Just Another Messy Ending

When I next opened my eyes, it was because Gerard (or "Party Poison") was gently shaking my shoulder and stepping out of the black Mercedes. Blinking away the sleep from my eyes, I stretched as much as the limited space would allow before pushing the door open and joining Gerard by his side. Looking around, the area looked completely deserted - literally. Sand stretched as far as the eye could see and the heat was heavy and humid, engulfing me in an almost unpleasant way. The only actual infrastructure visible was a sandy coloured building and what looked like a massive shooting range and training area about half a mile to the right of it.

Since Gerard started heading towards the sand camouflage building, I assumed that was where this 'base' was and where he (and now I) lived. I walked fast to keep up with his confident stride, my jeans clinging to the sides of my legs in the heat and making putting on a faster pace just that little bit more uncomfortable. When we neared the entrance to the building, I took a quick look over my shoulder, curious to see just how far we'd walked from the car in what felt like an hour but was probably minutes. When I turned around though, the car wasn't in sight, and by the amused smile
Gerard had on his face when I turned around to tell him it'd been stolen or something, I assumed he knew what happened to it and thought it funny that I didn't.

As we moved on closer, I noticed the outline of a man dressed all in black against the building. He made his way towards us, his step almost as confident as Gerard's.

Like Gerard and I, he had black hair- though his was longer and came down over his shoulders. A sleeveless leather jacket with a V top was all that was wrapped around his skinny torso and his long legs were clad in black leather looking pants; though, in this weather, I doubt they actually were leather, as anyone wearing leather pants in this heat was either stupid or suicidal and hoping for death by heatstroke. Judging by the fact that everyone here is meant to be very intelligent, I doubted he was stupid and I'm pretty sure the team wouldn't hire people who couldn't stay strong under pressure. Hence, it's probable that it was just leather-look material.

"This the new guy?" The man asked, his deep voice surprising me slightly. His figure and looks were almost actually quite feminine, so I didn't expect his voice to sound like that at all; I couldn't help but giggle a little, actually, causing him to look at me with a knowing glance.

"Didn't expect me to sound like that? Yeah, no one does. You should see my friend Danny, people make the opposite mistake with him. You'd expect him to have a tough, manly voice to go with his body, but nope, sounds girly as you like" he chuckled, even earning a small smile from Gerard.

I wonder what I'd have to do to earn a smile from him. His serious demeanour doesn't make him seem like a very humorous person.

"I would love to see that" I nodded, still smiling. The boy seemed really nice, definitely a potential friend in this place, which - on first impressions - gave off the sense that everyone keeps to themselves and are very secret. Well, they probably were, but I'd imagined them to be more hostile than this boy appeared to be.

"So, you got a name?" He asked, eyes flicking between me and Gerard, as if expecting either of us to answer.

"Yup, It's Billie Joe Ar-" I stopped myself mid speech by slapping a hand to my mouth and shoot a scared look at Gerard, who'd smacked his hand to his forehead. I'd nearly just broken his first rule about giving out your real last name. I hadn't even entered the building yet and I was already mucking up! I just hoped that Gerard wasn't going to be really mad at me.

"Sorry!" I squeaked, studying Gerard with wide eyes.

He slid his hand from his face and just rolled his eyes at me lightly, before lightly shaking his head.

"Don't worry about it; just think before you speak, okay?"

"Funny thing is I didn't actually mean your real name, I meant your code name. Code names we need to know but I would've waited until you felt comfortable enough to tell me your real name rather than just asking me for it". Andy piped up, making me blush even more at my mistake.

"Oh, in that case, I don't have one yet, well, I don't think I do?" I said the last bit like a question, looking towards Gerard for guidance just in case he'd given me one without telling me.

"No, you don't, you can choose your own, but I'd like it chosen by tomorrow". I automatically added a please onto the end of the sentence in my mind because of how my mother and father had always brought me up to use good manners. Of course, I then corrected myself again once my brain registered that Gerard is the boss and what he says goes. When he says something, he's not asking, he's telling.

"Yes, sir" I replied.

"Don't call me sir, I don't like it. Also, it tells anyone listening who's in charge. Just call me Party or Party Poison" he instructed. I couldn't help but notice how he never seemed to stumble over his words; he seemed so well spoken and confident in what he was saying - probably yet another reason he was a team leader. "Anyway, Weapon, show him to the bunk area would you and give him a rundown of schedule? I have to go visit the infirmary and see if this new staff member is as good as Barrone claims she is". With a nod to both myself and Weapon, he turned on heel and headed towards the building, but towards the back of it, rather than the front, where Weapon and I had started moving towards.

"Weapon? That your full code name or?" I asked a little awkwardly, thinking about how Gerard had said to call him either Party Poison or Party. I wanted to make conversation but really had no idea how.

"Nope, full one's Perfect Weapon, but most of us here shorten our codenames unless we are out on missions, were absolute professionalism is required. When we see people, I'll tell you their codenames, any information beyond that you'll either have to learn through observation or through them telling you" he answered easily with a smile that calmed the nervousness bubbling inside me slightly.

"Cool, I have no idea what I’m going to choose for mine, but I guess I better think of one soon. I don't really want to get on the wrong side of Gerard on the first day" I mused, taking in the scenery (or, more precisely, the lack thereof).

"Good idea. And just so you know, Gerard isn't a bad guy or anything, he just expects people to listen when he says things. If anything, because he doesn't want to see any of us injured or killed, which can happen if we don't listen. Don't let that panic you though; just listen to Gerard and you'll be fine, I promise". To say that my heart didn't beat a little faster when Andy said I could be hurt or killed, would be, quite frankly, a lie. Weapon really did seem to trust Gerard though, and that installed confidence about his abilities in me.

"Okay. So, is this the main, like, base? I don't know, something along those lines?" I questioned as we came to a halt in front of a camouflage and inconspicuous looking door.

"Pretty much, but I’ll explain where and what everything is when we're inside and you've settled in a bit. By the way, the bags you brought with you will already be on your bunk if you're wondering where they got to. They had to be searched".

I just nodded, feeling momentarily uneasy about the thought of someone going through my bags, before I realised there was nothing in there to be ashamed of.

"Ready to meet some people?" Weapon asked, sliding back a concealed cover on the wall next to the door and pressing his hand to it.

"As I’ll ever be".

And with that, the door slid open and I took my first steps inside what would soon be my new home.