from the Ranger School. Technically, I should be dead. Self-pity. It's an interesting topic.
I walked to the chamber doors, about to walk in when I heard a voice from within. "Today, you will be getting a new instructor." That's Aiden's voice. How did he get in there before me? "She is the best archer and combat specialist we have come by. You all are to show your utmost respect towards her. Address her as Lieutenant Summer, unless she gives orders otherwise. A word of advice, do not cross her. It may be the last thing you do." He opened the door, grinning at me. Hesitantly, I stepped in. A few guys wolf whistled, reminding me of the first day of Ranger School. The first day I met Ben..
"I am not here to be your friend. I am not here to 'baby' you. If you're going to learn, it's going to be done in an orderly manner. You will do as I say, when I say it." The grunts were scattered across the room, making it difficult to study each. "Everyone is four even lines." They scrambled to the instructions, doing as I said. "I will be teaching you the art of the bow and arrow. How to throw knives. And of course, hand on hand combat."
There was a chuckle in the third line. A guy, maybe three years older than I, stepped out of line. He walked to the front and faced me. His black army cropped hair shone against his pale complexion. He was maybe two feet taller than me and muscular. "Aiden, you expect me to take orders from someone half my size, a girl no less? This is bullshit. What has Team Explosion come to? Hiring little girls to teach a man's job."
Aiden chuckled slightly. I walked to the podium where my bow sat. I strapped the quiver to my back, and pocketed two sinister looking knives. The recruits watched me in curiosity. Without another word, I knocked an arrow. The recruit gasped as the arrow struck his pants leg, ripping into the fabric and lodging itself into the ground. He didn't have time to react before the next arrow did the same to his other leg. He looked at me with fear in his eyes. I took out both knives, throwing them as I hard as I could at him. He gasped as they lodged into his clothing on either side of his waist, pulling him to the ground, pinning him there. His struggle was futile. An eerie silence loomed in the room. I walked to him, smashing my foot down on his stomach, earning a grunt. "What's your name, recruit?" I growled.
"F-Flynn Porter." He cringed.
My foot crushed his stomach further. He groaned in pain. "Listen up, Porter. You are to treat General Aiden with respect. He is more of a man than you will ever be. Don't forget it." He nodded painfully. "From now on, you treat General Aiden with the respect you would give me. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will learn your place. If you are out of line, you will take it up with me. And trust me, that's not something you want to deal with."
"Who are you..?"
"I'm Summer Minami."
Ben's P.O.V.
"You promised!" Molly yelled. "I distracted him! I did what you asked. Now you have to keep your end of the deal. Spend more time with us." She growled.
Jared scoffed. "Things didn't go as planned. Summer didn't come with me, therefor the whole deal is off. Sorry to disappoint but you get nothing." He said in an annoyed tone.
Molly had tears streaming down her cheeks. "You are the absolute worst! I wish I had fallen for Ben! He and that girl are perfect for each other and you made me get in the way of that!"
"You're the one who agreed to do it. Stop trying to act all innocent. We both know you knew my intentions with Summer. They were the same as with you. You took part in it and you're just as much to blame." Jared's voice was dark. He pushed past her small body, stalking towards me. A smug smirk made its way on his face. "If it isn't the root of this problem himself. Tell me Ben, how does it feel to fuck Summer? I'd love to know. Cause you really did fuck her over."
My fist connected with his jaw. He stumbled backwards, wiping blood from his lower lip. "What did you do?" I barked.
He simply shrugged his shoulders. "You're the one who kissed Molly. Because of you, Summer is out there somewhere. Probably in the worst situation she has ever been in. From what I saw, hell.. she might even be dead. But that doesn't really concern you right? You were to concentrated on old crushes. I'm not just saying this because I hate you, which I really do. I'm saying this because you really fucked this one up."
"Where is she?" I growled.
Jared shook his head, glancing off into the woods. "These lips are sealed. I wouldn't tell you even if I could. You don't deserve to know." I stood there, breathing deeply, trying to make sense of all of this. "Congratulations, Ben. You're no better than me."
Summer's P.O.V.
I watched in silence as one recruit pinned the other to the ground. He crushed her throat, choking her. "P-please!" She cried out. He didn't stop. Instead, an evil grin spread across his lips, as he pushed down harder. Aiden looked to me, the corner of his lip tugging up. He knows. I walked over to the recruit, smashing my foot into his side. The girl recruit gasped for air, tears leaking down her cheeks. "Your name, recruit." I said in monotone.
She looked up to me. "Mablyn. Mablyn Thorne." Her silver hair flowed down to her shoulders. Her piercing green eyes were watery. What is such a pretty girl, with so much potential, doing here?
"Thorne, retire to your room for the rest of the day." I stated, glaring at the sick recruit who just tried to kill her. She stuttered slightly, but obliged, jogging to the door. "And your name?" He looked up to me from his sitting position. A few seconds passed in silence. "I asked you a question, recruit. You are to speak when spoken to. Now, I'll ask for the last time. What is your fucking name?"
He stood up. His fiery red hair hung past his eyes. Freckles littered his face. "Marcus Brenton." He said in a bored tone.
A small smile spread across my face. "How tall are you, Brenton?"
"Six five." He scoffed.
"Interesting. I didn't know they stacked shit that high." My voice was cold. Aiden broke out into laughter. Many of the recruits had grins plastered to their faces. Marcus' cheeks turned bright red. His fists clenched by his sides. "Go ahead, take a swing." He took deep breaths. "Porter!" I yelled.
Flynn jumped slightly, jogging over to me. "Yes ma'am?"
I continued to stare at Marcus. "What did you learn today?"
"Not to fuck with you." He stated in a serious tone.
I nodded my head. "Dismissed." He nodded his head and ran back to his previous position. Marcus growled slightly. "Why did you try to kill her?" I asked. The recruit wouldn't look directly at me. "I'm asking you a question recruit." He breathed in deeply. "You remind me of someone. A despicable, inhumane creature. Someone who would stop at nothing to get what he wants. His name is Jared. Yeah.. you're almost identical to him. Thorne is part of the same organization as you. What would gain by killing her? Would that make you better than anyone here? Would it make you feel stronger?" I shouted. Marcus grit his teeth, his knuckles turning white. "Speak when spoken to, recruit!" I yelled.
He snapped. I dodged his punch, grabbing his wrist and flipping it behind his back. My foot smashed into the back of his knee, causing him to crumble to the ground. I pushed his twisted arm upwards. Marcus yelled out in pain. "Stop! You'll break it!" I pushed harder. He screamed out. "P-please!" He cried out.
"That's exactly how Mablyn begged." I stated quietly, thrusting his arm upwards. There was a loud crack, followed by a terrible scream. I grunted, standing up and backing away from Marcus' crumbled form. "Learn your place. If you don't show mercy on the people you work with, I won't show mercy on you." My voice was cold and menacing. I walked to Aiden, gripping the bottom of his shirt. "Get me out of here." I whispered pleadingly.
"Alright recruits, that's it for today. Clean up the mess and head to dinner." He instructed. "And someone get Brenton off the damn floor." He scoffed. Aiden took my hand and lead me out of the chamber. I clung to him, trying to keep my breathing steady. What have I done? What kind of monster have I become within mere hours of joining this organization?
The cold breeze of the afternoon thunderstorm gave me goosebumps. I sat on the window sill, staring at the beer bottle across from me. If I start, I might not be able to stop again. It was hard enough the first time. But you know, I don't give a damn anymore. I took the bottle, downing the alcohol in a single swig.
Aiden's P.O.V.
A crashing sound caught my attention. It's coming from Summer's room. No, no! Not again. I ran to her door, pounding as hard as I could. "Summer open this door right now!" Almost immediately, the door slide open. Her eyes were hazed over, her breath reeked of alcohol. Angrily, I walked in, looking at the mess shes made. Beer bottles littered the floor, some shattered, some whole. "What do you think you're doing. I was gone for a few minutes. Can I not leave you alone for five minutes!?" I yelled, gripping her shoulders tightly.
Summer frowned. "You're much cuter when you're laughing." Her eyes looked straight into mine, no twitching anywhere on her face. She is telling the truth. I sighed, pulling her into my arms. "Why do you even care. You don't even know me." I groaned. "Is it cause I look like that girl? What was her name? Rora?" She slurred.
My cheeks reddened. "Watch it, Summer. You're treadin' mighty thin ice." She glared at me.
"That's the only reason why you're helping me. The only reason why you care. Cause I look like your dead girlfriend!" She yelled. My fists clenched by my sides. Her eyes were fierce, her teeth grit.
"Watch your fucking mouth before I do something you regret." I growled. She better cut it out right now.
Summer looked straight at me, wobbling slightly. "I'm not her! I'm not a fucking replacement for every gods damned lost love! She is dead! Stop looking at me like I am her! You don't really care about-" My hand whipped across her face. I shoved her into the wall, my hands clutching around her entire neck. "Do it! Just kill me already!" She screamed.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. The look in her eyes, past the alcohol, was one of pure angst and pain. Depression and loneliness radiated off of her skin. She is begging for death. "Stop it." I breathed, releasing her neck. "Just stop it." I choked out.
She cried out, sinking to the ground. "Please.. I can't go on." The odd feeling of a few stray tears tickled my cheeks. This is odd. I've never cried before. Not one person has ever been able to do this to me.
I lowered myself to her, staring at her intently. She reached her hand out to my face, gently wiping the few tears away. Before she could move her arm away, I pulled her into a hug, not wanting to let go. Trying to keep her together. Or maybe I'm just trying to keep myself together.
Alright. So it has been a while. Sorry for the wait. Hopefully yall enjoyed anyway. -A