Chereads / Finding Home Underground / Chapter 9 - Training begins

Chapter 9 - Training begins

The constant rocking in the train car as it blazed away induced the only movement visible in the car, despite there being more than ten passengers. Bor had been in this situation before, usually when his crew is coming from or about to go for a run. 

Still, this was a situation he was familiar with, giving him a sense of comfort especially given how unfamiliar everything was.

He'd still been in a reverie by the time they had to bug out. For some reason, they had to wear a bag over their heads until they got into a train. Only when they were a good distance away did they take off the bags on their heads. 

He soon found out his company had grown. There were a few more people like him, looking disheveled. There were also a three more overseers, as he came to think of them. They had been familiar with Fancy Guy and Heavyset Guy. 

Even then, tension remained high. Clearly, other than the overseers, no one knew where they were going. Bor decided not to worry his mind too much. He closed his eyes and started thinking, planning, hoping, praying. 

"Alright Maggots, time to get off! Move it! Move it! MOVE IT!" At some point during the journey, Bor had managed to doze off. Maybe it was the weight of everything just finally crashing on him, but he just didn't understand when or how he dozed off. A loud thunderous voice had shook him of his rest. 

Wide eyed, he saw the source of the sound. If his voice was loud and intimidating, his burly and well-toned muscular body would definitely make you do a double take. Almost wondering if what you were looking at was a sculpture or a man. 

Looking at the face that was glaring at him, Bor almost yelped at the sight. 

"Move it! Maggot!" The beast-like man yelled once more, this time his fury focused on Bor. Despite him having great constitution, he had to admit, that was some scary shit. Scrambling to his feet, he grabbed whatever luggage he'd carried and ran off. 

He'd known he would never be coming back, and since they did not say anything about carrying a couple of keepsakes, he had packed light and made for the meeting point that morning. He still had his light luggage, although as he could see it, having something to call his own was actually a luxury most of his companions did not have. 

"Line up! Line up! Form a straight line god damn it!" The big man continued yelling as loud as he could. The overseers were already out, acting like kings as they looked over the new recruits. 

The new guys acted fast, forming a line. It seemed following the yelling man's directive was how they'd survive. Bor was no exception, also forming a line like the rest of them. 

"Alright Maggots, Listen up!" Burly man was back out and shouting again. "You're here because you have no where else to be. You have f**k*d up too much to be somewhere else! You know what that makes you! Nothing! Less than nothing! Your life ...."

Bor wasn't really listening. This was a basic intimidation to the new recruits. Anywhere he'd have to join in, he'd faced this kind of intimidation. Some initiation ritual, every group thought they were the worst, or best, at it. He didn't really have an opinion, just waiting for the giant to get on with it. 

In a nutshell, here's what he said: he was the top dog, the shot caller. The new recruits were the lowest of the low, and the only move was to follow orders. How hard was it to say that? And what's with all the cursing? 

"Hey kid, come over," Fancy Guy called out. By now, Bor and company had already disembarked, and were settling in to their new bunks. All they knew of their new home was that it had very well built hallways, and this was Bor throwing shade. 

They had been led through various hallways until they found their bunks. There was room for about fifty men in one bunk. At the moment, there were only twelve, and that was including the two they found. Supposedly, they had arrived that morning. 

Looking as Fancy guy, he did not seem to have the usual demeanor, as though he was in a rush to get away from here. Even Heavyset guy, who usually looked as though nothing could get to him, was hiding out in the train, all set to leave. 

"Look, to be of any value, we need you sharp, trained. Say what you like about Nagri, but he's a good trainer. He'll have you sharp in no time, make a man out of you. Survive the next few weeks, I'll have some job for you." 

"Hold on, you're leaving just like that? I don't even know your name." Bor blurted out. He knew he was not supposed to ask questions, but this was just too much secrecy. 

"Hehe, I was wondering how long it'd take you to ask," Fancy guy said. "Name's Rotich, that guy in there hiding, he's Okoo. Survive this next part and we'll have more information for you. Who knows, you might end up being one us."

Bor could sense a form of camaraderie from Rotich, something he had not felt before. He still didn't know who he worked for, or if he had the right to. For now, he was at Nagri's mercy.