"Just one more breath. And now another one. Now one more..."
Junior had never been fond of running. In fact he considered it the single most annoying way to exercise.
JUNIOR
What is the point of running?
Once, when his father had gone out for a run, Junior had tagged along. On his bike.
JOHN
I have to stay in shape.
Had responded his father with a steady voice, despite the quick running pace.
JOHN
Astronauts must always be in optimal physical shape. The work we do involves...
JUNIOR
Running is pointless!
Had gone on Junior, undeterred.
JUNIOR
It's no fun! Why do you run when you could be playing some sport instead?
JOHN
I'll be honest with you, Junior. I don't like running either.
JUNIOR
So why do you do it?!
His father had gathered his thoughts before answering.
JOHN
It comes a point, after you've been running for a while... you don't think about the exhaustion, you don't think about the pain... you just think about going farther than you've ever gone... to me, running is about that feeling you get when you surpass your limits, when you do something you've never done before...
JUNIOR
I don't get it...
JOHN
Perhaps one day you will.
And on this day, Junior finally got it. They had been running for over two hours, and Junior was well beyond his limit.
"Focus on your breath. Don't think about anything else but your breath." Junior kept repeating to himself. He didn't want to stop. X-466 and R-328 were standing guard. To stop within sight of them meant immediate disqualification from the selection. Several people had already been banned. Mercifully, the track set up for them went through a small wooded area. As soon as people entered, everybody slowed their pace down to a walk. Many stopped for a few seconds to catch their breath. If it weren't for this, most people would have already been excluded.
JUNIOR
Are you quitting?
Junior had finally caught up with Lwazi. He was on his knees, just under cover of the woods.
JUNIOR
Or are you going to die here?
Continued Junior, as Lwazi wouldn't answer him.
JUNIOR
I'll be going then...
Lwazi forced himself up, and breathing heavily he started walking besides Junior.
LWAZI
How can you still...
He couldn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
JUNIOR
Slow and steady, Lwazi. You began too strong...
LWAZI
Those sick sons of... why are they doing this to us?
Finally said Lwazi, once he had gathered enough breath. Junior had also been wondering what the point of all that running was. There was no end in sight. It seemed the two clones were just waiting. Waiting for all of them to fail. Was there a way to succeed?
The answer to Junior's question came to him soon enough. They had gotten out of the thicket and resumed their running, when in front of them, a boy started stumbling. Soon he fell down, exhausted. Junior stopped by his side and quickly hoisted him onto his back.
LWAZI
What are you doing? Leave him, or else you'll be disqualified too!
JUNIOR
I have a feeling I won't...
Said Junior, struggling to maintain his balance.
LWAZI
Are you crazy?! You've seen it! They kick you out once you stop running!
Lwazi had not stopped, and was now shouting in order to make himself heard by Junior.
JUNIOR
WE haven't stopped running!
Responded Junior, who was actually barely moving forward, holding the boy on his shoulders.
JUNIOR
Are you OK?
Asked Junior to the boy.
BOY
OK... OK...
He answered, exhausted.
JUNIOR
Good... Here we go...
As they passed in front of the two clones, X-466 and R-328 looked at them, but didn't utter a word. Junior and the boy were both safe.
JUNIOR
I knew it!
Junior carried the boy until they entered the woods, then collapsed on his hands and knees.
JUNIOR
Don't worry about me! GO!
He said to the boy, who had rested enough to be able to continue on his own.
BOY
Thank you! Thank you!
He said, before marching on.
JUNIOR
Just keep going!
Junior on the other hand, had used up all his energy reserves. There was no way for him to continue on his own. Just when he thought it was all over, he felt himself being pulled up. He was startled at first, until he realised that Lwazi had come for him.
LWAZI
You're one sly fella, Junior...
Lwazi kept on going while carrying Junior on his back. They passed in front of X-466 and R-328, who, once again, simply stood there in silence. Realising it was allowed, soon everybody else started taking turns sharing the fatigue. The older carrying the younger, the bigger carrying the smaller. The test was promptly interrupted by R-328.
R-328
To all those of you still here, congratulations. You've made it through the first day.
