Panic rises in my chest and I want to scream, but my voice stays silent. Everything feels heavy. My arms fall past my head, dangling in the air as I try to stay completely still. There is a rope keeping my legs together, trapped in the uncomfortable position and leaving an ache that I know I’ll feel for days. The hot tears run down my forehead instead of my cheeks and the rushing blood in my veins pulse in a downward motion towards my head. I swallow the sob that threatens to leak through my lips. I will not cry because I know this game all too well. I’m safe as long as I don’t speak, as long as the predator across the dark room still thinks I’m asleep.

I try to focus on my breathing, making sure that I’m not panting or gasping for air. I have to keep my breathing leveled and shallow because I know my enemy can sense even the slightest difference in my actions. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, and so on. I listen carefully over the quiet breathing and try my best to hear any movement from the across the room. But everything stays silent.

I kept my breathing leveled, my body still, and my mind quiet as I stare into the void of darkness. I’m just starting to reevaluate my current situation when the florescent light switches on. My eyes shut immediately, only for me to force them back open to see the two men, dressed in formal apparel, walking my way with the white light blurring their figures. I have close my eyes again, my head throbbing from the brightness.

One of the men take hold of my shoulders while the taller one loosens the noose around my legs. He grabs my legs, keeping me from plummeting to the ground. Once they place me on the ground, the grip of the two men disappear. I open my eyes again to see the familiar smiling face of my instructor.

“I think you’re ready for the field, Agent.”