Long Way To Go

It's the second day. Miraculously, Keira slept well, given with the small and sturdy bed she slept on.

When she woke up, everyone was already up too.

"Good morning," she greeted them with a warm smile on her lips. Some greeted back and some nodded and others snubbed her.

"Don't mind them." Trish murmured to her smiling. She was the first one who took the initiative to talk to Keira last night and be friendly.

"Nah, it's alright. I understand them. Being close with the Field Marshal's daughter, most feel hesitation." Said Keira with a wink.

"But I like you. I think you are nice and straightforward. The thing I lack." Said Trish timidly.

"She's like that because she came from a powerful family so basically she's confident in everything because someone will always back her up." Vel interrupted.

Keira sighed, that girl always loved to side comment at her negatively, which started since their encounter at the canteen.

She would only stop when Keira answered her negative words.

'Maybe. it's her nature to be like that?' She mused because if she really wanted war with her, for sure she would do far worse than talking.

She understood that Vel was just being vocal on her own perspective and belief.

'Wow, when did I become this kind and understanding?' She mused as she shook her head.

"She's right, Trish. The big factor is that I know I came from a powerful family. Basically, I should be considered untouchable, right? I wonder why Vel is not afraid of me? Maybe I should show her how hard I bite?" Keira said as she winked to Trish who giggled.

Vel reddened, "You…"

But then the Military Alarm rang all over the training grounds as the sound of their wake up call boomed on the speakers outside.

"Candidates, get ready in ten minutes and proceed to the training grounds for a quick briefing to the second round." Someone announced through the speakers. Each of them started quickly getting prepared.

Today, they were going to do the fifteen-meter swim with gear in the morning and the sixteen-mile hike w/65lb pack in the afternoon.

Most candidates sighed and some couldn't hide their conflicted expressions.

"It's the actual training of the cadets, they sure want us to experience it in advance so we can decide if we still want to continue. By the way, do you really want to become a soldier?" Trish asked Keira while they were on their way to the tent to eat a quick breakfast, which was being delivered to each tent.

"Hmm, I want to keep it a secret, Trish, for now. It's kind of personal," said Keira apologetically with a smile.

"Alright, I understand... As for me, I like the scholarship program and the benefits. This is my only chance to survive." Trish murmured and smiled at Keira.

For some reason, Keira felt that Trish had a story that she would love to hear, but they needed to prepare and be quick so she did not pound more on to it.

...…..

Keira only had ten more tent mates left after the second round ended yesterday.

"Finally, it's the final round," she murmured as she scanned the whole field they were at.

All candidates gaped in terror at the site before their eyes.

Lieutenant Long's laughter roared at the speakerphone because of the expressions of the candidates before him.

"Good morning, SURVIVORS! What's with those expressions? Aren't you all happy to survive till the final round?" Shouted Lieutenant Long.

"Hooah!" Answered the Candidates in chorus.

"Why do I feel that it sounds lame when I'm sure you do have already had your breakfast, right? Candidates, are you ready for the final round?!!! Show me the energy!!!!!" Asked Lieutenant Long in his loudest voice.

"Hooah!!!"

"Hooah!!!"

"Hooah!!!"

"That's more like it!" Said Lieutenant Long grinning.

"As you can see, before you are the obstacle courses where men and women should pass and finish it to survive, so this is the true challenge of survival! These obstacle courses are patterned based on actual military combat so you need to be fast and alert because you will receive shots like real gunshots but of course it's just paintball guns to mark if you died or survived." Lieutenant Long explained.

"There are patterns for each shot, so you better use your head before moving. You have to consider it as a real thing. Like you are on the real battlefield. What should you do, candidates? Treat this as a war where you fight your way to survive! Yes, the main thing here is to survive no fighting back yet of course. You and your co-soldiers are stuck in a battlefield with obstacles where your mission is to survive and finish the obstacles without getting a critical shot!" Lieutenant Long added and signaled the cadets to assist the candidates by batch where they were mixed of men and women.

May was very excited because they all, including Drey, ended up together in the same batch to do the final round.

"This is it, guys… Let's finish this with flying colors!" Keira whispered, cheering her friends before they proceed to prepare. Vel and Trish were on their batch too.

Keira looked at a particular spot. It's the spot where Zach was seated. then she smiled widely. Even from afar she could recognize her man very well.

She felt like as soon as she succeeded the final round Zach would be her trophy, though she knew that she would still have a long way to go to get the heart of that trophy.

"I've never been this excited my whole life…" she whispered unconsciously.