I wake up and realize, Olivia Janice Johnson is indeed, dead. I'm Blue now, I'm determined to become stronger than Olivia, and just overall better than her.

It's six-thirty now and Private Zombie and I are sitting together eating our chow, "So what's your name?" I ask him.

"It's Zombie," He says.

"Your real name," I say.

"Blue," He says. "Here in Wright-Patterson, we don't ask each other about our real names or our past. It's not relevant to our training, or so they say"

"I can't pretend like my past didn't happen," I say.

"None of us can," He says. "But we normally don't speak of it."

"Oh alright," I said. "Then what's your favorite color?"

"Blue," He replied. "Just like those beautiful blue eyes of yours."

"Thank you," I smile looking down with a tint of red creeping onto my cheeks.

"What about you?" He asks. "What's your favorite color?"

"Green," I say.

"And why is that?" Zombie asks.

"Because it's the color of Chip's eyes."

"You two really do share a special bond. Don't you?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "We have since the day he was born. But this only brought us closer when we realized that we are the only people to be there for each other."

"I'm glad your brother is still alive and healthy," Zombie says.

"Forgive me for asking", I say. "Did you have a brother?"

"No", Zombie says. "But I did have a little sister, Her name was Sissy. S-She died."

"I'm so sorry", I sympathetically said.

"This was her locket," Zombie said holding a golden heart locket between his fingers.

"It's beautiful," I admire.

"And it suited a very beautiful little girl," Zombie faintly smiled.

"I bet she was very beautiful", I said. "She must've gotten it from her brother."

"So I'm beautiful?" Zombie asked raising an eyebrow.

"I think the correct word is handsome," I laugh.

"Well thank you," Zombie laughs.

"Blue," Chip tugs on my shirt.

"Yes sweetie?" I ask.

"When do we have training?"

"At seven-thirty I believe," I replied.

"Alright," He smiled.

"So Zombie, what are your interests?"

"Well training and shooting at the range is fun-"

"No, not Zombie's interests, the old you's interests."

"Oh", He said tapping his finger on his chin. "It doesn't matter, he's dead."

"So you think," I say. "But I believe you still have some of him left in you." I place a hand on his heart, "Right in there."

"You still have a lot of hope," He says. "I see it in your eyes."

"I don't stay strong for me," I say. "I stay strong for Chip."

He looks at me, now I can see hope in the eyes of his own, "You're staying strong for someone, aren't you?"

"I am," He says. "My sister"

"If she was here", I said. "Trust me, she'd be beyond proud of you."

"You think that?"

"I know that," I say.

At seven-thirty, our squad was in the shooting range. The squad sucked at shooting. So I thought I'd show them a few things.

"In my many years on archery, I was number one in the state of Ohio," I said. "I know how to aim and hit a target, and now I'll show you how. First, you need to know your surroundings and you need to be able to identify all your targets. Look around, see what's behind you, to your right, to your left, in front of you, who the people standing next to you are, what they're wearing. You need to then focus on your target, you don't have much time in a life or death situation, and one wrong move can cost you your life."

I see everyone looking around them, listening to what I was saying rather closely, "You guys have good posture, I like that. But you need to aim correctly," I look to my right and see Teacup. "Teacup, aim for the head and shoot"

She aims and shoots, missing the target, "You see, you need to focus better Teacup, that could've costed you your life."

She nods then I look who's next to Teacup, Zombie, "Aim for the chest and shoot," I say to Him.

He aims the gun and shoot, He doesn't get the bullseye, but he gets next to it, "That shot would've pierced your target, and yes it would most likely taken him down. Good job Private Zombie."

He smiles, it's a weak smile, not genuine. I take that off my mind and speak up once more, "All of you guys, decide whether you want to shoot the chest or the head and shoot, if you need help, I'm here. But I may not be able to help you out in the battlefield so be very careful."

Everyone starts shooting as I do myself. I shoot and get a perfect shot every time, my shots are always precise.

After shooting, we run outside. I hold Chip's hand so He can keep up and wouldn't have to run extra laps.

"You can't baby him", Reznik says. "I'll change him to another squad if I have to."

"I'm not babying Him", I say. "I'm just simply helping him build stamina."

"In other words, babying."

"No," I argue.

"Are you talking back?" She asks.

"Pretty much," I shrug.

And her fist makes contact with my stomach, "Is that the best you can do?" I ask her, tilting my head.

"Would you like to feel my best Private Blue?"

"I would M'am"

Her leg then makes contact with my stomach but I stand still, "Again M'am."

The squad is looking at my like I'm crazy, but there's a look of sympathy in the eyes of Zombie.

"M'am please leave her alone M'am," Zombie pleads with her.

"Oh so now you think you can call the shots Private Zombie?" Reznik snickered. "You aren't even squad leader, I haven't even chosen one for this squad yet."

"Then choose one," I demand.

"You sure do have a lot of guts," Reznik said facing me. "And I like that, Blue is squad leader."

"M-Me?" I laughed.

"Yes you," She says.

"Personally, I don't think I'm fit to be squad leader. Maybe Private Zombie is. I want to resign."

I see the way Zombie calls the shots, he wants to be squad leader, and he wants it badly. After all, he deserves it. He's been her longer than me, and I know while I've been absent he's been holding this squad together.

"Are you giving up the title?" She asks.

"It sure does look like it M'am," I say.

"Then Private Zombie", She says. "You are squad leader, I expect a lot from you now."

Reznik walks away and now it's noon, time to head back inside for afternoon chow. Burgers. Though it wasn't a burger, more like a thin mystery meat between very thin soggy wheat bread.

"Why'd you give up the title?" Zombie asked.

"I know how much you wanted it," I looked up at him. "For goodness sake, you call the shots already, might as well get the title to go along with it."

He laughs and rests a hand on my shoulder, "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

"Anytime Zombie."

"This tastes bad," Nugget chimes.

"It's that or it's nothing Nug," Zombie says.

"He means a lot to you," I say. "Doesn't He?"

"He really does," Zombie says chewing on his food. "But are you okay after what happened out there, I'm somewhat concerned."

"I'm fine," I fake smile.

I wasn't fine, it's like every single thing seems to hurts right now, my head, hands, feet, back, stomach, legs, arms, chest — everything. Even blinking hurts, it's been hurting since this started. But I suppress it as much as possible. It's like the pain was transferred into my blood, and my blood is now circulating it throughout my whole body.

"You are not fine,"'Zombie breathes out. "Come with me to the bathrooms, let me see what happened."

"Alright," I sigh giving in and getting up.

I start to walk but my head starts to spin and I feel dizzy, my legs start to get weak and then finally give in and I nearly fall into the arms of Zombie.

"Woah there. How about I just carry you?" He says, less like a question, more like a statement, or an order.

He lifts me off the ground and is carrying me bridal style, he sneaks us both off into the bunk area where the squads each had a private bathroom.

"Let me see", He says as he sat me on the counter.

I sigh as Zombie lifts up the hem of my shirt just below my bra, "Blue, you have a giant bruise all over your stomach."

He reaches his hand out but I grab it, "It's going to hurt if you touch it."

He sighs, "We should bring you to the nurse, maybe-"

"I'll be fine Zombie," I say. "Thank you though."

"Do you not see what I see on your torso?" He asks dumbfounded.

"I see it, and I've seen it plenty of times. One day it's there, one day it's gone. It'll heal, trust me, this isn't the first time this has happened to me," I snapped.

"What do you mean Blue?" He asks.

"Nothing," I say. "I didn't mean to snap like that, just forget about it."

"Okay I'm sorry", Zombie says. "I didn't mean to pry."

"No it's alright," I said.

He picks me up, "Back to the eating hall we go.."