-1-

I couldn’t  stop myself.

 I was obsessed and so was he.

 I took every minute we were alone to touch him, to gain his trust even more than I had because I wanted more. 

 For weeks I continued with our relationship but, if I even tried to go one step farther, touch him the wrong way Alex would detach  from me and become uninterested.  Something I would have to handle for now.

 Otherwise, I felt like things were coming into place for me. Roemer was ahead in the polls and I knew if I was here taking control of his prisoners I was helping further his cause, an idea that filled me with great pride.  I liked Roemer, supported his platforms and had sent most of my paycheck his way.

The only mystery in my life was that damn suicide.

I wanted to talk to Robert about it some more to see if we could figure it out but, I couldn't because Alex was always there. I had gotten Alex a desk in my office and placed it in a way so he could never see what I was doing but, I could always see what he was doing. I put aside the progress reports I was reviewing and logged into the surveillance  system to review the footage the day before Harlow's suicide.

He was on good behavior and even made banter with the guards about this being his last day. I could tell Harlow must have been somewhat of a charmer, he was tall and broad shouldered, he leaned against the cell like he was just hanging out a night club.  Unlike his pale little brother who always seemed to have his head in the clouds,  Harlow  had dark eyes and dark hair and he appeared to always be thinking. He spent the rest of his day in the cell, being absolutely normal. No outbursts or writing on the wall or anything. 

"I'm done with these papers," Alex said walking over to my desk with a stack of files.

I shut the screen down as he came closer. 

"Just put them in my desk, Alex. I am heading out for lunch. " I said, letting my hand graze his.

I got out of my chair and headed for the door. I was sure if there was an answer to Harlow's death, Alex would know it but, I couldn't have him mixed into this. Alex was sensitive and if I brought him to deep into this he could have an emotional breakdown and become useless.   I was at the door when I turned around and saw Alex sitting at my desk, putting the files away. 

Alex was misplaced sitting behind me desk, I was flattered he wanted to be like me but, I never see that happening. Not for him. He was lost just sitting behind my desk.

I'm not nostalgic in anyway but, something implied me and I hit the camera on my Syndicate and captured the image of him in that moment.

 He didn't even notice I had done it.

-2-

 

After a while, things slowed down at Camp Independence. The privates I had taught from the Harmony Platoon got all they could from being at Independence and were given permanent assignments elsewhere or given permanent assignment within the camp. 

Private Collins, an intelligent young man was now Corporal Collins. He and a few others  were being promoted so, on the Saturday before the Harmony Platoon would be dispersed to their new assignments we had a small ceremony for them in an empty room followed by a last minute party in the mess hall.  I recommended the promotion and I was proud of Collins, he was very smart, he knew when to take orders and when to take initiative and divert from orders. 

 At the party I spotted Collins sitting by himself in a chair in the corner. I walked up to him with Alex following behind me.

"Congratulations, Collins," I said

"Congratulations, sir," Alex echoed

"Thank you, Sgt. Maxwell, sir." Collins said standing up.

"At ease, today is your day." I said sitting next to him adjusting the new  chevrons on his lapel. " I know you wanted a position in the sniper program but, I just couldn't in good faith recommend you right now. "

"Sir, I am just excited to really start my military career," Collins said,  "You know, I want to help the new privates as they come in and help you in anyway I can. I'll just train more and one day I'll go to the sniper school, see some real action but, for now I will be here."

"Excellent attitude," I said, "Don't be like me, son. Don't let this place get to you."

Collins chuckled to himself.

"I've heard that a lot. I won't, sir."

A group of privates called to Collins and he walked off leaving me and Alex. Alex took Collin's vacated seat and I put my arm over  his shoulder.

"Sir ?" he asked

"What ?,"

"What did you mean when you  said don't be like me, don't let this place get to you ?,"

I patted his shoulder and then removed my arm from him.

"You may not know this Alex but, this place is a limbo of sorts. We aren't a cutting edge or specialized operation, nothing of importance happens here, just the mundane things. We are a step above boot camp but, a step below everyone else."

"But, you have the prison here." he pointed out.

" Well , being around a bunch of prisoners for so long just makes you cynical, you haven't noticed that attitude from everyone here ? Camp Independence is not a place a man wants to live out a military career."

"I see," Alex said, "So, will you leave here eventually ?,"

I didn't answer him but, just looked at the party going on in front of us. With the lack of alcohol and women any kind of informal activity on camp tended to be less than exciting but, it was better than nothing.

Most of the men were standing around talking loudly in groups and a few had started dancing soberly in the middle of the room.

***

The Harmony platoon left for their new assignments that same night  as  the party and  a new platoon of soldiers would not be arriving until Monday.  Sunday was a quiet day filled with us long timers going about the day.

The prisoners were being supervised by the new corporals, relieving me of some of my duties

I spent that Sunday in the shipping and receiving yard where all of our new supplies were delivered. I decided to get a head start on cataloging the new supplies.  I  had Alex accounting for the new Syndicates the government had shipped for the prisoners, they would make keeping track of them a lot easier.

Of course, most things the government gives you are absolute shit.  I wanted to make sure they worked and we had time to so spare so, to test them out I told Alex to go somewhere  far with one of the Syndicates and called the ones left here with me. I would pick up and we would know they worked.

All of the phone numbers were 1-26 and then a CI for Camp Independence.

To my surprise they were all working fine until he never called the 26^th one. I called the Syndicate he had with him.

“Haley ?,” I said

I heard static. I called his name for 10 minutes until I saw Alex walking towards me.

“What the hell are you doing here ?,”  I asked,

“I thought we were done.” He said,” I called 24 Syndicates and I have the 25^th one so--,”

“There were 26 in the shipment,  not, 25—don’t tell me you are so fucking stupid you still can’t count. Where is the Syndicate ? I’ve been calling you !,”

“I-left in your office, sir I--,”

“GO AND GET IT !,” I ordered,” That is government property and I don’t trust a single person in this camp!,”

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

As he ran off, I sat back in my chair frustrated at just how useless he was becoming. Suddenly,I heard voices in the background coming from the Syndicate. That stupid kid had left it on. It was the sound of my office door opening. Alex  hadn’t made it back that quickly and the only person who could get into my office were some of the senior Corporals.

I began to hear two distinct voices of Corporal Strange and Corporal Mercer. They seemed to be complaining about the hot weather like the two ignorant bastards they were when I heard the familiar  hesitant sound of Alex’s light foot steps and then his voice.

“Hello, Corporal Strange, sir and Corporal Mercy, sir I jus--”

“It’s Mercer.” Mercer corrected him.

Damn, that boy  was losing it. I would have to do something about that.

“I’m  sorry, si--,”

“We are conducting private business so get the hell out,” Mercer ordered.

“I jus-,”

“That’s an order, boy.” Mercer continued

"But-"

"Don't talk back to me." Mercer  said

I heard Haley retreat from the room then I heard Mercer and Strange were going through my drawers. 

“Damn, this is a tiny lighter,” Strange said

They were smoking the joints I kept hidden in my office. I began to call Strange on my own Syndicate and give him a little surprise.

“Hey, was that smart ?,” Strange asked,” Sergeant will get you if you are mean to that boy.”

I paused mid-call.

 “I wasn’t mean,” Mercer said, “ You have to show who is boss with all the subordinates, right?”

Right. Good man.

“He isn’t just a subordinate though, he is like Sgt. Maxwell’s little pet,” Strange said.

“If I know what you mean.” Mercer laughed,” Lansing and I’s room is next door to Maxwell’s. I’m not 100% sure but, I totally think they are fucking or he is raping the shit out of that little blonde fucker.  Why else would Maxwell be so nice to him-- I mean as nice as Maxwell gets. I bet it won’t be to long until someone higher up notices.”

“We are all horny as hell, man but, do you really think he would pick someone so dumb to fuck around with ?,” Strange asked

“Better him than us. I don’t need to spend anymore time with Maxwell than I have to,” Mercer said

They both started laughing.

“You know having an affair with a prisoner—with anyone in this camp could get him dismissed. “  Strange said.

“Really ? I never thought about it like that. Imagine the scandal that would erupt,” Mercer said,” I bet if I had enough proof he would be court marshaled. I'm sure, the kid would crack under oath. Hell, I think I’d make a better Sergeant of the section anyway. Maxwell doesn’t know the first thing about these prisoners. I guess it’s because he is too busy getting busy.”

They were quiet for a while.

“Hey, man . . .you wouldn’t, would you ?,” Corp. Strange said,  a bit of concern in his voice.

“Report him ? Why not ? Shit, I hate that kid and I hate Maxwell and his power trips. He needs to go back to kissing judges asses.”

They started laughing again.

I had heard enough.

I stormed out the shipment yard and across the camp. It was quite a distance and I usually drove but, I was feeling extremely  determined.

Haley and I’s true relationship was not something I needed other knowing about. Not only was it enough for dismissal it was damaging to my career and my life’s goal. He was so beneath me in social classes and education level it sickened me. If someone as stupid as Mercer was suspicious anyone could be.

I was being to nice to him, I was opening my heart too much. This had started because I wanted to have sex with him and saw an opportunity. I had all the control but somewhere along the line I had given it to someone else.

I reached  County Hall where Haley was pacing around outside with a worried look on his face.

“Sir, I tried to get it back but, the two cor-,”

“I don’t care. Stay out here.” I said

As I reached the entrance one of the newly appointed corporals began to walk speedily ahead of me, knocking on the walls as he went along.

Clearly, the lookout.

A very bad one at it.

I made it to my office—Strange and Mercer were standing up, trying to act casual. The room  smelled like weed.

“Sir,” they greeted me but, I was onto something else. I went over to my desk and pulled out the papers and began to scribble my signature on them. I was seething in anger and they could see it.

“Is everything alright sir ?,” Strange asked weekly.

I kept writing.

“Sir ?” Mercer asked

I made that last two looping L’s of my signature.

“Mercer!” I barked

He came over to my desk, with  a nervous look on his face. He really thinks he could take my job ? Not with that kind of fear.

“I am blacklisting you. You will spend 20 days in isolation without pay, leave privileges have been revoked indefinitely and one more small mistake and you will be demoted or dismissed,”

“Sir, may I ask--,”

“No, you may not ask anything.” I said and then looked up at Strange,” Take that as a warning, Strange.”

I walked out  of the office and back outside to Haley.

“Follow me.” I said

I was going to get what I want.

 And end this.

 I just had no plan to tell him.

-3-

I headed directly back to my quarters the minute the door closed I began to undress. Haley stood by the door looking at me in shock. I grabbed Haley and  began to unbutton his shirt, he put his hand over mine.

"Sir, I'm so-," 

"Be quiet." I said

 I shoved his hands away and jerked at his shirt until the buttons  popped and the shirt opened. I violently ripped the shirt off him, pulled his gray t-shirt off over his head, took off his belt and pants and finally removed his black briefs.  He kept trying to give  me apologizes that I didn't care about. He smelled like dirt and sweat from running back and forth from County Hall to the Shipment Yard. I pushed him back into the small bathroom and put us both into the shower.

He made a small whining noise as the ice cold water came out of the shower head directly over his head. I paused as I let the water get warmer, it was  cascading directly over him, rippling down every inch of his small body.  I rubbed the  bar of soap in my hands and put them on his scared face--washing it. I carefully worked down from there.

I was feeling calm as I washed him with  my hands craving the feeling of his smooth wet skin but, I was still very pissed. He was beginning to trust me now and even enjoy this. He made small circles with his hands rubbing soap into  my chest and abdomen.  He opened his mouth to speak but I shook my head. I had no room for conversation because I did not have much good to say to him. I had no idea when I started  considering the feelings of others so much. It was a weakness.

After nearly an hour, I pulled us out of the shower and I saw a look of content in his eyes as I dried of his body.  Using my body I guided him towards the bed. He got on his toes and was about to kiss me but I pulled away a second before leaning down to let him kiss me. His lips touched mine and his hands reached to hold on to my face, his fingers inches from my ears, I impulsively smiled.  His innocent kiss became more passionate and I had to pull away.

“You aren’t going to like this.” I said, my voice dripping with regret and love.

I sat on the bed and obedient as ever he began to give me oral sex as I thought about what my next move was going to be. His hands were on the inside of my thighs and I could barely get my head straight.

It seemed easy but, I could not be merciless towards him.

I reached over to my desk drawer and pulled out a box of condoms and the body oil. The condoms were vanilla flavored  but I was sure they worked the same. I took the Rubix’s cube off of my desk just in case as well.

I pulled Haley off of me and he seemed almost disappointed he could not please me. He was never this eager to be with me,  he was just trying to make up for his stupid mistakes earlier.

Mistakes I didn't  care about anymore.

I pulled him up and  laid him on the bed on his stomach, he turned and looked up at me trying to figure out what I was up to. I put my knees on either side of his hips and hovered over him as I  kissed the back of his neck. I covered my hands in lavender oil let my them wander over his neck and around the small of his back and finally  down to his ass, as soon as he felt me touch him there he tensed up and pushed my hand away with his hand but, I would not let him.

 How could he not trust me not to hurt him ?

I massaged his back until he relaxed for just a second and then I pushed two of my fingers inside of him. He inhaled sharply making that small whining noise, again. It only turned me on more.

“Stop, that hu--,”

I put the Rubix’s cube in his face

“Solve that,now. I won’t touch you. I could never hurt you. I promise”

If he concentrated on something else, he would be less of a fight.

He worked at the puzzle and I worked on him for half of an hour. Both ventures were proving to be  unsuccessfully. The cube, I knew was unsolvable.

After a while he was clearly enjoying being touched  and my erection was so hard now it was almost painful. The sweet aromatic scent of lavender and vanilla was all over him and I could not control myself any longer.

I pressed my hand hard into his back, pinning him down and forced myself  into his warm body. He dropped the cube  and grunted in pain. I put my arms around his slender waist and pulled him back on to his knees as  I continued to thrust myself into him. His hands turned into fists gripping the beige bed sheets

I fucked him for 10 minutes and through it all he was silent and never relaxed.  I felt his prostate and when he had an  orgasm but,   he never verbally acknowledged it. When I finally pulled out  and came on the sheets it was clear he had not enjoyed it as much as I had.

 And I had enjoyed it. 

When I let his hips go , he dropped on to the bed and his hands unclenched the bedsheets. He just lay face down on the bed like he was dead.  

I grabbed my discarded t - shirt and wiped the small stream of blood trickling down his thigh, I let my bare hand linger patting his leg.

It was time.

I finally put my arms around his body,turned him over and I saw he had been crying. I had not looked into his face the entire time. I wanted to apologize to make it up to him or to hold him and tell him how amazing he felt.

I moved my hand back through his hair for a few minutes just staring at him his mouth was in a straight line and  his eyes looked around manically--looking everywhere but at me. I continued to stare at him and observed no tears actually falling from his eyes.

He was fine.

I left him on the bed, stood up and took 2 of his uniforms out of the closet. I gave one to him and motioned for him to get dressed. I took the other uniform off the hanger and folded it. As he got dressed I put my boxers and undershirt back on.  When he was finished he looked at me.

 “Go to the barracks.” I said handing him the folded uniform

He stayed where he was, staring at me dumb. 

Haley had slept in my bed with me every night since his brother’s funeral.

“You are still a prisoner, Haley and you will do as I say. Go to the barracks.”

He looked hurt and ready to protest but never said anything. To see him upset  was painful to me but, to explain myself was even worse.  

I could not do anything to bring suspicion on myself anymore. The nature of our relationship could cost me my job and in turn, my life.  Nothing was worth giving my career goals up. Not even  the most fascinating person I had ever met.

This was all  my fault, I let things go to far but, he had no business knowing I had made a foolish mistake.

“Get out, now,” I said

“Okay,” he said

“Yes, sir.” I reminded him.

-4-

After that night there were still times I wanted his intimate company. I would have to make a public declaration that I wanted him in my quarters to clean or do extra work. As not to draw suspicion to myself I often had him clean and do work around  other officers’ quarters as well.

 If he became drunk   and subsequently could not let him go back to the barracks hungover  I let him sleep on the floor and left the room door wide open for anyone walking by to see him there, lying on the ground.  

This was the way things were to be.

I expected him to begin to resent me but, he never did.

He was to sweet.

--5--

Something had changed and I was never given an indication of what I had done. I could not be arrogant enough to come to the conclusion that I had not done anything at all. I missed my time with Sgt. Maxwell but,  I knew I had to be content with the current arrangement because I was getting paid and my job at home was surely gone.

This was my best option for now.

The only real time I spent with Sgt. Maxwell were maybe a few hours in his bedroom, so I had to take it and enjoy. Sgt. Maxwell made me follow the orders of everyone else in the camp and soon I was being asked to do more than I could handle. I was hardly following Sgt. Maxwell around anymore , in fact he forbade me to  follow him anywhere unless he requested it. There was even a few days when I never saw him at all and a sober time I went a week without seeing him. When I went by his office to begin work the door was locked and there was a list for me.

On Sunday, the last of the 16 prisoners was being released and Sgt. Maxwell was in an unusually good mood.

One of the prisoner’s  had a change of heart and decided to join the ranks of the army. He was on his way to basic training now.

All of us who worked with the prisoners had an early night on Sunday and Sgt. Maxwell called me into his room.

Judging by his breath as he kissed me he had already been drinking, his kisses made me weak at the knees,just  the small ones before his teeth and tongue harassed my mouth. I endured through it when he  had sex with me. After he was finished he seemed to be somewhat euphoric and more affectionate than usual. He held me in his arms, close to his chest, kissing my face.

"Did it hurt ?," he whispered into my ear.

I nodded my head.

Sgt. Maxwell picked up his abandoned tie and began to play with it in his large hands.

"I don't make you feel good at all ?," he asked, his nose touching mine.

" A little, sir." I said

He pulled the tie around my neck, tightened it and kissed me. The tightness of the tie freaked me out a bit and I  pulled at it, he quickly untied it and put the tie into my hands. I played with the black tie and tied it over his wrist, binding them together. He laughed as I straddled his waist and brought his bound wrists over his head and tied them to the bed frame.

"What are you doing ?," he asked.

"I'm here, sir" I said leaning over him, "If you are like this, then maybe you can''t tell me to leave."

I attempted to  kiss his lips but, he turned his head from me.

"Alex, Alex, Alex . . .sweet little Alex, . . .  you know part of the reason you are here may have to do with my blood alcohol content," he said," I have to be reasonable."

"Reasonable, sir ?,"

"Very reasonable ?,"

I let my fingers walk across his face and concentrated on touching his lips. The lips that told me words I often never wanted to hear. He opened his mouth and started sucking on tips of my fingertips.

After a while Sgt. Maxwell sat up and easily pulled his hands free of the knotted tie.

" Another reason you are here is because I have something for you." he said, " You are kind, hardworking and beautiful but,   I am always be looking for ways to improve you, you know that ?”

A backhanded compliment but, a compliment none the less.

“ I want to be improved,sir” I said to him .

“Good boy.” He smiled ,”I'm very glad. Now, close your eyes.”

I hesitated.

"I'm not going to hurt you." he said kissing my cheek, it was becoming more obvious to me he was drunk, "I have a  little gift for you."

I closed my eyes and I felt his large muscular arms take hold of me.  I was excited in expectation to see what he was going to do next. He laid me gently on my side, I felt my head lying on something hard and flat, I opened my eyes but he covered them with his hands.

“It’s just a clipboard.” He said,”Keep your  eyes closed.”

He pulled on my ear and started kissing it, it tickled.

 I then felt a sharp pain in my ear and he muffled my scream with his fist as something dug it’s way through the tough cartilage of my ear and kept stabbing me. It was like he was stapling my head to the clipboard.

 I jumped and fought, pulling his hands and the sharp object away from me. I tried to back away and lost my balance, he tried to grab me as I toppled off the bed backwards and collided headfirst into the hard concrete floor.

Tears sprang from my eyes and I tried to stop more from coming but, the fall and the pain was reverberating through my body. I covered my mouth as uncontrollable  sounds came out.

“Shhh, !”Sgt. Maxwell said standing over me,” Alex , shut the fuck up ! Be quiet you are fine,”

I could barely hear him over the hollow sound of my own  crying. I had never cried in pain like this before.  He was saying something and I wasn’t listening. I heard him messing with his clothes and quickly getting dressed.

“Shit!,” he kept saying. He went down the hall and left the door open and  I heard him knock on a door.

I began to sit up, holding on to the bed post to keep my balance. I heard footsteps coming near and I saw Sgt. Maxwell and Maj. Channing materialize above me.

“Oh, what the hell, Ken ? ,” Maj. Channing said kneeling down and looking me over.

“There is no blood. He is fine, right ?,” Sgt. Maxwell said

“Have you been drinking ? Have you lost your mind, Kenneth Maxwell?,” he chastised Sgt. Maxwell

“Let it go,” Sgt. Maxwell said.

“Haley ?,” Maj. Channing said to me. He sounded far away. It was so odd.

Was I dying ?

“Don’t sit up, Haley. Just, lie back down, now” Maj. Channing said to me

I did as he said.

“Good. Now tell me, what day is it ?,” Maj. Channing  asked, a bright light was hurting my eyes.

The light appeared out of nowhere and swung from side to side. It was yellow and slightly blurry.

“Haley, the day ?,” Maj. Channing asked

Just as soon as it had come on the bright light went away.

“Alex!,” Sgt.Maxwell shouted to get my attention.

“I don’t know,” I said

“Alright that’s  fine, that's fine. Tell me, what year is it ?,” Maj. Channing asked

“2081,” I said

“Good, that's right. Okay, then.  He is fine then, right ?,” Maxwell said

I heard Maj. Channing breathe deeply, I was sure I heard him say fuck under his breath.

“Let’s get him up.”

They each took one of my arms and helped me stand up,  I was dizzy and leaned against the bed to keep my balance.

“Jesus Christ, Ken.” Maj. Channing said, he sounded angry, ”Let’s  get him dressed and let’s take him to the infirmary just to make sure.”

They helped me get a pair of pants on and I felt Sgt. Maxwell carrying me outside. We went towards one of the cars and we drove to the infirmary, my head felt heavy and I kept it in my hands. I wanted to tell them I would be fine but, I kept forgetting.

When we got to the infirmary it was empty and dark. I sat on one of the hospital tables  and the Major asked me a lot of questions. I was seeing clearly now.

The Major's thinning hair was tousled, he was wearing his black silk pajamas and his smile was covering his irritation.

“He is fine, right ?,” Sgt. Maxwell said again.

“No concussion.,” Major Channing said, “He  just had the wind knocked him but, I ‘m not concerned about that fall . I’m concerned about this.”

He reached his hands towards my head, I looked in the mirror to see my ear was red, raw and bleeding with an silver earring sticking out of it. That was what Sgt. Maxwell had stabbed me with.

“It would have been fine. He moved--,”

“He moved, my ass ! ” Major Channing said,”How fucking dumb are you, Ken ?”

Sgt. Maxwell almost looked dumbstruck, I had never heard anyone dare to talk to him like that. Maj. Channing opened one of the drawers and took out a wipe.

“This is going to sting, I’m sorry,” he said as he wiped my ear.  It did more than stung it burned worse than the original stabbing so I gritted me teeth to hide the pain.

“Don’t pretend it doesn’t hurt for his sake.” Maj. Channing said, “Seriously, what the hell, Ken ?”

“He would have been fine, it was just a small hole,” Sgt. Maxwell said.

 I gritted my teeth harder as he wiped the last bit of blood off.

"All done." Maj. Channing said.

“Thank you, Robert.” Sgt. Maxwell said,” I can explain  this whole situation I--,”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me. Or lie to me. I only have your best interest at heart,” Maj.Channing said

“Well, you can go back to bed. Sorry about this,” Sgt. Maxwell said.

“It’s fine I have a train to catch in a few hours,” Maj. Channing said.” I have a meeting with the Life Project  in the morning."

"What ?," Sgt. Maxwell asked

"They said because I have been raising so much money they will consider bringing me on.”

“So, you are leaving Independence ?”

“Not yet, no. But, you know I am overqualified for dealing with  broken bones and . . . infections.”

“Well, if you end up working with a bunch of Easterners don’t become one of them.”

“Enough with this ‘them’ business, Ken. It’s not about that, it’s a neutral benefit to study the effects of a deadly source. It’s not about ‘us’ and ‘them’ it’s about humanity.”

The Maj. turned on his monitors and began to make some notations and then gave me 2 bottles of pills and a bottle of liquid  and told me to write my name on them.

“This is  the good stuff you hear so much about," he said shaking the pill. " Take these pain pills with 16 oz of water—these aren’t children’s medication so the may be a bit strong for you--,”

“But, I’m 22 years-“

“It has nothing to do with age, you look like you barely have a pint of blood in you and when you first came here you said you haven't taken any type of narcotic in years. These medications are notoriously strong so, do as I say,”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry sir,”

“And put this disinfectant  on your ear every 6 hours or else I will have to cut it off,” he said.

“Yes, sir”

“I will leave this medicine here in the infirmary, you have to remember to come and get it yourself.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Any questions?,”

“No,sir”

 As he headed for the door he stopped and turned to Maxwell ,”Well, I think for all the trouble the boy at least deserves a kiss.”

 

-6-

Major Channing left us a  week later, he was called away to join the Life Project. He wasn’t the only one who left Camp Independence. Corporal Collins, the football star from Sun Valley was selected to go to sniper school at Ft. Liberty. Corporal Collins had become somewhat of a favorite to Sgt. Maxwell so Sgt. Maxwell was somewhat proud and sad.

 They threw a party for both of them. It was last minute on a Saturday and the only people who showed up where a few  new privates with nothing better to do and the Major General came briefly to shake their hands.

They searched for a new doctor but, recruits for the military were sparse and they finally found Dr. Frank and quickly promoted him to an officer’s position for the job. My ear healed fine and no one made any comments about the newest addition to my face.

Sgt. Maxwell began to put even more distance between us after that incident. He was more than distant he was cold and unfamiliar.

It didn't matter, I had a job to do, time went like clockwork and soon it was Monday again and we ushered our new set of prisoners into Camp Independence. They were sending harder criminals and  Sgt. Maxwell was getting stricter with them. He loved to call them up for their first line up and remind them who was in control.

 I looked at the line up they were all different people but, they had the same faces.

Except for one.