The drill instructors called the students' names. The students parachuted out one by one. The children who hesitated were kicked out ruthlessly. You could hear the sounds of screams muffling softer into the distance.
"Han Lee!"
The wind gushed violently.
Han looked below. He could see the tiny dot of an island. The drill instructor began to count and Han jumped out.
Gravity and the wind simultaneously put intense pressure on his body. His heart raced wildly.
'Calmly open the parachute.'
Han said quietly to himself.
He pulled the string and caused the parachute to shoot out and spread into the sky. Han floated upwards for a moment and gradually began to float downwards. This was a very good start.
The ocean wind blew wildly. Han and many of the children started to lose control.
They started to stray off course of the island and into the deep ocean. Han tried pulling his parachute string and ropes, but it didn't seem to pull properly like before.
He strayed further due to the wind. Han wasn't alone, many others followed along with him. He could see many children had landed in the ocean already.
Splash!
Han's body submerged into the cold ocean. Han swiftly cut the tangled parachute ropes. The island wasn't too far away. His backpack had an empty water jug which helped in aiding him to stay afloat. Due to this, even the worst swimmers could make it onto land.
'Stay calm.'
The drill instructors had rationed life necessities that were needed to survive on the island. As long as he didn't panic, problems should not occur.
However, it was a difficult concept for many children to grasp. Even the children who usually ranked high seemed to panic and couldn't problem solve properly.
"Huu."
Han was able to use his backpack as a makeshift tube to swim onto shore. He had to swim halfway around the island before finding a place he could swim ashore.
The children who didn't think to swim around the island, tried their best to climb rocky cliffs and boulders, but ended up falling and slipping, wasting their energies.
Han walked heavy steps onto the sandy shore. His feet dug deeply into the sand with every step.
Thankfully, his uniform was made of a highly functional material that was waterproof. He didn't need to worry about drying his own clothes.
Han looked upwards to the sky. The day was almost over.
"I have two days worth of food supplies. If I eat this sparingly I won't have a problem for about a week."
Han mumbled. He had been supplied with a water filter jug and water bottle. Although this was a survival drill, they were being pretty nice.
The deserted island was vast, although all of class B had landed here, it was not easy to find one another. A few students spotted one another on the shore, but pretended not to notice.
'Nobody wants to work together?'
Class B had all been separated into factions. All the different factions were currently competing for the spot of the next class president. They were all set on finding their own groups for this survival drill.
'It could be that I'm the only one who believes two days worth of food is enough for the week.'
Han was already used to hunger pains. However, the children of Ark lived their whole lives without knowing true hunger.
To them, the food rations were not enough at all. They had to scavenge for food or steal food from other students. There were only two choices.
"There should be brats who choose to plunder others. They'll probably end up making a special group."
Han was at a disadvantage. It had not been long since Han had transferred into class B. He didn't belong to any factions.
Han surveyed his surroundings and walked deeper into the island. There were too many watchful eyes at shore and the wind was too strong.
While Han looked for a place to camp, the day fell into complete darkness. Han looked for a place where the morning dew would not condense.
Han crunched down on a bite of his rock hard chocolate bar. Sweetness filled his mouth. He wanted to eat more but he suppressed his urges.
"Help,"
Han stopped walking and looked around. He heard a faint voice from somewhere. The voice seemed familiar. Han focused once more to locate the source of the voice.
"Please, anyone help."
The sound of sobbing was mixed in with his plea for help. Han quietly followed the voice.
'Is it from above?'
Atop a tall tree, the parachute lines had tangled into a huge mess. Just below, a dark skinned fellow could be seen hanging. It was Kuro.
"Ha-Han?"
Tears streamed from Kuro's eyes as he stared toward Han.
Han let out a sigh and let down his guard.
Kuro's parachute lines were tangled into the tree branches. He didn't have enough strength to get himself out of this situation.
"What happened to your knife?"
"I was trying to cut the rope when I dropped it. I don't even see where I dropped it."
Han looked up into the tree. He observed Kuro's parachute and backpack. His backpack looked empty.
"Someone already passed here, didn't they? They didn't bother saving you and abandoned you here, right? Did they take your food rations?"
Kuro nodded. Han scratched his head. He helped to cut him free with the sharp knife provided.
Kuro plopped onto the ground bottom first. He massaged his arms and legs that had been strangled by the string all this time.
"Han, you saved my life."
Han didn't bother to reply. He took out the chocolate he had eaten and snapped off a piece for Kuro.
"Eat. You should be hungry."
"That's your food ration."
"It's okay. Nobody dies from starving for a week. After remaining in Ark, my body is very healthy and well balanced so I can take this much."
Kuro looked blankly towards Han. Other children had stolen Kuro's food rations, but Han had not only saved his life but also shared his food.
"Thank you."
Kuro said with an honest heart. Han plainly observed the surroundings. Han had abandoned his parachute in the ocean, but Kuro's was still fully intact.