The Soldiers

Zane wakes from a peaceful sleep; no shrieking, howling or screaming. He opens his bag, grabs his can opener from its pouch and selects a can at random. Minestrone. He opens it and drains the can’s contents into his stomach. He felt no need to drink water since soup was also water. He checked the first cupboard on the ground floor in the kitchen to find it empty, the second empty and the third had tomato soup.

Zane took it and put it in his bag that was now noticeably getting heavier. He looks outside and sees rainy clouds. Fuck,he thought. Then looking around he noticed a closet he didn't see on the way in. Zane opens it and sees a dusty umbrella. My luck is too good. He chuckles to himself. He then exited the house with an umbrella in hand and began his trek down the highway. Ten minutes later it started to rain, so the umbrella went up. 

Looking up at the sky Zane guessed it's around noon at this point. He starts whistling a small tune while walking in the rain. For a few hours he walked content with life and came across a small town that the highway passed through. As he walked through the town, something felt off, an odd feeling of being watched… Zane stops, drops his umbrella and started to reach for his sidearm slowly:

“Whoa buddy don’t do that!” a voice calls out.

All of a sudden from three different angles military men came out from corners in groups of two, pointing rifles at Zane. They stood six meters away from him. All their gear and outfits faded with age.

“That's it, take it easy, we aren't gonna harm you.” One of the men in front of him said. He stood about 5’9, brown eyes with a fit face slender but toned. He looked about 30, he had a helmet on, a radio on his bulletproof vest, with camo pants and combat boots, the rest were all dressed the same but his insignia was sergeant first class.    

“How do I know that?” Zane asked, feeling unease. It's not often someone gets the drop on him but these were professionals.       

“We just wanna ask some questions and maybe have you do us a favor.” He said. 

“What kind of favor?” Zane asked, feeling suspicious. 

“Well first we are gonna ask some questions and then take you back to base with us.” The man said.

Zane sighed. “Fine, not like I got a choice, do I?” He  said defeated. He got the feeling they wanted to process and add him to their personnel as that was a common occurrence when coming across a traveler. Safety in numbers I guess, Zane thought to himself.

“First we are gonna disarm you.” The man stated. “Richards, disarm him.”  He ordered.

A man behind Zane moved forward and jabbed his rifle into Zane’s back, he then reached with his other arm and retrieved the pistol from his holster and passed it to the guy next to him then he took the dagger and the katana. His arm had the insignia of corporal. He was about 6 feet tall, a big burly man packed with muscle. He has red shaved hair and a burly looking face, a very toned man like the sergeant.

“This is a military issued combat blade!” He exclaimed, “Where’d you get this?” 

He seemed angry so Zane answered him slowly and sternly, “From a dead soldier on my travels.”

The Sergeant seemed alright with that answer and asked another question:

“Have you got any friends we should know about?” He demanded.

“No.” Zane answered

“You sure?” He asked cautiously.

“Yes.” Zane answered cautiously. 

“How have you survived this long on your own?” He inquired. 

“By being smart and learning from the mistakes of others.” Zane had watched too many people get torn apart by Pales to make stupid mistakes.

“Alright, how long have you been on your own?” He questioned.

“About 8 years.”  Zane responded.

The first man in front him whistled and exclaimed, “Damn, that’s a long ass time!”

“Yea.” Zane replied solemnly.

“Can we trust you with your weapons?” He asked.“I won’t pull any shit.” Zane answered honestly. 

“Alright Richards, give him his weapons back.” He ordered 

Richards was aghast and lipped, “Sir, we don’t know if we can trust him, what if-” 

“Never mind that Richards, give him his weapons!” He commanded Richards with authority. 

“Yes, sir…” the man presumably Richards said defeated.

The soldier to Zane’s left handed him his sidearm and Zane holstered it. Richards handed him his blades and Zane sheathed them. 

“Alright we are taking you to our HQ now so follow us.” The first soldier said. “By the way my name is Daniels, sergeant Daniels.”

“My name is Zane.” Zane replied back.

They led him down the block and around the corner, to see two Humvees parked. Daniels led Zane into the backseat of Daniels’ Humvee with one soldier on each side as Richards and two others got in the other one. 

“We are in for a long trip, possibly an hour so settle in.” The guy to Zane’s left announced. He settled into the backseat and decided to take a nap so he closed his eyes and started to take a nap.