The Price of a Life [Delirious x Reader]

Part 7

It was silent. Tyler was staring down at me.

He shifted how he was standing, and I couldn't take my eyes away from him, afraid he'd yell at me.

"Well, are you going to take it?" He asked suddenly, and I realized he was holding his hand out to me. With a pinch of my stomach I quickly slide my hand into his large one. It enveloped mine completely, with rough patches that pressed into my own.

He yanked me to my feet, and I landed hard against the mat. I bit the inside of my lip and tried to not make a noise. He let go and I immediately pulled mine back to my chest.

His intense stare made my skin crawl. I swallowed at the lump in my throat.

"Let's get started."

I nod, wiping my hands against my legs and trying to hold back a shake.

He nodded, his face still just as stoic as before. "Good. We're going to set the foundations of a rigorous training session. We'll go through everything; you'll practice in hand-to-hand, long-range, weapons, and overall body comp. You will build up your practices over time. You'll be expected to work hard and keep up. Slackers aren't accepted."

Tyler was so stern, I didn't want to disappoint him. But... how was I supposed to keep up with all that?

I nod my head vigorously. He turns and starts walking away, towards an open square of mat. "Come on, let's get going. We're going to start with hand to hand combat. But before we have you do that, we need to measure where you're at physically."

He had me stand up and walk towards the tall mirrors on another part of the mat.

"Get on your knees."

I quickly followed instructions, hoping to not anger him.

"Now, put your arms out in front of you. They should be level with your shoulders." I quickly did so, seeing him walk up behind me through the mirror. "I want you to place your hands on the mat directly below you, with your arms still straight. Get in the push up position."

Quickly doing as he said, I place my arms on the mat below me and straighten my feet out behind me.

"You're going to be doing sets of ten." He was standing with his arms crossed. 'Start."

I begin to do the pushups, confused but it was easy enough. When he said I'd be getting in shape I didn't expect... well this.

I finished, still standing in the plank position when I felt the pressure of his foot on my back. It wasn't pushing me down, just there.

"You need to straighten your back. It needs to remain straight the entire time you do your reps. Now again."

And I did. Again, and again, and again, and again. I kept going. Nothing was enough for him, so I was to continue until I got it right. My arms were shaking, and uncomfortable pain in my muscles burned from my palms to my shoulders. How long have I been doing this? How many sets have I done? When will I be done?

"Again." Tyler stated, just as stoic as before.

My lip wobbled as it felt like the burn spread to my eyes. "I can't." I croak as the pain was settling in my bones.

"What was that? I believe I said do it again."

Holding my breath, I shakily go back down, my nose touching the ground, and struggle back up with my arms fully straightened. By the fifth time, I couldn't push myself up all the way, and I could feel the smolting look of Wildcat watching me.