"Men, this is your squad leader Private Evans." Parker barks and I stand tall under their scrutiny as they look me up and down. The soldiers in the compound all know of me and most men I've spoken to a few times, but in this group, the only men that really know me are Ty and Levi. "You are Squad C which means you are all the third best group of men in here. Be honored, men, for the squads go all the way to letter J. You all know Private Evans here has a power and you all know she can put you in place easily. She knows what's she's doing and she is the third best soldier in the whole army. Treat her with the respect she deserves and she'll take care of you out there."

    He sets a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I give him a nod while trying to stop myself from tackling him with a hug and then smothering his face with kisses. No one has ever spoken so highly of me to other people. And the third best soldier? There is absolutely no way. I know that Josh has squad B and Ryder has squad A and I know of one other man that is in charge of the squad leaders H through J and then there's Parker. So that leaves me as the fourth best soldier in the whole compound.

The fourth best soldier in Division 64.

"Alright guys," I address them as Parker moves to the next squad, "there's a fine line between bravery and bravado. If anyone of you crosses that line, I'll shoot you myself. Even if you dare to press your pinkie toe to the other side of that line, I won't hesitate to pull the trigger. There are five other men counting on you to not screw anything up. I lead the six of you and I don't want to see any of you get hurt because a fellow squad member thinks he's better than the rest of you. We are a team and we will act like one." They all nod at me.

"I have faith that we can make it out of this if we all do what we're supposed to." I continue. "I read the battle file this morning and know that the area we're attacking is a Flesh Feeder camp of sorts. There at least a four thousand of those uglies, and it's only our Division and Division One going in there to kill them. Division One may be our top Division with General Hawkins and all, but if we go in there believing they're going to have it taken care of, we're wrong. Division One may be good, but they certainly aren't going to kill four thousand Flesh Feeders on their own."

"What's our setting, Private Evans?" Levi asks and I nod thankfully at him. I was waiting for someone to ask.

"The camp has a population of four thousand, like I said, and is located on the coast." I inform. When I first read that in the file, I couldn't believe it. I still can't. I get to see the beach.

I get to see the ocean.

I looked over at Parker, knowing that no one would notice since the rest of the squad leaders were engrossed in their files like I was. He was already looking at me and he smiled, giving me a small nod. I smiled down at my papers knowing that he knew full well what I was excited about. I get to finally see the infamous ocean that my brother spoke so highly of. Well it's not like I'll get to lie down in the sand, but at least I'll get to see it. At least I'll get to see one thing that Mitch always wanted me to see.

"I'm sure we'll be able to use the ocean as an advantage somehow, and we also have the element of surprise. I know this isn't going to be an easy battle since they have us out numbered two to one, but I'm feeling confident that we can win this." I conclude. "Dismissed." The men solute me before running over to where the other finished squad members are standing. I make my way over to where Ryder and Josh are talking to the leader of squad D.

"We were just discussing about how we're getting to the Flesh Feeders, Freak." Josh fills me in and I nod. "Ryder has just informed us that we're riding in the tanks and the squad members are marching along with the tanks. General Parker says there will be two squad leaders per tank but he wants squad leaders D, E, and F to ride together since he will be riding with you." Me? Squad leader D turns to Ryder, questioning him about this, and while they talk Josh winks at me. I laugh and roll my eyes. Only Josh would find a time in all of this to make fun of me.

"Maybe he just wants to make sure his most valuable asset gets to the battle okay." I offer and he smirks.

"His most valuable asset is one way to put it." Josh snorts while making an obscene gesture with his hands, and I laugh yet again. As I see Parker starting to make his way over here, I panic. I step closer to Josh and make sure my voice is quiet enough for no one else to hear me.

"Before Parker whisks me away, I wanted to tell you that I'm glad it was you who woke me up my first morning here. I appreciate that you never cut me slack. I've never really been prone to the whole friend thing, and no one really made an attempt to befriend me ever, yet you did and I just want to thank you for that before this all goes down the drain." I rush out quickly and he's grinning at me by the end of it.

"I'm glad I woke you up that morning, too." Josh says and before I can change my mind, I hug him in front of all the soldiers. I don't care what they think. He pats me on the back once before stepping back. I smile at him and he nods to something behind me. I glance back to find Parker frowning at me, and I blush as I step to where I belong at his side. He looks down at me.

"We are riding in my tank together on the way there." He informs and I nod my head, not exactly meeting his eyes. I've realized that Parker's a bit weird when it comes to me and other guys. I think he realizes that Josh and I are only friends, but I think he also remembers that he and I were friends before he became my boyfriend. How he has any doubt in his mind that he's the only guy I would ever want is beyond me.

"I know. Josh told me." I explain and he gives me a brisk nod before turning to the other squad leaders.

"Are you ready for this, men?" He says loud enough for the squad members to hear him and quiet down. I feel a little awkward at his side where everyone will look at me when they look at him. I stand a little taller, trying to look as composed as him. "We're going to be leaving the compound in exactly one hour. During this time, you will get one call on one of the four phones to call home. The phone ends the call at precisely five minutes, so make sure you say what's needed to be said and leave it to the next man."

They all break off without even being dismissed. I guess the prospect of calling home is too exciting for them to even worry about procedure right now. I don't blame then. If I had the chance to call Mitch or my dad, I wouldn't still be standing in this room. My eyes shift to the floor and I look at the toe of my boot. I don't even have anyone to call. Well I guess that means one more man can call home. Suddenly, I feel a hand lightly touch my side before disappearing. I look up to find Parker giving me a sad look.

"Can I go back to my cell before we leave?" I blurt out and he gives me a confused look. "It's just – I don't even know – the only thing I know beside this compound."

"You would like to visit the asylum?" He questions doubtfully.

"Well maybe I'll even run into orange girl while I'm at it." My eyes slip over to him and he has this amused yet slightly confused expression on his face. "You know? The girl that levitated my orange from me and I blew it up in her face?"

"Are you seriously still distraught over that?" He laughs incredibly like he can't even comprehend how I could still hold a grudge over a simple orange.

"It's not exactly about the orange." I mutter and watch him raise an eyebrow. "She felt like she was superior. I want to prove to her that she never was and never will be."

My cheeks redden at that. I sound a bit vindictive. I don't think Parker has ever seen the malicious side of me.

"Alright, love. We shall go get you your precious revenge." He smiles at me with adoration, and I have to marvel at that for a second.

Parker has seen all the horrible side of me, he has witnessed my every single corrupt habit and sin, yet he still manages to look at me like there's nothing better he would rather be looking at; like he's so lucky to have me, and I can't grasp that. I can't even begin to fathom the unconditional love he much have for me. I'm the outcast here, yet he treats me like an equal, and by doing that, the other men have followed by his example. He's still watching me quietly as the gym empties to just us. I give him a tight smile, feeling an overwhelming amount of gratitude for his unflinching acceptance.

    And then, being out of character for the second time today, I stand on my tiptoes and hug my body to his. Unlike Josh, Parker doesn't even hesitate for a second. He leans his head down and buries his face in my hair. We stand like that for no more than a minute before he steps back. I look away from him with tears in my eyes. I swear if anything happens to him out on the battlefield, I'll break. I'll break and without Parker there to put my pieces back together, I'll stay broken.

    "Thank you." I say quietly and he does the weirdest thing; he laughs.

    "Oh, love, there's no need to thank me." He says, his words confusing me.

    "But you-"

    "No. One day, long after this war is over, you're going to realize that I didn't save you, but you saved yourself. I had a measly part in your recovery. Don't give me gratitude where I do not deserve it. You are so much stronger than you think you are, love." And with those words, he walks out of the gym, leaving me to watch him walk away.