The Experimental Cosmos

14. Survival Of The Fittest

Ms. Maya. Our student counseller and psychology mentor. And the person who probably saved me and Astha.

The day after our harrowing interrogation, Ms. Maya called us into her office and reassured her that what had happened was against the training rules and would not happen again.

She told us that inventions and brilliance had made humans a bit ruthless, but she believed they were not yet heartless.

Ms. Maya. The one who helped with my PTSD after the string of revelations I had had and eventually, became my mentor.

The one who taught me how to handle my reality and become the best version of myself.

But I was still fearful about today. Because months after our first weaponry training, today was our combat test.

We all put on our grey and black uniforms and slowly filled the dining hall. But no one seemed to have much of an appetite today..
That is of course, except for Cherry and Bella.

I still don't know what Cherry was so cocky about, as far as I had heard, she was pretty much below average in weaponry.

Miranda tried to reassure me, saying that I had been phenomenal on my first day and that I would be just fine, but that is precisely what I am afraid of.

My precision and I hope something that will never surface- my hunger for action. For violence. My dark truth. That if it was kill or die, I'd probably choose me over ANYONE else.

As we reach the turf, Mr. Jerry gives up all tranquilizer guns with 10 REAL FILLED darts each, and tasers,which we hook onto our belt.

Then he tells us to scatter and find cover in the trees, and that the last 10 of us to survive will be the toppers.

I grip my gun, my head and body dizzy on adrenaline, my senses alert as ever. My feet find patches of clear ground so that I don't step on any dry leaves and make a sound.

Around and above me, the birds chatter restlessly, as if singing to the beat of my throbbing heart, and the woody smell of the trees blocking my senses from detecting humans.

I take cover behind a tree and then close my eyes and concentrate for a minute. Far behind me on my left I can sense some movement, but it is too early to tell if it is one of my batch mates or just the wind.

Just then, however, I hear the soft crunch of footfalls, and I aim and release my dart before the person even reaches my sight.

Collapsing on the ground like the Sun falling down on the Earth is the yellow head that can only belong to Louis.

I expected my heart to beat faster, but I actually calm down a little, and I realize that my survival instinct is high enough to not let any of my weakness seep in.

I take out a few more people I barely know with my darts, and stop to catch my breath for a moment.

Before I can feel anything, Cherry has gripped me in a vice, arms around my torso locking my arms, one leg between my legs forcing me down.

We tussle in a standing position for a minute, but then she manages to make me tumble, but I get my knee into position and land on it, and the flip her over myself and tase her, and her muscles tighten before they go slack, but even the taser cannot wipe off the confident smirk on her face.

The noises have ceased noticeably since we started and I can see that there are far less people remaining than before.

There are trackers connected to our uniform so that they can carry out the ones who have been tranquilized and find those who lose their way or hurt themselves. My knee is still stinging from Bella's impact, and my track pant keeps sticking to the blood pouring from the gash on it.

I suddenly sense movement on my right, and in a moment I have aimed my gun, but from the trees emerges Jay, gun aimed at me.

It is a struggle between us to see who would fire, and I know that if I sense him trying to attack, I will do it first.

But he just stares into my eyes, gun levelled at me.

Finally I decide what to do.

"Duck."

I say and then I fire, but Jay is quick enough to listen to me, and before he can stand back up, I sprint away.

Almost two hours later, the horn sounds, letting me know that I survived in the top ten.

The place is soon crawling with cars to take the injured away, and in a circle stand ten of us-

Me, Jay, LC, Kalani, Mike, Bella, Miranda, Astha, Rudy and another boy whose name I don't really remember.

We are given permission to skip the next truth trial as a reward, and I think that it means too much to everyone here, because everyone here has their own secrets.

Back in my dorm, I feel drained and ashamed- how was I not hesitant to use my weapon at all? Who am I??

WHAT am I??!!

When I can't take it anymore, I put on my sneakers and sprint to the headquarters and call home.

It is my mother who picks up.

I tell her everything, and what she says next stays in my Mind and my heart forever -

"You have no reason for shame. You should feel empowered. You were fighting for survival, Nebula.

The more we progress, the more we abide by the basic rule of life. Right now, the only thing that will keep you alive is this, so remember it well-

It IS ALWAYS the Survival Of The Fittest. "