Oliver x Reader || tpn fanfiction

Chapter 11 - training

Y/N pov

In the final hour before our training session, I, the lost chick, managed to break free from the incessant pursuit of Mama Oliver. Instead, I chose to follow Paula and Pepe. Together, we prepared the necessary utensils for cooking the soup – an overwhelming array of dishes. Honestly, I doubted we could finish everything within the next hour.

As we ventured into the forest, curiosity consumed me, and I couldn't help but ask, "What do they have planned for today's training?"

Paula replied, "Nobody knows for sure. They always come up with something new, but they'll definitely assess your physical condition."

"And we'll also try to teach you essential survival skills you haven't mastered yet," Pepe chimed in, "like building stamina, navigating through the forest quickly, and mastering the art of concealment."

We eventually halted in the heart of the forest. Whichever way I turned, the scenery appeared indistinguishable.

Silence enveloped us. The leaves on the trees remained motionless, and the wind seemed to hold its breath. Not a single bird's song broke the stillness. As we stood there, everyone remained quiet – no movement, no words – all of us attuned to the faintest rustlings and sounds in the forest.

"Do you hear that?" I mutter softly, my heart beating a little faster, in the direction of Paula and Pepe. A hum is the only response I get, but they remain still, seemingly unperturbed. The noise is barely discernible at first, but it gradually grows louder with each passing second.

As the sound intensifies, I strain my ears, trying to classify it. It's the distinct rhythm of footsteps, but not just one person—there are at least two individuals, with one slightly heavier than the other.

"Two people," I inform Paula and Pepe, my surprise evident in my voice. Paula shakes her head, and Pepe corrects me, "It's three."

Listening again more closely, I realize they have a strange reverberation as if someone is imitating the steps of the person walking ahead of them.

Soon enough, Oliver, Zack, and Nigel come into view. However, Nigel seems almost unwillingly dragged along by the other two. I can't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him.

"Sonya and Sandy are in position and know what to do," Zack informs us.

"Alright, let's move on to training. First, we'll play a little game that'll last around fifteen minutes or less, depending on how well Nigel and Y/N do. Think of it as a modified version of tag," explains Oliver. "For the first ten minutes, Zack will be the sole hunter, searching for the two of you. After that, we'll increase the difficulty and join the chase. Paula and I will become hunters too. Meanwhile, Sonya, Sandy, and Pepe's job is to mark the boundaries of the playing area and keep you both from crossing them. This will keep the game intense and help build your stamina. The game ends when fifteen minutes pass or both of you get caught. You're caught when one of the hunters touches you. Hiding and running are allowed, but no direct attacks. Any questions?"

Silence follows Oliver's explanation, and when no objections are raised, we slowly take our positions. We're given three minutes to find hiding spots, and it proves to be quite challenging. Nigel disappears behind some trees, leaving me disoriented about my own location. However, spotting Sonya running nearby helps me realize that I'm at one end of the designated area for the game. The anticipation of the chase sends a shiver down my spine, and I try to steady my nerves for what lies ahead.

Logically, this seems like the best hiding spot, as it's less likely to be searched due to limited escape routes. Climbing trees is not an option since they're aware of my previous escape tactic. They might target the trees and catch me quickly if I attempt it again.