Ian leaned against the wall of the dingy alley, the gritty concrete rough against his back. A crumpled newspaper was held up to his face, concealing his features from prying eyes. He'd been waiting there for what felt like hours, scanning the pages of the paper to pass the time.
Suddenly, a movement caught his eye. A figure was approaching him from the edge of his vision. The stranger drew closer and closer until they were right in front of him.
Without a word, the person dropped an envelope onto the ground alongside a jumble of other items, then quickly scrambled to gather them up again. Ian watched with a keen eye. Once the stranger had disappeared around the corner, Ian bent down and picked up the purposefully discarded envelope.
Ian casually exited the alley, slipping the envelope into his pocket alongside the crumpled newspaper. With a nonchalant air, he strolled down the street.
Once he arrived home, Ian wasted no time in tearing open the envelope. A broad grin spread across his face as he scanned the papers contained within. It was a moment of triumph and relief for him. After all, he'd poured all of his hard-earned cash as a hitman into securing these documents.
As he savored the moment, he couldn't help but be paranoid. What if his dark past caught up with him? But then he reminded himself that these papers proved that he was a U.S. citizen with a spotless record. He was safe... or so he thought.
Ian grabbed a fresh envelope and carefully placed the documents inside. He then flopped down onto his bed, sighing in relief. Another headache had been dealt with.
Ian glanced down at his watch and saw that it was still early in the morning. He knew that he had plenty of time to grab a quick breakfast before heading to the nearby recruiting station. With the envelope containing his documents in hand, he stepped out into the bustling city streets, the scent of fresh pastries wafting through the air.
After finishing his light breakfast, Ian made his way to the recruitment station. As he approached the building, he saw a long line of people waiting to apply for the army recruitment process. The line seemed to stretch on for miles, a testament to the sheer number of people eager to sign up.
He noticed the posters plastered on the walls. They depicted brave soldiers fighting for their country, with slogans encouraging men to join the cause. It all seemed so clichéd to him. He shook his head in disbelief, knowing that this kind of propaganda was used by almost every country to drum up support for their military for the war.
Ian's thoughts drifted to his previous life, and a bittersweet memory surfaced. He recalled his late grandmother, who had always visited his grandfather's grave with a bouquet every Valentine's Day. It was a tradition that his grandfather had started when he was still alive, and his grandmother had continued it even after his untimely death during the Second World War.
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The memory brought a lump to Ian's throat, and he felt a wave of emotion washing over him. He quickly wiped away the tears that had gathered in his eyes, trying to regain his composure. It was a painful reminder of the sacrifices that people had made in the past, and the impact it had on those left behind.
He overheard two young men nervously chatting ahead of him. They were discussing their chances of being selected, and Ian couldn't help but listen in.
"Are you sure we're going to be selected?" one of the guys asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
"Absolutely! All we have to do is be confident," his friend replied, trying to reassure him.
The first guy nodded hesitantly, still unsure of himself. His friend poked him playfully and said, "And don't forget the ladies. They love it when you tell them you've been to war. It's the ultimate display of masculinity!"
Ian couldn't help but roll his eyes at their conversation. He knew all too well the toll that war could take on a person's mental health, and it was disheartening to see so many young, impressionable people treat it like a game.
He distracted himself from their conversation by thinking about the various plots of movies and comics he had seen and read. Finally, his turn came, and he approached the two men seated behind the desk. One of them asked him to fill out a form and provide personal information about his residency, which Ian did without much fuss.
After submitting his paperwork, Ian was instructed to undergo a physical examination. The exam consisted of various tests performed by doctors and nurses, including assessments of his vision, hearing, and drug and alcohol intake. Hours later, he was informed that he had been selected for the next phase of the recruitment process, which would include a written test and a physical fitness test.
Ian left the recruitment station, feeling satisfied. He knew that he had put in a lot of hard work to prepare for this moment, and he was confident that he would excel in the physical fitness test. The written test didn't worry him either, as he was confident in his abilities.
The next day, Ian found himself in a small room, face to face with a stern-looking army officer who acted as his invigilator during the written test. Despite the intimidating aura of the officer, Ian remained calm and composed as he breezed through the test, his pen gliding effortlessly over the paper. Next came the physical fitness test, where he displayed his well-maintained body, impressing the doctors who oversaw the evaluation.
Once the tests were over, Ian was informed that he had to wait for a week to find out if he had been admitted to the army or not. For the next seven days, he felt his nerves getting the better of him as he constantly checked the mailbox for any correspondence from the army. Finally, on the seventh day, a letter arrived congratulating him on his selection and instructing him to report to the recruiting station the following day.
On the day of Ian's enlistment, he felt a rush of pride and nervousness as he prepared to swear loyalty to the United States and serve the country. He stood alongside his fellow recruits, each one determined to make it through the rigorous process of joining the army.
Ian took the Oath of Enlistment, pledging to defend the Constitution and obey the orders of his superiors. Afterward, he underwent another medical examination to ensure that he was physically and mentally fit for service. The examination was thorough, reviewing his medical history and testing his physical capabilities.
Fortunately, Ian passed the examination and was given an enlistment contract to sign. With a sense of accomplishment, he signed the contract and joined the ranks of the United States Army. Alongside his fellow recruits, Ian took the Army's Oath of Allegiance, solidifying his commitment to serving his country.
After Ian and the other recruits finished taking the Oath of Allegiance, they looked around with a sense of accomplishment and relief, but their excitement was short-lived as a military instructor arrived and bellowed, "Recruits!"
Everyone stood at attention, their nerves on edge as they awaited the instructor's next words. The instructor's face was stern, and some recruits couldn't help but feel intimidated by his presence. With a booming voice, the instructor spoke, "You have all officially enlisted in the army. That means it's time to put away childish things and say goodbye to your families. Meet me here tomorrow with your bags packed and be prepared to endure the rigors of military training!"
Ian knew that military training was going to be tough, but he was ready to give it his all. As the other recruits dispersed, Ian lingered for a moment, looking back at the recruiting station with a sense of anticipation for the journey that lay ahead.