Sweat ran down my body as I hugged the covers close to me. The nightmares haven't hunted me in a while, but as soon as I left KorTac's base they came back stronger then before. Their meaning too deep for me to understand at first glance, everything that I have learned to despise and fear was being used against me.
I tried to forget about whatever happened in it, pushing the terrors to the back of my head, I got up and started getting ready for the day. Sun rays were peaking through my window, letting me know of the morning that was ahead of me.
A long sleeved compression shirt hugged my torso, squeezing all my muscles, making the ache of my sore body a bit more bearable. I made sure to wear leggings under my pants, the cold was slowly creeping into the buildings, the winter wasn't going to be as merciful this year.
Tomorrow we will be sent on the mission and I was already dreading laying down in the snow. My stomach demanded to be satisfied so I had to put everything else aside.
What will be for breakfast today? Hmm, I hope it's something better then stale bread with butter and some additives. I walked out of my room and saw Soap in the corridor. Was he pretending to be doing something?
"Y/n, good to see your face in the mornin'."
How did he always keep that happy attitude? Does this man ever get mad?
"Yours is better then the skull, I guess..."
I murmured out, not really in the mood to play his game. I walked past him without much care.
"I feel bad for the bastard who pissed you off."
It wasn't a question, we both knew who I was talking about. He followed me, I should probably get used to his constant presence.
"Going to get breakfast?"
"Yeah."
"Not much of a talker after you get up, huh? That's fine with me."
He kept quiet for the rest of the way, wich was some sort of bliss in the early morning. The day started off better then I expected and continued getting better as I saw what was served for breakfast.
"Do you get this treatment all the time?"
I asked amazed at how delicious did the pancakes and toasts looked, all with different fillings??stuffings?? I could feel my mouth water at the sight of chocolate, Soap's chuckle filled my ears.
"I told you it's better then fine in here."
I quickly made my way towards the trays, the feeling in my stomach only becoming stronger after seeing the delicious servings.
"Wow, Y/n slow down! What were they, starving you?"
I swallowed my food, making sure no chocolate was left on my teeth before I answered.
"Yes, actually."
He looked at me with a bit of sadness and pity in his eyes, but decided not to push the topic further. Not like I wanted his pity anyway.
"Touche."
I don't remember getting this good of a breakfast, not even in the hospitals. By the looks of other soldiers I could see this type of food wasn't served as often as Soap made it out to be. I got lucky.
"About today's training..."
I started cautiously.
"You will see."
He smiled at me and took another bite from his pancake. I quickly gave up and continued stuffing my mouth with the chocolate filled toast.
"I thought Gaz already gave you a hint?"
More like he blatantly told me what it will be. Just not in detail.
"He did. I thought you liked me enough to tell me more."
"Ooh, you sneaky mouse."
I cringed at him calling me mouse, that nick name is reserved for König and König only. Although he was calling me Hase lately... (bunny)
"Are we at least going to be inside?"
"Yeah, don't worry. Getting sick day before a mission is the last thing any of us want."
We finished our food and made our way to the training rooms.
"Are we training right away?"
"There is still some time, but I want to get warmed up."
"That's probably a good idea. Can I join you?"
"Of course! Always good to have a training partner."
---
I stood before the typical military course. My whole body shivering, the polar moro jacket not doing much against the harsh wind.
"You said we weren't going to be outside!"
"I guess I was wrong."
God, I hope karma gets you, you Scottish dog.
"Okay let's get this done quickly. Everyone go one by one, I will measure your times. Viper, you go last."
A groan left my mouth as I needed to stay on the cold longer. I stood next to Price as he measured everyone's times, at least I could watch exactly how good they were, and I had to admit. They were more then all talk.
They all went one by one, letting me study every single move they made. Letting me go last was Price's own mistake, now I know how they are trained to go through this type of a course. Not like I needed the extra watch anyway, but it was still useful.
Price didn't let me see the times, but I could tell that of course Ghost was the fastest, but Soap was right behind him, his smaller form made it easier to slip through a few places while Simon's strength compensated for his massive build. Gaz although slightly slower then the two, clearly wasn't any less weaker. Sure maybe he wouldn't win against me, König or even Ghost but he was not any less skilled, he could still do better.
"You are up. Y/n"
Gaz bumped his fist into my shoulder playfully dragging me out of my thought process.
"Alright, let's do this then."
It was good I made sure to stretch with Soap before hand. I took of the jacket for now as it would affect my performance and walked over to the starting line.
"I will start whenever you are ready."
Their eyes were focused solely on me, like I was some kind of show. Well... I guess I watched them as intently as they are watching me, so I can't be mad about that.
I got into a proper running position, the only thing on my mind was the training course.
I took off.
The snow made the ground more slippery as it crunched under my feet, making me stomp my shoes hard into the covered grass as to not let myself slip. First were some jumps along with with an under crawl, the cold made me shudder. I pushed myself up from it and reached for the rope, now this was the place where I save time.
Instead of climbing with just my hands I brought my whole body upside down, letting my legs wrap around the rope like I would on a dancing pole or pole fabric. I brought my whole body up and grabbed onto the edge of the wall, going onto the other side in the process. I could hear one of the guys whistle, however I couldn't tell who it was.
Knowing I did it as smoothly as possible I continued sliding down the wall, landing with my legs bent slightly. That let me immediately take off in a sprint, jumping above another obstacle and onto the hanging barriers.
I again took of sprinting, stoping only after I passed the finish line, a few meters away from it. Price had a big smile on his face.
"That was close."
Wondering what our times were exactly I made my way back over to the group.
"Alright then. As for your scores."
"Soap, 15,8 seconds."
Soap looked a bit disappointed after he heard his time.
"Gaz, 14,9 seconds."
So I was wrong after all, Gaz did better then Soap by almost a whole second.
"Now the top 2..."
Price looked from to Ghost trying to keep us in suspens.
"13,2 seconds..."
He looked up from the paper.
"Viper."
Damn it, I have to say, I am really proud of my time. This was probably one of my personal bests, but I guess Ghost still did better then me.
"Maybe you will do better next time... Sugar."
He whispered the last word into my ear and I felt butterflies in my stomach. Fuck. Him and that godly fucking voice. I brushed it off, still mad at how he has been treating me all this time.
However what took our attention back was Price's chuckle.
"Not so fast, Ghost. You also did good but..."
He looked at him with a soft look and I understood what he meant, a smile appeared on my face without a second thought..
"13,4 seconds... I wonder if you could do better then that."
YES.
FUCK YOU.
I BEAT HIM.
I wanted to cheer loudly and yell it into his face. Let him know he has been trashing me for nothing. Let him know he is below me.
But I didn't, I only smiled and let myself be professional. I don't want to act like he has towards me, I want to be better then this. I don't need this petty banter anymore.
I looked towards Simon who scuffed softly, ready to already say something rude.
"I got lucky, huh?"
He stopped himself as he heard my voice. Instead he laughed and shook his head, the tension suddenly gone.
"No, you are just that good I guess."
He softly mocked my words from yesterday evening, his tone was respectful, impressed in a way. So he can be soft when he puts his mind to it.
Word count: 1519