Liri wanted us up and running very early this morning. She asked me to hold off on using my super speed for this one, as running way in front of everyone when I am supposed to lead them into battle seemed useless.

"Liri must hate us all." Saira complained, and another man next to her agreed.

I narrowed my vision to the ground in front of me. I needed to stay focused.

"Hey, Mitah! Can you show us your speed?" It was Raine, she was further behind. Soon, everyone started agreeing and asking me to run ahead.

"Liri told me not to." I explain, and the man next to Saira, I think his name is Cricket, Carro, I wasn't sure, asks.

"Yeah, isn't this boring for you?"

"I guess." I say after reflection. I was hardly exerting any energy to keep pace with everyone else. It could be fun to push myself to the limit. Liri could forgive me for breaking the rules once, surely.

"Give me a count down." I instruct, and they start from 10. I can tell everyone is getting excited, and my chest flares with pride.

"One!" Saira shouts from beside me, and I take off.

Within just five seconds, I'm roughly a mile ahead of everyone. I can't even see them behind me anymore. I let out a triumphant laugh.

But suddenly, I felt very dizzy. I grip my head and turn around. Maybe I can get back to everyone and get some water in my system before I feel much worse. However, my body had other, annoying plans. I feel myself slipping away.

I woke up in the med bay. Liri is standing above me. Her arms are crossed, and she looks upset.

"I thought I told you not to use your speed." She narrows her eyes. "How am I meant to trust you to be a lead them into battle if you can't follow my directions?"

"I'm sorry. They were begging me to show them-"

"I don't want to hear it Mitah! Your body is in no shape to run like that. Using that power takes preparation days beforehand. You seem to forget your limits, and I can't have you fainting on the battlefield when we need you the most!" She's raised her voice now, and I feel incredibly guilty.

"I promise I'll be better." I say because it's all I can say.

She scoffs, "You do something like that again and you'll be demoted. Understand?"

"Yes, commander."

"I want to see you at training early tomorrow."

"I understand."

The room grows silent as soon as she leaves. I haven't even sat up and looked around yet. Not to my surprise, Badger is in the corner looking a little overwhelmed.

"Well, that made me feel great." I say as I sit up.

"She barely let you open your eyes before she got onto you." Badger says, sitting down on the bed. He lets his hand slide to mine and rests it on top.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Like I just got yelled at." I sigh, taking my other hand and wiping my forehead. "She scares me sometimes."

"I'm so lucky I am a healer." Is all Badger says about that. "You hit your head pretty hard, but it looks like it's getting better already. You were incredibly dehydrated, and your blood pressure was through the roof. You need to be careful."

"I didn't think it would affect me that much."

"As rudely as Liri said it aside, she was right about you having a limit."

"You sound like you're upset with me." I say calmly, and Badger shakes his head slowly.

"Not upset, just worried. It's getting more hostile around here. People know war is coming. I know the institute will need you to fight when the time comes, and I need you at your strongest and healthiest. I need you to live." He says these words a little desperately for the situation.

"I will." I say confidently, and he nods.

The silence brought after is comforting.

He mumbles, "I wish I could've seen you though. I bet it was hot."

I laugh, squeezing his hand.