Heaven in Hell

DAY 4 (Contd.)

DAY 4 (CONTD.):

1320 HOURS

OFFICER SIDDHARTH MISHRA:

We had 10 minutes left to gobble down our meals but our steps were halted as soon as we saw Agent Prescott waiting outside the Officer's Mess with a glare on his face.

There are very few moments in life where I am scared enough to freeze. This seems to be one of those moments. His muscular bulging tall 6'2.5 inches frame combined with that stoic mask and angry scowl was enough to send people running to the woods. The rumours and stories do not help either. But when he fixes that glare on you, it feels like an inferno has been lit around you, engulfing you in full and burning you alive with just his gaze.

Taking a deep breath and reminding myself of what Roshesh just said, I continued my jog and joined Roshesh who has standing in attention before the devil himself.

"At ease, Officers"

Despite wanting to see what he was holding to, I forced myself to place my legs shoulder width apart with arms behind my back and my gaze straight ahead.

"YOU ARE LATE"

"Sorry, sir." I don't even know why we are apologising, but if I were to guess, it would not be for being late to the meal but rather making him wait for a meeting we were never invited to.

"We will discuss that later. Here, eat your MREs fast. Officer Roshesh will be taking over the training for the cadets from here on. You, change into a pair of undershirt and shorts, carry an additional pair of uniform and meet me at the interrogation room in 10 minutes."

Confident that I could get through the worse, I synced "Yes sir" with Roshesh and we proceed to unceremoniously wolfed down our MREs right outside the Officer's Mess.

Then I ran to my room to gather all that was asked and a bottle of water and raced it back just in time for those 10 minutes to be up. My stomach was in knots from running right after a meal that I had not chewed. But there is nothing I can do but hope that it does not decide to make an appearance.

Dropping the bag of my clothes at the side of the room, I stood to attention before Agent Prescott who seemed deep in thought.

A minute passed before he said, "What is the ideal percentage of improvement per day in a good soldier, Officer?"

I don't know how it seems relevant to where we are now, but I hesitantly answer, "10% sir"

"Are you saying each of us should improve a 10% everyday?"

"Yes sir"

"Well, then, roughly put, I have been here at least a day so let's see if you have improved a 10% or not."

Shit, why couldn't I have picked a smaller number? Well, then again, he would make me pay for thinking and expecting small and then, things would be where they are headed now. At least, this way, we have skipped straight to the edge of the cliff.

Taking his stopwatch, he sits in the chair at the corner of the room and says, "Your last time was, Officer?"

Knowing that if I did not remember correctly or tried to cheat, I'm dead. So, I said, "140 push-up in 1.30; 10 push-ups and 150 sit-ups in the next 1.30 and 38 pull-ups in next 2.00 and next 2 push-ups in another 6 seconds with no rest breaks. 150 laps at swim pool with bricks in 3 hours and 1500 burpees in 1 hour and 8 minutes."

"Drop and push till you remember which time you have said wrong "

This can't be happening, I know all my times are right. Is he messing with me? What have I missed?