A week to the day Ashlee walked back in to the recruitment office. She gave her urine sample and waited. She waited for 2 hours when finally the door to major’s office opened
“in here Moore”
Ashlee scuttled inside and stood in front
“your results came back negative, and confirming your date of birth congratulation you are indeed now 18.”
“I just want you to know I’m not afraid to die” she blurted out
Major stood up “do not interrupt me, you do not speak until I give you permission. Is that understood”
“um yeh”
“IS THAT UNDERSTOOD” yelled Major
“Yes”
“Not being afraid to die makes me believe you are someone who has nothing to live for, this is not what we want from a soldier. In fact someone with this attitude is a danger to themselves and the team they serve with”
Ashlee went to say something and stopped
“well”
“no, I mean is I’m not afraid to do what is required of me. I just want a chance is all”
“Well this is your lucky day Moore, sign and wait for the bus.”
Ashlee sits in bus seat hunched down. She couldn’t help notice people looking at her and whispering. Another stop and they picked up more recruits. Girl sits next to Ashlee.
“I’m Kelly Travis.” Holds out her hand and they shake
“I’m”
“yes AJ, I knew I recognised”
“No… its Ashlee…..my name is Ashlee. AJ died on stage” she speaks that louder to hush all the whispers “I’m Ashlee Moore”
“well friend, here starts our adventure”
At training camp they all received uniforms and Ashlee still couldn’t get away from the whispers of her past.
“Ignore them Ashlee” said Kelly “after 4 weeks you will only be known as Recruit as will be the rest of us”
Ashlee half smiled and waited in line for a hair cut. She was starting life again so she got most of her hair shaved off. Kelly rubbed Ashlee’s almost bald head “well someone’s making a statement”
Over 8 weeks Ashlee and Kelly got to know each other. Kelly was 23 of mix American and Italian descent, broken up with her girl friend and decided to change her life.
“you got anyone” asked Kelly while lying in bed
“No….”
“you are so hard to get conversation out of”
“really” smirked Ashlee, she then was smacked in head with Kelly’s pillow
“I broke up with my boy friend, I don’t have anyone or want anyone. I have a lot of shit to sort out”
“is this relating to what happened on stage”
“Kelly I really don’t feel comfortable talking about it”
6 months in and Ashlee struggled. Her packs were heavy, she had no energy. Running every day, rain, cold. She was last and was warned if she didn’t pick up her work rate she was out.
The next trial started and Kelly kept with Ashlee encouraging her but eventually Ashlee fell behind.
End of the trial Ashlee didn’t finish, in fact didn’t complete and was found collapsed
Ashlee opened eyes to see hazy room of white. Her eyes focused and she could see drip in her arm. Looking around she could see other people in beds
“oh no… no way” she started to take drips off
“No, hey recruit leave that in” someone pushed a tired Ashlee down “rest, you need to rest.”
“no..no I" drifts off to sleep
Week later Kelly was visiting to let her know how their unit was, the fun of weapons drills, night drills and that they miss her, except Jed.
Jed was a hick who was made team leader. He hated everyone especially Ashlee for slowing down his team.
“I’m ready, just wish they would release me” she confided in Kelly
“they will” Kelly soon left
Ashlee’s eyes drift to gruff sound and her eyes widen with fear.. She gets to her feet as the doctor and soldier headed in her direction.
“oh” came Ashlee’s response recognising the Major who recruited her. She interpreted as an end to her short career
“I’m not on drugs, this is the truth. I just fell I”
“Silence recruit” bellowed the Major
The doctor looked at the exchange “Major Patterson is your immediate superior officer and is looking in on you” started the doctor in charge
Ashlee nods
“now her toxicology screen as you requested Major was negative. The reason for the collapse is combination of exhaustion, her body weight is below recommended levels and border line malnutrition
“I eat…” whines Ashlee but shuts from the glare of Major Patterson
“So what is your recommendation doctor”
“well lets work on getting her weight back up with change in diet, light exercise and weights and she should be right to return to active training in say 8 weeks.”
“what no way”
Major stepped into Ashlee “did I say you can speak recruit”
Ashlee shakes head.
“back into bed” said major
The doctor left and the major turns to leave
“Major Patterson” came small voice
“Yes Moore”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I let you down. I tried….”
“tried….so you are giving up”
“no… I just know you probably regret accepting me.”
“hmmm, well you do realise that you will be dropped from my unit”
“for how long” Ashlee not hiding disappointment
“Indefinitely. You will join in with another unit and catch up.”
12 months had now passed.
Ashlee would lie in bed with Kelly and listen to Kelly’s dreams of ridding the world of evil with one bullet at a time. Ashlee dreams about going over seas and leaving her old life behind.
19th birthday was sad affair for Ashlee. It was the day Kelly, Jed and her old unit were being shipped off to Iraq. Kelly and Ashlee hugged
“I can’t believe I’m not going with you”
“We will catch up” said Kelly confidently
Ashlee tears fell “be careful.”
Kelly with little warning grabbed Ashlee’s shoulders and pulled her in for kiss
Ashlee blushed “that wasn’t the farewell I was going with….”
Kelly winked “well you don’t communicate much, so I just read between the lines”
“if you get caught… doing this you can get into trouble”
“if I want to give you a kiss good bye it’s worth the wrath.” Kelly moves forward again
Ashlee backs away “Please stay safe Kelly”
Ashlee was sad and confused about her feelings for Kelly.