Hidden

This training room is bigger than any of the others I have been in to the point of distraction. The area is filled with a shooting range, an area for knife target practice, a hand to hand combat section, and other stations that I have never seen before, but dominating the middle of the room is a massive course maze. My muscles jump at the thought of running it.

A new instructor locks eyes with me and walks over with a measured but decisive step. She looks to be in her forties, which is normal as far as instructors go, but she's definitely more polished than any of the others I've had. It's hard to imagine sparring with her. My spine straightens as she closes in and analyzes me with her dark eyes.

"Samantha Hargrove?" she inquires, her voice is as clinical and cold as her gaze. No surprise there. I nod quickly. "Welcome to the training room for all candidate trial dates. You are expected to report here every day without fail. Any station you approach will have an assistant to guide you as needed. Each component of this room will be tested on the day of your trial, so spend your time wisely. Do you have any questions?"

Two others in training clothes like me pass us on their way to the course maze. I think they're from Ethan's year, though I can't be sure. She answers my question before I can even form it. "All candidates complete their personal trial on an individual basis. However, once you get to this level, you are expected to push yourself, but you are also expected to work as a team. Of course, that's if you pass your trial date."

She said if not when. Another look around at the others who are training brings home the cold, hard truth. I'm the youngest here, and because I made it, someone else didn't. I will not mess this up. I will not fail. I repeat the words in my head to give myself strength.

The instructor moves away from me. Taking a few deep breaths, I move to scout out each area around the course maze first. I start at the shooting range and begin the tour in a perfect circle. I pass the knife throwing and combat areas just as quickly. Nothing new there.

The next section deals with listening to a mission guide in a headpiece and completing tasks to their specific instructions on a timer. So far that's the only task I haven't run into in my previous training. Strange that they would pick now to implement something completely new.

After that station, there are several areas meant to perfect your performance in the course maze from balance to speed to agility with a few new challenges thrown into the mix. I can't help my grin. I really can do this. If the only new task is the one with the mission guide, how hard could this really be? I pause at the map detailing the formidable course maze. They saved the best for last with this one. It truly is exquisitely made. There are obstacles, traps, roving bogies, false leads, and more. I stare at the map imprinting every facet of it to my brain.

Time passes around me, but I remain at the map, committing it to memory. I hear nothing else, I see nothing else besides the crisscrossing lines before me. The true trick to a course maze is knowing the course inside and out before attempting it. Most run at it head long and use brute force. I prefer to use cunning and finesse. Every now and then, I close my eyes and envision it laying out before me as a movable model to test myself. Course mazes are meant to test your raw instincts, your ability to adapt, as well as your stamina, and I can't wait to conquer this one.

A buzzer blares through the room signaling lunch. I spent three hours with the map, but it doesn't matter. My plan's simple. Now that I've got the map almost handled, my afternoon is free for the other stations. Based on what I remember accurately overnight, I'll be ready for my first true run at the course the day after tomorrow.

Mastering the map before attempting anything is crucial. After all, my previous instructor emphasized that I needed to impress. Not completing the maze would do the exact opposite. Maybe I'll ask an assistant if there is a map I can take with me before the end of the day.