Part Ranger: Chapter 8

I said goodbye to my friends who were leaving for the UPBS and the army. The boys were leaving with special officers or the bus full of other recruits. “Why can’t I go? It’s not like I’m not fit enough to handle a weapon.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be such a s**t then!” That was my nemesis, Sarah. She hates me for attracting the boy she likes to fights.

“What do you want? Can’t you see I want to be alone?”

“Well I think you shouldn’t be alone. Your punching bags just left for war and you can’t do anything about it.” She was trying to get to me. How could a human think they could act like this to me?

I left the school, but she kept following me. “Just get away!” I turned around and punched her. She never said a word about me again.

 

 

It was time for our battle with the Kantopia squad. Charles was going to be against me. Darren also was going against Kren, who was going to be the second best marksman after today. “Just because he is your friend doesn’t mean it will be an easy win.” Darren lectured to me down the hallway.

“Forgo has to be dealt with before the rest of the team can attack.” Soram was going to come with me incase another Andrew pooped up. It will be strange to work with someone.

“WELCOME ONE AND ALL TO THIS AMAZING BATTLE! Today we welcome back The Mind Soldiers from their yearlong break. After a short reign of terror, the Kantopia squad quickly took over as the undefeated champions of the UPBS.

“What strategy will they return with? Will mind games be played or will they choose to be normal? Either way, I’m sure we’ll get a show today!”

I flew over to Forgo. He wasn’t excited to see me go. Was it because I was still a commander? “GO!”

It was like our first battle all over again. Most of the squad ran for cover while I sneaked around the field. Soram shot a few soldiers that appeared. “It’s clear! Watch out for Kren up there.” I nodded and flew above the blocks. The emptiness felt lonely.

“What’s your plan now? It seems like we already got some of your soldiers.” My voice echoed around Forgo.

“Your mind games can’t trick me, Ranger! Borgenson told me how to tell the truths coming from your mouth.” Damn, Charles game my ways out.

“Where is Charles? I want to pay him a visit before this ends.” He was chuckling. Forgo clearly didn’t win the undefeated title for nothing.

“Why would I give that away? Besides, you won’t need to go looking any longer.” There was an object pushed against the back of my head. I smiled as he shook violently like it could really kill someone.

“Can you handle this choice, Charles? Could you kill me for the sake of your team?” Our weight fell to the ground as gravity turned on. “If you can’t handle this, I guess I will.” I turned and stopped him. Soram was on a wall behind Forgo. We nodded to each other as I got against the opposite wall. “Want to play a game without any interruptions?

Forgo looked into the corridors for my voice. “Fine! Let’s play a game.”

“Goldfish!” Forgo laughed. Soram was silently laughing to himself. “Sneak around to the other side. I have a plan in mind, but watch out for his eyes.” He heard my thought and disappeared.

“Your jokes are funny. Maybe you should have been a comedian instead. Being a soldier isn’t as hilarious as you may think.” Who said I thought war was funny? Matt was sitting in the section of seats above me. He shook his head with viewable disgrace.

Soram was in position. “Whenever you are ready. Just give me a sign.” Forgo was about to go when the announcer speaker came on. Shots being fired echoed throughout the field. It could only be the two I knew were capable of firing and getting announced, Darren and Kren.

“It looks like out two marksmen are tired of waiting! They want action and they are getting it. Any disability, distance or person can’t stop this madness. The battle for best marksman has started!” Loud cheering followed.

My mind entered Forgo’s. He was cursing up a storm about Kren. But I was kicked out. Some force ripped me back to myself. “Getting ahead of ourselves, are we?” My back stiffened up. He was scaring me for some reason. Benjamin.

“Matt! Benjamin is close by. You need to find him, NOW!” I focused on his face. He nodded and left the crowd.

“Why don’t you tell me a story, Forgo? Maybe you could be the amusing one now.” Uncertainty fell into him.

“I don’t have a story you would like. They all end in your defeat!” I pointed my fingers between the walls, in the open, like a gun and pretended to fire. That was my signal. Soram charged his shot and fired at Forgo’s head. He dodged the shot and returned one of his own.

Another announcement began as the shot hit. “With one survivor left, and that person being a male, The Mind Soldiers now house the best marksman on the UPBS!” More cheering continued to go as I ran towards Forgo. The gravity turned off and he jumped up.

Darren came barreling towards me. He picked me up and carried me under his arm. “Are you trying to die today?” His voice was hysterical. “He has a gun, Ranger!”

“We have guns too! It’s how we win the battle.” Darren covered my mouth. He was acting strange now.

“Forgo is hunting you as we speak. He hates people who are better than him. If we don’t stop him now, you might actually die.” I might die?

Forgo was on our ceiling. He was running around and scanning the field. Darren threw me up. I had to get behind him and stop him. He was oblivious to whatever stood on his ground.

“I know you are down there, Ranger! Show yourself and let’s get this battle over with.” Wrong. In fact, I’m right in front of you. With the combination of jumping and a straight up kick, he went flying towards Darren’s shot.

I found her by our entrance, waiting for me. “You did great out there! Your concentration was crystal clear.” Her hug warmed me up after what I went through.

“Thanks Zana. But we know I didn’t do all of the work.” Darren came behind me and placed his big hands on top of my shoulders. Zana waved up at him.

“Did you tell them about it yet?” I raised an eyebrow. Did she know about me like Matt did? “We’re leaving for home in a week you know.” LEAVING?

“I was going to mention it after the battle. Something important came up.” He gripped my shoulders tighter. Did Darren find him more important to post pone his departure?

“They don’t like their plans getting pushed back. You’re gonna have to do whatever it is quickly.” Zana grabbed my hands and smiled. “It seems our self-defense classes will have to stop!”

“Yes ma’am!” Darren led me away from her. The other boys were waiting in the room.

It was quiet in there, for once. Everyone sat down on their beds. I was at the front of mine with my head in my hands. I couldn’t look anywhere without seeing him. To take in he was gone overwhelmed me. Soram was dead.

I was responsible for everything. He trusted me as I could see what he planned. How could anyone tell if their enemy is able to kill people?

Forgo was taken off of the station for the incident. They placed Kren as their new commander, which wasn’t accepted by everyone. But the strangest thing was Charles. He was put into a solitary room for carrying a deadly weapon during combat. I wonder how he got it.

Darren got up with his backpack on. Everyone, but me, watched as he came closer and closer. “The officers are taking us home today because of Forgo. They don’t want to waste money for travel.” I stood up in front of him. My eyes were watering and a feeling came up my throat. This wasn’t fun at all.

“WHY?” I started banging on his chest. “Why does anyone want to kill someone here? We’re only kids!” The emotions I hid away for six years ago came out. Darren embraced me.

“You’ll be ready next time.”