6. Dangerous Weather

6. Dangerous Weather
Taewon, who was in the front of the group, raises his fisted hand to get us to stop.

“It’s getting late, so we’ll make camp here until the storm passes.”

Nearly everyone groans in either relief or frustration that we had to stop and pull up the camping gear in this horrid rain and mud. Me, I was too hyper aware that something even worse was going to happen, leaving the storm the least of my worries.

When I slip off Cho Cho, I couldn’t help noticing how close we were to the bank of the river. A very raging river I might add. I found it rather strange that we decided to camp so close to it since the footing of the bank was dangerous. I could already see that bits of the earth were falling into the water as it beats its force against it.

I don’t bother asking for help with my gear since no one will be willing too help anyways. They always left me on my own regardless if I struggled or not. I place my tent a bit further away from everyone, hoping to find a more solid ground to set up. Finding a patch of ground that looked less puddle like I head for it.

Only to be pushed aside by one of the other trainees and them taking the spot I just claimed. He doesn’t say anything to me as he drops his belongings, staring as if daring me to say something to him.

As always, I don’t. I just grab my tent and head somewhere else. But there wasn’t anywhere else to place my things. The rain was making it difficult to be grounded. There was just no possible way that my tent wasn’t going to get flooded.

Sighing heavily, I risk a patch of grass under a thick oak tree that was a little to close to the river than I liked. Stomping down on the ground, sensing that it would hold long as the rain didn’t progress harder than it already was, and that the river would shortly calm down sometime in the night, I set up camp.

While everyone was talking and helping each other, I stayed to myself and was forgotten. It was something I was already used too so it didn’t bother me as much as it had in the beginning. I learned long ago that none of these people were wanting to be my friend.

Cho Cho seemed more agitated than before as I tried to tie him to the tree I was at. His uneasiness left me feeling a little on edge. He knew where I was camped out wasn’t safe, but I didn’t have any other choice as I was basically pushed here in this section.

While they didn’t want me in their inner circle, I still wasn’t allowed to just be off further than the rest of the group. If it was up to me, I would have just simply camped on the edge of the road, but Taewon made sure we were well hidden in case of enemies lurking nearby. I doubt there was anyone out in this right now.

Cho Cho refused to be near the spot I was currently staying so I told him that he’ll have to stay with all the other horses. I could tell he hated that idea but complied since there was no where else for him to go.

I stare out of the opening flap of my tent, water raining down in front of me. It had been pointless setting up. Water was everywhere on the inside and I was completely soaked anyways. My freezing limbs wouldn’t stop shaking and starting a fire was a gone done deal. It was raining so hard I could barely see in front of me to everyone else, especially when night was falling.

I was starving and didn’t have any provisions on hand since I wasn’t allowed too. Honestly, I think they do that on purpose because many times had I seen other trainees have dried jerky or dried breaded treats on them. I would sneak them, but my belongings are always checked by Taewon and any time he finds something I’m not supposed to have he tosses it out and berates me.

I wasn’t sure what they were going to do about food since a fire couldn’t be made. I see a shadowy figure quickly going from one tent to another as he passes something to everyone. Like always I was the last one to be approached.

He doesn’t even bother to hand it to me but tosses a wrapped parcel that landed on the ground in front of my tent. I quickly snatch it up before the watery puddle could soak whatever was inside. He doesn’t say a word as he turns and runs off.

Sighing heavily, I close my flap and hope that the water would stay out as much as possible. Sitting in the nice little puddle that has manage to get inside, I open the nearly soaked bag to find small morsels of what used to be bread cookies and fish jerky. I make a face when parts of the cookies were now mush from being thrown in the water.

This wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last either. My heart constricts with loneliness as I chew off a chunk of the jerky. Slowly chewing I just stare at the other side of the drabby tent that was given to me. It was the smallest and it was thin. The wind and rain beat against the fabric causing the stands to dangerously sway.

I wouldn’t be surprised that they gave me the least amount of food. They always seem to do that. By the time it was my turn to get some grub, there would be hardly anything left. And I always had to get it myself unlike the others. Which did surprise me that I was given this. Maybe it was because of the rain.

Thinking about home and Hye-Se Young and Seong-Yu Hyung my eyes begin to droop heavily. I guess being out in this weather took a toll on your body, because my muscles felt weak and tired. Since I was soaked anyways, I didn’t bother to change. What was the point if I was going to lay in an inch of water anyways?

Laying myself on the ground, ignoring the chilling cold and the horrendous sounds outside, my eyes finally closed and sleep completely overtakes me into darkness. It wasn’t until I was drastically woken up that the true danger was at hand. And the realization of what it meant sent a cold hard truth that I will never forget until my dying day.