11 Never The Same

Conner pats me on the back and says "Try to keep up. Think of it as a large playground." I strain to give him a smile as I try to think of the best way to bleach my eyes and brain. When everyone has been pulled from the trap, I finally start moving forward with Thane and Conner.

This is my first time in a course like this so I'm gonna hang back and watch these two. When we finally reach the next part, I'm pushed from behind as a dart of some kind goes flying past my face. I quickly dodge the next one before moving out of the way altogether.

Those who were hit with the darts were no longer moving. At first, I thought they were being killed but when the darts are removed, they start moving again like nothing ever happened. When I see that it was Conner who pushed me out of the way, I reach over to thank him but when he turns to look at me, I jump back in shock.

"What!? Are you okay?" Conner asks with concern. I cough and awkwardly clear my throat as I wave at my face and say "I'm fine but you're a little..." I wave at the side of his face, causing him to reach up and touch it with confusion.

Half his face was dead!! It was just awkwardly... hanging. Thane walks up behind Conner and reaches down. He plucks a dart from Conner's butt and says "He'll walk it off." Sure enough, Conner's face starts to work again as we move on to the next part.

Was this really a training course!? When we walk into the next section, nothing happens but the massive amounts of water on the ground makes me nervous. As we carefully start walking, powerful blasts of water shoot down from the ceiling!

The water is so powerful, it nearly takes off the guy's clothes!! I can't let that happen to me! When I look up, I see several holes in the ceiling but not all of them turn on. It seems to be random. As I try to haul ass through, a blast of water comes straight at me!

Without thinking, I use my power to deflect the powerful blast of water, Accidently redirecting it straight into several others! They go flying and don't stop until they hit the wall on the other side. I cringe and yell out "Sorry! Sorry! My bad!!" but I don't stop until I'm in the clear.

The guys peel themselves off the wall and glare at me with anger but when I see that they're the ones who were laughing at me earlier, I send them a sweet smile as Conner and Thane make it over. I suddenly don't feel so bad...

The rest was pretty standard climbing, running, and crawling but even then, I was so out of shape. Thane practically drags me over the finish line and drops me like a bag of trash. I don't even care... I'm just grateful he carried me this far.

I lay on my back and gasp for air as my arms and legs shake from exhaustion. This is insane! When everyone finally finishes the course, Titus walks over with a look of disapproval and says "I expect this from the new recruits but you seniors should be better than this. Were you that lazy over summer break!? Have you forgotten everything I've taught you!? Line up!!"

I use all my willpower and strength to peel myself up off the ground and walk over to the line-up. Titus starts at the front, looking at all the guys, one by one. All out of breath and sweaty but mostly okay. When he reaches me, he does a double-take.

My hair is sticking up everywhere, my shirt is all stretched out and torn. My shorts are barely holding on and I'm missing a shoe. I don't even know when I lost that sucker but I've written it off as a necessary loss.

He eyes me with concern before clearing his throat and saying "First years... It will only get harder from here on out. Toughen up or you won't make it. Tomorrow will be an off day. Rest up and be ready for the next lesson. Dismissed!"

The guys all yell out "Yes sir!" Before breaking away and leaving. My legs tremble as I shuffle out of the gym. Conner is calling me but if I stop now, I may never make it back to my room. I can't even lift an arm to wave at him as I continue to shuffle out like a little grandpa.

A war-hardened grandpa... I've seen things... things I'll never be able to erase. I shudder at the mental images and keep going. When I finally make it back to the room, I try to open the door but I need to put my weight into it. I lean into the door and try to push but it barely moves.

I groan with desperation and start begging it. I lean my sweaty cheek against the hard, cold door and whisper "Please open... I promise never to slam you and I'll keep you clean. I'll even find a good wood polisher..."

Suddenly, the door swings open and I fall flat on the floor with a groan. Thane looks down at me in confusion before saying "I thought I heard something... do you need, help?" I groan again as I wiggle a finger and say "No, no. I'm good... thanks."

Thane slowly nods his head before saying "I'm heading for a shower..." I wiggle my finger again as I say "Have fun..." He waits for a minute before grabbing the back of my shirt and lifting me up. He pulls me to my feet and says "We're going together."

I choke on my own spit as I try to shake my head 'no' but he isn't having it. He walks over to MY dresser and pulls out a change of clothes before dragging me out of the room. As I pass the door, I reach out with my arms and legs, bracing myself as I scream "I'm fine! I don't need a shower!! I like my sweat!!"

Thane's face grows dark before he says "I'm not sleeping in the same room with you like that." He tugs me and my poor arms and legs give. They're just no match for his strength, especially right now! Nooooo!!!