The ornate cabin, that was the training grounds headquarters, slowly shrunk and faded behind John and Sergeant Jay into the sea of trees. John walked on a beaten dirt road between Sergeant Jay and the tall wood fence. Following the fence, it angled off on a downward slope that slowly circled down and around half of the mountain. John leaned slightly backward as the duo trekked down the descending road. Around the midpoint of the mountain, the curving path abruptly ended and opened out to an unusually wide piece of flat land.

Leading slightly ahead, the sergeant came to a stop. He brought John to what looked to be a missing upper section of the mountain. On their left was a straight vertical cliffside that met the flat ground at a perfect ninety-degree angle. It was as if someone had precisely cut a huge wedge of cake off the side of the mountain.

Sam, the man that worked along with Sergeant Jay at the checkpoint, called out to the others on the flat land upon sight of Jay.

“ATTEN-HUT! All y’all stop what y’all doin’! Yer lead instructor is back! All trainees, salute! Welcome back, Sergeant Jay!”

Immediately, the multiple groups of two in hand-to-hand combat stopped their sparring and stood up straight while saluting Jay. Jay nodded, arching up a corner of his lips.

“At ease. Seems like you rascals are finally getting it. Alright. This newbie here is John. He started today and will now be your fellow Field Worker in training. Stan! Come forward!”

Hearing his name called, Stan walked out from beside Corporal Sam. All the trainees wore the same dull green camouflage training uniforms, but it was as if they were only made for Stan’s physique. The uniform wrapped around his form, showing off and enhancing his lean and built figure. He took long confident strides as his black hair waved through the air, revealing a chiseled sun-tanned face. John looked at Stan and could only admit defeat when comparing his face to Stan’s and the sergeant’s. However, there was something else John could not exactly point out but instinctively knew he did not like about Stan.

Hidden behind the rugged-shaven face, deep inside his large open, and alert eyes, was a troubled soul with nefarious intentions. It permeated out from his being, showing itself beneath the shadows of his eyes. It was subtle and barely visible, but Stan could not completely enshroud his tendencies for blood and violence.

To many, Stan would look like a tired handsome youth who probably stayed up too long playing video games. John would also have thought the same had it not been for the creepy grin of a psychopath and his crazed eyes looking at him as his next victim.

“Now we instructors can finally do our jobs. With John here, we now have an even number of trainees so neither Sam nor I will have to substitute for one of you during combat training. Alright! Stan. John. For now, you two will be paired together.”

Immediately, John jerked his head at Sergeant Jay and gave him a worried look. He felt an uncomfortable chill pressing down on his figure and looked back at Stan. John never felt bloodlust before and did not think it was a thing, but he now believed.

John pulled in his arms and guarded his body. Stan narrowed his eyes but quickly returned them to normal. John’s reaction showed him John was aware of his true nature. A warm smile bloomed across Stan’s face, but John’s blood froze. His gut screamed at him to run away.

John turned back and gave a pleading look at Jay, hoping Jay would change his mind. But it was not only John that turned and gave Jay a worried look.

“A word, Sergeant.”

Corporal Sam pulled Jay off to the side, whispering his shouts of concern.

“Jay, what on earth you be thinkin’?! There’s a reason Stan be assigned to us during combat training! Not only is the bastard already combat-trained from the military, he also be out for blood! The guy has problems, Jay! He shoulda gone to psychotherapy! I dunno why First World even dared hire the crazy guy!”

“First World takes pity on homeless guys and gals like us, Sam.”

“Bullshit. Ya know exactly why they choose us homeless or those desperate with no other place to go. It’s less problems for them should we be dead and missing. They be even worse than the military! At least the military treats the fallen with dignity and respect by trying to bring the bodies back!”

Jay’s dull blue eyes narrowed, glaring at Sam. Sam touched upon a sensitive subject. “Well tough luck for us, ain’t it, Sam? Seems like nobody wants us black sheep. With no place to go, we wandered into the wolf’s den. But the wolves here do not eat meat but only want us to bring them their stuff. At least here we’ll be fed, Sam. Everyone here has issues. Me and you included. If it weren’t for First World, we’d be shooting up drugs to forget the past. If we don’t stand for Stan and help him out, no one will.”

Sam sighed, but it did not ease the concern he felt inside. “Jeez, Jay. Why you be pullin’ out the pity card like that? I get it. First World ain’t all bad. We be in the same boat, but that guy John isn’t like us. You got something against him or what? You know Stan is gonna mess him up real bad.”

Jay shook his head, recalling the apology he was given by John. It was a brief interaction, but John gave him a good impression. People are complicated. Jay especially knew he had his own personal quirks and issues, but John did not give up on him and simply blame him. Instead, John acknowledged him. He knew how others perceived him as a villain, but John saw more and beyond that.

John was even willing to let go of pride to apologize for something he wasn’t completely wrong to begin with. The new Field Worker could be firm and unrelenting, but also flexible and forgiving. But most importantly, he was sensible, able to sympathize, and lifted people up. Something that Jay knew Stan desperately needed.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I believe John could help Stan.”

“Is that a joke, Jay? By bein’ a punching bag? Stan is ex-military! He can stand toe-to-toe with me! You know he be testing us every spar!”

“I am not talking about fighting. John could help him overcome his personal problems. In return, Stan could help John out with some fighting lessons.”

“More like beating lessons! Don’t cha know already know why he was kicked out from the military in the first place! It was a dishonorable discharge for reckless endangerment, Jay! The guy’s got major issues!”

“Fine. I will have a talk with Stan, and we will both keep an eye out on him and John during training. That should work then, right?”

Sam shook his head and huffed out a sigh.

“I know ya well, Jay. You got that look in yer eyes. There ain’t no changing yer mind when ya made yer decision. You better keep yer eyes peeled on them all the time then.”

“Oh! Good idea! Maybe, I will.” Jay tapped his chin, pondering as the cogs in his mind began to spin.

Personal training, but I cannot say it or else I will get an earful about fairness. But it’s all about the approach. I can hit a few birds with one stone. Bird feast tonight!

“Alright, Sam. Let’s split the trainees. As you know, Stan is quite the handful and requires either you or me to supervise him. I did not think much about it when I told everyone earlier that we would not be subbing in as their training partner. But you are right, Stan cannot be solely training with any of the others. Even with another trainee other than John, we will still have to watch over them. So I will take on the combat training for Stan and also add on John. You will handle the rest.”

“What!? That be unfair, Jay! I have to train more!”

“Well, we can rotate then. That way one of us will always be watching over those two.”

Sam hesitated and thought some more. Stan was a capable fighter, almost to the extent that he had trouble. Adding John into the mix was only more trouble. He would rather just watch and direct the others.

“Ya know what? Fine. Have it yer way. You deal with those two, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

The sergeant grinned.

See. It is all in the approach. Now then, time for the more troublesome one to be approached.

Sergeant Jay patted Corporal Sam’s shoulder, trying to relieve the corporal’s worries and also letting him know of his victory over him. He walked past Sam with a smile on his face. Sam could only sigh in defeat and hope nothing goes wrong between Stan and John.

“Stan! Come here. A word.”

Stan strutted over, planted his feet below his shoulders, and saluted Jay while standing perfectly upright.

“Yes, Sergeant!”

“At ease, Stan.”

Stan relaxed and looked at Jay expectantly. Being from the military the two could relate. Unlike his interaction with John, Stan’s eyes only held respect for Jay. To Stan, Jay was worthy and earned his respect. Not only was he tossed around during their spars, but he firsthand saw how Jay looked out for him when Ethan came blasting complaints at him for unintentionally hurting his coworkers. He got a slap on the wrist, but the two laughed it off.

One of the few people in the military that still called Stan a friend, referred him to First World Trading when he was discharged from the military and had trouble keeping a job. And within First World, Jay was the only person he really wanted to call a friend.

“What is it, Sarge? You want me to give the newbie a nice military boot camp welcome, right? I’ll make him vomit his lunch with some blood and eat dirt.”

Hearing Stan’s intentions, Jay wondered if his decision would really be alright. But he felt Stan needed an understanding friend who wouldn’t overly judge him and hopefully allow him to let go of part of his past. However, Jay needed to be firm since had no intention of allowing Stan to harm John.

“No, Stan. I want you to help train John and get along.”

Stan stared blankly at the sergeant, being taken aback. Something was off about what the sergeant asked of him.

“You kidding, right Sarge? Is he ex-military too? He don’t look it.”

“No. He is a civilian.”

“And you don’t want me to rough him up like the others?”

“No. I want you two to get along. I know you two can benefit from each other.”

Stan turned around and narrowed his eyes at John. From a bastard civilian? Is the Sarge out of his mind? What’s that guy got on the sergeant?

Turning back to the serviceman, Stan seriously asked, “Sarge, is the bastard threatening you? Or did he go to tattle to First World?”

“No, nothing of the sort. He is just a regular civilian. Look, soldier. I want you two to work together and get along. Understood? No hazing, got it? And no roughing under the guise of helping others increase stats. It is true stat points increase as we break our limits, but I will handle that. That is not your job. Besides me and the corporal, only you are trained from the military. And so will help John with combat training.”

Stan could not believe what he was hearing. It was as if the sergeant was looking out for the newbie. But usually only did that for no one else except him.

“He has no combat experience. I am not asking you to go easy, but no injuries. Got it, Stan? No injuries. Stan? Hey!? You listening?!”

Stan's eyes widened, then narrowed, but then he looked away while hiding some hurt.

“Yeah, yeah. No injuries on the teacher’s pet. What is he to ya, Sarge? A brother from a different mother?”

“Nah. Nothing of the sort. He is a civilian that has potential, and I like I told you before, I hope you two get along. That would benefit you both.”

Stan turned around and glared at John, answering Jay while still facing away.

“Don’t know about that, sarge. Pipsqueak doesn’t look like much to me. But I guess, I can train him and find out what’s so special about that bag of skin and bones. You can’t blame me though for some mishaps. Sometimes I don’t know my own strength.”

Jay did not like Stan’s last sentence. He knew what it meant, but he still called John over.

“Come here, Johnny boy!”

Stan looked back at Jay with a shocked look. Johnny boy? Why’s the Sarge calling him that? He’s always stoic and emotionless with everyone except the corporal…

Stan was not liking John already, but he kept it off his face as John approached him and Sergeant Jay.

“Alright, Johnny boy. This is Stan. Stan, this is newbie John.” The sergeant especially sent a piercing look at Stan as he emphasized his next sentence. “You two will be training together so get along. I want only clean sparring, got it? No major injuries! Either me or Corporal Sam will be keeping an eye out on everyone so no dirty business alright? I do not ever want to see Ethan’s ugly complaining face. Understood!?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” Stan shouted as he saluted.

John gulped, worried about his impending fate. “Uh. Yes, sergeant.”

“Alright, I will be watching. Stan, show Johnny the basics.”

“Come here, private,” Stan commanded.

John did not know what ‘private’ meant but walked forward while tilting his head.

Stan’s large hand suddenly grabbed John’s wrist before he could react. A powerful yank pulled him towards Stan. Stan’s other large hand gripped John’s neck while Stan sent a sharp kick behind John’s knee, forcing him to fall backward. Stan released his wrist only to slam onto his chest and send John crashing to the floor.

John hit the ground hard, bouncing back up from the recoiling momentum. He gasped out the air in his lungs, getting the wind knocked out of him while seeing a popup blue screen in the cerulean sky.

Pain Resistance +.01

“Nice to meet ya, John,” Stan coldly greeted with a blank face as he looked down at John. “I’ll be sure to make you see more of those blue screens.”

Sergeant Jay facepalmed his forehead and could only shake his head.