I’m not a good-natured person. I’m truly not. But usually, by mood was a tat better than it had been today. And it was just going to go to shit because that damn guard had given them a walking tour of the grounds.

When I arrived at the tents, it looked like my own little group of delinquents was so close to collapse in itself, that even the thought of training was mere torture. Not that I would let them off training for today. But my anger wasn’t directed at my group. It was deservedly placed on Walkers shoulders.

I turned towards the soldier who had a smug smile on his face, while he looked down on the ten people in the little tent, who were trying to make themselves a home in the sand. “That will be so much fun”, he muttered towards me, as if we were old buddies, doing mischief together and hadn’t just met for the first time a few hours ago. “They’re so done, they will break in a few minutes on the training grounds. You know”, he continued, a casual tone in his voice that implied more than our relationship was. Which was nothing. “I’m off duty for today, so I could help you a little. Fire ‘em up even more.”

“What part of “Walker will show you to your tents” and “training starts in two hours” was too complicated for you to understand?”, I asked. My voice was calm and steady, which was probably why Walker blinked nervously and looked at me as if I’d asked him to recite the sultans ancestry. “What?”, he spit out, obviously confused. “I only wanted to-”

“I didn’t ask you to give them a fucking tourist tour.” I was angry but my voice was controlled. That was probably another adjective which could describe me. Controlled. Only a few exceptions made me lose control over my appearance. Like Herub, having the audacity to give me orders. Or a witch vomit in my shoes. “If I’d wanted them even more exhausted, I’d make them run around the compound. I didn’t want them to be nearly dead when I started to train them.”

“I- I didn’t”, stuttered Walker but I interrupted him sharply. “They are not here to be tortured to death by dumb sadists. They are here to become soldiers so they can defend this land in a war that is threatening our entire lives. Yours too. So get your head out off your ass and think for yourself, or do just what you were told, which was to get them here immediately.”

I turned away from Walker who’s face had coloured in a very interesting shade of purple. From embarrassment or anger, I couldn’t say nor did I care. I looked around the tent. The big guy had claimed one of the best field beds. It looked like two of the girls were sharing one. I nodded. Even though I told them not to depend on it, I valued teamwork. The weak guy and the little girl hadn’t been able to claim a bed and were busy with making themselves an improvised bed of blankets on the floor. In the back I could see crazy hair. She seemed to get a few cushions and a thin mattress to sleep on. While I crossed the tents, they all shot a few glances at me. They all had heard what I had told Walker. I could see that most of them were intimidated by me but didn’t really know if I was on their side or not. Truth be told, I was on their side. They were my responsibility now. But I wouldn’t warp them in cotton wool just because I wanted them to survive.

When I stood in front of the witch I put my arms on my back again. “My shoes?” 

I couldn't decide if I should pour my already nearly empty water ration onto those boots or try to spit on them and rub it off. I glanced up. Pissed-face was tearing Walker apart only using words. I looked at the others. Walker had put a thin mattress in my hands and said “To the floor where you belong, filthy witch” and let the others strangle themselves for a the five beds that were standing in that tent. I didn’t care that I didn’t get to choose. As long as they fought each other they would be too busy to fight me.

I heard footsteps. I looked up in that very annoyed face of a very annoyed instructor. He surveyed me, my mattress and let his eyes linger on the boots in my hands.

“My shoes?”