I felt tired.
And sleepy.
That's how they came up with the word trippy? Because it's totally not cool.

As cadets, we all were designed to stay up for three consecutive nights in a row all the while getting our asses beaten back in academy.

It's third night today with zero sleep and damn I think I'm about to lose my mind.

"Not here, sir. You run to that end and start crawling again."
Instructor Charles's words helped me no better.

It was a chaos.
It's one of those nights where the Senior Instructor uses his full power to screw everyone alike.
Instructors here have that power always, but today is special since it's Charles.

I used to think I'm the only one scared of him. Turns out even every freaking CTO shakes with just his mention.
There are always one or two such names in the air of academies that makes your sleep haunted.
Charles was no joke.

He called up a huge session with all officers doing their CT and non officers attempting to pass their tests.
It looked nothing but a freaking carnival.
For him.

Everybody was either running or crawling for past one hour.
Yes I'm not kidding. Look at all those panting faces. No one was spared. Every fucking CTO was here.

Except three - Norman, Neil and a guy called Samuel. He's a nice guy, never kicked me while I slept in my sleeping bag. But never gave me the 'permission to sleep' either.

Coming back to the scenario in front of me, I looked at the far end of the ground that has started to appear like a scary forest in my dreams off lately.

I ran till the end, dropped down and started crawling. I was dragging my tired body forward when I heard someone saying "Faster, Sir. He has an eye on everyone."
Definitely not a CTO.

I nodded at the unknown voice and pushed myself harder.
A few minutes of trying my best, I heard Charles calling out loudly from the center of the ground.
"That's what I call crawling, trial officer. Keep up the pace and I might break you off when everyone does."

Really?
He'll dismiss me?
I am usually made to stay back after everyone has left and then screwed more.

"Thank him!"
Another voice hushed behind me.

"Yes Instructor Charles, thank you."
I blurted on reflex.
As if waiting for my words, Charles immediately started screaming at another boy.

Phew!
The news of letting go early made me forget my manners and his position.
He'd definitely got offended had I not regarded his kindness.

This darkness, mud and my broken spine all restricted me from looking at the faces of the men who helped me.

I didn't come to know who they were.
But that night I turned lucky. Charles kept his promise and let me break off along with the boys. Though CTOs were the first ones to leave after paying a dear amount of modified suicides that literally had them right on the edge.

The pressure to perform in front of these boys was too much and underperforming in front of Charles was not an option so they bled and sweat to get the exit pass.

Norman had told me that he'll be back by the time this commotion will come down. As soon as I broke off, I found him in UCPs.
I saw Neil and Samuel following soon in UCPs.

They must have gone out somewhere for something official.
A mission may be?

The image of me standing the same way next to them made me feel great. It felt like this is what I'm here for and every suffering is worth it, if I get to do that.

"Go and have dinner, I'll take your report after twenty minutes."
He ordered me and went to his own room.

I showered and changed and entered the mess. It was a mess indeed.
The dinner was delayed for everyone because Charles didn't give a fuck about it.

Usually CTOs and boys are divided into companies and each company has specific time alloted to them to come and have meals. There's no discrimination of the ranks in this mess and everybody eats with everyone. Makes sense because you can't separate a group calling them officers when they'll be going to missions with these same boys afterall.

But today all slots were over and everybody was hungry.
I'm glad CTOs were done with their dinner before we even arrived. They must have created the same commotion.

There was a long queue for meal.
My stomach dropped looking at the view because there was no way I'm going to get food and fill my stomach nicely within twenty minutes.

I just walked and stood at the end hoping to get a few seconds and gulp some unchewed bites down.

I've been here for eight days and since I'm the 'trial' officer, my timings for the mess have seen no slot. I come whenever I get free - sometimes even at 3 in the night just to eat whatever is left. I'm well versed in eating and surviving on the leftovers, thanks to my dear seniors - I don't mind having to fill my stomach by cold food, bones of leg piece and everything that sort.

So, random timings made me meet with almost all these boys of different companies. And to say the least, all of them have been kind to me.

If the CTOs hated me, these men loved me. They wanted to know more about me and since I've attended multiple sessions in ground with them, they know how hard my ass was being ridden.

"James sir!"
The boy standing in front of me turned around and recognised me immediately.
"Hi, Jacob."

"Charlie praised you today, sir! Your stars have shined!"
He laughed and so did five others standing in front of him.

"When is your reporting?"
The other guy asked.
I'm surprised that he remembered I have the night report due.

"Twenty minutes, Castor."
I sulked.

"That's not much! Sir, cut the queue and go ahead."
The next guy exclaimed loudly.

"No Albert, you guys came first! I can't do this!"
I clearly denied.

"Go ahead, sir, we have no task till tomorrow morning."
"It's not -"

"Brothers, James sir is due for reporting in twenty minutes, pull him forwards!"
Someone shouted from the middle of the queue.

I looked along the whole line to see the first person turning and looking at the scene in far end.

"James Sir! Come here, get first! Come!"
His eyes glittered as soon as he saw me and step aside with half filled plate in his hand.

I was about to cry my man tears taking in their kindness.

I was gently pushed ahead by random guys till I reached the spot Henry made for me.
"I'm so sorry, Henry. And thank you so much.."

"You know all of us by our names. You stay with us throughout our screwing when you can take a short cut using Major Norman's name. You never make us feel the difference between our ranks - we feel like you're one of us. This is the minimum we can do for you, sir. Plus we know how good your I/C is, so be quick!"
He laughed and I took my food and walked to the table that was half occupied.

I may have rubbed the back of my palm to wipe off the insects that entered both my eyes. But Fuck me, I don't deserve this.

I had a quick meal while Henry and other guys came and joined me.
We had a casual talk mostly about how hard ass Charles is.

I was on my last bite when Jacob walked to us.
"I'll take that spot!"
He said happily when he looked at my empty plate. He should have been here before my ass gets the seat. But look at him! No hard feelings!

I got up and punched his shoulder lightly to express my thanks, took my plate off, and ran away before anyone sees those insects in my eyes again.

Saying thank you with a quivering voice would have embarrassed me for a lifetime.

************************************

If you felt overwhelmed, congratulations you have lot of goodness in you.

In this chapter, I wrote something that happens in reality - if you treat your men like brothers, if you treat your juniors equal, if you treat people at lower level than you... nicely - you sleep well at night.

I read somewhere 'Being kind doesn't hurt anyone. Infact it always comes back to you.'

A gentle reminder to stay empathetic and kind hearted ❤️.

************************************

And my man!
James is such a sweetheart!
He almost cried.
And ass! Couldn't say thank you!
No wonder he earned respect from everyone!

And ooof Charles!
Does he remind you of someone? 😉
Tell me Here if he does.

Please VOTE and comment!!