The military instructor in charge of Catherine's class training was called Instructor Hunter. He was about 1 foot 8 with tan skin. He always put on a stern face.

Many of Catherine's classmates complained they couldn't stand the intensity, especially girls who were afraid to get a sunburn.

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The 10-minute break was short. The instructor whistled to gather them up before the sweat was dried. Their next drill was to run along with the campus.

Some who lacked daily exercise couldn't run after seconds. But the instructor was still whistling behind them and scared them to death. They were terrified to receive the punishment of keeping standard military pose.

"I'm so tired."

"Are you okay, Anna?"

Anna had the worst physical health among the four girls. During the training, she couldn't eat much and went to bed early at night. But she seemed weary.

Anna was tall and skinny. And she looked pale. According to her, she burned too many midnight oils for ACT scores. She wasn't in good health and didn't recover after a summer.

"I... I'm fine..."

"If you can't run anymore, just stop."

"No. Instructor Hunter wouldn't allow it."

"It's just some dumb training. But you look pale."

The other three girls from Anna's dormitory all cared for Anna. So they jogged behind her in case something happened. Anna's look was so pale.

"I'll ask for the absence from Instructor Hunter. Catherine, you take Anna to the medical room."

"Okay."

Anna saw the blank in front of her, and she was staggering. It was as her physical strength was drained. She couldn't stop sweating, and it drenched her military fatigues.

"Anna, are you okay? Have some water."

Catherine looked at Anna and said, "She might have a sunstroke."

"Let's get her to the medical room."

"I'll carry her on my back. It'll be faster."

Catherine carried Anna on her back to the medical room. Luckily, they weren't far from the medical room, and Anna was light. It wasn't so hard for Catherine.

There were so many people in the medical room. Catherine took one look and noticed most of them were girls. Some were taking medicine, and others had IV transfusions. But they all looked weary. It must be that they hated the training.

"Doctor, my friends might have a sunstroke."

The doctor frowned at Anna's pale face. He checked up on Anna and confirmed it was sunstroke. Besides, she consumed too much energy and had to take an IV transfusion and have a rest.

It wasn't a few days into the military training that the medical room became the refuge for girls. If they asked for medical leave, most instructors would agree.

"Doctor, will she be okay?"

The doctor said, "She might pass out if you bought her any moments late. She's not fit to have intense exercise. Doesn't she know it?"

Anna bent over out of embarrassment and whispered, "I thought it was okay."

Anna heard from seniors that the military training wasn't that intense. So it wouldn't cause too much harm to her body. She would like to participate in the training like everyone else and hated to make herself an exception.

The doctor gave Anna an IV transfusion and prescribed some medicine.

"Anna, don't mind me. I'm okay on my own. You have to get back, or Instructor Hunter would get angry."

Catherine thought about Instructor Hunter's grim face and said, "Okay. Call me if anything happens. After this, you head back and have some rest. I'll ask for leave for you."

"Okay. Thanks."

Catherine left the medical room and was about to head back. Then she saw two people she knew on the lane not far away.'

It was Ken Hosk and Iris, who stood next to him and her eyes poured out pink heart bubbles.

Catherine wondered why they were together.

Catherine was a bit far to see them clearly. But she saw Iris tried to hold Ken's hands, but he threw her off.

Iris covered her face with both hands and looked upset. She stomped her feet and ran off.

Catherine was too focused that she didn't realize Ken came over to her. Before she knew it, Ken was next to her and stared at her coldly.

Catherine saw the stern look on his cold face.

"Hey, Ken. What a surprise to meet you here."

Catherine grinned and didn't feel embarrassed at all for being caught spying.

Ken knew she was a freshman by the military fatigues she was wearing. He thought he would never see her again after he helped her. But fate works in mysterious ways.

He ran into her, and she happened to see him and Iris.

Ken just gave Catherine a stern look and left without saying anything.

Catherine didn't stop him. But she thought it must be challenging to ask him to work at Feather. He was a more difficult man than Sean.

"It's okay. We have a lot of time. I'll make you say yes." Catherine said.

When Catherine returned, everyone in the squad looked at her at the same time.

"Instructor Hunter!"

Ethel gave Catherine a knowing look, and Cecil couldn't help frowning.

What was wrong, Catherine thought.

"Who allows you to leave without informing me?"

Didn't Ethel tell him about Anna? Catherine wondered,

"Anna had a sunstroke while she was running. So I took her to the medical room."

"But you didn't inform me!"

"It's urgent—besides, life matters. I thought you could understand. And I asked Ethel to tell you."

Ethel said immediately, "Instructor Hunter, I'm Ethel. I did report to you. Catherine is being kind to take Anna to the medical room."

"You think she's right?"

Ethel didn't answer because his look was terrifying.

"I didn't tell you because it was urgent..."

Hunter cut Catherine off, "That's not obeying my order."

"Instructor Hunter, are you implying I should sit down and do nothing as it happens? Your indifference strikes me. I thought soldiers are supposed to be patriotic and helpful."

The others were astounded that Catherine would rebuke the instructor.

Ethel and Cecil were worried sick. It was totally unwise to talk back to the instructors. They have ten more days of training. What if Hunter decided to use his position to get even with Catherine?

It was not rational.

Catherine knew this too. But she was too mad. She could handle that Hunter was being stern or the training got too intense. This was not the thing she could put up with.

"I don't think I'm wrong. If you want to punish me, then do it. I'm okay with it."

"What's your name?"

"Catherine, Instructor Hunter."