First Aid

The next morning, everyone except the older generation gathered at the field behind the barn shortly after sunrise. Even Heather had awoken with the rooster's cry—or more precisely, her cell phone alarm, which she'd set half an hour early to allow for snoozing, much to Rose's annoyance. While Heather happily dozed through multiple alarms, Rose had been wide awake from the first ring, unable to fall back asleep. 

As they assembled in the field, morning dew clung to their shoes, and the grass rustled softly beneath their feet. Though autumn days were warm with golden sunshine, the mornings were already chilly, with humidity seeping into clothes if one wasn't dressed appropriately.

Rose felt a spark of schadenfreude looking at Heather. Instead of considering the weather, Heather had focused more on her appearance when choosing clothes. Now she faced the consequences, wrapping her arms around herself and dancing in place to keep warm. Luke, at her side, seemed completely unfazed—no surprise, given that his fire ability had granted his body a natural warmth, even without activation. Ethan and Andrew had donned professional climbing gear, perfect for any weather.

They waited barely five minutes before a black SUV drove onto the farmstead, parking beside the barn. Evidently, their instructor had been briefed on the training location.

Rose was curious about their trainer and what they'd learn. When the man stepped out of his car, she struggled to keep her expression neutral—she knew him. It was Sam! 

Slightly older than her brother, he was someone she knew well from her previous life. He had been part of Andrew and Ethan's team, running realms with them. Rose didn't know him well, as Sam kept mostly to himself outside of realm runs. But still, he looked exactly as she remembered him. 

Sam was tall and lean, with short dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to take in every detail of his surroundings. His movements were precise and deliberate, hinting at years of training and experience in survival situations. He carried himself with a confidence that only those used to giving orders had. 

Rose was confused. What was he doing here? If she remembered correctly, her brother and Andrew had met Sam only a few years into the apocalypse, when they'd saved each other during a realm run. With Sam's entire group dead and his exceptional capabilities, they'd decided to work together from then on. Why was he here now? Was it a coincidence?

She glanced at Ethan and Andrew, who approached Sam and shook his hand. Rose watched their interaction carefully, trying to discern any hint of recognition or familiarity beyond a professional acquaintance. But if there was any, she couldn't detect it.

"Good morning, everyone," Sam called out to the group, his voice carrying across the dewy field. "I'm Sam, and I'll be overseeing your training for the foreseeable future."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over each of them, mustering them. When it was Rose`s turn, his gaze also lingered for just a moment. She felt her heart skip a beat, but couldn't quite put a finger on why that was.

Sam's voice cut through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present moment. "Alright, let's get started," he announced, clapping his hands together. "Today, we'll begin with the basics of first aid. In a survival situation, knowing how to treat injuries can mean the difference between life and death. First, team up in pairs of two."

Before Heather could make her move, Andrew had already positioned himself beside Sam—a clear sign that he would pair up with their instructor. Ethan had stepped closer to Rose, leaving Heather with her brother Luke. If she was disappointed by this arrangement, she hid it quickly and well.

Rose was satisfied with today's training topic. First aid skills would always be valuable and were indeed essential. This was especially true during realm runs, where medical facilities would be inaccessible. Even outside the realms, hospitals and medicine would become scarcer as time passed, while the likelihood of getting wounded increased. That's why she hadn't held back when purchasing medicine and medical supplies at the pharmacy, acquiring far more than what her brother had listed. 

Taking the equipment out of the SUV they then started with their training. Sam proceeded to demonstrate basic first aid techniques, starting with how to assess injuries and prioritize treatment. He showed them how to properly clean and dress wounds, emphasizing the importance of preventing infection in a survival situation. The group practiced bandaging techniques on each other, with Sam offering guidance and corrections as needed.

After only a brief lunch break—just long enough to swallow a piece of bread—Sam continued teaching them how to handle conditions like frostbite, heat stroke, and hypothermia. 

Though mostly theoretical, Rose listened intently. While such ailments seemed unlikely in their everyday lives, anything was possible in the realms. Had Andrew and Ethan specifically requested this topic because of the realms? She shook her head. That would imply they were considering entering portals. Or had Sam chosen the subject himself? Another coincidence?

She refocused on the lesson, knowing this knowledge could be crucial in critical situations. There'd be time later to ponder the odd occurrences surrounding her.

As the afternoon drew to a close, Sam concluded their training session and departed, promising to return the following morning.

When everyone turned to walk back towards the farmhouse, Rose caught Luke at his arm, holding him back. 

She pulled him aside, making sure they were out of earshot from the others. "Luke," she whispered, "I need to talk to you about your ability." 

Luke's eyes widened with curiosity as he nodded, but before he could follow her, they heard Ethan's voice calling them. 

"Rose?"