Come to think about it, Michael had really come far, clawing his way up from the bottom. But even now, looking at the hardened faces around him, he knew he hadn't come far enough. There was still a precipice to be scaled, a summit still shrouded in mist. Just when these thoughts began to weigh him down, the instructor's voice, sharp and devoid of warmth, shattered the tense silence.
"Each of you will be dropped at your location. Each of you will be responsible for protecting your designated zone. Understand this: if you find yourselves in danger, help might not arrive fast enough. You must hold your ground, regardless of the odds."
A cold wave of dread washed over Michael. He wasn't sure what was worse: the impending danger, the crushing weight of responsibility, or the chilling certainty of possible abandonment. The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken consequences, and his stomach clenched.
