Ch. 3 | Alarm Clocks

Leo

"Sergeant Perish, Sergeant Davis won't be able to accompany you to pick up the recruits tonight." My Master sergeant, Also Perish, asked me as we approached the bussing area.

"Dad, You realize you're allowed to call me by my name, right?" I asked and turned towards my old man.

Riggs Perish. An army legend. And a pain in the ass.

"No favoritism, Son." He winked and handed me my military issued backpack. I was surprised it hadn't been mixed up or stolen yet.

We all had the same fucking bag.

"Sir yes sir." I saluted him and hauled the bag over to my assigned bus.

Every sergeant was to be picking up new recruits from all over Oregon tonight. We did this every year. It was also, a pain in the ass.

I was also in charge of training new recruits and I dreaded that.

They were all brain dead idiots. Half of them came here thinking it'd be a piece of cake and that they were entitled to everything we have.

Little did they know, they'll have to do actual work here.

"Leo, Have you been to see your mom at all?" My father asked and I tightened my grip on my bag.

"Not yet." I said through gritted teeth.

My mom, Dylan Richards Perish, was also an army legend. But, every legend must fall someday.

My mother went on a mission to Italy a few months ago. She ended up in the crossfire of two gangs there.

She had ended up suffering severe trauma.

She lost both her left arm and right leg. Mom had been suffering from ghost limb syndrome and of course, PTSD.

I hadn't been able to bring myself to see her since she had come home. She was someone I had idolized and looked up to.

I couldn't see her in this state.

"You should go pay her a visit. She misses you." My dad gripped my shoulder, his way of comforting me.

"Catch you later, Pops." I threw a quick smile in his direction and hopped onto the bus.

We were about 2 hours out. I'd have time to catch a nap.

•••

Riley

I had managed to convince the owner of the station to let me crash in the back room for the night.

I followed him to the small room and he showed me the bathroom and gave me a time to be out.

Lovely.

It wasn't too shabby though. The room had a pullout sofa, a tv, and a bathroom.

I tossed my bags on the floor next to the sofa and made my way to the bathroom.

It didn't have a tub but a sink and a toilet. Ghetto shower it'd be.

I retreated to the main room and grabbed the toiletries and a new outfit.

I had been in a skin tight black shirt and plaid yellow skirt. Not exactly comfy after several hours of being in it.

I quickly washed my hair and wiped down my body with a wet rag. Then changed into an oversized T-shirt and some boy shorts.

I studied myself in the mirror afterwards, hating what I saw.

My long hair resembled my mother far too much. Without a second thought, I grabbed the scissors from inside the medicine cabinet and cut about 4 inches of hair off.

My hazelnut colored hair was now above my shoulders.

The front strands framed my face, making it look slimmer. She'd be proud I looked skinnier.

Somehow, I preferred myself this way. Not to mention, my hair felt lighter.

I sighed, throwing out the hair and shutting off the bathroom light.

It was finally time to get some shut eye. Somehow the uneventful day had drained me.

I was out cold the minute my head touched the pillow.

•••

"Miss Earningst." I felt a warm spot on my shoulder and my body shook.

"Miss Earningst, you've overstayed your welcome. It's time for you to leave." I pried my eyes apart to see the station owner.

"What time is it?" I asked groggily and wiped my eyes.

"It's 2pm,Miss. You were supposed to be gone at 9!" He crossed his arms and I slowly sat up, how had I slept so long?

"I'm sorry. I'll be out in a few minutes." I said and looked up at the man with pleading eyes.

"You're lucky I don't charge you! This is above average treatment!" He bitched the whole way out of the room.

I looked around at the moldy walls and damp ceiling.

Below average treatment sounds more accurate.

I waited for the door to close before ripping off my clothes and changing into a pair of tan plaid slacks and a white skin tight shirt.

I'd miss my clothes. But there'd be opportunities to wear people clothes eventually, right?

I stuffed my dirty clothes and extra stuff into my bag and tossed it over my shoulder.

I'd have to wait in the front station till 10.

I looked at the wall clock.

It was only 2:13.