As I was leaving the training field, my mind was still a whirlwind of questions about those energy guns and the figure who had called out to me earlier.
I paused for a moment, rubbing my temples, when I heard the sound of boots scuffing against the floor behind me.
I turned sharply, and there she was, Beth.
Her presence was commanding, even in the shadows.
The glow from a nearby light caught her sharp features and dark brown skin, and her piercing eyes seemed to size me up like I was a curiosity she couldn't quite figure out.
"You're Sky, right?" she asked again, her voice carrying a sharp edge that made it clear she wasn't just confirming my identity out of politeness.
I nodded cautiously.
"Yeah. That's me."
A chuckle escaped her lips, but it wasn't warm or friendly.
It was mocking.
"So you're the one they're all talking about. The failure of a soldier."
I blinked, taken aback.
Her bluntness caught me off guard, but then it hit me...
Of course.
This is Beth.
The same arrogant idiot from the novel.
I straightened up and met her gaze.
"Yep, that's me," I replied, letting a bit of pride seep into my voice. "And who might you be?"
Her grin widened, a flash of teeth that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I'm Beth. First-class private. Powerful. Respected. Feared."
She listed her accomplishments like she was reciting a resume meant to intimidate me.
Before she could keep going, I interrupted, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh, is that all? I was asking if you had a title. You know, something that only you possess. Something unique."
Her grin faltered, just slightly, as if she was trying to piece together whether I was serious or mocking her.
I crossed my arms, leaning against the wall casually.
"Because if I recall, you don't exactly have anything like that, do you?"
Her grin returned, this time with a touch of amusement.
"You're amusing," she said, her tone a mix of condescension and genuine entertainment.
"I didn't think you'd be this bold."
She gestured to the three other first-class privates Sergeant Thomas had introduced earlier, her finger lazily pointing in their direction.
"See them? They got those guns after I did. Except for the fifth one." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she added, "The fifth gun, as I'm sure you know, was yours."
"And?" I asked flatly.
"And," she continued, taking a step closer, "do you know why that is? Why you ended up with something so significant only for it to be taken away?"
I shrugged, feigning indifference.
"Not really. Don't care, either. Doesn't bother me at all."
Her grin twitched, like she was trying to decide if I was bluffing or genuinely unbothered.
For me, it was neither, I am already almost used to how they treat Sky here, this is the normal or maybe they have done something worse to him, I don't know.
Rather than caring about what Sergeant Thomas did, Instead I was too busy trying to figure out what she wanted.
Her sudden interest in me wasn't casual, and I wasn't naive enough to think this was just idle curiosity.
Beth tilted her head, studying me.
"Do you feel anything about how Sergeant Thomas treated you? Taking the gun like that, and presenting a random person in front of everyone, instead of you?"
Her tone was probing, but I could hear the subtle undercurrent of manipulation.
She wanted something from me, though I couldn't figure out what just yet.
I laughed suddenly, the sound echoing.
It was a harsh, sarcastic laugh, the kind that said, I see what you're doing, and I'm not playing along.
Beth blinked, caught off guard by my reaction.
"Let me ask you something," I said, my voice steady and firm. "What's your goal here? Why the sudden interest in me?"
For a moment, she didn't say anything.
Then, slowly, a sly smile spread across her face.
"You're not what I expected," she said cryptically. "They told me about you, but this… This wasn't part of the description."
She turned, walking a few steps away before glancing over her shoulder.
"Here's some advice, Sky, don't get in my way. And don't let any foolish ideas get into that head of yours. It won't end well."
With that, she strode off, her boots clicking against the floor, leaving me standing there with more questions than answers.
How in the world can I get in her way. I'm not even in her league. Not even close.
Or does she think I have potential.
I don't think that is it though.
I think she drank too much before coming here.
Still mulling over the bizarre encounter, I made my way to the cafeteria.
The smell of overcooked rations and stale bread greeted me as I stepped inside.
Grabbing a tray, I loaded up on whatever looked edible and found a quiet corner far from the chatter of the other soldiers.
I was halfway through my meal, lost in thought about Beth and her mysterious warnings, when someone slammed a hand against my table.
The impact made my tray jump, and I looked up sharply, my heart racing.
"Wha-!"