The Seventh

Part 2

The training room rinks of sweat and adrenaline. Mira gulped in disgust and waited until the field agents came up to speak. Hicks and some others stood in the middle of the gym. 
Averi nudges Mira, “Hey, we can work out together if they let us choose.” She smiles. 
“Okay,” Mira nods her head, “I would love that.” 

Hicks comes from the other side of the room and  gets everyone’s attention, “Well, I bet some of you thought you would sleep in for the rest of the day. No ma’am and sir, as soon as you get here, you start your training. The sooner we start the quicker we can start cutting people. What you are going to be doing today is the basic physical for this week. As I have explained during the tour, you need one point for all five events in the PLT and get the minimum of twelve points. Everyone get in rows.” Hicks centers in front of them as the other field agents line up on either side. He demonstrates how to do the sit up. His form is tight and neat. 

“He makes it look so easy,” Averi comments. 
“We can do this,” Mira smiles at her. “You go down first.” A field agent stands over them as they begin. 
While Mira counted Averi sit ups in her head, the guy who messed with her earlier finally came inside. The cockiness in his walk showed he didn’t really care to be there. Mira shook her head, slightly despising his nonchalant attitude. He would be one of the first to leave, she thought.  
“Jackson, just because your sister is the assistant director does not mean you can do any and everything you want to do while under my watch and time.” Hicks tells the guy. Jackson nods his head and pairs up with someone. He is brown haired with some blonde hair, similar features to Jenna but with lighter brown eyes. 

“Well then…” Mira whispers. 
“Tell me about it. He’s pretty much an asshole and his family let’s him get away with anything. I don’t get what people see him. He is bad news.” Averi squints her eyes. 

The field agent butts in, “Your form is poor. Keep your hands from pulling on your shirt, Trainee.” 

“Yeah, got it.” 

Mira could see the annoyance in Averi’s face. Seems like she doesn’t like to be told what to do. 

“What do you mean get away with things?”

“It’s loads of stuff but no one knows exactly. The family makes sure the media doesn’t keep out long enough for it to spread widely. One thing I heard, he was drunk and almost ended an entire family life. My guess...his sister brought him for redemption. ”

Mira looks at Jackson with contempt. 
When it was Mira’s turn, she struggled to do the right form and could barely hold herself up. 

“Have you ever worked out before because you’re shaking like a jack hammer in concrete baby.” Averi questions Mira. 
“Sometimes...on and off.” 
“I see…” 
The field agent writes their reports on a tablet. 
Hicks walks over to Mira and stares down at her. 

“Come on, Trainee, I know you can do more than that.” He teases. 
Mira glares. 
“Oop, I’m in your business.” He walks off. 
Averi looks at her confused, “What was that about?” 

“Nothing. I just see everyone here likes to be assholes.” 
The outside is clear and quiet,  everyone stood on the track in the hot beaming sun, some drenched in sweat and others weren't. Mira's body is already limp and shaking but it distracted her from everything bad she is feeling. 

“The 300 meter run, you run the entire track at full speed, none stop. To be an agent, you have to be good at keeping up with stamina.” said Hicks. 
“Where’s your pretty little pump to run in?” Teased Jackson as he hovered Mira’s ear as she can feel his body heat close enough to hers. She gulps and balled her fist.