The faint glow of dawn barely pierced the thick gray clouds, casting an icy pall over the frosty courtyard. Sophie shivered as the cold wind bit into her exposed skin. Her breath rose in soft puffs, visible in the chill air. She flexed her fingers, trying to will warmth into them, but the effort was futile. Despite the thick jacket she wore, the freezing morning seemed intent on reaching her very bones.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the sharp crunch of approaching footsteps. Sophie turned her head toward the sound, spotting Elena emerging from the shadows with her usual no-nonsense stride. Her sharp gaze, coupled with the ever-present smirk tugging at her lips, was as unyielding as the cold.
"Good morning," Elena greeted, her tone brisk and unapologetically chipper for such an ungodly hour. She carried a weighted vest in one hand and a clipboard in the other, her combat jacket and sleek braid giving her the air of a drill sergeant who took pleasure in others' misery.
Sophie exhaled sharply, trying to mask her dread with sarcasm. "What fresh hell do you have for me today?"
Elena dropped the vest at Sophie's feet, the dull thud of its weight reverberating through the quiet courtyard. "Put this on," she said simply.
Sophie crouched, gripping the vest. The instant she lifted it, her arms strained under the unexpected heaviness. She grunted in surprise, her brows knitting together. "What's this stuffed with, lead bricks?"
"Close. Twenty kilos," Elena corrected, setting the clipboard down as she walked over to adjust the straps. Her hands worked efficiently, tightening the vest against Sophie's body. "We're starting light."
Sophie blinked, incredulous. "Light?" She glanced at the long, icy track stretching ahead of them and then back at Elena.
"You're lucky," Elena replied, stepping back to scrutinize her handiwork. "Yesterday's recruit started with thirty."
"Lucky me," Sophie muttered under her breath, shifting uncomfortably as the vest dug into her shoulders.
Elena ignored the comment, picking up her clipboard. "Now, start running."
"Running?" Sophie's voice rose in disbelief as she stared at the track. "How far?"
Elena looked up from the clipboard, her expression flat. "Ten laps. And don't waste time complaining. The clock's already ticking."
Sophie opened her mouth to argue but thought better of it. Instead, she shot Elena a glare and began jogging. The first few steps felt manageable, the weight of the vest pressing down but not overwhelming. She focused on keeping a steady rhythm, her boots crunching against the frozen ground.
By the second lap, the vest's weight seemed to double. Every step sent jolts of strain through her legs and shoulders. The cold air stung her lungs, making each breath a struggle.
Elena's voice sliced through the air like a whip. "Faster, Sophie! Your enemies won't wait for you to catch your breath. Neither will I."
Sophie growled under her breath, pushing herself harder. Her legs burned as she rounded the next corner, her pace faltering slightly. By the fourth lap, the rhythm of her feet became uneven, and her vision started to blur.
The whispers of doubt crept into her mind. Why am I doing this? The thought was like a bitter wind, chilling her resolve.
Memories surged to the forefront—images of her family, their laughter and warmth now reduced to ashes and shadows. Her chest tightened, but then she heard Alex Jr.'s voice in her mind, soft and sweet: "You don't have to do everything alone, Aunt Sophie."
The thought struck a chord deep within her, reigniting her determination. She clenched her fists, forcing her legs to move despite the agony screaming through every muscle.
By the seventh lap, her steps were sluggish, and she stumbled once, barely catching herself before falling.
"Pick it up, Sophie!" Elena barked, jogging alongside her now. Her tone was unforgiving, but there was an edge of encouragement in her eyes. "You're almost there. Stop thinking about the pain and focus on the finish."
Sophie didn't respond. She couldn't. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as she pushed herself forward.
By the ninth lap, the world around her narrowed to the sound of her heartbeat pounding in her ears and the unrelenting weight pressing her down. She barely noticed when Elena started running beside her again, her pace perfectly even.
"Last lap," Elena said, her voice quieter now but still firm. "Don't stop."
Sophie's body screamed at her to quit, but she gritted her teeth, forcing her legs to move. She didn't think about the track, or the cold, or the fire in her lungs. She thought of Alex Jr., his smile, and the promise she had made to keep him safe.
The final stretch felt endless, but when she finally crossed the finish line, her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the frozen ground. Her body ached with exhaustion, every muscle trembling as she gasped for air.
Elena crouched beside her, her clipboard tucked under one arm. She studied Sophie's collapsed form, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she nodded slightly. "Not bad for your first day."
Sophie turned her head, glaring at her through a haze of fatigue. "Not bad?" she croaked, her voice hoarse. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck."
Elena smirked, rising to her feet. "You'll feel worse tomorrow." She glanced down at Sophie, her tone light but edged with challenge. "But you'll also be stronger."
Sophie let her head fall back against the ground, staring at the overcast sky. "I hate you," she muttered, her voice weak but laced with humor.
Elena's smirk widened. "You'll thank me later."
As Elena walked away, Sophie closed her eyes, letting the cold seep into her skin as her breath slowly evened out. Despite the agony and her lingering annoyance at Elena, a small part of her felt a flicker of pride. She had made it through the first day.
One step closer, she thought, her resolve hardening. One step closer to being ready.