Survivors

Preparations

I wake up to a heavy alarm for the first time in months.

I could hardly call it pleasant.

I get dressed as quick as I can and head out for breakfast. We all get some grains, and then it's off to the gym.

"Work hard, but not until your muscles are sore. You need to be able to work tomorrow." Regeit tells us.

I suck at exercise.

I get on an elliptical and start pedalling.

I know I need to work hard, but I don't feel like it. I'm tired. And in a state of disbelief.

It's been quite some time. But it's still crazy to know that Earth is just gone. I didn't ask to be a cadet. The universe did. And I should make it proud. But I can't even use my weapon properly.

I should probably bring that up.

"I still don't know how to use my bow." I finally say.

"You probably should have said that earlier," Regeit comments, "but I'll see what I can do."

He leads me to a room I was unaware of, equipped with training dummies.

"You brought your bow, right?" He asks. I shake my head. "Whatever, we'll just use my old one."

"So, you know how to use the bow and arrow, I assume?"

"I was a red cadet, too. I was obligated to use one." He reminds me. "I'll just adjust myself first. Haven't used one of these in a while." He pulls one out of a box and takes some arrows. "The bow, of course, can use electricity instead of arrows, but we'll use them anyways so we can see where we hit." He takes the bow and places an arrow on top of a small stick coming out. "This balances the arrow. You always see people in movies standing side-on while shooting because you can't have the bowstring too close to your arm, or you might get bowburn. The further back you pull the string, the more force the shot will have, but it takes more strength and energy."

Regeit pulls back on the bowstring and aims it at a dummy.

He lets go and seems to panic as soon as the arrow leaves the bow.

"Are you okay?" I ask. He gives me a thumbs up, sprints to a chair, and sits down. His forehead glistens with sweat, his cheeks with tears. "Are you sure you're okay?" I approach him. I can hear him breathing heavily.

He's having a panic attack.

I try to remember what I know about them. You have to give the person space.

"Count up by threes." I suggest, backing away a little. But he grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug. "Regeit, try to count up my threes." I sigh. "Three. Six. Nine. Twelve." I start. He lets go and starts to count quietly. He seems to be calming down a little. I leave him to himself for a while to put the bow away and get him a drink of vargile. When I return, he looks to be at a neutral mood again.

"Sorry." He apologizes.

"What happened?" I ask.

"I haven't fired a bow since I was a Red Cadet. More specifically, since the first time I met Polois." I hand him the vargile, which he drinks, and then looks at me, as if expecting questions.

"Was that when you-" I swallow, testing my words. "Was that when he killed your team?"

He nods.

"I've been having nightmares since Astralis asked me to take down Polois with you guys. He killed my family. Then, I got a team of people who cared about me. It started being normal again. But then he killed them, too, and that messed up my mind pretty bad, I guess. I just... don't think I can deal with the results if it happens again." Regeit explains.