Our Garden of Dismay

Part 4

The next morning we awoke to heavy rain pounding away upon the wooden roof of our barracks. Despite the raging elements we were ordered to come outside and line up outside a large set of contraptions. Several wooden posts with steel cords attached to what appears to be a belt suspended off the floor. After a brief explanation, these are the best ways to test your prowess with ODM gear. You sit within the belt and while in suspension, have to maintain your balance without falling or tilting too much in any direction. The first set of five Cadets strap in and begin their test, four of them fall and hit the floor within the first seconds, while the fifth falls as well but just takes her time to succumb to the test. It is now my turn and my four allies participating in the test are Dietrich, Buchanan, Engel, Giordano. After just moments of being raised off the floor in the contraption, I begin to feel all my weight shift forward, I attempt to throw my arms back to counter the weight but the effort is too much and I fall backward and nearly hit my head on the floor. When someone helps me out I notice Buchanan and Engel have both failed as well but Dietrich and Giordano remain. Giordano shakes violently and he moves his arms erratically to maintain his balance; Dietrich is completely still and holds his hands at his sides while gently swaying. Cadets begin shouting words of encouragement and Instructor Vidal even walks over to inspect them. A painful half minute passes when Instructor Vidal raises her arm and declares time, which gets an exasperated sigh out of Giordano who lets himself fall and he raises his arms in victory. Dietrich doesn't move but continues swaying while looking around with a smug grin spreading across his face. They are released and Giordano walks over to congratulate Dietrich for their shared success.

"Good job, Koch. I don't know how you stayed so calm."

His voice is so friendly and warm, Dietrich then raises his nose.

"Looks like we found something you're not the best at."

They then shake hands and the next round of soldiers proceed. After a few more rounds, Fischer gets her chance at the test but she has an unfortunate heat participating with her; with her is Sinclair, Novak, Sereno, and Jean-Paul. Cadet Patricia Sereno is olive-skinned with straight jet black hair, she seems overly intense and I get the feeling she's not one for small talk but she also gives off the same impression as an intense police officer. Cadet Melanie Jean-Paul is about the most average-looking person I have ever seen, her hair being brunette and hanging just centimeters above her shoulders. Her face is the least bit memorable(not to say she isn't attractive, I'm sure some would find her quite so) but besides outside appearances, she's an excellent fighter and well respected by a lot of the Cadets. The five of them become suspended and immediately Fischer begins wobbling. Sereno then drops and hits the floor, Sinclair looks a little shaky as well but Novak becomes the next to drop even hitting her head pretty hard as she whips forward. After thirty seconds Jean-Paul hits the floor and shouting ensues as Sinclair and Fischer remain as the last two left. With roughly fifteen seconds left Sinclair looks over at Fischer and frowns at her; she slowly has become more and more stable until now where she is hardly even moving.

"Ten seconds!"

Instructor Vidal announces.

"Just give up Sinclair, you can't go much longer can you?'

He turns away and moves his arms to focus on his balance.

"Five seconds."

Fischer screams for less than a second but it is enough to make him jump and he immediately slams into the floor with a loud thud.

"Looks like Fischer is our only Cadet to pass this round."

Instructor Vidal says as she releases all of them. Sinclair immediately storms off and gets lost in the crowd while Fischer shoots her arms into the air with excitement.