A Bullet to the Heart, ₗₑₑ Fₑₗᵢₓ

3.

⇝ ⇝ ⇝ 2 hours. It took me only 2 hours to run down the mountainside and then back up while doing all the obstacles on the way back up. I was the quickest but, it was only because I had been conditioned and trained, unlike the other soldiers.

The mountain made the air very thin in some places so breathing became difficult as you went higher - learning how to breathe calmly in situations like this one and when you're in danger was something we had to practise. Breathing tricks and practises could be essential in life-threatening situations. Not just breathing practises for safety, but regular techniques were used to keep up fitness and stamina.

Many of the obstacles set up were the quintessential things that soldiers needed to know, the movement they needed to memorise just like I had done. Crawling on our fronts, sides and back through mud and tight spaces. Climbing, using teamwork to overcome a height we shouldn't be able to do alone. With enough momentum, I was able to overcome it myself. 

There was usually standard tests of fitness, and as you progress to the inner circle, the tests become almost impossible to do alone but you learn and you get stronger and suddenly you can overcome obstacles alone when you shouldn't be able to.

Korea usually has a fitness test but since all the soldiers had already passed, to keep up fitness they do this course every few weeks and try and better their time. I was standing alone in front of the squadron leader. He was surprised by my arrival but he should've seen this coming. This obstacle course was difficult but nothing I couldn't overcome.

"Soldier, your time is 2 hours. A record here in this base,"

"Thank you, sir,"

The rest of the day was spent in pairs - working on other physical attributes. Using outdoor gym equipment and weights to spend time working on our muscles and form. A lot of the soldiers didn't know English, but it wasn't like I was here to make conversation. I just wanted to get this over with quickly and head out to do my actual mission. This test was just wasting my time.

I know they just wanted to see if I was capable themselves, a trust thing but couldn't they have just took word from my boss that I was capable.

Despite the obvious time wasting, the day was over quickly and by the time I was meant to be getting ready for bed, the squadron leader came into the room. Everyone, including myself, moved to the ends of our bed and sat politely, ready to be addressed. The room fell into a cold silence at his entrance.

"Soldier," He turned to me and I waited for his instructions. Everyone in the room looked at me, and I guessed that perhaps I didn't understand Korean customs.

"Sir,"

"Pack your things, Soldier, you're off to Seoul City," He announced and immediately I turned to collect my bag and some of the clothes I had been putting away.

The squadron leader left the room; everyone suddenly started whispering to each other. No doubt this situation had been confusing for all the soldiers here. I got all my things put away, put my shoes on, and left the room. I wandered down the corridors I had got used to in two days and left the building.

The night was shrouded in darkness, with only faint glimmers of light emanating from the perimeter of the base. These feeble lights cast a dim glow, barely illuminating the doors and the narrow pathways. The air was filled with a chill, causing goose bumps to form on my skin, and adding to the eerie atmosphere of the night.

The car I saw parked on the path leading down the mountain was a sleek and stylish black vehicle, with a polished exterior that glistened under the moonlight. It looked meticulously maintained. I expected no less from any sort of government vehicle. As I approached the car, I could see that the windows were tinted, making it impossible to see inside.