A young doctor unexpectedly finds herself forced to indoctrinate into a paramilitary organization, where a stoic hero silently falls in love. Slowly, he earns her trust. The love between them burns away the darkness of the past and acts as a beacon...
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"Save it. You'll be hungrier a week from now." Solan advised.
Great.
Arthur popped his head back out of the tent. "You're going to share, right?" He asked, looking concerned.
I couldn't help the smile that sprawled across my face. "Yes, of course, I will share," I said while securing the rice in my ruck.
The bad news is that I am far hungrier now than ten days ago.
The good news is I haven't failed anything yet.
Solan prepared me well.
The only events left were Phase 2 Land Navigation, Phase 3 Tactics, and the dreaded 28-mile ruck.
I blew out my cheeks, looking up at the night sky. No snow is on the ground, but the earth is still frozen beneath my feet. A sheet of clouds blanketed the sky, stealing away the light from the moon and the stars.
I dropped my gaze, shifting uncomfortably under my ruck.
"I don't even think I can unfold my map," Arthur said, flexing his finger painfully before shoving his hands down the front of his pants.
Solan, Aldric, and every other man in the vicinity stood half asleep with their hands shoved into their pants. I thought it was peculiar when they started doing it, but I no longer think twice about it.
"Try the arm flapping trick." I pressed for the countless times. Shrey had brutally cold winters. We were taught how to avoid cold weather injuries like hyperthermia and frostbite from a young age. To warm your hands, bend at the waist and flap your arms up and down.
Does it look ridiculous? Yes. Does it prevent frostbite? Yes. Pick your poison.
All three boys snorted in short laughter, offering no other response.
They hazed me over how stupid it looked, but at least I knew I could unfold my map. I folded my arms defiantly across my chest. "At least it's hygienic," I muttered.
"Calm the fuck down." Arthur exasperated, rolling his eyes, "It's not like I'm stroking myself."
"Ew," I complained, covering my ears to block out his words.
Arthur responded by pulling the front of his pants down to show that his hands were not inside his boxers, too.
I turned my head away sharply, glad the darkness hid the embarrassment that scribbled across my cheeks.
"Arthur," Solan warned, leveling him with a glare.
Arthur opened his mouth to respond just as Wes walked into the area. Silence settled over us at his presence, and without command, we pulled into a tight circle around him.
Wordlessly, he handed out small pieces of paper with grid coordinates to everyone and then passed us something resembling a candle.
"12 hours. 12 points. If you collaborate, you fail. You fail if you do not arrive at the rally point by noon. You will be recycled if you arrive at the rally point by noon without all of your points. If you're hurt and need help - light the signal." He said, raising one of the candle-looking things. "Now get out of my face." He said, waving us off.
