Chapter 28

COMMANDER REED'S POV...

At my defensive fortifications on the border between Districts 12 and 11, one hundred thousand troops were stationed to isolate the prisoners of District 12 from the Fallen Species outside the border.

I was never one to like surprise attacks; that was why I made sure my District was always well-fortified with the strongest soldiers who were well-equipped with the right weapons.

The main checkpoint was a fortress resembling a government building, with clearly defined functions, including a temporary prison, soldiers' quarters, a central control room, and the commander's residence. As the commander of a District, I had to make sure that I separated my building from that of the soldiers' quarters and every other building.

I needed to make everyone understand that I was in charge and should always be treated with respect and fear.

And, I made everyone understand, both soldiers and prisoners, that anyone who dared to cross me would go in for it by paying for it gravely, or worse...with his life.

At the moment, soldiers gathered around an arena in the training ground, watching me as I dueled a soldier.

I was wearing a black tank top that revealed my feather tattoos. I know the soldier that was dueling with me was intimidated by me, by my looks, height, and aura, but he wasn't a soldier for nothing, he had to be able to face me so he could be prepared to face people that were worse than I am...if there were.

"Get up, you pussy, fight like a soldier!" I spat out, taunting the soldier.

He lay weak on the floor, struggling to get up on his feet, the hot sun was shining down on us, but I didn't care, each time I fought, I lost all sense of things around me, even if this wasn't a good fight, it was still something I enjoyed doing, even though there was no worthy partner for me, I could still keep myself busy with these useless soldiers.

It had just been thirty minutes since we started this boring duel, but the lame soldier was already looking as if he had been fighting for three days.

I heard chuckles from the side; the other soldiers were laughing at the useless soldier I was fighting with, or rather, beating up.

"Get up, Soldier, and fight like one!" I dragged him up by the collar and punched him square in the face.

He staggered, blood dropped out from his lips as he staggered to stand on his feet. But, eventually, he fell unceremoniously to the ground, and dust rose around him at his defeated fall.

I spat beside him in disgust and wiped my lips. "What a waste of time."

The other soldiers who were watching from aside were hooting at my triumph...as always. Soon, the medics team ran over to take him away.

"Commander, please permit us to take him away for treatment," One of the medic team members bowed in front of me and asked.

They knew better than to just come and carry the soldier out without getting an order from me, they'd had just ended up being in the same situation as the beat soldier.

I gave him an indifferent look and nodded at him, "Take him away," I ordered.

"Yes, commander," The medic team leader bowed once again before they proceeded to lift the wounded soldier from the ground and onto the stretcher, carrying him out from the fight scene.

From the way the soldier they were carrying out looked, I didn't think he would survive, but whatever; if he survived, that meant more men for me, but if he died, it meant more food for the living. I wasn't at a loss either way.

I walked over to where I had hung my military jacket, pulled it from the makeshift mobile wardrobe, and donned it on my body.

I stood in place for a while, pride seeping through my veins as I looked around and saw numerous soldiers, all were loyal to me.

I was the strongest, unrivaled in the whole Districts, and I wasn't afraid of anything or anyone; that was how I got to where I was today; my bravery and strength were all it took me, and I wasn't about to lose them.

I slowly walked to the entrance of the combat area and stepped down from it, and as I walked past my soldiers, I was receiving both admiration and fear from them.

Admiration, and fear. Those were emotions that I had gotten accustomed to seeing in people whenever I was beside them or whenever they saw me or heard my name. It didn't come as a surprise anymore; I was the undefeated, the unmatched, the brave, and the mighty. No man dared to ever go against me, Commander Reed of the dreaded District 11, and I will make sure I will forever remain feared and admired.

I ignored all the admiring and fearful looks I got from the soldiers and walked away, heading straight toward my building.

"Welcome, Commander," The soldiers guarding my gate saluted me as I walked past my gate.

I didn't reply to them, I didn't have to.

I went in, and as usual, everything was already set for me; I discarded the clothes I used to fight and entered the shower to wash off the filthy sweat and dust from my body.

After a shower, I heard a knock on my bedroom door and went to open it.

"Good afternoon, Commander," My Adjunct greeted me.

"Speak fast, Vex," I ordered coldly.

He nodded, "It's a message from your family; you were summoned to a ceremony to select a fiancée for your cousin, and, it's a mid-level Purifier." He informed me.

I scoffed, 'What a lame news.' I said to myself.

"Go, Adjunct Vex, your message has been delivered. But as you know, I'd have to decline, I'd rather prefer to stay at thE fort to guard the high-security prisoners," I dismissed him.

Of course, it wasn't the reply he was waiting to hear, but my word was law, so he bowed his head in respect and quietly left.

He knew better than to do otherwise.

I was about to close my door when suddenly, an alarm blared and it could only mean one thin__The high-voltage fence has been breached.

Outside, the garrison soldiers immediately went on high alert.