Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Only Rules, No Personal Feelings
Neither of them spoke, waiting in silence for a long time. Suddenly, a minibus pulled up by the side of the road, its body bearing the logo of the Astoria Daily Press.
The main group was finally here...
Panic began to set in for Claire Sinclair.
’Even though this place was a monument to my sister’s achievements, I’m not her. After I go in, they’re definitely going to put me through hell. My future is a total unknown.’
Just as she was lost in thought, Adrian Quincy suddenly spoke. "You can use the landline after ten o’clock. Call me if you need anything. I’m leaving now."
"Uh..." Claire Sinclair involuntarily took a step forward, as if to follow him.
Adrian Quincy didn’t look back. He just got into the car they had arrived in.
Claire Sinclair forced herself to stop, watching the car disappear into the distance as her heart sank into a bottomless pit of disappointment.
Her colleagues got off the bus and walked over, suitcases in tow.
To Claire Sinclair’s surprise, Henry Hartwell was there too.
Henry Hartwell walked up to Claire Sinclair. "Claire Sinclair, I’m here! Surprised? Bet you didn’t see that coming, did you?"
’Not surprised, but definitely unexpected...’
Claire Sinclair asked, "Teacher Hartwell, what are you doing here?"
Henry Hartwell laughed. "I just came to coordinate the handover. I’ll head back once you’re all settled."
As he spoke, his gaze followed the direction the car had disappeared in. "I didn’t even get to say hello," he muttered to himself. "Why’d he leave already..."
After that, Henry Hartwell turned to the others. "Alright, everyone’s here. Follow me inside to check in."
The group followed him inside, each lost in their own thoughts. Claire Sinclair felt increasingly apprehensive, with a sinking feeling that the days ahead would be incredibly tough.
Lost in her worries, she didn’t notice at first that Henry Hartwell had led them to a building. Standing in front were two impressive figures, a man and a woman, both radiating a powerful air of integrity.
Henry Hartwell smiled. "Captain Carson, Captain Lowell, I’ve brought you your new recruits. Make sure you train them hard for me."
Captain Carson replied, his face devoid of expression, "Under my command, there are only rules, no special treatment. I expect you all to not be in the last batch to leave. Bunks are limited. The moment you complete your training, you’re out!"
’This guy is a monster... so intimidating...’
Claire Sinclair shrank back and turned to look at the female captain, hoping she wouldn’t be as harsh.
While her attention was diverted, Captain Carson suddenly barked, "Fall in! Men in one line, women in another!"
At his command, Claire Sinclair instinctively moved to the front and formed a line with the other women.
’I remember my last time doing military training, back in my freshman year. It was a disaster. I was fainting every other day. Eventually, the instructor couldn’t take it anymore and just had me drop out. Luckily, they still gave me the credits for it.’
The memory of that dreadful experience made Claire Sinclair’s heart sink.
With the handover complete, Henry Hartwell’s job was done, and he departed. The men and women then split up, each group following one of the captains to their respective dormitories.
The women’s group was led by the female instructor, Captain Lowell. Their dormitory was on the second floor, so they wouldn’t have to climb many stairs, which was a small blessing as far as Claire Sinclair was concerned.
The dorm room was spartan, furnished with traditional bunk beds. Instructor Lowell led them to the room and promptly left, giving a single parting order: "Change into your uniforms. Assemble downstairs in ten minutes."
Claire Sinclair heaved a long sigh. She stowed her suitcase in the locker marked with her name, then picked up her training uniform and began to change.
Just then, several female soldiers appeared at the door, peering in with their gazes fixed on Claire Sinclair.
"She really is the spitting image of Quinn!"
"I can’t... looking at her just makes me want to cry."
"Me too. Seeing her just reminds me of Quinn..."
As they spoke, the female soldiers broke down in tears.
