Duncan sat on his comfy chair, sizing up the last two trainees that had arrived. 'Another boy and girl, the first looks about average while the second's a dwarf'.
"So, what are your names?" He noticed that the two were still on edge. "I can't keep calling you 'boy' and 'girl' forever, can I?"
Sheepishly, the boy spoke out first. "Shane, Shane Fletcher, sir!"
Duncan's eye twitched a tad. 'Fletcher...? Huh, now isn't that funny'.
"My name is Alice Kleia!" the girl, Alice, saluted him.
Duncan nodded, turning his attention to the room. The cabin's layout was like this: when you entered the cabin through the door, you were greeted by the first and largest room, the lounge. This was where the trainees would sleep and rest, their beds already placed inside. The lounge had a nice, cozy fireplace inside and was right next to the kitchen. The room right next to that was the kitchen, a small area with another fireplace. It had a cauldron with it and also had a nice, large table that was large enough for five. Connecting the kitchen to the remaining three rooms was a short hallway. All that was left was the shower, the storage room and Duncan's own private room.
"The bed in the corner is already taken, so is the bed in the opposite corner" Duncan explained. "That leaves these two" he pointed at two beds which were parallel with each other. "Sort out who gets what on your own" he left to go to his own room, leaving his two new trainees to figure it out.
.
.
As soon as he shut the door to his room, his cool, calm and rough demeanor broke, an extremely pissed off one taking its place. 'Adam! You motherf****! You sent me Fletcher's son?!' Duncan grabbed his head, vein pulsating on it. 'And not to even mention the first two...'
Duncan knew that somewhere, probably in his office, a man with platinum hair was laughing to himself. "I'll get you for this..." he made a silent promise as he recomposed himself. Messing with him or not, Duncan always took a job seriously, even if it was just glorified baby sitting.
Opening his window, Duncan whistled a tune. On command, a black, shapeless form appeared from the line of trees. Getting closer and closer, the figure started to resemble that of a man.
"Tell Adam that all four made it" Duncan was taciturn, a very faint hint of annoyance under his stoicism. "Oh, and also tell him thanks, for the pleasant surprises".
With a curt nod, the soldier disappeared into the night.
Exiting his room, Duncan was pleasantly surprised that the two new trainees hadn't fought over their beds...unlike the first two. With a sigh, Duncan addressed the both of them.
"Prepare the kitchen. If you look in one of the cabinets, you will see utensils and knives. If you look in the one just below it, you will find some spices. Take them out and lay them out on the table" he gestured for the boy to do it. "You, girl, go outside and light this" he threw Alice a candle. "To keep away unwanted guests".
Like gears in a machine, the two wordlessly followed his command.
* * *
Shane's mind was a mess, his heart even worse. Why did Duncan Callahan have to be his new Instructor? In his mind, countless memories of his youth surged like a rising tide.
.
.
.
A countless number of people stood outside the gates of District one, all of them wearing proud and jubilant expressions. They all stood, excitedly chattering to one another. Up atop the battlements of the sprawling wall, a soldier lifted up a yellow flag.
The crowd erupted.
"Hooray for Duncan Callahan! Hooray for the Spark of Humanity, the Storm General!" the crowds cheered, parting ways for the returning soldiers. Amongst the crowd, a young boy with black and vermillion red eyes stared, stars in his eyes as he desperately tried to push past the crowd. "Hooray for the Stormbreakers!"
The young boy struggled as he tried to get past the towering adults, squeezing with every fiber of strength that he had. Gently, warm hands grasped him by the hips, carefully lifting him up.
"Easy, my tiny little thorlinx" a kind, caring voice cooed from behind him. "Its alright, you'll get to see daddy soon".
Shane squealed, laughing with joy as his Mother tickled him, placing him on her shoulders.
His mother pointed. "Look, there he is!"
As the gates of district 1 opened, a battalion of soldiers marched in. At the forefront, Duncan Callahan strode on his horse with pride. Although tired and weary, all the soldiers of the Stormbreakers unit stood tall, marching with honor. As the long line of soldiers walked past, Shane's tiny little face lit up as a familiar figure strode by, carried by a horse.
The man had black hair and vermillion eyes. His face was wrapped in bandages and his arm was in a sling, but even still, he sat up straight. Immediately noticing his smaller counterpart, Shane's father smiled under the wrapping, waving at his wife and child.
Much to the displeasure of his nurses, Shane's father jumped off the horse and quickly made his way to his family.
"Daddy!" little Shane leapt off his mother's shoulder, running to his father.
With one arm, Shane's father scooped him up and brought him into an embrace. "Mmfmmfmff!"
Shaking her head tiredly, Shane's mother sighed. "Dear, please stop talking, you'll injure yourself further".
"Mmfmhmmff" He responded, giving her a thumbs up.
"What am I going to do with you" Shane's mother embraced her husband and beloved son. "You better get back to your unit, the Quentins look like they're at their wits end with you".
With an embarrassed nod, Shane's father returned to the river of soldiers, waving to his beloveds farewell.
He and Shane locked eyes for one last moment. There was so much to be said, but that would have to be held at a later point in time.
.
.
.
Shane's vision became watery. Quickly, he rubbed his face as his heart hardened. 'What's done is done, no use reminiscing on the past' he sucked in a deep breath. 'This is a great opportunity to learn!'
Shane finished setting up the table. He didn't know exactly how Duncan wanted it set up, so he just set it up like how he used to.
"Sergeant Callahan, I've finished" he saluted Duncan.
Duncan gave Shane a side glance. Currently, Duncan was busy reading news articles about the previous ten years. "Good, now be even better and wait for the others".
On cue, Alice entered the cabin. "Alright, Sir, I've finished". Duncan gave her a thumbs up, not even looking up.
Looking a little annoyed, Alice rolled her eyes and noticed Shane. With nothing better to do, she approached.
Alice leaned against the cabin wall, her arms crossed, her beige eyes narrowed as she observed Shane. "So...you're really determined to follow your old man's wild goose hunt, huh?"
Shane, a hint of surprise in his expression, nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's like this calling, you know?"
Alice's lips curled into a smirk, her tone teasing. "A calling, huh? Sounds like something straight out of those old hero stories."
Shane chuckled, though there was a glint of earnestness in his eyes. "Maybe. But my dad used to say that sometimes it's the journey that shapes you more than the destination."
Alice pushed herself off the wall, her demeanor less guarded. "Smart guy, your old man."
"He had his moments," Shane replied with a grin. "He used to spin these stories about the Elysian Grove, this paradise untouched by the chaos of the world. A place where people could live in harmony with the land."
Alice raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And you believe that?"
"I believe there's something worth seeking, even if it's just a far-fetched idea," Shane said, his voice steady. "Especially when life throws its curveballs."
Alice regarded him thoughtfully. "I guess it's nice to have something to believe in, even if it's a long shot."
Shane's gaze turned distant, lost in his own thoughts. "Exactly. It's like holding onto a bit of hope, you know?"
Alice's expression softened, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I used to have big dreams too, you know. Wanted to invent all sorts of things, change the world with my creations. But, well, life happens."
Shane nodded, his understanding genuine. "Yeah, life can be a real buzzkill."
A wistful sigh escaped Alice. "Tell me about it. Reality has a way of sneaking up on you."
Shane's grin widened. "Well, maybe that's why we need these crazy dreams, to balance out the harsh reality."
Alice chuckled, a genuine warmth in her tone. "You might be onto something, Shane."
Their moment was interrupted by Duncan putting down his newspaper. His gaze shifted between them, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Having a heart-to-heart, are we?"
Shane and Alice exchanged a glance, their newfound camaraderie making them less affected by Duncan's gruffness. As they sat inside, they couldn't help but feel that this unlikely alliance might just be what they need to face the challenges ahead.
A knock on the door turned all their attention to it. Duncan, a little reluctant to get up off his comfy chair, opened the door.
Stepping into the room, clothes dirty and hair ragged, was a girl with blonde hair and wild, verdant eyes. Just behind her, a boy with platinum hair and azure eyes.