So, this chapter is pretty big. Max is going into the demo war zone. I do know that this does really happen in training. I have worked hard on perfecting this with every true detail possible, and I have done a lot of research. Most likely, if I am putting it in here, its probably true. The hurdle is not actually something I have heard of, but I wanted Max to be respected. could you tell I made it up?
Thanks to all my reviewers!
11Stardust11
My eyelids flickered open minutes before the trumpet sounded. I shifted my position lazily, and prepared myself for another day. The other girls around me were completely lost in their sleep, unaware of me. I focused on waking myself up and pushed down my grogginess.
When the trumpet sounded in its melodic tune I rose from my bunk quickly, getting dressed and slipping into my boots. I exited the building before most of the others and started at my jog. Sergeants that filed around me acknowledged me with respect, which was very rare for them to do so with others. I figured that it was just another perk of me completing the all mighty hurdle.
By the time I had gotten a good ways down the path, the rest of the girls were piling out of the building and falling into our annual jog to the cross section, where we would be separated and sent off down different paths. My stomach lurched suddenly, I frowned, resisting the urge to look at it. I thought I had control of my body? I was not nervous, so why did that happen?
Then, I remembered. Panic washed over me and my breathing quickened. The 'mystery path'. I was going down there today. My stomach lurched again and my I could hear my blood rushing in my ears. My boot dug into the ground mid stride, and I almost tripped. I told myself to calm down. Why was I panicking? I just needed to breath. It wasn't a big deal. None of the Sergeant's made it look scary.
I attempted to take a deep breath. It was difficult to do, seeing I had had a pretty good pant going. Not to mention my sudden quickening of breath in my panic. I squeezed my eyes tightly closed before opening them, trying to calm myself, to make sure I didn't run into a tree or anything.
We arrived at the cross section, skidding to a stop. My breathing was unnaturally faster than usual. I found Sergeant Nick quickly, regaining myself before looking at him to see if there was any difference in his posture. I couldn't tell any nervousness from him, then again, he wasn't exactly the most emotional person. So I looked at the rest of the sergeants, but they gave me nothing to work with. I began to get a little frustrated.
We finished up and everyone went their separate ways in dead silence. I liked that. How they were always on top of each other, knowing exactly what the other was planning or thinking. I hoped I could do that someday.
Tension exploded in the air as my group headed down that path. I could hear the breath of the girls around me quicken in panic. I knew that I was also radiating panic as well. Suddenly, I heard odd sounds of, exploding. I knew it was coming from up ahead. The other girls heard it too, glancing around at each other in question. When the dry, dusty trees lessened around us, then finally cleared, my entire group fell into amazement.
It was a small valley filled with dirt, in the air and all over the ground. When we stepped out of the trees, the dirt was thick and soft, like it had been churned up daily. Other sergeants showed up immediately from behind. They seemed to already know how each of us performed and what our strengths were as they looked over us.
He pointed to me, "You! You're the leader! You don't ever leave anyone behind and make sure your group is safe!" He commanded. The girls around me jumped in surprise, having not noticed they were even there. But me, I was in panic overdrive. Holy. Freaking. Shit.
"Get on the ground! NOW! Move! Move! Why are you standing there like a bunch of girls?"
One bellowed. I jumped to the ground immediately, not even thinking about what lay before me, and began crawling before a lot of the other girls who were frozen from surprise.
When all the other girls fell into a crawl he started again, "Now mountain climbers! Get on it!" He commanded.
I stood up, putting my hands in the air and squatting low, before putting my hands in the dirt and thrusting my feet out behind me and snapping them back in and jumping back up before repeating it all over again. (Actual Drill)
After a several mountain climbers, I was just about to start into the next one when he screamed for us to move again. Now we were really starting to get into the middle of the war zone. We were crawling very steadily, when a loud explosion came up directly to the right of us.
Shrieks came from several of the people in my group as it exploded. Tools and supplies flew into the air. I jumped, completely scared out of my right mind. "What the hell are you doing recruit? Get your damn group to safety!" He yelled.
I realized he was talking to me. I began looking around hurriedly and spotted a wall of sand sacks. A plan formed into my head. "To your left! Crawl with your head ducked low!" I yelled over the chaos. I started towards the shelter in a quick army crawl. The girls around me were frazzled and looked relieved to have someone telling them what to do instead of having to figure it out themselves.
Just before we got there the sergeant screamed, "Sit ups!" we began doing them, most of us starting to get used to the random commands that are meant to confuse us and cause stress. when we were told to move again, I formed a strategy to always be heading towards another shelter. This a lot of times left a lot of space out in the open but I didn't really have any other choice.
I can't really remember most of the things that went on, except for some of the things they pulled on us. Like how there were a lot of explosions and things raining down on us. I discovered that the 'supplies' were actually fake and built of light material so as not to knock someone out or something.
One time they even threw grenades at as. Most of us got up and ran for our lives. I did the first time, I even pulled a everyone fend for themselves, completely ditching the others. But after I discovered they were fake (duh!) I was able to try and throw them back. I know, i'm the leader and all and am supposed to 'heroically smother the explosion with my body' but hey, I'm to young to die.
When we were done, we were all completely covered in dirt and my hair felt like a mud pie. All I could think about was how great a shower would feel. I was completely exhausted. my body felt like a wrung out rag that had been robbed of all its energy. my knees wanted to buckle when we jogged back.
But overall, I could get used to this. Call me an adrenaline junkie, but I liked it.
That's a wrap! Just kidding, got a lot to do huh? Yep. So, finally got the war zone up. I feel like it isn't my best, but I hope you guys liked it. Next chapter will probably be pretty big cause I need to write a cliffie to keep you sucked in. So, Nudge has gone to the gas room today. I will probably start writing from there when she talks about it and then Max gets to go. Yay!
Reviews! :)
