After that night with Luca and the others, they started coming to his room more often. Sometimes just to hang out, other times to play card, talk or mess around.
At first, it really annoyed Ash.
They always pulled him into their activities –and that meant less sleep. What irritated him most was that Léo could drive them just fine– he just always gave into their whining claiming he couldn't resist a packet of cigarettes. The next morning, he'd drag himself to training looking like a zombie.
But as time went on, he got used to it. He didn't say it out loud but part of him had started adjusting.
Some nights, it even felt strange coming back to a quiet room...
And seeing Léo already there, laying on the bed, smoking.
As for Léo and Ash, they were fine, comfortable in their own way.
******************
Clang. Clang. Clang.
The sharp sound of metal echoed down the hall.
The trainees stood in seven tight columns, all dressed in black.
In front, the trainers — tall, cold — gave no smiles.The rest of the recruits fell into line behind them, silent.
Ash stood in the fourth spot of his row.
This was the third week of training. The first two weeks had been a hell of non-stop physical drills — meant to break bodies and build them back stronger.
Strength. Stamina. Endurance.
That was mostly based on weapon handling.
Ash watched as one of the recruits ahead of him struggled to complete a timed weapon assembly drill.
The trainers made it worse — barking orders, shouting, pushing, never satisfied. If you exceeded your time limit ,You had to run laps around the compound until the trainer is satisfied.
Ash was focused on the others when—
"HEY! Blonde guy!"
The sharp shout yanked Ash back to reality.
He looked up.
The trainer was glaring straight at him.
"What are you waiting for? A personal invitation?!
Move your damn legs before I weld them to the floor!"
Ash snapped to attention and stepped forward.
In front of him sat a disassembled handgun and a pair of cold, watching eyes.
The trainer.
He stood with his arms crossed, staring Ash down.
The moment Ash picked up the first piece—
"Wrong."
Ash paused, confused. He was sure he hadn't even done anything yet.Still, he kept going. One piece after another, trying to stay calm, but he could feel the trainer's eyes burning into him.Making him uncomfortable.
"Wrong again."
Ash clenched his jaw.
He hadn't even snapped the piece in yet.
He's doing it on purpose, Ash thought, trying to keep his breathing steady. He just wants to piss me off.
Then—
"Time's up."
Ash's head snapped up.
"Hey—"
The trainer gave a slow, evil smirk.
"Did I ask you to speak, Blondie?"
Ash stared at him, cold and hard.
Around him, the others who started at the same time were still assembling their weapons — some not even halfway through.
Ash glanced back, confused. "But the others—"
The trainer stepped closer, cutting him off.
"I'm the one in charge of this row."
He jabbed a finger toward his own chest.
"So if I say time's up, then that's it. Got it?"
His voice was sharp and arrogant.
Then he smiled cruelly.
"Soo... prepare yourself for a little exercise after this."
Ash's fists curled tight at his sides. He bit down the urge to punch the man right in his smug face so badly but he forced himself to look away… breathing through the fire in his chest.
**************
The rest of the group continued their task while Ash stood to the side, jaw tight, arms crossed, doing everything in his power not to explode.
Hours passed.
One by one, the others finished. Many had made worse mistakes than him, yet they only got scolded or sent back to the line for another try. Annoyed, Ash ran his hands down his face and shoved his hair back in frustration.
Then he heard the trainer's sharp voice "Blondie front"
Ash stepped forward.
The trainer gave him a smug smile.
" Since you love taking your sweet time let's burn some of it off. Fifty laps. Around the whole compound "
Ash froze " For real...? Fifty laps?" he blinked in disbelief, then stepped forward with a frown.
" Hey– wait. You didn't even give me a proper time, and others did worse than me. Why am I the only one getting punished?"
" If you wanna keep standing here asking dumb questions I rather increase it to a hundred " the trainer said with a smirk.
Ash stared for a moment, jaw tight.
Talking to this man is a waste of time he thought, finally turning away. He exhaled sharply and started running – because arguing would only make it worse.
The compound was huge. Trees lined the outer walls.
Each step burned like hell.
He had lost track of time. All he knew was that he was only on lap fifteen....and it already felt endless.
By the time he was done, the sun was already sinking behind the compound walls, casting everything in shades of orange and gold.
Ash's shirt clung to his skin, soaked with sweat and his breath came in heavy, uneven pulls.
He collapsed onto the ground in frustration, letting his body hit the ground as he lay there, trying to catch his breath. His chest rose and fell with every shaky inhale.
Then he felt it– a shadow casting over him. Ash slowly opened one eye, frowning at the figure blocking the light.
" Took you long enough, princess " the trainer's voice was laced with disgust.
Ash's eyes narrowed but he said nothing.
" You might look pretty but that won't keep you alive here. People like you don't last long" the trainer said.
A dry, breathless laugh slipped from Ash lips
" So you just hate my face, huh?" he muttered, eyes narrowing at the silhouette above him.
The trainer didn't say a word. He simply turned and walked away unfazed.
Ash chuckled again, this time louder even as the ache in his body throbbed "Bastard", he said under his breath, still lying in the ground, grinning to himself.
***************
By the time Ash was walking back to the dorms, the sun had fully gone down.
The sky was deep blue, with just a trace of gold fading at the edges. Lights from the buildings lit up parts of the compound, but shadows stretched long between them.
His body still ached, shirt clung to his skin with dried sweat. He just wanted to drop onto his bed and pass out, hoping those guys are not around.
But as he stepped out of the hall…
he saw someone passing nearby — fast, head down.
A familiar figure.
Wait... Mira?
She was wearing a dark hoodie now, but her hair and build made Ash pause.
He hesitated, brows pulling together.
What would she be doing out here at this hour?
She hadn't appeared again – not once since that day he thought.
For a second, he told himself to ignore it — not his business. But curiosity tugged at him.
With a quiet sigh, he turned and followed.
He kept a bit of distance, not wanting to be seen.
She moved quickly between buildings, disappearing behind a wall —
and when Ash reached that same spot…
She was gone.
Ash slowed down, eyes scanning the area. A few dim lights. The sound of distant voices. Nothing else. He stood there, confused.
Where the hell did she go?