Brian took a deep breath and bounced lightly on his heels—until someone slammed into him from behind, knocking him face-first into the dirt. Dust filled his nose and clung to his uniform.
"Whoa! Chill out, man, no need to rush!" a voice said from behind him.
"What the hell, dude?!" Brian snapped, pushing himself up.
"Wasn't me!" said a dark-haired guy with a stitched-up scar along his lip. He pointed a finger toward Matt in the next row.
"Hey! You shoved him, you fucking jerk!" Matt shot back.
"The fuck are you gonna do, pretty boy?" The guy pushed Matt away, so Danny got to step in immediately.
"Aha, nah, nah, you don't."
In the midst of a tense situation, The guy looked at Danny with predatory eyes before walking away without any words.
Brian brushed himself off and took his place again. The robot signaled for the third group. He dashed through the course, swinging over the rope and landing cleanly at the finish. Dan reached him a few minutes later.
"Yo, amigo! What'd you do to that puto?" Dan asked, crouching beside him.
"Don't really know." Brian stretched his neck. "That guy, who is he?"
Dan leaned closer. "That lip-scar dude? Simeon Killese. Used to run with a cartel — got kicked out for being, well… too much of a jackass. Word is~ he pissed off every client and boss he worked for. Honestly, you're just as big as him, man. You don't need to take crap from that cabrón."
Brian sighed. "Somehow he got to join the camp, huh? Yeah, maybe. Anyway, we survived the first week — that's something."
Dan groaned dramatically. "Man, I miss Smoke n' Taco already."
Brian laughed. "Few more months, Danny. After that, A free birds." He lifted a hand, and Dan grabbed it, pulling him up.
"Heard command's sending postgraduates straight to the Middle East, 1000 slots available in the state," Dan said as he helped him stand.
Brian glanced at the others resting around the field. "Hmm… tempting. I'll think about it. You?"
"No clue. My wife still hasn't written me back. Guess I'll follow your lead."
Brian shook his head. "Are you serious? Don't let anyone make your choices for you, man. Your life's your own."
Dan grinned. "Not even Papi and Mami?"
Brian smirked, patting his shoulder. "Hahaha. Anyway, let's talk about it later. Come on, form up before the sergeant shows. Hope not to get kicked in the ass today."
"You got it, hermano. No mud for me," Dan chuckled as they both walked back to the field, killing time under the setting sun.