Chapter 3: Night one

Wednesday November 17 2021 (day 2)

Hannah (POV)

We just finished 8 o'clock and the girls are in bed now. Yesterday went better then I planned, I spent most of my day on an outer group with Maria. She had the worst attitude ever, but I am glad she worked it out. Today we had cook out down at campsite so haven't really been warm all day. It is like 30 degrees out here. My ride into work with Fentress was okay this morning, we didn't really speak we just listened to some music. Good thing we both are not morning people because I would of probably went off.

" Okay Hannah are you ready to head out" Fentress says to me as she pats me on the back. I grab her hand not even thinking. She pulls away and steps back.

"whoa I am sorry didn't mean to pat you I guess" She starts to laugh to joke it off because at this time we caught Hensley and Jones's attention.

"No I am sorry just always on the guard, just still getting used to being around touchy people again" I say as I get myself up from the ground by the fire. " Do you two need anything before we head off" I say. They say No, so me and Fentress walk out of the group meeting tent into the dark. We both grab are things from the ditty bag tent and put our head lamps on.

(they start walking down main trail instead of logging road)

Fentress: (turns and looks at Hannah) How was your second day of group leading, I know it is not the best at first but you will get the hang of it.

Hannah: it was Fine, I actually really enjoyed it... I am not going to lie I missed here so much over the years.... and I have missed you.... when I moved to Charlottesville I actually sometimes hope to bumped into you, just to rub in your face how well I was doing. But I never saw you ... I am sorry for the way I treated you yesterday, it was childish of me.... You just really hurt me and I know I was part of making you do and act that way towards me. But I am different and really do want our relationship back... take that back I want a new relationship with you that is real.

Fentress: I want that to Hannah and I have seen you have changed and it is in a good way. I have seen you downtown before and well to be honest I did not know it was you. You look so ...different. (moves arms up and down)

Hannah: (in a laugh) I look sexy.

Fentress (POV)

I look away from her and laugh too. " well you do look different; I would not say sexy is the word you should use" I say. she does not say anything and we keep walking. By this time, we are just walking up to the lodge. I follow her into the lodge and we walk into the staff office to get our phones and my car keys and wallet.

It is getting cold out but Hannah is acting like its just a light breeze. 'What has happened to her over the years' I think to myself. I used to be able to read her every move but now I feel like there is this wall that I cant see through. As soon as I get into my car I flick on the heater. It feels so good. Since Hannah is actually Talking to me tonight I am going t try to get into a conversation.

It is weird having her around her acting like I am not there, well like making other things important. I guess I am just used to her acting different. I pull onto the main road.

Fentress: So what made you decide to join the military, I didn't know that was something you wanted to do. I mean I remember you wanted to be a detective or whatever.

Hannah: I just thought about it... really just thought I would like it. The truth, since this war with Korea has been happening the US has been putting new recruits on the field. I just turned 18 and I was in a relationship with my soon to be wife, Jenna. She was about to be 20, She went on the field... the government didn't know how strong Korea's government was... It wiped out her unit. she was killed by the Koreans... As soon as I found out I applied for the military... I just felt that I could seek revenge for my girlfriends death. I spent a year in Korea, days on end with no food or water. I spent that whole year in complete silence and conflict. I thought every day, I had no one to live for ... I was not afraid of dying anymore. I thought about you for a long time one-night thinking, if I were to die you wouldn't even know or care. Everyone in my life wouldn't even know I was gone. Half way to are check point I got injured. I walk 26 miles with an injured leg with very little food or water. I thought I was going to die, I was happy with it.

Hannah: but I made it, to the check point. They flew me back to America and I was not allowed back on field. I was and still am assigned to a PRN job on the base. But I am being discharged next month on the 23rd.

Fentress: Is your leg okay and oh my god Hannah I am sorry to hear that had happened to you. Also do you want to stop to get something to eat, before I drop you off at home?

Hannah: My leg is okay, and its all okay I am here now so that all that matters. And no thanks I will pass, I gonna go home probably work out a little then head to bed. What time will you be at my house, 5:30 am like this morning?

Fentress: Okay and yes I will be there 5:30 on the dot. Maybe we can get some breakfast Tomorrow then.

Hannah(POV)

We pull up to my apartment complex and Fentress and I get out the car. My leg started hurting a little while ago so I am a little anxious to get into my apartment.

"You wanna come see my apartment real fast" I say as I am about to walk up the stairs.

"Maybe another night, have to get home to Pangea before she has a meow attack." she says.

Before she leaves I give her a hug. It felt so emotional for me because I had not hugged anyone in forever. I looked at her face and she smiled and walked back to her car. But she did not go inside.

" Sweet dreams Hannah" she says then gets into her car. I used to say that to her every night before I went to bed. This Is the Brittany I knew was deep inside, but I know it will only be a here and there thing so I shouldn't put any thought in it.

I wait until she leaves my apartment complex to walk up the stairs. It takes a couple extra minutes because I was holding on to the railing. My leg usually never hurts but then again, I never spent a day in the cold with this metal robotic leg. But I just have to get used to it.

I get into my apartment and immediately take off my jacket. I have been sweaty all day; I just haven't taken it off yet because I did not want the group or staff seeing my tattoos just yet because I already drawing attention to myself just by being me. I go into the kitchen and get a case of beer out of the fridge. I crack open one and carry the rest with me down into my workout room so I can go work out.

I sit down on my ab machine and check my phone, since I haven't checked it all day. I had 10 calls from my mom and 2 texts from Fentress. I clear my moms calls and open the messages from Fentress.

Fentress: thanks for talking to me tonight.

Fentress: See you tomorrow goodnight.

I set my phone down next to my feet on the floor. I did a bunch of weights and sit ups and a few push-ups. Before I knew it I had already finished the 8 beers and feeling drunk. I take my trash to the kitchen and throw it away. I go into my bed room and get undressed. I stare in the mirror for a minute before going in the bathroom and turn the water on. I look pretty damn sexy for someone with one fucking leg.

I take off my fake leg since its been hurting and hop in the shower. I take a hot shower for like 30 minutes. I get out and stumble like usual and grab my towel. I decide to wear my red sports bra and my red and black boxers. Just something about me is I hate not matching. I walk over to my bed and put my blankets up on top of me. I decide to check my Facebook but its kind of hard to do when your drunk. I should be used to it by now though. I am getting tired so I set my alarm on my phone for 5:30 and plug my phone in. before I knew it I was out like a lightbulb.