Marcus hadn't gone back to sleep since waking up. Every time he'd close his eyes that terrified look on Crimson's face would pop up in his vision, and he would become terrified of being pulled back into the cold, hellish nightmare.
However, Marcus knew that he had to sleep.
He rolled around in his bed for several hours, but no matter where he turned or how he oriented himself, sleep continued to elude him.
This restless escapade continued well into the night. No matter what he did, he couldn't get more than a few minutes of sleep at a time, before he jolted awake in a panic.
By the time 4:00 AM had rolled around, Marcus had gotten a total of four hours of sleep.
Marcus was exhausted. His body physically felt fine, but his mind was filled with a hazy fog that sapped away any energy he had.
Marcus groaned as he covered his eyes with his arm. "Why am I even doing this?" He said groggily as he sat up in bed.
Taking a look around his dark and cold dorm, Marcus could only curse in frustration.
"Fuck." He said in a drawn-out manner.
Marcus, still frustrated and exhausted, began his morning routine.
Once washed up and dressed, Marcus made his way to the eatery, where he filled his plate with eggs and got the strongest beverage the workers offered, which was black tea.
Marcus doubted it was stronger than coffee, but it was all that had on deck at the moment.
With food and beverage in hand, Marcus found his usual spot in the corner of the eatery. He took his seat and began to eat his breakfast, attempting to enjoy the taste of something hot and warm.
As he ate, Marcus noticed that the atmosphere in the eatery had changed dramatically since yesterday, not only was it almost entirely silent, but it was also emptier than before.
"I guess I wasn't the only one traumatized by that damn simulation," Marcus said to himself as he ate another fork full of eggs.
It melted in his mouth almost as if it were butter.
Marcus inwardly chuckled to himself as he savored the flavor. He found it funny that the only good part of his day was breakfast.
Lunch was nothing but a massive protein bar and a shake.
And he'd be lucky if he even remembered to eat dinner.
"Sup bro." A familiar voice greeted Marcus with a warm yet hollow voice.
Looking up, Marcus noticed Felix sitting across from him with a plate filled with egg, sausage, and fruit along with a large glass of milk.
"Hey Felix," Marcus said between bites.
"You ready for today's trial?" Felix asked before taking a sip of his milk.
Marcus shook his head. "My body is, but my mind is struggling, that simulation really messed me up."
"Yeah, you know I tried to kill that lady bro, but she was fast, too fast for me to dodge her attacks." Felix looked disappointed and frustrated at first, but then he smirked, "But I did gouge an eye out, so at least I did something."
Marcus felt like a weakling as he listened to Felix speak. "You managed to hurt her?" He asked almost in disbelief.
Felix nodded, "when she went for my stomach, I allowed myself to get pierced by her hand. When it went through I grabbed her arm with my right hand and held it in place, then I went for her face with my left hand."
"Damn." Marcus replied, "I just tried to run away, then I begged for my life when she caught me, but she didn't listen, and killed me while her daughter watched in horror, I still can't get her face out of my head."
Felix nodded. "Same, it's funny how we go into the simulation without our memories, yet come out feeling as if we lived an entirely other life, even if it was just a few hours that simulation felt too real."
Marcus nodded as he sipped his tea, "Yeah, I'm starting to wonder why I'm even doing this anymore, I was lured in by the idea of being a cool hero of sorts, escaping my life of computer games and school work…"
Marcus then placed down his tea as he continued, "But this, this is not the escape I'd thought it would be."
"I think about leaving too bro, my mentors told me I had a knack for the unexpected and that I had a strong mindset, but I'm starting to think they were just pulling my leg," Felix said with a soft chuckle.
"My mentors were more laidback." Marcus replied as he thought about Kenji and Elissa, "They were tough on training, but they always cared for me and gave me an out every time they thought I was overwhelmed."
"They sound like good people," Felix replied.
"They are, I hope they're doing alright, haven't even spoken to them since coming here."
Felix remained silent as he looked down toward his breakfast, he then picked up a fork and began to eat.
Marcus took Felix's silence as the end of the conversation and resumed eating as well.
It wasn't long before they finished their breakfast and began making their way to the training center.
Marcus and Felix stepped into the training center side by side, they joined the grouping of cadets forming up near the entrance of the building.
The same lieutenants from yesterday were huddled up in a group talking amongst themselves, this time Lieutenant Satou was with them.
"Guess he learned his lesson from last time," Marcus murmured to himself as he crossed his arms, he then began looking around the crowd of cadets that surrounded him, eventually landing his gaze on Sang-Hee, who was glancing at him with a frown.
Marcus sighed as he forced a smile, but Sang-Hee only turned away with a disgusted look.
Marcus groaned as he assumed that she was still mad from yesterday.
Felix had noticed the interaction between the two and tapped Marcus's shoulder. "Bro, what's the matter with her?" He whispered.
"It's nothing major." Marcus replied, "She's just stubborn, I tried to help her yesterday, because she was struggling to walk, long story short, she refused my help, but I did it anyway."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure that was wise bro?" Felix asked skeptically. "When a girl says no, it's best to go."
Marcus shook his head. "It's fine, when I finally got her up she clung to me like a cat out of water, she's just too prideful, and doesn't know when to accept help."
Felix nodded as he patted Marcus's back. "That's good then, I'm just glad you're not 'that' guy."
Marcus chuckled. "Trust me, anyone else and I wouldn't have even thought about asking twice."
"Alright, cadets!" Lieutenant Revia barked as she stepped away from the other lieutenants and made her way in front of all the cadets. "You're not stupid so I ain't gonna waste time on unnecessary details, Group A, with me." She said with a clap of her hands as she turned down the left hallway.
Without a word, the cadets from group A along with the five droids from yesterday, immediately began to make their way behind their lieutenant.
Felix gave Marcus a quick nod before joining up with his group.
After Lieutenant Revia and her group left, the remaining lieutenants and their groups followed suit.
It wasn't long before Group E found themselves in training room Echo, split into five groups each with its own droid.
Lance stood before them with his hands in his pockets and and conflicted expression. He glanced over everyone in the room with a scrutinizing gaze.
His eyes eventually landed on Marcus.
Marcus felt uncomfortable with the sudden attention Lance was putting on him, it felt as if he was looking at him far longer than he did the other cadets.
Marcus wondered if he had perhaps done something to offend Lieutenant Lance, but he quickly dismissed that thought as when last they talked, everything seemed normal.
Marcus felt that he was just overanalyzing the situation, blaming it on his stress.
Lance sighed as he took a step back from the cadets. "You guys know the drill, group one and two, line up on the track, and prepare for your 100-meter dash."
And with those words, the second day of training had begun.
The second day of training wasn't too different from the first in any major capacity, as it was the same exercises held for the same duration of time/sets.
The only difference was the fatigue that carried on from yesterday, making the training feel increasingly difficult.
By the time it was over, three cadets had failed today's physical portion training of today's test at various stages.
Lance had gathered the tried and worn cadets back in their group and began to explain what came next.
"Congratulations on all who passed today and for those who haven't, you'll be seeing Dr. Smith."
The cadets who failed eyes widened with fear and uncertainty, while those who passed let their exhaustion and frustration take over their faces.
Marcus was indifferent to it all, he did feel sorry for the cadets who failed, but at this point, he felt that having your memories erased would be a blessing.
Lance then clapped his hands twice as he headed towards the exit, "come on, let's head to the lobby."
"Not even a second to rest," Marcus muttered as he crossed his arms.
After reaching the lobby where the other four groups were waiting, Lieutenant Revia gave Lance a knowing look.
Lance nodded in response to this look as he held up three fingers.
Lieutenant Revia nodded as she gestured towards Dr. Smith, who was standing near the right hallway with around twenty cadets who had failed. Most of them looked frightened, but a few looked rather satisfied or content.
"Alright, you know the drill," Lance said as he guided the three cadets away from group E. Once they joined the other disqualified cadets, Lieutenant Revia pointed towards the front door.
"Move out! We're heading towards the virtual labs." She barked.
Marcus felt slightly disappointed with how fast the lieutenants were moving things along, he knew that yesterday was slow because it was only their first day, but he still wasn't comfortable with it.
Marcus did realize that was the point, however.
The cadets, though tired and exhausted from today's physical training, began to march outside in a disorganized group, flanked by four lieutenants and led by Lieutenant Revia.
During the walk, Felix had made his way to Marcus and tapped his shoulder gently. "You think they'll put us in a different simulation bro?" Felix asked. "I really don't wanna be in that cabin again."
"I hope so," Marcus replied. "But if it is different I doubt it'll be any easier, maybe instead of getting killed we'll be doing the killing, or maybe you'll be put in a sticky situation where it's life or death, the possibilities are endless when you can fabricate reality."
"And yet they choose to traumatize us," Felix said with a sigh.
Marcus nodded in agreement, yesterday's simulation still fresh in his mind.
As the cadets continued what felt like a forced march, Marcus began to push down the dread that began biting at his heels. He attempted to focus on something else, something less dreadful, but the only thing that popped up in his mind was Luna.
But Marcus wasn't sure he was ready to face her again, perhaps not ever.
Reaching the virtual lab, Lieutenant Revia began to bark orders once more. "Find a pod and step inside, there will be an assistant with you shortly."
With those words, the cadets slowly began dragging their feet toward any available pod.
Marcus and Felix sat in the same pods from yesterday, but this time they had significantly less enthusiasm as they knew what awaited them on the other side.
Marcus settled into his pod with a deep breath. He leaned his head back and began to prepare himself for what was to come, he knew it wouldn't matter as he wouldn't remember that he was in a simulation, but it felt useful.
It wasn't long before a scientist made his way to Marcus's pod and began to activate his pod. "You ready?" He asked in a neutral tone.
Marcus huffed as he nodded. "Yeah." He said softly.
Without a second word the scientist activated his pod, the pod door began to close as the headpiece and needles began to do their job.
Simulation start-up initiated
"So you're the famed gunner Raven?" A rough, gravelly voice spoke with amusement behind Marcus.