Chapter 5
Now, in the mess hall, his mask was slipping in front of everyone.
“Sir,” Cole said, forcing his voice steady, “this is absurd. She provoked me.”
Colonel Hartwell stepped closer.
“She stood in line for food.”
“She insulted my authority.”
“You knocked her tray onto the floor.”
Cole’s jaw tightened.
“She was disrespectful.”
The Colonel’s voice dropped.
“You placed your boot on her utensil while she was kneeling.”
No one moved.
Cole looked around, searching for help.
The soldiers who had feared him yesterday stared back in silence.
Not loyal silence.
Witness silence.
The kind that watches a storm finally reach the right house.
The MPs secured Cole’s wrists behind his back.
A young private at the nearest table whispered, “Oh my God.”
Cole heard it.
His face twisted.
“Shut up,” he snapped.
Colonel Hartwell’s eyes sharpened.
“Add retaliation in the presence of command.”
The MP on Cole’s left nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
Cole stopped moving.
That was the moment he understood the room had changed.
Every word now had weight.
Every gesture now had cost.
The Colonel turned to me.
“Specialist Walker.”
I straightened.
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you injured?”
“No, sir.”
His eyes flicked to the red mark on my wrist.
“Medical will confirm that.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cole stared at me.
Specialist.
He clung to that rank like it could still save him.
Then the Colonel said, “Agent Walker, after medical, I want your preliminary report on my desk.”
The room shifted.
Agent.
Not just specialist.
May you like
Not just young soldier.
Not just the girl in the old uniform.
