I Try to Get My Grip Together

"Wake up ladies!" someone, Sarge shouted. I fell headlong to the floor.

"Get moving!" Sarge said. We all lined up as usual. "Now, we're all going to take a trip somewhere. And you all are going to jog while getting there."

"Of course!" "This is—" "No whining, wimps. This is not dumb. Not when you face the real challenge." "We are going to climb a mountain. The first one to reach the top would have a five hour sleep break."

"Oh yeah!" men shouted. "That's gonna feel nice," Chief said.

"Oh yeah, now you're talking," Sarge mumbled. "If you're not first to reach the top, I want infinite laps until dinner."

I sighed. I used to climb until—my parents died. It's been seven years now and I haven't climbed yet. "All right, give me ten laps around the field before we go. Move!"

I ran by Glenn. "Would we always keep doing laps?" I asked. Glenn shrugged. "I have never been in the army before; I wouldn't be the best person to ask."

"I need that sleep," I said. Glenn sighed. "That's gonna be hard." We finished our ten laps around the field. It was more like nine laps and two thirds because we merged into going to the destination.

"C'mon let's go!" Sarge shouted. Hunter reached us. "I'm reaching to that top," he articulated. "I'm worried about Jack."

"Why should you be worried?" I asked. "Jack—I mean—he breaks the rules until he gets what he wants," Hunter uttered.

I deliberated on that certain fact. He was right on that, definitely right.

I was pretty sure we were close to our point of disembarkation.

It was another camp. It belonged to us, but this was for being enrolled as a soldier—I believe.

"All right, stop," Sarge ordered. Everyone stopped and took their breath-including me. "I want you to climb this. He pointed to a really tall mountain. Not too tall but, at least pretty tall.

"I believe in each and every one of you," he said. "I do not want you to fail me. Go!" Everyone hustled. I ran as fast as I could to the mountain. Stones and dents were there. I should probably hang by those.

I jumped on a stone and grabbed onto one. Glenn was already ahead of me. But Jack was below me. I saw Humphrey fall a foot from the ground.

"Not in my way," Jack verbalized. That boosted up my speed. I grabbed onto one, realizing I scratched myself.

I stepped into that stone and it cracked. I was left hanging—far away—from the ground. "Aah!" I shrieked in fear.

I was near fainting. I hurried and reached a small platform of the mountain. I started from there. I was fifth in the climbing race.

Suddenly, I slipped—accidentally kicking someone's face. "Sorry!" I shouted. I continued on, and I jumped and grabbed onto one tightly.

"Aagh!" I cried. I looked at the ground. I slipped from the stone I was holding tightly on. "Aaaahhhh!" I shouted.

Jack reached to me. He kicked me and I almost fell. "You…" I said, darkly by my breath. I climbed faster than ever.

I passed Jack, Humphrey, Chief, Hunter and I was behind Glenn. "Oh, you're behind me now," he said, smiling. We were close to the end. "I really don't know who should win," Glenn said.

"Both of us."

Glenn smiled more.

And we reached the top—together. Sarge looked up. "Hmm, did I ever say anything about ties??" he said.

The race stopped, and Glenn and I won. "Stop!" Sarge shouted.

We all went down the hill; Jack raging in hate, Chief's jealousy, Humphrey's sadness, and Hunter's good sportsmanship.

"I never knew I would expect this much from you two," Sarge professed. "Especially you,Slouch."

"Of course…—" someone said. "Shut it," Sarge said. He turned back to us. "You two, I really believe will become great soldiers that will honor this country greatly."

It was the afternoon, the starting of it. Cars dropped us off, most of them were filled with supplies.

I laid down thinking about all that happened through the week. I was awarded, standing up for Glenn. I was quite honored—not really—in Suicide; and now this.

And I was going back, to get my good five hour sleep.