Chapter 45 - Beneath the Silver Shadows

With no sleep coming, Ella tossed and turned in her small bed. Amidst her, the smell of sweat and filth filled the air, and she could hear the other recruits sleeping slightly. With her gaze directed upwards, she cast aside the memories of her claustrophobic quarters and the unrelenting training routine that occupied her days. She had not felt fully rested or at ease for a very long time. She felt a lot of pressure to live up to expectations and prove herself in a world that was out to get her. She couldn't exactly put her finger on it, but there was something more than the physical demands of the camp that kept her awake. Throwing back the thin blanket, she slipped from the bed, leaving her bare feet soundlessly on the chilly floor. If only for a short period, she needed to get outside the stuffy barracks and breathe fresh air. Silently, not wanting to wake the others, she headed outside. The moon hung in the sky like a silver coin, and the night was calm and chilly. Ella fel