-Vaughn Blackmore:
The straps of the backpack dig into my shoulders as I pull them tighter, adjusting the weight until it sits right against my back. It's heavier than it needs to be. I didn't pack much; it was mostly food—snacks, water, whatever I thought might help. If they're really sending us out into the woods, I'm not about to be unprepared. We didn't bring any extra clothes, because they asked us not to, something that has to do with training on survival or whatever.
The hallway outside is already loud.
Not the usual controlled noise of people moving to training, but something more chaotic—doors opening and closing, voices overlapping, footsteps rushing instead of pacing. There's an energy to it that feels different. Less structured. Less predictable.
I step outside, and it hits harder.
The entire front area of the camp is crowded.
People everywhere.
