Freefall by Anna Levine Page A

blank. I can’t think. Everything I’ve always wished for? Everything I’ve always wanted to be though I’m not even sure what it is. My head is reeling. The stretcher tears at my skin. My knees can no longer support me.
    â€œWho’s on the stretcher, Private! I can’t hear you.”
    I trip on a stone, stumble, and the stretcher almost tumbles. Lily rushes forward and slides in, taking my spot.
    â€œGood,” she says to Lily. “That’s how it should be done. Who’s up there?”
    The crunching of our boots, our labored breaths, and pathetic whimpers are the only sounds to break the silence.
    â€œAll one hundred sixty-five pounds of me, Commander—and that’s before eating the calorie grenade we got for lunch.”
    Argentina laughs huskily. “We’re lucky we’ve just got to carry the sandbags and not you.”
    The rest of us grit our teeth and keep moving. I can’t help thinking that it takes a lot of guts to admit out loud that the thing that weighs you down the most is yourself.
    We march on.
    Twilight creeps in.
    The commander whistles. We halt.
    â€œYour duffel bags, tent, and sleeping equipment are waiting for you at the top of the next hill!” she shouts. “That’s where you’ll camp for the night.”
    â€œUp there?” whispers Amber.
    â€œAt the top of the hill?” says Pigtails.
    We start the climb. My limbs don’t feel like they belong to me anymore. Like used parts of some old machine that have been tossed together, they don’t work in unison. My knees wobble. My boots slip on the gravelly dirt. My ankles quiver.
    I’m walking behind Lily, putting my feet down in the spots where she put hers.
    She starts to slip.
    The top of the hill is in sight. Lily groans.
    No! She’s going to go down. I can’t let that happen.
    â€œCome on, Lily!” With a last burst of strength that comes from someplace inside, I bend my head, put both hands on her big round butt, and shove. I shove her as if she were a stalled car at the entrance to Jerusalem. Like all those cars that come so far and conk out so close to the top.
    â€œNot after all you’ve done!” I shout at her. “We’re almost at the top of our Jerusalem.”
    â€œCome on, Lily!” we shout in unison.

Chapter Six
    We reach the top of the hill.
    The sandbags fall to the ground with the stretcher.
    â€œGood riddance,” says Argentina. “If I never have to lift one of those again, I will be eternally grateful.” She massages her neck.
    â€œAmen,” says Noga. She groans and sighs. “Look, a quarter moon. But no stars yet.”
    We glance up. The moon’s glow begins to illuminate the distant hills. The heat, which had toasted us during the day, has burnt off. In this light the desert looks mysterious with the odd rock formations that curve in curious shapes.
    â€œIt’s getting cold,” says Amber. “What I wouldn’t do for a hot shower.”
    Sonya groans. “A bubble bath,” she says. “With lots of scented bubbles to soak my feet.”
    The chill reminds me of the stuff I brought from home, the shower that I won’t have but at least a clean T-shirt and a toothbrush.
    â€œMy teeth feel glued with grime,” says Lily. Rinsing off her finger, she rubs it across her teeth.
    I follow her lead, glancing over at the commander, who is talking with her scribes. We wait to find out what they have planned for us next.
    Lily slaps me on the back. “You know, you did great today. How come you’re so fit?”
    â€œJerusalem hills,” I say, not sure if I’ve been complimented or insulted.
    â€œThere’s got to be more. You’re holding out on us.”
    I try and laugh it off but feel that the other girls are waiting to hear as well. I’m afraid they’ll tease me, though there’s no way to wheedle out of it now. “I