The Soldiers

I wake up from a peaceful sleep; no shrieking, howling or screaming. I open my bag, grab my can opener from its pouch and select a can at random. Minestrone. I open it and drain the can’s contents into my stomach. I didn't need to drink water since it was soup. 

I’m saving the MREs for when I'm surely hungry and can't find much, there are only 3 of them. I put the can opener away in its pouch, strap on my backpack and go downstairs. I checked the first cupboard to find it empty, the second empty and the third had tomato soup.

I take it and put it in my bag now noticeably getting heavier. I look outside and see rainy clouds. Fuck,I thought. Then I notice a closet I didn't see on the way in, I open it and see a dusty umbrella. My luck is too good, I chuckle to myself. I exit the house with an umbrella in hand and begin my trek down the highway. 10 minutes later it started to rain, so the umbrella went up. 

I look up at the sky. I’m guessing it's around noon at this point. I start whistling a small tune walking in the rain. For a few hours I walked content with life and came across a small town that the highway passed through. As I walked through the town, something felt off, and an odd feeling of being watched. I stop, drop my umbrella and start to reach for my sidearm slowly:

“Whoa buddy don’t do that!” a voice calls out.

All of a sudden from three different angles military men came out from corners in groups of two, pointing rifles at me. They stood 6 meters away from me.

“That's it, take it easy, we aren't gonna harm you.” One of the men in front of me said. He stood about 5’9, brown eyes with a fit face slender but toned. He looked about 30, he had a helmet on, a radio on his bulletproof vest, with camo pants and combat boots, the rest were all dressed the same but his insignia was sergeant.    

“How do I know that?” I asked, feeling unease. It's not often someone gets the drop on me but these were professionals.       

“We just wanna ask some questions and maybe have you do us a favour.” He said. 

“What kind of favour?” I asked suspiciously. 

“Well first we are gonna ask some questions and then take you back to base with us.”

I sighed. “Fine, not like I gotta choice, do I?” I said defeated. They probably wanted to process me and add me to their personal.

“First we are gonna disarm you.” He stated. “Richards, disarm him.”  He ordered.

A man behind me moved forward and jabbed his rifle into my back, he then reached with his other arm and retrieved the pistol from my holster and passed it to the guy next to him then he took my dagger and my katana. His arm had the insignia of corporal.

“This is a military issued combat blade!” He exclaimed, “Where’d you get this?” 

He seemed angry so I answered him slowly and sternly, “From a dead soldier on my travels.”

The Sergeant seemed alright with that answer and asked another question:

“Have you got any friends we should know about?” He demanded.

“No.” I answered

“You sure?” He asked cautiously.

“Yes.” I said cautiously. 

“How have you survived this long on your own?” He inquired. 

“By being smart and learning from the mistakes of others.” I watched too many people get torn apart by Pales to make stupid mistakes.

“Alright, how long have you been on your own?” He questioned.

“About 8 years.”  I answered.

The first man in front me whistled and exclaimed, “Damn, that’s a long ass time!”

“Yea.” I replied solemnly.

“Can we trust you with your weapons?” He asked.“I won’t pull any shit.” I answered honestly. 

“Alright Richards, give him his weapons back.” Again he ordered 

Richards was aghast and lipped back, “Sir, we don’t know if we can trust him, what if-” 

“Never mind that Richards give him his weapons!” He commanded Richards. 

“Yes, sir…” Richards said defeated.

The soldier to my left handed me my sidearm and I holstered it. Richards handed me my blades and I sheathed them. 

“Alright we are taking you to our HQ now so follow us.” the first soldier said. “By the way my name is Daniels, sergeant Daniels.”

“My name is Zane.” I replied back.

They led down the block and around the corner, to see two Humvees parked. Daniels led me into the backseat of his Humvee with one soldier on each side as Richards and two others got in the other one. “We are in for a long trip, possibly an hour so settle in.” The guy to my left announced. I settled into the backseat and decided to take a nap so I closed my eyes and took a nap.