Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
On the bright side, my endurance has improved with time, and I can go for hours without feeling the need to collapse.
When the captain caught me and started this challenge, I thought I would never get this far, but as he told me, it’s only a mind game; once I learn the rules, everything will be easier.
Kirill Morozov. That’s the captain’s name.
I learned it during the time I’ve spent physically torturing myself to build my muscle strength.
It’s been a steep hill to climb with lots of leg, arm, and abdominal work. He has no intention of making me buff since, according to his observations, my main advantage is speed and a ‘decent’ aim.
He still has every intention of pushing me beyond my limits, though.
A long time ago, I used to pride myself in being a strong, determined girl. I used to wrestle with Papa, my uncles, my brother, and my cousins. Running, sparring with wooden swords, and climbing trees were everyday occurrences.
I about gave my poor mama a heart attack every time I went home with my torn and grimy dresses, a dirty face, and disheveled hair. She used to give me the longest lecture as she bathed and dolled me up again.
Back then, I’d stare in the mirror and love how I looked. I adored the lacy dresses and my long blonde hair that reflected the sun. I used to play with my strands and reign as a princess over my cousins.
Despite my tomboyish activities, I loved how pretty Mama made me look. I just couldn’t resist joining my brother and cousins whenever they went on a mischievous adventure.
If they were to see me struggling with training right now, they’d taunt, “Is that the best you can do, Sashenka?”
My shoulders droop as I hop down from the metal bar and stand on the ground. I continue staring at my feet, my hands balling into fists. The reminder that they’re no longer here to tease or call me Sashenka anymore fills my heart with a cloud of suffocating smoke.
I tap my chest, resisting the urge to cry.
The more I tap, the more claustrophobic it gets. Gruesome images sneak into my subconscious.
I can almost feel the weight of my cousins’ bodies covering mine. The pop, pop, pop sounds echoing in the air. The terrified shrieking, the pungent metallic smell of blood, and, eventually, how they became heavy.
They were so heavy, they crushed me. I couldn’t breathe or speak. I couldn’t—
A pair of big boots stop in front of me, and I straighten, thankful for the distraction.
No idea why those memories are hitting me now more than before. They were dormant for some time, but they’ve come back with a vengeance lately.
“It’s time for the morning meeting,” the newcomer announces in a gruff, unwelcoming voice.
He’s Lieutenant Viktor. Captain Kirill’s right-hand man. Or more like a persistent shadow. Whenever the captain isn’t here to observe my progress, Viktor shows up, acting as unwelcoming as he looks.
I prefer the captain’s company. No, not company. It’s not like he’s here to be my friend. It’s that, if I had to choose, I’d pick his presence, supervision, and attention to detail.
Sometimes, it feels as if he knows my progress and my weaknesses and strengths more than I do.
Viktor is just harsh with no rhyme or reason, and I don’t think he’s liked me since our first meeting that night.
“Yes, sir,” I say instead of asking why the captain isn’t here.
Viktor would just glare, make me feel lower than the dirt beneath his shoes for even asking, and then he’d eventually dismiss me or flat out ignore me.
He starts down the hall, and I follow behind. The boots are no longer heavy, and they don’t weigh me down, despite the exhaustion in my muscles. That’s because I’ve gotten used to training in the morning and at night in addition to the official training.
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be allowed to do that by my direct superiors, but I think Captain Kirill has found a way around that regulation, because no one has bothered me since I started this marathon-like pace.
I wait for Viktor to go into the hall before I step inside. I grab a tray of food and sit in the only available spot, which, unfortunately, happens to be on Matvey and his gang’s side.
Five pairs of eyes glare at me, but that’s the limit of what they can do in public. After that time, Captain Kirill got them punished by our captain. I have no doubt that Matvey would finish what he started and avenge his wounded pride if he got the chance. Which is why I’ve made sure to avoid being in a position like the one from back then.
I’m stronger, but not strong enough to take on the five of them. Hell, even Matvey alone would be hard to defeat.