Survival

Chapter 2: "Strong One"

"Jackson, wake up!"  I heard someone shout, "You're going to miss breakfast!" I gasped for air as I looked up to see Mia Isnuso hovering over me, practically squealing in my ear. I slowly sat up, realizing I was covered in cold sweat. There was no longer pain in my chest, but when I went to stand up, the room swirled around me. My knees buckled, then I lost my balance. I tried to grab onto a bedpost to catch my fall, but I was unsuccessful. My knees hit the floor fast, and then the rest of my body followed. As I lay on the floor, everything felt cold again. I started to shiver uncontrollably when I heard a series of screams all around me.

"MALE ON THE FLOOR!" someone shouted as the world started to fade to grey around me once more. The only thing I could hear then was a pair of heavy boots racing across the hollow wooden floor. The pounding got louder and louder, closer and closer, when suddenly, it stopped.

I woke up to see the females had left for breakfast. I also noticed that I was back in my bed. I knew someone must've put me here. I looked up to see Charlie Halls was sitting at the foot of my bed.

"I guess you guys beat me to the mess today, huh?" I let out a croaky whisper.

Charlie looked up with a start and then moved closer to me to check my pulse. "I guess we beat you," he nearly whispered, "But that was only because they didn't have anyone to take them."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I said as my eyes watered. When Charlie saw my expression, he kneeled beside the bed and took my hand.

"Hey, don't worry about it," He smiled. Charlie was like a big brother to me. All of the cadets were. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I feel better now,"  I said.

"Drink some water," he commanded me, as he held out his canteen.

"I'm okay, really," I sighed quietly.

"Drink it," he said, this time more firmly. I sat up, then took the water and drank it. I started coughing, remembering the dream. I couldn't stand water at that moment. Charlie quickly sat beside me and held my shoulders, making sure I didn't faceplant on the floor. Charlie threw a blanket around me. I felt like I was going to vomit.

Just then, I heard the door creak open as Cal peeked inside.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" he shouted sarcastically, as he completely stepped into the room. The only thing I could really do at that moment was force a smile.

"Go easy on her, Elak," Charlie warned him as he nearly leaped towards me from across the floor. Cal caught himself just in time. He cautiously walked across the floor until he was directly in front of the bed I was sitting on, then he reached out and touched my forehead with the back of his hand.

"Yikes, you've got quite the fever, Jackson," Cal said as he pulled back his hand, "Do you think you'll be able to teach today?"

"You know I have to," I reminded him, "Leichen will hunt me down if I don't."

"Nah, I won't let that happen," he said, "You're really sick, Jackson. You should take a break. Don't worry about Leichen."

"I want to teach," I said firmly. To prove my point, I started to get up. Charlie immediately stood up to try to stop me. I held on to the bedpost as I stood directly in front of him. I looked him in the eye. I held eye contact with him until he blinked.

"Fine," he said, "But if something happens, it won't be good for you.

"I'll be fine," I reminded him, "Besides, I'm not feeling as sick now. Thanks for the help," I said with a smile as I grabbed my lesson plan and marched out of the room. Charlie and Cal remained speechless as they watched me step out of the female barracks.

"She's a strong one," I heard Cal say as the door closed. I hid my smile as I walked to the mess hall.

As soon as I entered the mess hall I found that all the cadets were finishing up their breakfast meal. When one of the male cadets, Cortez Publoio saw me step in, he started clapping. Everyone looked up at him, looked at me, then joined him.

"It's about freaking time," I could hear none other than Carter Jacobson say over the applause as I walked towards the seniors' table.

"Cool it," Nathaniel Thaine said to Carter as I sat down.

The applause stopped as Lieutenant Leichen stood up to speak.

"We're all very happy to hear that you're feeling better now, Flight Sergeant Jackson," he said, very monotone, "I hope this means you will be able to teach your classes today."

"Yes, sir," I said confidently, as I made eye contact with him.

"Good," he said as he turned and faced the rest of the squadron, "You may all continue now." The room remained silent for about a minute, and then the chatter slowly started to build up again.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Shawn staring down at me with a grin on his face.

"Hey, Ritz, glad you made it," he said. His grin started to fade.

"Hey, hey... Shawn, what's up?" I asked. He looked at me, and I noticed his eyes started watering. He tried to force a smile, but it wasn't long before he gave up and looked deep into my eyes. His eyes turned sad and serious at the same time.

"Nothing," he said, "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," I argued with him, "Come with me."

I lead him outside and we sat on the stairs outside of the female barracks.

"Now tell me what's up," I said, firmly this time.

"I thought I lost you, Mari," he put his face in his hands, "Leichen told us that you weren't responding to anything we tried to do to wake you up. He told us he wasn't sure if you were going to make it. You were out for almost an hour and a half, and we have no signal out here in the bush. What if something happened?"

Memory of what happened last night came back to my mind. "What if something happens?" I heard myself say.

"Nothing's going to happen," I told Shawn, "You told me that last night, remember?" I reached out to the back of his head and pulled it into my shoulder. He burst into tears. It was the first time I've ever seen him cry. He reached around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He held me as if he let go, he would never hold me again. I could feel Shawn's fear running through me.

"You're a strong one, Shawn.  We both are," I whispered into his ear.