Day 10.

Norman hosted a party in the corridor of CTO accommodation. All his friends were invited - all the CTOs.
He arranged a pig roast for them.

Don't be mistaken. The pig was none other than me.
While Norman sat on one of the chairs, I stood right in the middle of more than fifteen CTOs. Captain Neil settled himself in the corner, clearly not interested in the gathering, but being a part of it anyways.

It's been three hours already and I'm of the opinion that KMA orientation nights were too gracious, gentlemanly and sober for one's own good.

They have ravaged my dignity with questions, comments, jokes and tasks.
The feel of clothes on my body was a reminder that atleast physically, I'm immaculate.

They knew sweating won't be a trouble for me. Heck I'd give them a tough time to make me sweat - I've been through worst. So they went for everything else.

Digging into my personal life, humiliating the last of my cell, counting out all my mistakes so far, proving how weak and useless I am - I'd have a nice time if I was on that side. The ragging senior in me would have been so satisfied. But being on this side - it was next to impossible to hold myself up.

I knew they were not bad people. They were doing it just for the sake of scaring me and making me feel worthless.

I would occasionally glance my eyes over Neil's face when I was about to burst only to find him giving me a comforting look back. That would help me gain some control over my tongue and expressions.

I thought he was there to help me through this all. But I was so wrong.

The moment I thought things were wrapping up, I heard his voice for the first time in the night.
'Do you drink?'

My eyes went wide knowing what these three words can do to me right now, regardless of my answer.

"No, sir."
I answered accepting a grand fuck mentally.

And as expected, loud gasps and exhales came out from the CTOs.
"You pup! When are you going to grow up?"
"Not a man yet?"
"Mumma's boy doesn't drink."
"What a great night to adopt a bad habit."
"You'll drink tonight. Whatever we tell you."
"How much we say."
"Till we don't tell you to stop."

Damn you fucker Neil!

I was cursing him mountains in my head but the asshole just smirked as if he could hear every word of my swears.

"I've got a few bottles." he said.
Seven Fucking hells.

Norman looked at him as if he didn't believe him too. But was impressed.

My face went white as Neil really brought a few bottles of alcohol from his room.
I just stood stunned calculating how much I'm going to vomit tomorrow - or worse - in next one hour, right in front of all them.

"You know where the deserter's bell is, right?"
Norman read my face.

I knew how he was using the situation against me.
"I know, sir."
I replied respectfully.
I had no intention to offend more than ten men at once. I didn't have the strength to take them all in one go.

"You want to ring it? Or shall we begin your holy wash?"
I didn't know what to say.

"No bell, sir."
I said and closed my eyes tightly for a moment.

When I opened them back, a bottle was shoved right into my mouth without letting me take a breath.

I heard cheers of all those men while the one who held it against my mouth gave me no break till the bottle was half empty.

My mouth was five stages beyond bitter but my throat was on fire!
Yes I lied - this wasn't my first time.
I've had my fair share of drinks in dark.

But this was the most horrible experience. It was not a smooth enjoyable late night party. This was a nightmare.

I felt my head losing control of my body.
That was okay as long as I had control on my tongue.
I barely had a few moments to breathe when the bottle was back on my lips.

I wanted to shove that man away and kick his balls hard.
But I had signed up for this. And I lost the chance to do what I wished.
They clearly owned me.

I had to take it all in.
Quite literally.

By the time the bottle was empty, its contents had reached my brain.
My feet felt like grass and my tongue was slurring. Even in that state, I tried my best to keep my mouth shut to prevent any disaster.

But it was eminent with a world class mind fucker sitting among us. It was just a matter of time.
The next two bottles did nothing but sign off the night as 'officially the most fucked up night'.

My physical ragging began after they were sure none of my muscle was under my control.
I pushed like a four year old kid, spot jogged like a kangaroo and few other funny things when I started losing control of my mind too.

They left no chance to make fun of me, my instructors, my TOs and Beta would have shot me in my ass if he heard what all they spoke about him, because of me.

I remember being asked a huge list of questions and most of them were fired from Neil.
It was like he was evaluating me in my weakest state. I was given no time to access and was forced to say whatever came to my mind.

I don't remember most of them but I remember one question faintly.
Neil asked me something that sounded 'If you were to lead a mission, what would you expect the most from your teammates?'

He must have expected 'Obedience' as the answer but I clearly remember saying 'Loyalty' and his proud smile following after.

I have no memory of what all I was made to do after that - I was that drunk!
I passed out god knows when.

***********

The vigorous shake of my body jerked me up. My head hurt so bad I couldn't make it- who was waking me up till I recognised his voice 'Wake up!'

'I hate you' I hissed instead, clearly not in senses.
Neil laughed whole heartedly.
"I know. I'll make up for it. Now get up or else you'll hate yourself."

He pulled me up and pushed me towards the washroom.
I pissed and waited for a few moments before vomiting my balls out.
Fuck! It burnt!

"All clear?"
He asked from outside.
"One minute."
I said before the second wave of nausea hit me and I vomited a few more times. When I was sure my stomach was washed, I came out.

"Done."
I said, still drunk.

"Drink this."
He handed over a bottle to me. I was too tired to even ask him what it was. The salty liquid touched my lips and I didn't waste a single drop. After I finished the bottle, I felt a lingering sweet taste on my tongue.
Oh. ORS.

"This -"
One tablet and another bottle was shoved in both my hands.

Taking it down, he gave me another.
I didn't have the strength to tell him how much I hated him and how suspicious I was at the moment that I doubted what medicines he's making me take.

He made me sit on my bed and get back to life. Meanwhile he injected something in my vein and I had the thought of punching his face hard. Barely controlling myself, I trusted him this once. After a few more sips of water and the medicinal action kicked in, I felt much better.

The nausea had subsided and the headache almost gone. I was just feeling drained that's all.

"Better?"
He stood in front of me all this while, as if taking responsibility of my state.

"Yes, sir."
I said realizing he had no malice right now.

"Good. Drink this too and you'll be fine. You still have thirty minutes."
The last words made me recover more. Thirty minutes!

"Thank you sir."
I said genuinely.

"You want to say something else. But you're welcome."
He laughed.

"Why?"
I asked him when he started walking away.
I wanted to know why he fucked my already fucked up mind.

He stopped at his door.
"I was evaluating you."

"I figured out that much."
I said and his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"You did? How?"
"When you asked me the team question."
He looked impressed.

"You have good memory too. For your information, you passed in whatever you were getting evaluated for."
He said smirking.

"Does it mean...?"
My hopes were in sky suddenly.

"No. This has nothing to do with your trial."
Bam!
Right back on the floor.

"Well then it doesn't matter."
I say looking down.
When I looked up, I found him looking back at me offended.

"I... I'm sorry.. I didn't mean it.."
"I know. Drink that. You'll be with Charles whole day today. Better hydrate yourself. He doesn't care about the amount of alcohol in one's body. He wants reps and counts and nothing else."
Neil told me something I already knew.

"Yes sir. Thanks again."
He nodded and left.

What was the test I passed?

Whatever.
If it has nothing to do with my trial, fuck it.

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

Guess who had a nice 'drunk and passed out' experience?
😂
I so want to use the F word for Neil myself!

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Are you Team Neil or Team James?
😉

Vote and tell your views in comments.