Project Icarus

Testing: Part One

I fell asleep almost instantly. I guess that's what a top-notch mattress does when you've been sleeping on dirt patches for two years.

If it was all this easy I might come to like being here. Especially if the food is as good as the bed is comfortable.
I was just climbing out of the bed when the door panel slid open and the Instructor walked in.

"Nicole. Good. You're awake," the Instructor said tersely.

"My body is still set to the sunrise, I guess."

"You can find some clothes in the closet behind you, I can assure all will fit you well."

"Thank you," I replied. She slid the door closed and I turned to the closet.
Wait. What closet? I turned back to where the panel should be and as I did it slid open again.

"Sorry. I forgot to show you." The Instructor walked quickly over to the wall and pushed in slightly. To my surprise, the wall gave a little and with a click the panel slid sideways and revealed some shelving. "There you are," the Instructor said quickly, before turning to walk back out.

"Wait," I called. She stopped and turned slowly. "How did you come to work here?"

Slowly and quietly, she managed to say "The same way you did. They chose me because in another life we could be... Friends."

Not entirely sure what she meant, I waited until she left the room before choosing among the piles of clothes.
Like the Instructor, I wore a simple shirt and sweat pants, except mine were white and not gray. I slipped on some of the shoes, and man. They were so comfortable. I wonder how much they cost to produce? Not my problem, I'm just here to do the testing.

After I was done changing, I put my old clothes in a chute on the bottom shelf and slid the door shut. At the click of it closing, the Instructor opened my door.

Clearly happier than she was before, the Instructor asked if I was ready.
Smiling slightly, I responded. "I hope so."

After walking out of the bedroom, I was breathtaken. Before me was an enormous room, platforms on either side at least two hundred feet apart. Fifteen feet below the platforms was a layer of sand. Is this where I'll test the wings?

Reading my mind, the Instructor quickly said, "This will be the flight room. Your job will be to try and make it from one platform to the other. That will come later. First, we need to have you measured and get the wings fitted."

She lead me down a hall to the left, opening slightly into a brightly illuminated room. A quick look around revealed a wall covered in an enormous mirror, some cloth measuring tapes, and what looked like leather backpack straps.

Standing right in front of me, however, was a guy. Not a knight, definitely, but still a human.
He's kinda hot. I doubt he'd go for me though. I bet you he's already together with little miss blonde, the Instructor. She seems more his type. I felt some blood rush to my cheeks. Why am I jealous of her? I was literally homeless before today I should be grateful that they gave me food and clothes. On the other hand, I could be really angry that they kidnapped me. I'll just ride it out.

I was so lost in thought I didn't notice he spoke until the Instructor elbowed me.
"Did I interrupt you in some earth-shattering relevations?" He asked, amused by my action, I answered his sarcastic remark by one even more so of my own.

"Yeah, I was thinking about how hard I'd laugh if you fell on your face right now," I shot back. The Instructor snorted.

He smiled for a second and held out his hand. "I'm the tailor. Who do I have the pleasure if meeting?"