A Journey of Self Improvement [Part One | Closed]

Clunk…. Clank….

This was the sound that brought about a new day for the man once known as Vladimir Anton. His days, at this point, were melding together; the continuity making what had been a mere week feel like months; isolation was, at its very core, unnatural for a human being. Humans were very social creatures, and as such isolation to this degree tended to change a man. At first it would not seem very bad, but as time went on the lack of interaction slowly ate away at a person's mind; it was a horrible sight. Couple this isolation with the denial of daylight and you would have a rather simple way to break a man. Sure, it was not something that would break them physically, but mentally the person would be destroyed; it was from with this mind, one which has been stripped of its sanity, that a soldier can be built. This was the basis for the rigorous training that he underwent; this was the line in which he walked.

Thunk…. Thunk…. Thunk….

This was all that followed the entrance of his handler; with what little light shone in through the rectangular delivery slot on the steel door, Vladimir was able to make out a tray of food. How long had it been since his last meal? How long had it been since he last saw another human? He had agreed to training, but he was never informed he would have to go through this. What was the point in this!?

“How long has it been!” This cry echoed down the hall, it seemed a man was brave enough to break the silence. The footsteps began once more.

Thunk…. Thunk…. Thunk…. Thunk…Clunk…. Clank…

“What are you doing? LET GO OF ME!” The man screamed out in terror. Vladimir simply sat there, slowly eating what little portions were given to him; there was no telling when the next meal would come. It was with this that the dragging of boots, and the muffled screams, filled the air; this was “Basic Training” this was what was to be expected from them. It was as he finished his meal, sliding his plate through the small rectangular opening that the footsteps began once more.

Thunk…. Thunk…. Thunk…. Thunk…. Clank….

It was with this that the door to his cell opened, and Vladimir made his way to the corner of his cell; were these really his comrades? It was as the hands reached forward that Vladimir’s eyes widened…