Chapter 5 – Pushing Beyond Limits
Ethan's legs were on fire. Every squat felt like his muscles were being torn apart, but he clenched his teeth and kept going. His body screamed at him to stop, but his mind refused to give in.
"One more... just one more..."
His knees shook as he forced himself down one last time. The second he pushed back up, his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the cold floor, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
BANG!
The door swung open.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Ethan barely had the strength to lift his head, but he recognized the voice instantly—Samantha, the nurse. She was standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock, staring at him lying there, drenched in sweat.
She rushed over, kneeling beside him. "Are you insane? You're supposed to be resting!"
Ethan let out a weak chuckle. "Well... technically, I'm lying down now."
Samantha glared at him. "Unbelievable," she muttered, before grabbing his arm and pulling him up. "Come on, sit down before you pass out completely."
She half-dragged him onto a chair, then grabbed the tray of food she had brought in earlier and shoved it toward him.