Page 12 of Leave Me Behind
Malum.I had to look it up the first time I’d heard of them. When I was assigned to Riøt at the start of my military sentence, I didn’t know there were two other dark forces squads that were just as lethal as we were. Hades: The hounds they send to wreak havoc. Riøt: The executors of traitors. And Malum:The Evil—the squad that goes where no one else can or is qualified to go, to snuff out the enemy quietly like ghosts in the darkness of night. Most of their missions are with secret organizations in remote locations. Busting black market weapons merchants or huge drug dealers that have integrated into society behind the facade of commercial retailers.
I straighten and keep my expression schooled into the hard and emotionless appearance that’s required to be sitting here in this room. They all give me bone-chilling stares. Bradshaw doesn’t even bother glancing my way. His arms are tightly crossed around his chest.
Anger swells inside my lungs but I keep it tamed.Show them I deserve to be here.
“I’m honored to be here, sir,” I respond with a sharp tone.
Eren smirks at me. “We all go by code names here, so I’ll only tell you your comrades’ names once. You’ll be good to rememberthem and protect them with your life, Private Gallows.” I give him a curt nod, my lips pressed firmly. Starting with the guy on my right he points to them and goes down the line. “Jefferson, Pete, Ian, and Harrison.” He skips Bradshaw and for a moment I think it’s because he knows I already met him. “Their corresponding code names are: Jobs, Badger, Colt, Wasp, and Bones. My code name is just Sergeant.”
Bones.
My eyes widen and that pit in my stomach sinks further with the confirmation of the worst-case scenario.
Please, God, tell me I didn’t fucktheBones, the dark ops guy who is rumored to be a death god. I once heard that he tore a soldier’s arm off and used the broken humerus bone as a spear as he shoved it down another’s throat. Not even his squad is supposed to know his identity. The same guy that I’m charged with being the direct second to. His partner in the trenches.
That guy.
“And your code name isBunny,” Eren says with a dark tone that sets my lungs ablaze. The corners of his lips twitch, suppressing a wry smile.
I look up at him sharply and glare. “I’m sorry, sir. That’s unacceptable.”
The men all burst into laughter except Bones, clearly not finding anything about this situation funny. He sits with his arms firmly crossed, refusing to look at me. His black compression long-sleeve shirt is tight against his skin, making those memorable muscles stand out.
Eren levels me a cruel grin. “Your squad chose your code name for you, Bunny. Are you implying that they aren’t worthy to name their newest squadmate?”
My teeth bore a hole into the side of my cheek and blood blooms across my tongue. I can’t decline it. Of course, they would do this to me. I’m not surprised but it still stings my pride.Even Riøt called me Gallows. They found my name to fit my personality and ruthless executions. With a deep breath, I force a hard smile. “No sir, Bunny… is adequate.” God, those words are physically painful to say.
The men roar with laughter once more and I have to bury my nails into my palm to keep from losing my shit. It’s ten thousand times worse than being laughed at by eighteen- and nineteen-year-old comrades; I wasn’t as tough back then as I am now. These men are full-grown assholes. Early thirties, maybe mid to late twenties like me and they still act like pricks.
They can make fun of me all they’d like. It’s me who’s going to be saving their asses in the field. If they want to call me Bunny, then I’ll be the most vicious little creature they’ve ever crossed.
“Aw, she’s so cute guys,” Pete says in a condescending voice. There isn’t a hint of jovial lightheartedness in those dark brown eyes of his.
Jefferson tilts his head at me and scowls. “I don’t even think she’s cute. Riøt Squad must’ve been blind,” he remarks as he nudges Pete with his elbow.
I stand abruptly and slam my hands on the table. That gets their attention. They shut up and stare at me with hatred.
“Don’t talk about my squad,” I threaten Jefferson. He sits tall in his seat, with short light-brown hair that’s slicked back.
He narrows his eyes at me, clearly not caring about my fair warning, as he snaps back, “Ex-squad,Bunny.They’re all dead.”
I lunge at him to… I don’t know, hit him or something irrational, but Bones grabs my wrist tightly and whistles. “Whoa, Bun. You’ll only excite us if you getphysical.” I whirl on him and tear my arm from his hold, glaring daggers into his eyes. His brow raises with mild amusement.
“That’s enough. Bunny,sit,”Eren commands, opening up his black folder and organizing some pages for the briefing.
Reluctantly, I sit down and only look at the front of the room. This has already turned into the shithole I knew it would be. Bradshaw lets out a long breath. Harrison and Ian talk in a hushed tone, throwing me glares frequently. I hear my squad’s name a few more times in their exchange. I dig my nails into the leather arms of my chair.
Assholes.
“You guys know the drill. When a new squad member joins the team, we take an extended training to bond and make sure they are a good fit. The last thing we want is a mission to go upside down due to lack of trust and skill set. Bunny was primarily the sniper on Riøt Squad, but we’ll need to see how her long distance and close combat skills work with us.”
“But Sarge, you said we don’t have a choi?—”
“Pete,” Bradshaw snaps and levels him a glare.
Eren gives Pete a pointed look before continuing. “Yeah, we technically don’t have a choice in whether or not she will fit with the team the way we want. But should she, say, throw in the towel”—his voice is thick with intent—“well, we just don’t have control of that, now do we?”
All heads in the room turn to me, while I look hopelessly at Eren, who I thought was someone I could partially count on but apparently not.
