The Barracks

Zane’s POV

It took about an half hour but Daniels came back and dismissed Richards. He then turned to address me.

“Alright so your destination is barracks J, bunk four. There should be a pillow and blanket there but if not check the closet near the bathroom. I’ll walk you there.”

“Alright, I’m probably gonna take a shower and do some laundry. Been eight years since I did either of those. I’ve bathed in lakes where I could, but no showers and no laundry. I’m excited to be honest!”

“I bet you are.” Daniels said this with a big bright smile.

We moved past the headquarters into the tented area in silence. We got past the tents and suddenly it hit me that I didn’t know the camp’s name. So I asked him as we moved towards the barracks: 

“What's the name of this outpost?”

“It’s Camp Delta.” He answered.

We reached the barracks area and they looked like college dorms. Daniels told me there were two soldiers in a dorm room who would be roommates. We walked past a few barracks and eventually came to barracks J.

“Here we are! Barracks J, your room is number four, bunk four. I don’t think you have a roommate at the moment, so the room and shower should be all yours.”

I pondered this in excitement, wondering how it would feel to sleep in a bed again. Daniels handed me a key, this was most likely the key to the door of the dorm. It looked like a house key but had the number four engraved on it, I looked at it very excitedly. I couldn’t wait for a shower and to clean my clothes. I looked at the dorm; it was a three story building.

“Just wait on the shower there Zane, I’m going to bring some PT clothes so you don’t have to walk around naked in the dorm alright?” 

“Alright I will wait.” I responded

“Okay i’m going to get those clothes now I will be back in a few, it’s just at HQ. Go on in and make yourself comfortable.”

I walked through the door to the dorm. There was a hallway upon entry and at the end there was a common room with some chairs and couches. The walls were concrete blocks with white paint on them. There was a tv with a Playstation hooked up to it with some games on a shelving unit as well as movies. To the left of this common room was a laundry room with a washer and dryer in it.

To the right was a kitchen room with a stove and a fridge, there were cupboards and a sink in the center of it. Some dishes hung in a rack on the counter near the sink. To my right were stairs possibly leading to the dorms. I headed to the stairs and went up them when I make it to the top and looked around, there were doors on the right and left and the hallway had clean floors. I look at the door number closest to me on the right. Door number one. I make my way down the hallway to door four. I stand in front of door four and take a deep breath and insert the key into the lock.

I open the door and look around. Inside was an open area, there was a window and two beds, one on the left side of the room and the other on the right. Both had a blanket and a pillow, there was a stand with an alarm clock at the foot of each bed. To the back of the room there was a bathroom with a shower and a toilet. I take my backpack off my shoulders and set it near the bed on the left side assuming it was bunk four. Then I sat on the bed and waited for Daniels to deliver my PT clothes.

I waited almost five minutes and then I heard a knock at the door. I jumped up and went to answer it. I open the door and Daniels is there with a set of clothes in plastic wrapping. 

“Got your clothes. Now you can take that shower you have been dreaming about.”

“Alright I will definitely enjoy that shower thank you very much.” He handed me the clothes and I shut the door.

I head into the bathroom and I set the PT clothes on the toilet seat. I begin to undress, taking all my dirty clothes off, starting with my thin trench coat, sword, dagger and firearm. I put these on the counter next to the sink. Then I pulled my shirt, my shoes, my pants and my underwear off my body. I turn on the tap to the shower and make it warm, pull the shower curtain and step inside it.

Ahh, the bliss of it, I thought to myself, the shower was amazing. The water cascaded down onto my head and it felt wonderful. I hadn't experienced this in almost eight years. It was serene and peaceful. After about thirty minutes I turned the tap off and got out of the shower. There was a towel underneath the sink which I used to dry myself off. I put on the PT clothes, which were grey pants and a white shirt and my sword dagger and holster back on. I was determined to do my laundry next so I exited the dorm with my dirty clothes, locked the door and put the key in my pocket . 

I turn and walk down the hallway to the stairs. I hit the bottom of the stairs and almost ran into someone. I jump startled at first, drop my clothes and pull up my fists for a fight all alert. 

“Whoa buddy, easy!” The man exclaimed.

I snap back to reality, realizing where I am and lower my fists. I’m safe noone wants to hurt me here, I steady my breathing and I apologize:

“I’m sorry, I’m still in my survival mode. I just got here, my name is Zane.”

The man, who I looked at clearly was about 5’9, a bit taller than me, had shaved blonde sandy hair, a muscular build, and large hands. He had camouflage pants and a camouflage shirt on with sunglasses so I couldn’t see his eyes and he seemed to relax a bit. 

“Easy man, my name is Talons. I just got here two months ago. It was a bit surreal at first, eh?” He said this very slowly.

“Yeah it’s a little overwhelming to think I can sleep in a bed again.” 

“You betcha! They will either train you up or set you up on patrols soon..” He spoke with an accent that I could place as Canadian.    

 “Yea I hope I can contribute enough to help out but I should be fine when it comes to that.” I was calming down a bit more.

“Well I will leave you be and be on my way, see ya around guy.” He spoke cheerily and went on his way.

I picked my clothes up and went to the laundry room. I loaded my clothes into the washer and noticed there was no detergent. Whatever, clean is clean, I told myself. I set the cycle, then went to sit on the couches in the common area while I waited.

Soldiers came and went as I waited the forty-five minutes, some waved others didn’t, they seemed preoccupied as they went to and from. The washer dinged, then I got up to transfer my clothes into the dryer. As I finished Daniels came into the dorm.

“Heya there you are!.” He seemed happy to see me. 

“Yeah, just about to finish the laundry. What’s up?”

“You’re going on patrol tomorrow morning. At 2200, be ready.” He stated.

“So soon?” I was very surprised.

“Yeah it’s just a city patrol so you should be fine. Been no sign of Pales lately.”

“Alright ima be up and ready by ten.” 

“Alright cool see ya then. Oh yeah, the mess is six to eight, be there early to get food.” He told me.

“Alright, I will be there.” I responded  

I went and sat on the couch til the dryer dinged, after that I grabbed my clothes and headed back to my room. I set my clothes neatly folded at the foot of the bed to change into in the morning, set the alarm for seven, after that I set my weapons on the nightstand and the sword standing up against it. From there I got into bed and fell asleep almost instantly as my head hit the pillow.