The 13th Star: An Action Adventure Sci-F Apocalyptic Novel by Adam Peled

surrounding them was the result of fear—not only of blows, but also of themselves.
     They realized they’d lost something that was never to return. But they had no choice; it was a struggle for survival. No one
     cared if they stayed the course or not. Their only concern was how to stay alive.
    In the many silences, and with his smile lost, Rettoul wondered whether his wise mother had been wrong. Did she know what
     she was sending him to? He only had one consolation—Mattoui, his friend. Neither one were able to keep his promise that first
     night at the end of the Mayjing lesson. Everyone dragged themselves to their rooms, shocked and injured. Both Rettoul and
     Mattoui forgot the Sinta, but not the smile and familiarity of a few hours earlier. Mattoui was the first to stumble to Rettoul’s
     room and dress Rettoul’s wounds—when he himself could barely see through his swollen eyelids. Rettoul appreciated the deed and knew
     they no longer needed to smoke Sinta together—they would remain together if they just survived the day, as he’d said at midday.
    In the following lessons, their eyes spoke more than anything to each other. They tried to be in the same group, if only to
     protect each other. Once during that long week, Rettoul was the cadet being beaten. Mattoui couldn’t hit him and Rettoul,
     knowing it could cost his friend his life should the instructor notice he was frozen, struck Mattoui so that he’d fight back.
     Indeed, the act saved Rettoul. The other members of the group, not used to the beaten one responding, were surprised, and
     their blows became child’s play. Rettoul rained down on the group punches that were far more fierce than those they were able
     to return.
    That evening, Rettoul told Mattoui, “I’m your friend, a true friend. I don’t want them to hurt you. If we ever find ourselves
     in a similar situation, I demand you hit me back. They could have killed you, and I’m not willing to lose the only friend
     I have because he’s too emotional.”
    Mattoui swallowed hard, his eyes filling with tears. “Maybe we made a mistake coming here. I’m so glad I met you. You give
     me so much strength—you’ve no idea how much! But I’m starting to break down. I’m not sure I really want to finish this week,
     you know, Rettoul? There are times I just want to go home to my mother and father and stop suffering through this experience.
     You’re the only bright spot here.”
    “You’re also practically my only bright spot here, but the second high point will be the end of this week. There’s an end.
     Some cadets were able to complete this week, and you and I are going to be like them. Maybe we’ll get bruised, but we’ll get out of here alive—and walking. I don’t want
     you to be broken. We’ve survived four days and only have three more, so we can’t be beaten now. If you’re my friend and I
     am dear to you, do it so both of us finish this week. Okay?”
    The other nights, when they came back from the hard workout, they sat with ice packs on their aching muscles, rubbing medication
     into the open wounds—both old and new—and laughing, telling jokes, and discovering a little more about each other’s world.
     Rettoul longed for Benaya, and Mattoui confessed that his mother was also the most important person in his life…although he
     really would like to find one who would write him love letters and wait for him.
     
    The connection between the two was the only thing that saved them from committing suicide. The silence enveloping the rest of the cadets, who were afraid of falling into the
     hands of their friends, wasn’t a prison for Rettoul and Mattoui. They waited eagerly for the regular evening ceremony. Barely
     able to breathe because of the pain, they survived and smiled not only at one another, but at the entire world. The long week
     ended and they were the outstanding graduates. The course commanders didn’t know which of them was better, and both were