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“Run,” I said immediately since my arms were too tired for climbing.
“Then we run.”
That’s when I noticed there were a few more soldiers by the jeep.They watched us all jog around the spread-out course.I wasn’t sure how many laps we did, but I was winded by the time Molev finally stopped us for another break.
This one was longer, and I took a nap on the rope netting.
After that, we climbed until I thought my arms would fall off.
The end of the day didn’t come soon enough.And I wasn’t the only one thinking that way.Even Roni’s gung-ho attitude had faded to mutters about sadism.
When the sun started to set, Molev finally called it quits.There were four jeeps parked by the original one now.
“Anyone want a lift?”one of the soldiers called.
We all made a beeline for the vehicles, except for Molev.He trailed behind at a leisurely jog.
“Will you be training again tomorrow?”the guard asked.
Roland groaned, and I looked back at Molev, who nodded at me.
“Yes.We’ll be there.Why?”I asked.
“Think there’s room for one or two more?”
“Yeah,” I said without looking at Molev.I didn’t need to.What he’d done was now glaringly obvious.Openly teaching us ways to survive showed his intent better than any words he could have spoken.He’d extended the olive branch, and at least a few of them were taking it.Tomorrow, there would probably be more.
“I’m going to die,” Katie said beside me.
“No, you won’t.You’re going to get up, and you’re going to keep fighting even when everything hurts.You’ll wake up with a smile tomorrow because you know you’re going to survive it.”
“But will I?”she asked, closing her eyes.
Roland put his arm around her, giving her a comforting side hug, which she turned into a catnap.When the jeeps stopped in front of the house, we all groaned as we got out and shuffled toward the door.
Every one of us collapsed on the couch and chairs as soon as we were inside.Except for Molev.He went to the kitchen to start cooking.
“They restocked the food,” he said.“We can do a sweep of the house after you rest.”
* * *
The next day,five soldiers joined us.The day after, ten.They didn’t talk much, but they paid attention and learned whatever Molev was willing to teach.The following day, some of the faces changed.
It went on like that for a week.Sleep, eat, train until I wanted to collapse, then eat, train some more, eat, and repeat.I was so exhausted by the end of each day I didn’t always remember going to bed.And I was so sore that I could barely stand getting out of bed.
The core group of us started snapping at each other over little things.Molev didn’t comment, letting us be as long as we were practicing.Until Roni tried punching Steve.Molev plucked her off by the back of her shirt and gave her a stern finger-wag accompanied by a “no hitting Steve when he wins” lecture.
Before she could come back with something appropriately rage-filled and “Roni,” another jeep pulled up.This one wasn’t filled with soldiers looking for some extra training, though.The woman from the hospital was there with a medic kit.
“Hello, Molev,” she said with a smile.“I’m here for another blood draw.”
Molev looked at me.“Did you give your nephew’s name to anyone?”
I shook my head, and he looked at Sid.“Did anyone talk to you like the general promised?”
“No, sir.They did not.”
Molev faced the doctor.“These men and women kept their word and brought me here.I kept my word and allowed you to take my blood.Now it is time for the general to keep his word.”
